JP4318199B2 - Image forming apparatus and copying apparatus - Google Patents

Description

【００８６】
【表２】

【００８７】
表２上の「送，受信」はＦＣＵの、プリントアウトを伴なわないファクシミリ送，受信であり、データ保持は、ＭＥＭの蓄積画像データの保持である。
【００８８】
ＤＣ／ＡＣ制御板９０は、スイッチ８５がオンのときに現れる＋５Ｖを、プロセスコントローラ１３１，操作ボード２０，ＡＣＰ，ＦＣＵ，スキャナ１０，フィニッシャ３４，大容量給紙トレイ３６および給紙バンク３５に、待機時および動作時の制御電圧として与える。プリンタ１００内の、動作電圧＋２４Ｖを必要とする電気回路（ドライバ：通電回路）ならびにスキャナ１０，フィニッシャ３４，大容量給紙トレイ３６および給紙バンク３５の、動作電圧＋２４Ｖを必要とするドライバにには、スイッチ８４がオンのときに現れる＋２４Ｖを動力電圧として与える。
【００８９】
図５に、操作ボード２０の回路ブロックを示す。操作ボード２０には、面表示機能がありしかも入力読み取り機能がある液晶タッチパネル（以下では液晶ディスプレイ又はディスプレイと言うこともある）７９，操作キー・マトリクス２７１，表示ＬＥＤ（発光ダイオード）２７２等がある。キー・マトリクス２７１には、省エネモード（休止モード又は低電力モード）からスタンバイモードに、またその逆への切換えを指示するための電源キー８０ｈ（図６）がある。省エネモードが設定されている時に電源キー８０ｈが一回押されると、省エネモードからスタンバイモードに切換る。スタンバイモードであるときに電源キー８０ｈが一回押されると、スタンバイモードから省エネモードに切換る。
【００９０】
図５に示す操作ボード２０の電気制御系の主体は、システムコントローラ１のＭＰＵ６１とコミュニケーションし、操作ボード２０の入力を読取り、ボード上の表示を制御するＣＰＵ２５３，このＣＰＵ２５３の制御プログラムが格納されているＲＯＭ２６５，制御時にデータの一時格納等を行うためのＲＡＭ２６６，ＬＣＤ２６０の描画データを格納するＶＲＡＭ２６８，このＶＲＡＭ２６８に接続されＬＣＤ２６０の描画タイミング制御等を行う液晶表示コントローラ（ＬＣＤＣ）２６７，時刻データを発生する時計ＩＣ ２７３等がある。ＬＣＤＣ２６７には、ＣＦＬの光源をバックライト２７０として有するＬＣＤ２６０が接続される。ＣＰＵ２５３には更に、ＣＦＬバックライト２７０を駆動するインバータ２６９，キー・マトリクス２７１，表示ＬＥＤ２６１のＬＥＤマトリクス２７２およびそれらのＬＥＤを駆動するＬＥＤ駆動装置７３等が接続されている。
【００９１】
また、ＣＰＵ２５３が接続されたデータバスには、各画像処理モードの実行において参照する情報，状態情報および使用実績を記憶するための不揮発性ＲＡＭ（ＮＶＲＡＭ）２６４が接続されている。
【００９２】
図６に示す様に、操作ボード２０には、液晶タッチパネル７９のほかに、テンキー８０ａ，クリア／ストップキー８０ｂ，スタートキー８０ｃ，初期設定キー８０ｄ，モード切換えキー８０ｅ，テスト印刷キー８０ｆがある。モード切換えキー８０ｅは、操作ボード２０の設定（作像条件）を、標準モードからＮＶＲＡＭ２６４にセーブしている電源オフ直前又は割込みコピー直前の作像モードに、又はその逆に切換えることを指定するものであり、モード切換えキー８０ｅを押すことで、そのとき標準モードをパネル７９に表示していたなら、それがＮＶＲＡＭ２６４にセーブしている作像条件をあらわすものに切り換る。標準モードとは別の作像条件を表示していたなら、それが標準モードに切り換る。テスト印刷キー８０ｆは、設定されている印刷部数に関わらず１部だけを印刷し、印刷結果を確認するためのキーである。
【００９３】
初期設定キー８０ｄを押す事で、機械の初期状態を任意にカスタマイズする事が可能である。機械が収納している用紙サイズを設定したり、コピー機能のリセットキーを押したときに設定される状態を任意に設定可能である。初期設定キ−８０ｄが操作されると、各種初期値を設定するための「初期値設定」機能ならびに「ＩＤ設定」機能，「著作権登録／設定」機能および「使用実績の出力」機能、の選択メニューが表示される。
【００９４】
省エネモード（休止モード又は低電力モード）から動作モード（スタンバイモード）に切換った時の定着温度立上げ特性を定めるパラメータも、「初期値設定」機能を用いて調整できる。また、カセット１０３，１０４および大容量給紙トレイ３６に収納した用紙のサイズ（Ａ３，Ａ４，・・・），厚み（普通／厚紙）および紙種（普通紙／ＯＨＰ）の登録および変更も、「初期値設定」機能を用いて行うことが出来る。
【００９５】
液晶タッチパネル７９には、各種機能キー及び画像形成装置の状態を示すメッセージなどが表示される。液晶ディスプレイ７９には、「コピー」機能，「スキャナ」機能，「プリント」機能，「ファクシミリ」機能，「蓄積」機能，「編集」機能，「登録」機能およびその他の機能の選択用および実行中を表わす機能選択キー８０ｇが表示される。機能選択キー８０ｇで指定された機能に定まった入出力画面が表示され、例えば「複写」機能が指定されているときには、図６に示すように、機能キー７９ａ，７９ｂならびに部数及び画像形成装置の状態を示すメッセージが表示される。オペレータが液晶タッチパネル７９に表示されたキーにタッチする事で、選択された機能を示すキーが灰色に反転する。また、機能の詳細を指定しなければならない場合（例えばページ印字の種類等）はキーにタッチする事で詳細機能の設定画面が表示される。このように、液晶タッチパネルは、ドット表示器を使用している為、その時の最適な表示をグラフィカルに行う事が可能である。
【００９６】
図７に、システムコントローラ１の、操作ボード２０のＣＰＵ２５３と共同して実行する、スタンバイモード／低電力モード／休止モード間の切換え制御、を示す。図７を参照すると、図４に示すＤＣ電源／ＡＣ制御板９０と商用交流電源（コンセント）との間の元電源スイッチ９１が閉じてＤＣ電源／ＡＣ制御板９０が動作電圧を与えると、システムコントローラ１は、電源オン応答の初期化処理（ステップ１）をして、そこでスタンバイモードを設定する（ステップ２，３）。すなわちスイッチ８３〜８５をオンする。次に、スタンバイモードから低電力モードへの切換え待ち時間Ｔｄ１を時限値とするタイマＴｄ１をスタートし（ステップ４）、入力読み取り（ステップ５）を行う。
【００９７】
なお、以下においては、カッコ内にはステップと言う語を省略してステップ番号数字のみを記す。
【００９８】
初期化処理（１）においては、操作ボード２０のＣＰＵ２５３がシステムコントローラ１の指示に応じて、操作ボード２０のＮＶＲＡＭにある標準処理モードのコピー条件を読み出して操作ボード２０の液晶ディスプレイに表示する。
【００９９】
入力読み取り（５）では、操作ボード２０のＣＰＵ２５３が操作ボード２０に対するユーザの操作（入力）を読み込んでシステムコントローラ１に報知し、また、システムコントローラ１が、パソコンＰＣおよびＦＣＵからのコマンドを解読する。操作ボード２０のＣＰＵは、操作ボード２０に対するユーザの操作に対応して、置数キーの押下の読込みと入力数字データの生成，スタートキーの押下の読込みと、スタート指示のシステムコントローラ１への転送，用紙サイズの切換え入力の読取りなど、通常の複写機の操作読取りおよび表示出力の制御を行う。
【０１００】
スタンバイモードから低電力モードへの切換えの待ち時間Ｔｄ１および低電力モードから休止モードへの切換えの待ち時間Ｔｄ２は、操作部２０から「初期設定」機能を用いて入力できるものであり、入力値が操作ボード２０のＮＶＲＡＭに格納（登録）されているものである。
【０１０１】
「入力読み取り」（５）で、指示入力、例えば、操作ボード２０に対するユーザの操作（置数キーの押下，スタートキーの押下，用紙サイズの切換え，その他），原稿スキャナ１０の原稿押えスイッチの閉（押え位置）から開（開き位置）への変化，ＡＤＦ３０での原稿検知，パソコンＰＣ又はＦＣＵからのプリントコマンド、を受けるとシステムコントローラ１は、指示入力に対応した処理に進む（７−２０）。
【０１０２】
しかし指示入力がないと、タイマＴｄ１がタイムオーバしたかをチエックする（２１，２２）。指示入力が無くタイマＴｄ１がタイムオーバすると、システムコントローラ１は、モードレジスタＦＴに低電力モードであることを示す「１」を書き込んで（２３）、Ｔｄ２時限のタイマＴｄ２をスタートして（２４）、低電力モードに移行する（２５）。すなわち、スイッチ８３をオフにする。スイッチ８４，８５はオンを継続する。そしてその後、入力が無くタイマＴｄ２がタイムオーバすると（６，２１，２６，２７）、システムコントローラ１は、モードレジスタＦＴに休止モードであることを示す「２」を書込み（２８）、操作ボード２０の液晶ディスプレイに表示中の画像処理モードを操作ボード２０のＮＶＲＡＭに前回モードとして書込み（２９ａ）、休止モードに移行する（２９ｂ）。すなわち、スイッチ８３，８４および８５をオフにする。
【０１０３】
スタンバイモードを設定しているときに操作ボード２０の、省エネ関係のモード切換えを指示するための電源キー８０ｈがオンすると、システムコントローラ１は、ユーザが休止モードへの切換えを指示したとみなして、操作ボード２０の液晶ディスプレイに表示中の画像処理モードを、操作ボード２０のＮＶＲＡＭに前回モードとして書込み、休止モードに移行する。低電力モード又は休止モードを設定しているときに操作ボード２０の電源キー８０ｈがオンするとシステムコントローラ１は、ユーザがスタンバイモードへの切換えを指示したとみなして、スタンバイモードを設定し、操作ボード２０のＮＶＲＡＭに書き込んでいる前回画像処理モードを読出して操作ボード２０の液晶ディスプレイに表示する。
【０１０４】
「入力読み取り」（５）で指示入力を認知するとシステムコントローラ１は、指示入力が、操作ボード２０に対するユーザの操作，原稿スキャナ１０の原稿押えスイッチの閉から開への変化，ＡＤＦ３０での原稿検知など、複写使用を伺わせるものであると、或いは、パソコンＰＣ又はＦＣＵからのプリントコマンドであったときには、現在がスタンバイモードである場合には、オペレータ或いはＰＣ又はＦＣＵの複写モード設定入力又はプリントモード設定を読込み、プロセスコントローラ１３１を介して、複写又はプリントアウトをする（７，８，９）。そしてタイマＴｄ１をスタートする（１０）。
【０１０５】
現在が低電力モード又は休止モードの場合には、モードレジスタＦＴにスタンバイモードであることを示す「０」を書き込んで（２）、スタンバイモードに移行しタイマＴｄ１をスタートする（３，４）。すなわち、スイッチ８３，８４および８５をオンにする。そしてプロセスコントローラ１３１を介して、複写またはプリントアウトを行う（５〜９）。
【０１０６】
ＰＣによる原稿画像読込又はＦＣＵによるファクシミリ送信のための原稿画像読込のときには、システムコントローラ１は、現在がスタンバイモードである場合には、プロセスコントローラ１３１を介して、原稿スキャナ１０による画像読み取りを行って画像データをＭＥＭに格納し、そしてＰＣ又はＦＣＵへの画像データの転送を行う（１２，１８）。これを終えるとタイマＴｄ１をスタートする（１９）。現在が低電力モードである場合には、同様に画像読み取りと転送を行うが（１３，１６）、それを終えるとタイマＴｄ２をスタートする（１７）。現在が休止モードである場合には、モードレジスタＦＴに低電力モードであることを示す「１」を書き込んで（１４）、操作ボード２０のＮＶＲＡＭ２６４に書き込んでいる前回画像処理モードを読出して操作ボード２０の液晶ディスプレイ７９に表示して（１５ａ）、低電力モードに移行し（１５ｂ）すなわちスイッチ８４，８５をオンにして、同様に画像読み取りと転送を行い（１６）、それを終えるとタイマＴｄ２をスタートする（１７）。
【０１０７】
上述の複写，プリントアウト又は画像読み取りを直接に指示しない入力、例えば、操作ボード２０の電源キー８０ｈのオン，ドア開閉，初期設定キー８０ｄのオン，管理用キー入力、があると、それを読み込んで入力対応の処理を行う（２０）。
【０１０８】
上述の「スタンバイモード」が設定されるときにはスイッチ８３，８４および８５がオンになるので、ＡＣ回路８６内の、交流電源スイッチである図示しない電源リレーにスイッチ８４の出力＋２４Ｖが加わり、ＡＣ回路８６内の、定着ヒータ（本実施例ではハロゲンヒータ）８７に通電するトライアック回路（位相制御による交流通電回路）および８６内直流電源回路に商用交流電圧が加わり、該直流電源回路が、ＡＣ回路８６内の、ＡＳＩＣ（Application Specific IC）である通電コントローラに動作電圧を与える。このときプロセスコントローラ１３１が定着温度センサ８８の検出温度をＡＣ回路８６（のＡＳＩＣ）から入手して検出温度に対応して目標温度を決定してＡＣ回路８６に与える。ＡＣ回路８６は、プロセスコントローラ１３１が与える目標値に、定着温度センサ８８の検出温度が合致するように、トライアック回路の通電位相を制御する。
【０１０９】
図８に、プロセスコントローラ１３１の制御動作の概要を示す。元電源スイッチ９１のオフ又は休止モードから、低電力モード又はスタンバイモードに切換わると、すなわちシステムコントローラ１がスイッチ８５をオンにすると、プロセスコントローラ１３１に動作電圧が加わる。これによってプロセスコントローラ１３１が起動して、プリンタ１００，フィニッシャ３４，給紙バンク３５および大容量給紙トレイ３６の初期設定を行い（３１）、プリンタ１００のメンテナンス発生要求やエラー発生等の内部状態をチェックし（３２）、システムコントローラ１からの、省エネモードの切換え，解像度，変倍設定要求，給紙口，排紙口の切替え要求，作像スタート等々の報知又は指令を解読して（３３）、指令に対応する設定をしてフィニッシャ３４および大容量給紙トレイ３６の状態チェックを行う（３４）。システムコントローラ１が、スタンバイモードを設定すると、「温度制御の初期設定」（３７）を実行して、スタンバイモードであることを表わす「１」を、ＲＡＭ１３２の１領域に割当てたレジスタＲＳｔｂｙに書く（３６〜３８）。システムコントローラ１が、低電力モードに切換えたときには、レジスタＲＳｔｂｙをクリアする（４２）。給紙口の切換え要求があったときには、給紙段を、指定があったカセット１０３，１０４又は大容量給紙トレイ３６に変更する（３９）。システムコントローラ１から作像スタート指令がくるとプロセスコントローラ１３１は、「プリント制御」（４１）に進んで、設定枚数の作像を制御する。
【０１１０】
図９に、定着器１０７の定着ヒータ８７に通電する「スタンバイモード」に切換ったときにプロセスコントローラ１３１が実行する「温度制御の初期設定」（３７）の内容を示す。これに進むとプロセスコントローラ１３１はまず、ＡＣ回路８６から、温度センサ８８の検出温度Ｔを表わす温度信号をデジタル変換して読込んでレジスタＲＴに書込む（４３）。なお、プロセスコントローラ１３１がデータを読み書きするレジスタとは、ＲＡＭ１３２又はＮＶＲＡＭ２６４の１領域である。
【０１１１】
次にプロセスコントローラ１３１は、
第１目標温度ＮＶＴｒａ１（ＮＶＲＡＭに定めたレジスタＮＶＴｒａ１
にあるデータ；以下同様），
第２目標温度ＮＶＴｒａ２，
第３目標温度ＮＶＴｒａ３，
第１切換時間ＮＶＴｉｍｅ１，
第２切換時間ＮＶＴｉｍｅ２，
第１閾値温度ＮＶＴｓ１、および、
第２閾値温度ＮＶＴｓ２、
をＮＶＲＡＭ２６４から読み出して、それぞれを、ＲＡＭ１３２に定めた、
第１目標温度レジスタＲＴｒａ１，
第２目標温度レジスタＲＴｒａ２，
第３目標温度レジスタＲＴｒａ３，
第１切換時間レジスタＲＴｉｍｅ１，
第２切換時間レジスタＲＴｉｍｅ２、
第１閾値温度レジスタＲＴｓ１、および、
第２閾値温度レジスタＲＴｓ２、
に書込む（４４）。
【０１１２】
そして、読みこんだ温度値Ｔの値により目標定着温度ＲＴｅｍｐと目標温度領域情報ＲＴｓｔｓを決定する（４５〜４９）。ここで、第１閾値温度レジスタＲＴｓ１および第２閾値温度レジスタＲＴｓ２の各データＲＴｓ１，ＲＴｓ２が表す値をＲＴｓ１およびＲＴｓ２と表すとすると（以下も同様）、
Ｔ＜ＲＴｓ１の時は、目標定着温度ＲＴｅｍｐをＴｒａ１に設定し、
目標温度領域情報ＲＴｓｔｓをＳＴ１に設定する（４５，４７）；
ＲＴｓ１≦Ｔ＜ＲＴｓ２の時は、目標定着温度ＲＴｅｍｐをＴｒａ２に
設定し、目標温度領域情報ＲＴｓｔｓをＳＴ２に設定する（４５〜４７）；
Ｔ≧ＲＴｓ２の時は、目標定着温度ＲＴｅｍｐをＴｒａ３に設定し、
目標温度領域情報ＲＴｓｔｓをＳＴ３に設定する（４５，４６，４９）。
【０１１３】
目標定着温度ＲＴｅｍｐの切替えの境界となる第１閾値温度ＲＴｓ１および第２閾値温度ＲＴｓ２は、例えば、
ＲＴｓ１＝９０℃，
ＲＴｓ２＝１３０℃
である。
【０１１４】
第１目標温度ＲＴｒａ１，第２目標温度ＲＴｒａ２および第３目標温度ＲＴｒａ３は、例えば、
ＲＴｒａ１＝１１０℃，
ＲＴｒａ２＝１６０℃，
ＲＴｒａ３＝１８０℃
である。
【０１１５】
例えば、Ｔが５０℃の場合、Ｔ＜９０℃（ＲＴｓ１）であるので、目標定着温度ＲＴｅｍｐに１１０℃（ＲＴｒａ１）を設定する。Ｔが１００℃の場合、９０℃（ＲＴｓ１）≦Ｔ≦１３０℃（ＲＴｓ２）であるので、目標定着温度ＲＴｅｍｐに１６０℃（ＲＴｒａ２）を設定する。Ｔが１４０℃の場合、Ｔ≧１３０℃（ＲＴｓ２）であるので、目標定着温度ＲＴｅｍｐに１８０℃（ＲＴｒａ３）を設定する。
【０１１６】
次にプロセスコントローラ１３１は、ＮＶＲＡＭ２６４の給紙指定レジスタＮＶＲｎｓのデータを参照して（５０）、それが、前回に定着給電をオフに切換えた（スタンバイモードから省エネモードに切換えた）ときに給紙に指定されていた給紙段（カセット１０３，１０４又は給紙トレイ３６）の用紙の属性情報に基く目標定着温度の補正を指定する「１」であると、ＮＶＲＡＭ２６４に格納している前モード作像条件（図７の２９ａ又は２３〜２５でＮＶＲＡＭ２６４に登録したもの）の給紙段を表わすデータＮＶＴｒａｙを参照給紙段レジスタＲＴｒａｙに書込む（５１）。給紙指定レジスタＮＶＲｎｓのデータが、現在給紙に指定されている給紙段の用紙の属性情報に基く目標定着温度の補正を指定する「０」であると、現在給紙に指定されている給紙段を表わすデータＴｒａｙを参照給紙段レジスタＲＴｒａｙに書込む（５２）。
【０１１７】
つぎにプロセスコントローラ１３１は、各給紙段であるカセット１０３，１０４および給紙トレイ３６宛ての、ＮＶＲＡＭ２６４上の属性情報レジスタＮＶＫｄ１，ＮＶＫｄ２およびＮＶＫｄ３の属性データＮＶＫｄ１，ＮＶＫｄ２およびＮＶＫｄ３を読み出して、第１給紙段レジスタＲＫｄ１，第２給紙段レジスタＲＫｄ２および第３給紙段レジスタＲＫｄ３に書込む（５３）。そして、参照給紙段レジスタＲＴｒａｙにある給紙段宛ての属性情報を給紙段レジスタから選択して、属性情報指定レジスタＲＫｉｎｄに書込む（５４〜５７）。そして、選択した給紙段の用紙の属性情報に、厚紙であることを表わす情報があると、目標定着温度レジスタＲＴｅｍｐの目標定着温度データＲＴｅｍｐを、厚紙に宛てた昇温補正値ＮＶＴＫを加えた値に更新する（５８，５９）。そして目標定着温度レジスタＲＴｅｍｐの目標定着温度データＲＴｅｍｐをＡＣ回路８６に出力する（６０）。
【０１１８】
この出力の直後にプロセスコントローラ１３１は、図８のステップ３８で、省エネモードレジスタＲＳｔｂｙに、スタンバイモードであることを表わす「１」を書込み、所定周期の割込み処理にて状態を確認するポーリングに、ステップ４５〜４９で設定した時間ＲＴｓｔｓを参照する割込み処理を加える。すなわち、目標定着温度を変更する（定着温度を立上げる）割込み処理を許可する。
【０１１９】
図１０に、該割込み処理の内容を示す。プロセスコントローラ１３１はこの割込み処理に、所定周期で繰返し進入する。この割込み処理に進むとプロセスコントローラ１３１はまず、目標温度領域レジスタＲＴｓｔｓの目標温度領域情報ＲＴｓｔｓを参照する（６１，６２）。ＴｓｔｓがＳＴ３でもＳＴ２でもない場合、すなわちＳＴ１の場合は、フラグレジスタＲＴｏｎのデータをチェックし（６３）、それが「０」（計時開始要）であれば、計時するための初期設定（チェックカウンタレジスタＲＴＣｎｔのクリア，フラグレジスタＲＴｏｎへの計時中を表わす「１」の書込み）をする（６４）。次回のポーリング（割込み処理の実行）では、フラグレジスタＲＴｏｎに「１」が有るので、ステップ６３からステップ６５に進み、次のリロード温度に移行する時間の経過をチェックするカウンタレジスタＲＴＣｎｔのカウントデータＲＴＣｎｔが、ＳＴ１に割当てた第１切換時間レジスタＲＴｉｍｅ１のデータＲＴｉｍｅ１に達したかをチェックする。達していなければ、カウンタレジスタＲＴＣｎｔのカウントデータＲＴＣｎｔを１インクリメントする（６６）。
【０１２０】
カウンタレジスタＲＴＣｎｔのカウントデータＲＴＣｎｔが第１切換時間レジスタＲＴｉｍｅ１のデータＲＴｉｍｅ１に達していると、目標定着温度ＲＴｅｍｐをＲＴｒａ２に設定し、目標温度領域レジスタＲＴｓｔｓのデータをＳＴ２に変更しフラグレジスタＲＴｏｎをクリアする（６７）。
【０１２１】
ＳＴ１と同様に目標温度領域レジスタＲＴｓｔｓのデータがＳＴ２の場合も、フラグレジスタＲＴｏｎのデータをチェックし（６８）、それが「０」であれば、計時するための初期設定をする（６９）。次回のポーリングでは、フラグレジスタＲＴｏｎに「１」が有るので、ステップ６８からステップ７０に進み、カウンタレジスタＲＴＣｎｔのカウントデータＲＴＣｎｔが、ＳＴ２に割当てた第２切換時間レジスタＲＴｉｍｅ２のデータＲＴｉｍｅ２に達したかをチェックする。達していなければ、カウンタレジスタＲＴＣｎｔのカウントデータＲＴＣｎｔを１インクリメントする（７１）。カウンタレジスタＲＴＣｎｔのカウントデータＲＴＣｎｔが第２切換時間レジスタＲＴｉｍｅ２のデータＲＴｉｍｅ２に達していると、目標定着温度ＲＴｅｍｐをＲＴｒａ３に設定し、目標温度領域レジスタＲＴｓｔｓのデータをＳＴ３に変更しフラグレジスタＲＴｏｎをクリアする（７２）。
【０１２２】
本実施例では、目標定着温度ＲＴｅｍｐがＲＴｒａ３（目標温度領域レジスタＲＴｅｔｓのデータがＳＴ３）になったら、ステップ６１から「給紙の紙質対応の補正」ＡＴＴに進み、ステップ６２〜７２はバイパスするので、以後「目標定着温度のリロード」ＲＤＴでは、目標定着温度は変えない。
【０１２３】
しかし、給紙段が切換えられる可能性が有るので、「給紙の紙質対応の補正」ＡＴＴを実行する。ここでは、給紙段の切換えがあったかをチェックして（７３）、切換えがあると直前の給紙段の用紙が厚紙であった場合には、目標定着温度ＲＴｅｍｐを、それより厚紙補正値ＮＶＴＫを減算した値に更新し（７４，７５）、参照給紙段レジスタＲＴｒａｙに切換え後の給紙段を書込む（７６）。そして、切換え後の給紙段に関して、すでに説明した図９のステップ５４〜５９と同様に、給紙段の用紙が厚紙である場合には、目標定着温度を、厚紙用補正値ＮＶＴＫを加えた値に更新する（７７〜８２）。
【０１２４】
図１１に、プリントスタート指示に応答した「プリント制御」（４１：図８）における作像制御開始時の「プリント速度の設定」ＤＰＳの内容を示す。ここではまずＮＶＲＡＭ２６４の速度指定レジスタＮＶＲｆｓのデータを参照して（８３）、それが「１」（属性情報対応の速度設定を指定）であると、選択されている給紙段の用紙の属性情報（サイズ，普通／厚紙，普通紙／ＯＨＰ）に対応して（８４）、属性情報が次の表３に示す区分Ｓ１であると、速度レジスタＲＶに標準速度Ｖ１を、用紙間隔レジスタＲＰｆｇに標準間隔Ｌを書込む（８５）。属性情報が区分Ｓ２であると、速度レジスタＲＶに速度Ｖ２を、用紙間隔レジスタＲＰｆｇに標準間隔Ｌを書込む（８６）。属性情報が区分Ｓ３であると、速度レジスタＲＶに標準速度Ｖ１を、用紙間隔レジスタＲＰｆｇに間隔２Ｌを書込む（８７）。
【０１２５】
速度指定レジスタＮＶＲｆｓのデータが「０」であった場合には、属性情報とは無関係に、速度レジスタＲＶに標準速度Ｖ１を、用紙間隔レジスタＲＰｆｇに標準間隔Ｌを書込む（８５）。Ｖ２＜Ｖ１である。
【０１２６】
プロセスコントローラ１３１は、上述のよう設定した速度および間隔で用紙の通紙を行う印刷シーケンス制御を開始する（８８）。
【０１２７】
【表３】

例えば、給紙する用紙サイズがＡ４で普通紙であれば、区分Ｓ１の通紙モードが選択され、用紙を標準速度Ｖ１，標準間隔Ｌで通紙する標準の印刷シーケンスが実行される。ここで記述される通紙間隔とは、連続印刷される場合、先行用紙の尾端とその次の後行用紙の先端との間隔（距離又は時間）である。
【０１２８】
ユーザによっては、印刷品質よりも生産性を重視する場合があり、最速で紙を印刷したいユーザは、初期設定キー８０ｄをオンにすることより可能となる初期設定によって、ＮＶＲＡＭ２６４の速度指定レジスタＮＶＲｆｓのデータを「０」にすればよい。そうすると、用紙のサイズ，厚み，紙種に拠らず、標準速度Ｖ１および標準間隔Ｌの作像シーケンスで画像形成が行われる。
【０１２９】
ユーザが操作ボード２０の初期設定キー８０ｄをオンにすると、システムコントローラ１が、「入力読込処理」（２０：図７）を行う。
【０１３０】
図１２に、「入力読込処理」（２０）の中の、定着温度立上げ制御および通紙速度，間隔制御に関連するパラメータおよび条件の設定、を示す。初期設定キー８０ｄがオンになるとシステムコントローラ１は、操作ボード２０のＣＰＵ２５３を介して、液晶表示パネル７９に初期設定メニュー画面を切換え表示する。なお、システムコントローラ１は、操作ボード２０の入力をＣＰＵ２５３を介して読込み、操作ボード２０からの出力（表示）もＣＰＵ２５３を介して行うが、以下においては、操作ボード２０のＣＰＵ２５３を介して、という表現は省略する。
【０１３１】
該メニュー上の定着，通紙の設定の項目を指定するスイッチボタン（の表示）ＤＩＰＳＷ１がオンにされると（ユーザの指またはペンでタッチがあると）、液晶表示パネル７９に、定着温度立上げ制御および通紙速度，間隔制御に関連するパラメータおよび条件と、その値または選択を指定するスイッチボタンＤＩＰＳＷ２〜ＤＩＰＳＷ１７を切換え表示する。この画面にはエンターキーも表示されており、エンターキーがオンされるとそのとき表示しているスイッチボタンＤＩＰＳＷ２〜ＤＩＰＳＷ１７のオン，オフに応じて、ステップ９３〜１４３に示すように、各種情報をＮＶＲＡＭ２６４の各レジスタに更新書込みする。
【０１３２】
すなわち、ＤＩＰＳＷ２と３が第１目標温度レジスタＮＶＴｒａ１に設定する値を判断するスイッチで、これらのオン，オフ状態によりレジスタＮＶＴｒａ１に設定する値を、ＴＲ１かＴ５かＴ６に決定してレジスタＮＶＴｒａ１に書込む（９３〜９７）。ＤＩＰＳＷ４と３が第２目標温度レジスタＮＶＴｒａ２に設定する値を判断するスイッチで、これらのオン，オフ状態によりレジスタＮＶＴｒａ２に設定する値を、ＴＲ２かＴ７かＴ８に決定してレジスタＮＶＴｒａ２に書込む（９８〜１１２）。ＤＩＰＳＷ６と７が第３目標温度レジスタＮＶＴｒａ３に設定する値を判断するスイッチで、これらのオン，オフ状態によりレジスタＮＶＴｒａ３に設定する値を、ＴＲ３かＴ９かＴ１０に決定してレジスタＮＶＴｒａ３に書込む（１１３〜１１７）。ＤＩＰＳＷ８と９が第１閾値温度レジスタＮＶＴｓ１に設定する値を判断するスイッチで、これらのオン，オフ状態によりレジスタＮＶＴｓ１に設定する値を、Ｔ１かＴ１１かＴ１２に決定してレジスタＮＶＴｓ１に書込む（１１８〜１２２）。
【０１３３】
ＤＩＰＳＷ１０と１１が第２閾値温度レジスタＮＶＴｓ２に設定する値を判断するスイッチで、これらのオン，オフ状態によりレジスタＮＶＴｓ２に設定する値を、Ｔ２かＴ１３かＴ１４に決定しレジスタＮＶＴｓ２に書込む（１２３〜１２７）。ＤＩＰＳＷ１２と１３が第１切換時間レジスタＮＶＴｉｍｅ１に設定する値を判断するスイッチで、これらのオン，６２オフ状態によりレジスタＮＶＴｉｍｅ１に設定する値を、ＴＩＭＥ１かＴＩＭＥ３かＴＩＭＥ４に決定してレジスタＮＶＴｉｍｅ１に書込む（１２８〜１３２）。ＤＩＰＳＷ１４と１５が第２切換時間レジスタＮＶＴｉｍｅ２に設定する値を判断するスイッチで、これらのオン，オフ状態によりレジスタＮＶＴｉｍｅ２に設定する値を、ＴＩＭＥ２かＴＩＭＥ５かＴＩＭＥ６に決定してレジスタＮＶＴｉｍｅ２に書込む（１３３〜１３７）。
【０１３４】
Ｔ１，Ｔ２，Ｔ５〜Ｔ１４，ＴＲ１，ＴＲ２，ＴＲ３，ＴＩＭＥ１〜ＴＩＭＥ６は固定値（定数）である。
【０１３５】
ＤＩＰＳＷ１６がオンであると給紙指定レジスタＮＶＲｎｓに「１」を書込み、ＤＩＰＳＷ１６がオフであると給紙指定レジスタＮＶＲｎｓをクリアする（１３８〜１４０）。ＤＩＰＳＷ１７がオンであると速度指定レジスタＮＶＲｆｓに「１」を書込み、ＤＩＰＳＷ１７がオフであると給紙指定レジスタＮＶＲｆｓをクリアする（１４１〜１４３）。
【０１３６】
なお、図示は省略したが、「入力読込処理」（２０）の中には、給紙段情報の設定の項目があり、そこをクリックすることによって、ユーザは、各給紙段（カセット１０３，１０４，給紙トレイ３６の用紙の属性情報をＮＶＲＡＭ２６４に登録できる。給紙段情報の設定が指定（クリック）されると、表示パネル７９には、カセット１０３，１０４および給紙トレイ３６のそれぞれの欄に、現在登録中の属性情報（サイズ，普通／厚紙，普通紙／ＯＨＰ）が表示される。ユーザは、変更を要する情報項目をクリックして情報を更新し、更新を完了するとエンターキーをクリックする。これにより、更新した情報に、ＮＶＲＡＭ２６４の属性情報レジスタのデータが更新される。
【０１３７】
いずれかの給紙段の用紙を異なった属性情報のものに入替えたときには、変更があった給紙段に対してこの登録操作を実施してＮＶＲＡＭ２６４の属性情報を更新する必要がある。
【０１３８】
上述の実施例では、上述のように各給紙段の用紙の属性情報をユーザがＮＶＲＡＭ２６４に登録する。しかし、用紙のサイズ，普通／厚紙，普通紙／ＯＨＰなどの自動検出器または自動検出機能を用いて、自動的に各給紙段の用紙の属性情報を生成して出力するようにしても良い。
【０１３９】
【発明の効果】
定着手段に給電を開始する時点の定着温度に対応した目標温度と、この目標温度を次の値に切換えるまでの所定時間と、次の目標温度によって、定着器温度の立上り特性を定めることが出来、これによって、定着電源のオンオフを短時間に繰返した場合の余熱による定着器の過熱や、定着温度の立上げ時のヒータ温度のオーバーシュートを防止もしくは抑制することが出来る。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明の一実施例の複合機能がある複写機の外観を示す正面図である。
【図２】 図１に示すプリンタ１００の作像機構の概要を示す拡大縦断面図である。
【図３】 図１に示す複写機の画像処理システムの概要を示すブロック図である。
【図４】 図１に示すプリンタ１００の電源装置の構成の概要を示すブロック図である。
【図５】 図３に示す操作ボード２０の電気要素を示すブロック図である。
【図６】 図３に示す操作ボード２０の操作盤面の一部の拡大平面図である。
【図７】 図３および図４に示すシステムコントローラ１の、電源投入制御の概要を示すフローチャートである。
【図８】 図３に示すプロセスコントローラ１３１のプリント制御の概要を示すフローチャートである。
【図９】 図８に示す「温度制御の初期設定」（３７）の内容を示すフローチャートである。
【図１０】 「温度制御の初期設定」（３７）の後の目標定着温度の変更を行う割込み処理を示すフローチャートである。
【図１１】 図８に示す「プリント制御」（４１）の先頭部の内容を示すフローチャートである。
【図１２】 図７に示す「入力読込処理」の中の初期設定の内容の一部を示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１０：カラー原稿スキャナ ２０：操作ボード
３０：自動原稿供給装置 ３４：フィニッシャ
３４ｈｓ：積載降下トレイ ３４ｕｄ：昇降台
３４ｓｔ：ソートトレイ群
４１Ｍ，４１Ｃ，４１Ｙ，４１Ｋ：レーザ発光器
７９：液晶タッチパネル ８７：定着ヒータ
８８：温度センサ
１００：カラープリンタ ＰＣ：パソコン
ＰＢＸ：交換器 ＰＮ：通信回線
１０２：光書込みユニット １０３，１０４：給紙カセット
１０５：レジストローラ対 １０６：転写ベルトユニット
１０７：定着ユニット １０８：排紙トレイ
１１０Ｍ，１１０Ｃ，１１０Ｙ，１１０Ｋ：感光体ユニット
１１１Ｍ，１１１Ｃ，１１１Ｙ，１１１Ｋ：感光体ドラム
１２０Ｍ，１２０Ｃ，１２０Ｙ，１２０Ｋ：現像器
１６０：転写搬送ベルト ＡＣＰ：画像データ処理装置
ＣＤＩＣ：画像データインターフェース制御
ＩＭＡＣ：画像メモリアクセス制御
ＩＰＰ：画像データ処理器 ＨＤＤ：ハードディスク装置[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a fixing device for fixing a visible image on a sheet by heating and a copying apparatus using the same, for example, a printer such as a laser printer or an ink jet printer, a copying machine using the same, a facsimile And can be used in network printing systems and network copying systems.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the case of an image forming apparatus using a fixing device, since the power consumption of the fixing device is large, the power supply to the fixing device is automatically stopped when a state that the possibility of instructing image formation is considered to be low continues for a predetermined time ( (Transition to energy saving mode) When there is an image formation instruction or an input operation that precedes it, power supply to the fuser is started (transition to standby mode) and automatic energy saving control is performed to quickly raise the temperature to the fixable temperature. It has been broken. Power ON / OFF instruction separate from the main power switch (original power switch) so as to save the power consumption of the fixing device during the status check for the predetermined time and to be able to return to the standby mode immediately by the user's intention. A key (power key) is provided on the operation display board, and when the user operates the power key, at that time, the standby mode is switched to the energy saving mode, and the energy saving mode is switched to the standby mode.
[0003]
Therefore, the power supply to the fixing device is turned on and off relatively frequently, and the temperature change of the fixing device is large and frequent. Nevertheless, various fixing temperature controls have been proposed in order to realize proper fixing without excessive or insufficient heating.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-296952 sets power saving standby temperature T3 <first standby temperature T1 <fixing temperature T0 <second standby temperature T2 and uses the first standby temperature T1 as a target temperature when the power is turned on. The temperature control is started and the target temperature is maintained at T1 when there is no user operation. When the user operation is performed, the target temperature is switched to the second standby temperature T2, and when the fixing temperature reaches the second standby temperature T2, image formation is performed. Starting fixing temperature control is presented.
[0005]
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-365977 proposes to determine the paper type of the paper and change the target temperature in accordance with the paper type.
[0006]
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-5571 discloses an image forming apparatus that detects the thickness of a sheet and changes the fixing speed or the fixing temperature in accordance with the thickness.
[0007]
[Patent Document 4]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-5576 discloses an image forming apparatus that switches the fixing temperature in accordance with the type and size of paper.
[0008]
[Patent Document 5]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-11461 proposes detecting the type of paper and controlling the fixing temperature, fixing speed, fixing pressure value, oil temperature or oil application amount corresponding to the type.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, as in Patent Document 1, the target temperature is maintained at T1 that is lower than the fixing temperature T0 while there is no user operation, and the second standby temperature T2 that is higher than the fixing temperature T0 when there is a user operation. When the user operates the power key, for example, as described above, when the user operates the power key, the power key is applied to the energy saving mode when the standby mode is selected and the energy saving control is switched to the standby mode when the user is in the energy saving mode. When the fixing power source is repeatedly turned on and off in a short time by repeating the above operation, it is conceivable that the temperature of the fixing device excessively increases due to residual heat or the heater temperature overshoots when the fixing temperature is raised.
[0010]
The first object of the present invention is to prevent overheating of the fixing, and the second object is to stabilize the fixing temperature for the sheet at an appropriate value.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) Image forming means (102 to 106) for forming a visible image on paper;
Fixing means (107) for heating the paper on which the image forming means has formed a visible image;
Temperature detecting means (88) for detecting the temperature of the fixing means;
When switching from a state where power supply to the fixing unit is stopped (energy saving mode: hibernation mode or low power mode) to a fixing power supply mode (standby mode) for supplying power, the temperature detection unit ( 88), the detected temperature (T) is Goal Temperature (RTra1) But allocation Maintain the low target temperature Time (RTime1) to high Goal Temperature (RTra2) But allocation Maintain the high target temperature Multiple times in the order of time (RTime2) Between Consecutive Target temperature According to the start-up characteristics (IDT) At the time Assigned The goal temperature Eyes (RDT) target value control means (131) defined in the reference temperature; and
The temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is supplied to the fixing means so that it matches the target temperature determined by the target value control means. The conduction phase of the phase control switching element An image forming apparatus comprising power supply means (86) for controlling.
[0012]
In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, the code | symbol or corresponding matter of the corresponding | compatible element of the Example shown in drawing and mentioned later in parentheses was added as reference for reference. The same applies to the following.
[0013]
According to this, the target temperature (RTemp = RTra1) corresponding to the fixing temperature (T) at the time of starting the power supply to the fixing means, the predetermined time (RTime1), and the next target temperature (RTemp = RTra2), The rise characteristics of the fuser temperature can be defined, which prevents overheating of the fuser due to residual heat when the fixing power supply is repeatedly turned on and off in a short time and overshoot of the heater temperature when the fixing temperature is raised or Can be suppressed.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(2) The image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding unit (103, 104, 36) for storing sheets to be supplied to the image forming unit (102 to 106); and a unit (264) for outputting sheet attribute information of the sheet feeding unit. The target value control means (131) adds correction (NVTK / 0) corresponding to the attribute information to the target temperature given to the power supply means (86); Image formation according to (1) above apparatus.
[0015]
Here, the paper attribute information includes at least one of paper quality, size, and thickness, which has an influence on the heat absorption amount of the paper, and in the embodiments described later, the thickness is used. As the means (264) for outputting paper attribute information of the paper supply means, a known paper type detector can be used, and a paper type information generator for setting information by the user, such as a dial or a dip switch. Alternatively, a memory that stores and holds user input information can be used. In an embodiment described later, a nonvolatile memory (264) that stores and holds user input information is used.
[0016]
According to this embodiment, it is possible to realize suitable fixing corresponding to sheet attribute information.
[0017]
(3) The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of sheet feeding units (103, 104, 36) for storing sheets to be supplied to the image forming units (102 to 106); a unit for outputting sheet attribute information of each sheet feeding unit (264) ); And is determined to be fed when the power supply from the fixing power supply mode (standby mode) to the fixing means (107) is stopped (energy saving mode: hibernation mode or low power mode). A non-volatile memory (264) for storing information for specifying the paper feeding means, and the target value control means (131) specifies the paper feeding means of the nonvolatile memory when the fixing power supply mode is switched. The correction (NVTK / 0) corresponding to the sheet attribute information of the sheet feeding means represented by the information to be added is added to the target temperature given to the power feeding means (86); The image forming apparatus according to (2) above.
[0018]
According to this, when the power supply to the fixing unit is started, the fixing temperature is raised by setting an appropriate temperature to the target temperature of the paper of the paper supply unit that is determined for paper supply when the power supply is stopped first. . In this case as well, the most efficient rise in the fixing temperature is realized when the paper feeding means that has been set for paper feeding when power supply is stopped first is selected as the paper feeding.
[0019]
(3a) The image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding designation unit (NVRns) for designating one of a sheet feeding unit represented by information specifying the sheet feeding unit of the nonvolatile memory and a sheet feeding unit currently set for sheet feeding; The target value control means (131) includes a correction (NVTK / 0) corresponding to the attribute information of the paper of the paper feeding means designated by the paper feeding designation means (NVRns), and the power feeding means (86) The image forming apparatus according to (3) above.
[0020]
If there is a low possibility that the paper feeding means will be switched between the time when power supply to the fixing means is stopped and the next time power supply is started and image formation is started, the paper feeding is performed when power supply is stopped first. When the predetermined paper feeding means is selected for paper feeding, the most efficient rise in the fixing temperature is realized. However, if there is a high possibility that the paper feeding means will be switched, it is more efficient to raise the fixing temperature with the target temperature set to an appropriate temperature for the paper of the paper feeding means selected at the start of power feeding this time. There is a high possibility of raising the fixing temperature. According to this embodiment, which start-up mode is selected can be selected or set by the paper feed designation means (NVRns).
[0021]
(4) The image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding unit (103, 104, 36) for storing sheets to be supplied to the image forming unit (102 to 106); and a unit (264) for outputting sheet attribute information of the sheet feeding unit. The target value control means (131) sets a paper passing speed (RV) through which the paper passes through the fixing means (107) to a speed (V1 / V2) corresponding to the attribute information; (1) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (3).
[0022]
Here, the paper attribute information includes at least one of the size, thickness, and paper quality that affects the heat absorption amount of the paper. In the example (Table 3) described later, the size, thickness, and paper quality are used. ing. As the means (264) for outputting paper attribute information of the paper supply means, a known paper type detector can be used, and a paper type information generator for setting information by the user, such as a dial or a dip switch. Alternatively, a memory that stores and holds user input information can be used. In an embodiment described later, a nonvolatile memory (264) that stores and holds user input information is used.
[0023]
The amount of fixing heat applied to the paper can be adjusted not only by the temperature value but also by the moving speed of the paper, so that the preferred fixing corresponding to the attribute information of the paper can also be realized by this embodiment.
[0024]
(4a) The image forming apparatus designates one of the setting of the speed (V1 / V2) corresponding to the sheet attribute information of the sheet feeding unit and the setting of the predetermined speed (V1) unrelated to the sheet attribute information. The target value control means (131) sets a predetermined speed (V1) unrelated to the attribute information when the speed specification means (V1) specifies a predetermined speed setting. The image forming apparatus according to (4) above. According to this, whether or not to use the function (4) can be selected using the speed specifying means (NVRfs).
[0025]
(5) The image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding unit (103, 104, 36) for storing sheets to be supplied to the image forming unit (102 to 106); and a unit (264) for outputting sheet attribute information of the sheet feeding unit. The target value control means (131) sets the paper passing interval (RPfg) of the paper passing through the fixing means (107) to an interval (L / 2L) corresponding to the attribute information; (1) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (4).
[0026]
Here, the paper attribute information includes at least one of the size, thickness, and paper quality that affects the heat absorption amount of the paper. In the example (Table 3) described later, the size, thickness, and paper quality are used. ing. As the means (264) for outputting paper attribute information of the paper supply means, a known paper type detector can be used, and a paper type information generator for setting information by the user, such as a dial or a dip switch. Alternatively, a memory that stores and holds user input information can be used. In an embodiment described later, a nonvolatile memory (264) that stores and holds user input information is used.
[0027]
When the fixing temperature of the fixing unit fluctuates depending on the sheet passing and the heat absorption amount of the sheet is large, and the sheet passing interval (distance from the tail end of the preceding sheet to the leading end of the succeeding sheet: or the time during which the sheet moves through the distance) It is conceivable that an appropriate fixing temperature cannot be secured for the succeeding paper. According to this embodiment, for example, in the case of a sheet having a large endothermic amount, it is possible to realize suitable fixing corresponding to the attribute information of the sheet by widening the sheet feeding interval, that is, by extending the recovery period of the fixing temperature. I can do it.
[0028]
(5a) The image forming apparatus sets a sheet passing interval (L / 2L) corresponding to the sheet attribute information of the sheet feeding unit and a predetermined sheet passing interval (L) unrelated to the sheet attribute information. The target value control means (131) is a predetermined value not related to the attribute information when the interval specification means (NVRfs) specifies the setting of a predetermined sheet passing interval. The sheet passing interval (L) is set; The image forming apparatus according to (5) above. According to this, whether or not to use the function (5) can be selected using the speed designation means (NVRfs).
[0029]
(6) The image forming apparatus (100) according to any one of (1) to (5a) above;
A document scanner (10) for reading an image of a document and generating image data; and
Image processing means (ACP) that converts image data generated by the document scanner and document information given by communication from the outside (PC) to image forming image data that the image forming apparatus adapts to the image forming apparatus );
A copying apparatus comprising: According to this, the operation and effect described in any one of (1) to (5a) can be obtained in the copying apparatus.
[0030]
(7) The image forming apparatus includes energy-saving means (83, 84) for turning on / off power feeding to the power-feeding means (86) and energy-saving control means (1) for controlling on / off of the energy-saving means; When the energy-saving control means (1) switches from the state where power supply to the fixing means (107) is stopped (energy-saving mode: paper feed mode or low power mode) to the fixing power supply mode (standby mode) When the set time (Td1) has passed without any image-related instruction input, the energy saving means (83, 84) is turned off and the energy saving mode is entered (25 in FIG. 7); The image forming apparatus or copying apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6) above.
[0031]
According to this, energy saving of the fixing means is realized automatically. In addition, the operational effects described in any of (1) to (5a) above can be obtained.
[0032]
(8) The image forming apparatus includes a power supply switching instruction means (80h); and the energy saving control means (1) is a switching instruction by the power supply switching instruction means (80h) in the fixing power supply mode (standby mode). The image forming apparatus or the copying apparatus according to (7), wherein the image forming apparatus or the copying apparatus according to (7) is shifted to the energy saving mode and the image forming apparatus or the copying apparatus is shifted to the fixing power supply mode when a switching instruction is received in the energy saving mode.
[0033]
According to this, it is possible to obtain a high energy saving effect by frequently stopping the power supply to the fixing means for energy saving, and further, the effect described in any one of (1) to (5a) above can be obtained. .
[0034]
(9) The image forming apparatus includes a target temperature (RTemp = RTra1, RTra2) determined based on the detected temperature (T) and a means (80d, 1: FIG. 12) for changing the predetermined time (RTtime1). The image forming apparatus or copying apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8) above. According to this, the rising characteristic of the fixing temperature can be adjusted using the changing means.
[0035]
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0036]
【Example】
FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of a multi-function full color digital copying machine which is a first embodiment of the present invention. The full-color copying machine shown in FIG. 1 is roughly constituted by units of an automatic document feeder (ADF) 30, an operation board 20, a color scanner 10, a color printer 100, and a paper feed bank 35. A finisher 34 with a tray capable of stacking a stapler and imaged paper, a double-sided drive unit 33, and a large-capacity paper feed tray 36 are mounted on the printer 100.
[0037]
A LAN (Local Area Network) connected to a personal computer PC is connected to the image data processing apparatus ACP (FIG. 3) in the apparatus, and a facsimile control unit FCU connected to a common bus (image data bus / control command bus). Is connected to an exchange PBX connected to a telephone line PN (facsimile communication line). The printed paper of the color printer 100 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 108 or the finisher 34.
[0038]
FIG. 2 shows the mechanism of the color printer 100. The color printer 100 of this embodiment is a laser printer. In the laser printer 100, four sets of toner image forming units for forming images of each color of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (black: K) are in the transfer paper moving direction. They are arranged in this order along (from the lower right to the upper left direction y in the figure). That is, a four-drum type full-color image forming apparatus.
[0039]
These magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y) and black (K) toner image forming units are respectively photoconductor units 110M, 110C, 110Y having photoconductor drums 111M, 111C, 111Y and 111K. 110K and developing units 120M, 120C, 120Y and 120K. In addition, the arrangement of each toner image forming unit is such that the rotational axes of the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K in each photosensitive unit are parallel to the horizontal x-axis (main scanning direction) and transfer paper. It is set so as to be arranged at a predetermined pitch in the movement direction y (sub-scanning direction).
[0040]
In addition to the toner image forming unit, the laser printer 100 carries a laser exposure unit 102 by laser scanning, paper feed cassettes 103 and 104, a pair of registration rollers 105, and transfer paper to transfer each toner image forming unit. The image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt unit 106 having a transfer conveyance belt 160 that conveys the sheet so as to pass the position, a belt fixing type fixing unit 107, a paper discharge tray 108, a double-sided drive (surface reversal) unit 33, and the like. The laser printer 100 also includes a manual feed tray, a toner supply container, a waste toner bottle, and the like which are not shown.
[0041]
The laser exposure unit 102 includes semiconductor lasers 41M, 41C, 41Y, and 41K, polygon mirrors, f-θ lenses, reflection mirrors, and the like, and lasers are applied to the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K based on image signals. Light is irradiated while swinging and scanning in the x direction.
[0042]
The image exposure of the yellow image forming system by the semiconductor laser 41Y will be described. The beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 41Y is bent by the cylinder lens and subsequently reflected by the polygon mirror. Subsequently, the reflected beam passes through the f-θ lens to equalize the dot pitch in the main scanning direction, and is reflected by the mirror to scan on the photosensitive drum 111Y. Thus, print data is written, that is, an electrostatic latent image is formed.
[0043]
A synchronization detection sensor that detects the start point of the laser scanning range for yellow image generation generates a line synchronization signal (pulse) when the laser hits it. This is a reference for the writing start position of the main scanning line for yellow image formation. Since this line synchronization signal is generated for each main scanning line, the main scanning image position is determined based on this line synchronizing signal. The pixel density in the main scanning direction is determined by the light beam emission interval of the semiconductor laser 41Y and the rotation speed of the polygon mirror. The pixel density (line density) in the sub-scanning direction is determined by the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 111Y and the rotational speed of the polygon mirror. The sub-scanning pixel density is changed by switching the rotation speed of the polygon mirror.
[0044]
A one-dot chain line in FIG. 2 indicates a transfer sheet conveyance path. The transfer paper fed from the paper feed cassettes 103 and 104 is transported by a transport roller while being guided by a transport guide (not shown), and is sent to the registration roller pair 105. The transfer paper sent to the transfer conveyance belt 160 at a predetermined timing by the registration roller pair 105 is carried by the transfer conveyance belt 160 and is conveyed so as to pass through the transfer position of each toner image forming unit.
[0045]
The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K of each toner image forming unit are transferred to a transfer sheet carried and conveyed by the transfer conveyance belt 160, and the color toner images are superimposed, that is, a color image is formed. The formed transfer paper is sent to the fixing unit 107. That is, the transfer is a direct transfer method in which a toner image is directly transferred onto a transfer sheet. When passing through the fixing unit 107, the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper. The transfer sheet on which the toner image is fixed is discharged or fed to the discharge tray 108, the finisher 36, or the double-sided drive unit 33.
[0046]
The outline of the yellow Y toner image forming unit will be described below. Other toner image forming units have the same configuration as that of yellow Y. The yellow Y toner image forming unit includes the photoconductor unit 110Y and the developing unit 120Y as described above. In addition to the photosensitive drum 111Y, the photosensitive unit 110Y includes a brush roller that applies a lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive drum, a swingable blade that cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum, and a static elimination lamp that irradiates light on the surface of the photosensitive drum. , A non-contact type charging roller for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the like.
[0047]
In the photoconductor unit 110Y, a laser beam L modulated on the surface of the photoconductor drum 111Y uniformly charged by a charging roller to which an AC voltage is applied and modulated by the laser exposure unit 102 based on print data and deflected by a polygon mirror. Is irradiated while scanning, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 111Y. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11IY is developed by the developing unit 20Y to become a yellow Y toner image. At the transfer position where the transfer paper on the transfer conveyance belt 160 passes, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 11IY is transferred to the transfer paper. The surface of the photosensitive drum 111Y after the toner image has been transferred is coated with a predetermined amount of lubricant by a brush roller, then cleaned by a blade, discharged by the light emitted from the discharging lamp, and subjected to the next static charge. Prepared for formation of an electrostatic latent image.
[0048]
The developing unit 120Y contains a two-component developer including a magnetic carrier and a negatively charged toner. A developing roller, a conveying screw, a doctor blade, a toner concentration sensor, a powder pump, and the like are provided so as to be partially exposed from the opening on the photosensitive drum side of the developing case 120Y. The developer accommodated in the developing case is triboelectrically charged by being stirred and conveyed by the conveying screw. A part of the developer is carried on the surface of the developing roller. The doctor blade uniformly regulates the layer thickness of the developer on the surface of the developing roller, and the toner in the developer on the surface of the developing roller moves to the photosensitive drum, whereby the toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image becomes a photosensitive member. Appears on drum 111Y. The toner density of the developer in the developing case is detected by a toner density sensor. When the density is insufficient, the powder pump is driven to replenish the toner.
[0049]
The transfer belt 160 of the transfer belt unit 106 is provided with four grounded stretching rollers so as to pass through the transfer positions in contact with and opposed to the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K of the toner image forming units. It is laid around. One of the stretching rollers is 109. Among these stretching rollers, an electrostatic attracting roller to which a predetermined voltage is applied from a power source is arranged so as to face an entrance roller on the upstream side in the transfer sheet moving direction indicated by a two-dot chain line arrow. The transfer paper that has passed between these two rollers is electrostatically attracted onto the transfer conveyance belt 160. An exit roller on the downstream side in the transfer sheet moving direction is a drive roller that frictionally drives the transfer conveyance belt, and is connected to a drive source (not shown). In addition, a bias roller to which a predetermined cleaning voltage is applied from a power source is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer conveyance belt 160. The bias roller removes foreign matters such as toner adhered on the transfer conveyance belt 160.
[0050]
Further, a transfer bias applying member is provided so as to come into contact with the back surface of the transfer conveyance belt 160 forming a contact facing portion that contacts and faces the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K. These transfer bias applying members are Mylar fixed brushes, and a transfer bias is applied from each transfer bias power source. The transfer bias applied by the transfer bias applying member applies transfer charge to the transfer conveyance belt 160, and a transfer electric field having a predetermined strength is formed between the transfer conveyance belt 160 and the surface of the photosensitive drum at each transfer position. .
[0051]
The paper that is conveyed by the transfer conveyance belt 160 and onto which the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K are transferred is sent to the fixing device 107, where the toner image is heated and pressed. Heat-fixed. After the heat fixing, the sheet is fed to the finisher 34 from the paper discharge port 34 ot to the finisher 34 on the upper side of the left side plate. Alternatively, the paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray 108 on the upper surface of the printer main body.
[0052]
Among the four photosensitive drums, the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, and 111Y for forming a magenta image, a cyan image, and a yellow image are each an electric motor (color drum motor; color drum) for driving a color drum (not shown). M: Driven by a one-stage reduction through a power transmission system and a speed reducer (not shown). The photosensitive drum 111K for black image formation is driven at a one-stage speed reduction by a single electric motor (K drum motor: not shown) for driving the black drum via a power transmission system and a speed reducer (not shown). The Further, the transfer conveyance belt 160 is rotated by driving of a transfer driving roller via a power transmission system by the K drum motor. Therefore, the K drum motor drives the K photoconductor drum 111K and the transfer conveyance belt 160, and the color drum motor drives the M, C, Y photoconductor drums 11M, 11C, and 11Y.
[0053]
The K developing device 120K is driven by an electric motor (not shown) that drives the fixing unit 107 via a power transmission system and a clutch (not shown). The M, C, and Y developing devices 120M, 120C, and 120Y are electric motors (not shown) that drive the registration rollers 105, and are driven via a power transmission system and a clutch (not shown). The developing devices 120M, 120C, 120Y, and 120K are not constantly driven, but receive drive transmission from the clutch so that they can be driven with a predetermined timing.
[0054]
Refer to FIG. 1 again. The finisher 34 has a stacker tray, that is, a stacking / lowering tray 34hs and a sort tray group 34st. It has a sorter paper discharge mode.
[0055]
The sheet fed from the printer 100 to the finisher 34 is transported in the upper left direction, passes through the upside down U-shaped transport path, switches the transport direction downward, and then ejects the stacker according to the set mode. In the mode, the sheet is discharged from the discharge port to the loading / lowering tray 34hs. In the sorter paper discharge mode, the paper being discharged at that time of the sorter tray group 34st is discharged to the assigned sorter tray.
[0056]
When the sorter paper discharge mode is designated, the finisher internal paper discharge controller drives the sort tray group 34st placed at the lowermost overlapping retract position to the use position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Increase the spacing. In the sorter paper discharge mode, for a set number of copies or prints (one person), when the sorter paper discharge mode is set for copy sorting, each transfer paper on which the same document (image) is printed is sorted into the sort tray group 34st. Assorted and stored in each tray. When the sorter discharge mode is set for page sorting, each tray is assigned to each page (image), and each transfer sheet on which the same page is printed is stacked on one sort tray.
[0057]
FIG. 3 shows a system configuration of the image processing system of the copying machine shown in FIG. In this system, a color document scanner 12 including a reading unit 11 and an image data output I / F (Interface) 12 is connected to an image data interface control CDIC (hereinafter simply referred to as CDIC) of an image data processing apparatus ACP. Yes. A color printer 100 is also connected to the image data processing apparatus ACP. The color printer 100 receives the recorded image data from the image data processor IPP (Image Processing Processor; hereinafter simply referred to as IPP) of the image data processing apparatus ACP to the writing I / F 134 and prints it out at the image forming unit 135. . The image forming unit 135 is shown in FIG.
[0058]
The image data processing device ACP (hereinafter simply referred to as ACP) includes a parallel bus Pb, an image memory access control IMAC (hereinafter simply described as IMAC), a memory module which is an image memory (hereinafter simply described as MEM), and a nonvolatile memory. A hard disk device HDD (hereinafter simply referred to as HDD), a system controller 1, RAM 4, nonvolatile memory 5, font ROM 6, CDIC, IPP, and the like. A facsimile control unit FCU (hereinafter simply referred to as FCU) is connected to the parallel bus Pb. The operation board 20 is connected to the system controller 1.
[0059]
The reading unit 11 for optically reading the original of the color original scanner 10 photoelectrically converts the reflected light of the lamp irradiation on the original with a CCD on a sensor board unit SBU (hereinafter simply referred to as SBU). , B image signals are generated, converted to RGB image data by an A / D converter, shading corrected, and sent to the CDIC via the output I / F 12.
[0060]
The CDIC performs data transfer between the document scanner 10 (output I / F 12), the parallel bus Pb, and the IPP and communication between the process controller 131 and the system controller 1 that controls the ACP. The RAM 132 is used as a work area for the process controller 131, and the ROM 133 stores an operation program for the process controller 131.
[0061]
Image memory access control IMAC (hereinafter simply referred to as IMAC) controls writing / reading of image data and control data to / from MEM and HDD. The system controller 1 controls the operation of each component connected to the parallel bus Pb. The RAM 4 is used as a work area for the system controller 1, and the nonvolatile memory 5 stores an operation program for the system controller 1.
[0062]
The operation board 20 instructs processing to be performed by the ACP. For example, the type of processing (copying, facsimile transmission, image reading, printing, etc.), the number of processings, etc. are input. Thereby, the image data control information can be input.
[0063]
The image data read from the reading unit 11 of the scanner 10 is subjected to shading correction 210 by the SBU of the scanner 10 and then subjected to image processing for correcting reading distortion such as scanner gamma correction and filter processing by IPP. Store in MEM or HDD. When printing out MEM or HDD image data, IPP performs color conversion of RGB signals to YMCK signals, and performs image quality processing such as printer gamma conversion, gradation conversion, and gradation processing such as dither processing or error diffusion processing. Do it. The image data after the image quality processing is transferred from the IPP to the writing I / F 134. The writing I / F 134 performs laser control on the gradation processed signal by pulse width and power modulation. Thereafter, the image data is sent to the image forming unit 135, and the image forming unit 135 forms a reproduced image on the transfer paper.
[0064]
Based on the control of the system controller 1, IMAC controls the access of image data and MEM or HDD, develops data for printing on a personal computer PC connected to the LAN (hereinafter simply referred to as PC), and makes effective use of MEM and HDD. Compress / decompress image data for
[0065]
The image data sent to the IMAC is stored in the MEM or HDD after data compression, and the stored image data is read out as necessary. The read image data is decompressed, returned to the original image data, and returned from the IMAC to the CDIC via the parallel bus Pb. After the transfer from the CDIC to the IPP, image quality processing is performed and the image is output to the writing I / F 134, and a reproduced image is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 135.
[0066]
In the flow of image data, the functions of the digital multi-function peripheral are realized by bus control by the parallel bus Pb and CDIC. Facsimile transmission is performed by performing image processing on the read image data by IPP and transferring it to the FCU via the CDIC and the parallel bus Pb. The FCU performs data conversion to the communication network and transmits it as facsimile data to the public line PN. Facsimile reception is performed by converting line data from the public line PN into image data by the FCU and transferring it to the IPP via the parallel bus Pb and CDIC. In this case, no special image quality processing is performed, and the image is output from the writing I / F 134 and a reproduced image is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 135.
[0067]
In a situation where a plurality of jobs, for example, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a printer output function operate in parallel, the usage rights of the reading unit 11, the image forming unit 135, and the parallel bus Pb are allocated to the system controller 1 and the process. Control is performed by the controller 131. The process controller 131 controls the flow of image data, and the system controller 1 controls the entire system and manages the activation of each resource. The function selection of the digital multi-function peripheral is performed on the operation board 20, and processing contents such as a copy function and a facsimile function are set by a selection input of the operation board 20.
[0068]
The system controller 1 and the process controller 131 communicate with each other via the parallel bus Pb, CDIC, and serial bus Sb. Specifically, communication between the system controller 1 and the process controller 131 is performed by performing data format conversion for data and interface between the parallel bus Pb and the serial bus Sb in the CDIC.
[0069]
Various bus interfaces, such as a parallel bus I / F 7, a serial bus I / F 9, a local bus I / F 3, and a network I / F 8, are connected to the IMAC. The system controller 1 is connected to related units via a plurality of types of buses in order to maintain independence in the entire ACP.
[0070]
The system controller 1 controls other functional units via the parallel bus Pb. The parallel bus Pb is used for transferring image data. The system controller 1 issues an operation control command for storing image data in the MEM to the IMAC. This operation control command is sent via IMAC, parallel bus I / F 7, and parallel bus Pb.
[0071]
In response to this operation control command, the image data is sent from the CDIC to the IMAC via the parallel bus Pb and the parallel bus I / F 7. The image data is stored in the MEM or HDD under the control of the IMAC.
[0072]
On the other hand, the ACP system controller 1 functions as a printer controller, network control, and serial bus control in the case of a call from the PC as a printer function. In the case of via the network, the IMAC receives print output request data via the network I / F 8.
[0073]
In the case of a general-purpose serial bus connection, the IMAC receives print output request data via the serial bus I / F 9. The general-purpose serial bus I / F 9 corresponds to a plurality of types of standards, and corresponds to an interface of a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), 1284 or 1394, for example.
[0074]
Print output request data from the PC is developed into image data by the system controller 1. The development destination is an area in MEM. Font data necessary for expansion is obtained by referring to the font ROM 6 via the local bus I / F 3 and the local bus Rb. The local bus Rb connects the controller 1 to the nonvolatile memory 5 and the RAM 4.
[0075]
Regarding the serial bus Sb, in addition to the external serial port 2 for connection with the PC, there is also an interface for transfer with the operation board 20 which is an operation unit of the ACP. This is not print development data, but communicates with the system controller 1 via the IMAC, accepts processing procedures, displays the system status, and the like.
[0076]
Data transmission / reception between the system controller 1 and the MEM, HDD, and various buses is performed via the IMAC. Jobs that use MEM and HDD are centrally managed in the entire ACP.
[0077]
FIG. 4 shows a power supply system that applies operating voltages to the printer 100, operation board 20, image data processing devices ACP, FCU, scanner 10, finisher 34, large-capacity paper feed tray 36, and paper feed bank 35 shown in FIG. An overview is shown. When the main power switch 91, which is the main power switch, is closed, commercial AC 100 V is applied to the rectifying and smoothing circuit 81 and the AC circuit 86 of the DC power / AC control board 90. The direct current output of the rectifying / smoothing circuit 81 is applied to the DC / DC converter 82. In this example, the DC / DC converter 82 generates two systems of DC voltages + 24VE and + 5VE, which are stabilized + 24V and + 5V. In this example, + 5V is used for a control system such as a CPU and a signal system, and + 24V is used for a power system such as a motor, a solenoid, and a clutch.
[0078]
In DC power supply / AC control board 90, switches 84 and 85 are connected to + 24VE (+ 24V voltage) and + 5VE (+ 5V voltage) of the converter output, respectively. The ACP system controller 1 is supplied with + 5VE which is in the energized state even in the sleep mode. The process controller 131 of the printer 100 is supplied with +5 V that is turned off in the sleep mode.
[0079]
The AC circuit 86 that energizes the heater 87 of the fixing device includes a power relay that is closed by +24 V supplied through the switch 83. When this power relay is closed, the AC energization circuit that energizes the fixing heater 87 of the AC circuit 86. A commercial AC AC is applied to. This AC energization circuit is a phase control AC energization circuit using a triac (phase control switching element), and the fixing temperature becomes a target temperature given by the process controller 131 with reference to the temperature detection signal of the fixing temperature sensor 88. Thus, the conduction phase of the triac is controlled.
[0080]
A control signal for turning on / off the above-described switches 83, 84, 85 is supplied from the system controller 1 to the switches 83, 84, 85. The target temperature of the fixing device is set as the fixing operation temperature determined in the fixing process of the transfer paper on which the toner image is transferred, and the temperature of the fixing roller is maintained. The image is formed substantially without delay in response to the copy start or print command. In the “standby mode” (operation mode; normal mode), the system controller 1 turns on the switches 83, 84, and 85 with the control signal.
[0081]
In the “low power mode”, the system controller 1 switches off the switch 83 that applies the ON instruction voltage +24 V to the power supply relay of the AC circuit 86 that energizes the heater 87 of the fixing device. That is, in the “low power mode”, the operations of the scanner 10 and the ADF 30 for reading an image stored in the MEM, reading an image for facsimile transmission, and reading an image sent to a personal computer PC without print output. Therefore, the switch 84 for supplying + 24V to the power system and the switch 85 for supplying + 5V to the control system and the communication system are kept on, and only the energization to the fixing heater 87 is cut off.
[0082]
In the “pause mode”, the system controller 1 turns off both the switch 84 that supplies + 24V and the switch 85 that supplies + 5V. That is, all the switches 83 to 85 are turned off.
[0083]
However, in the sleep mode, the switches 83 to 85 are turned off, but the system controller 1 and the operation board 20 detect an operator's action that indicates the possibility of using the copying machine, and a print command of the personal computer PC. + 5VE is continuously applied to the electric circuit and the facsimile reception detection circuit of the facsimile control unit FCU. In the system controller 1, + 5VE is continuously applied to a circuit that waits for the detection and turns on the switches 83, 84, and 85, and a memory that stores data that needs to be stored in a nonvolatile manner.
[0084]
Table 1 below shows the above-described energy saving switching modes and the ON / OFF relationship of the power supply switches 83 to 85, and Table 2 summarizes information processing that can be performed in each of the above modes.
[0085]
[Table 1]

[0086]
[Table 2]

[0087]
“Send / Receive” in Table 2 is FCU facsimile transmission / reception without printout, and data retention is retention of MEM accumulated image data.
[0088]
The DC / AC control board 90 applies + 5V, which appears when the switch 85 is turned on, to the process controller 131, the operation board 20, the ACP, the FCU, the scanner 10, the finisher 34, the large-capacity paper feed tray 36, and the paper feed bank 35. It is given as a control voltage during standby and operation. In the printer 100, an electric circuit (driver: energization circuit) that requires an operating voltage of + 24V and a driver that requires an operating voltage of + 24V for the scanner 10, finisher 34, large-capacity paper feed tray 36, and paper feed bank 35. Gives + 24V, which appears when the switch 84 is on, as a power voltage.
[0089]
FIG. 5 shows a circuit block of the operation board 20. The operation board 20 includes a liquid crystal touch panel (hereinafter also referred to as a liquid crystal display or a display) 79 having a surface display function and an input reading function, an operation key matrix 271, a display LED (light emitting diode) 272, and the like. . The key matrix 271 includes a power key 80h (FIG. 6) for instructing switching from the energy saving mode (the sleep mode or the low power mode) to the standby mode and vice versa. If the power key 80h is pressed once when the energy saving mode is set, the energy saving mode is switched to the standby mode. When the power key 80h is pressed once in the standby mode, the standby mode is switched to the energy saving mode.
[0090]
The main body of the electric control system of the operation board 20 shown in FIG. 5 communicates with the MPU 61 of the system controller 1, reads the input of the operation board 20, and stores a control program of the CPU 253 for controlling the display on the board. ROM 265, RAM 266 for temporarily storing data during control, VRAM 268 for storing drawing data of LCD 260, liquid crystal display controller (LCDC) 267 connected to VRAM 268 for controlling drawing timing of LCD 260, and the like, generating time data Watch IC 273 and so on. An LCD 260 having a CFL light source as a backlight 270 is connected to the LCDC 267. The CPU 253 is further connected to an inverter 269 that drives the CFL backlight 270, a key matrix 271, an LED matrix 272 of the display LEDs 261, an LED driving device 73 that drives these LEDs, and the like.
[0091]
Further, a non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) 264 for storing information to be referred to in execution of each image processing mode, status information, and usage record is connected to the data bus to which the CPU 253 is connected.
[0092]
As shown in FIG. 6, in addition to the liquid crystal touch panel 79, the operation board 20 includes a numeric keypad 80a, a clear / stop key 80b, a start key 80c, an initial setting key 80d, a mode switching key 80e, and a test print key 80f. The mode switching key 80e is used to specify that the setting (imaging condition) of the operation board 20 is switched from the standard mode to the imaging mode immediately before the power-off or the interrupt copying saved in the NVRAM 264, or vice versa. By pressing the mode switching key 80e, if the standard mode is displayed on the panel 79 at that time, the mode is switched to one representing the image forming conditions saved in the NVRAM 264. If image forming conditions different from the standard mode are displayed, it switches to the standard mode. The test print key 80f is a key for printing only one copy regardless of the set number of print copies and confirming the print result.
[0093]
By pressing the initial setting key 80d, the initial state of the machine can be arbitrarily customized. The paper size stored in the machine can be set or the state set when the copy function reset key is pressed can be arbitrarily set. When the initial setting key 80d is operated, an “initial value setting” function for setting various initial values, an “ID setting” function, a “copyright registration / setting” function, and an “usage record output” function are provided. A selection menu appears.
[0094]
The parameter that determines the fixing temperature rise characteristic when the energy saving mode (rest mode or low power mode) is switched to the operation mode (standby mode) can also be adjusted using the “initial value setting” function. In addition, registration and change of the size (A3, A4,...), Thickness (normal / thick paper) and paper type (plain paper / OHP) of the paper stored in the cassettes 103 and 104 and the large-capacity paper feed tray 36, This can be done using the “Initial value setting” function.
[0095]
On the liquid crystal touch panel 79, various function keys and a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus are displayed. The liquid crystal display 79 has a “copy” function, a “scanner” function, a “print” function, a “facsimile” function, a “store” function, an “edit” function, a “register” function, and other functions for selection and execution. A function selection key 80g representing is displayed. An input / output screen determined for the function designated by the function selection key 80g is displayed. For example, when the “copy” function is designated, as shown in FIG. 6, the function keys 79a and 79b, the number of copies and the number of copies of the image forming apparatus are displayed. A message indicating the status is displayed. When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 79, the key indicating the selected function is inverted in gray. When the details of the function must be specified (for example, the type of page printing), the detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the key. Thus, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses a dot display device, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.
[0096]
FIG. 7 shows switching control between the standby mode / low power mode / hibernation mode, which is executed in cooperation with the CPU 253 of the operation board 20 of the system controller 1. Referring to FIG. 7, when the original power switch 91 between the DC power / AC control board 90 and the commercial AC power supply (outlet) shown in FIG. 4 is closed and the DC power / AC control board 90 gives an operating voltage, the system The controller 1 initializes the power-on response (step 1) and sets the standby mode there (steps 2 and 3). That is, the switches 83 to 85 are turned on. Next, a timer Td1 having a time limit value Td1 for switching from the standby mode to the low power mode is started (step 4), and input reading (step 5) is performed.
[0097]
In the following, the word step is omitted in parentheses and only the step number is written.
[0098]
In the initialization process (1), the CPU 253 of the operation board 20 reads the standard processing mode copy conditions in the NVRAM of the operation board 20 and displays them on the liquid crystal display of the operation board 20 in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 1.
[0099]
In the input reading (5), the CPU 253 of the operation board 20 reads a user operation (input) on the operation board 20 and notifies the system controller 1, and the system controller 1 decodes commands from the personal computer PC and the FCU. . The CPU of the operation board 20 reads the press of the numeric key, generates the input numeric data, reads the press of the start key, and transfers the start instruction to the system controller 1 in response to a user operation on the operation board 20. , Normal copying machine operation reading and display output control, such as reading paper size switching input.
[0100]
The waiting time Td1 for switching from the standby mode to the low power mode and the waiting time Td2 for switching from the low power mode to the hibernation mode can be input from the operation unit 20 using the “initial setting” function. It is stored (registered) in the NVRAM of the operation board 20.
[0101]
In “input reading” (5), an instruction is input, for example, a user operation on the operation board 20 (pressing a numeric key, pressing a start key, switching a paper size, etc.), closing a document pressing switch of the document scanner 10 Upon receiving a change from (presser position) to open (open position), document detection by the ADF 30, print command from the personal computer PC or FCU, the system controller 1 proceeds to processing corresponding to the instruction input (7-20). .
[0102]
However, if there is no instruction input, it is checked whether the timer Td1 has timed out (21, 22). When there is no instruction input and the timer Td1 times out, the system controller 1 writes “1” indicating the low power mode in the mode register FT (23), and starts the timer Td2 with a Td2 time limit (24). Then, the low power mode is entered (25). That is, the switch 83 is turned off. The switches 84 and 85 are kept on. After that, when there is no input and the timer Td2 expires (6, 21, 26, 27), the system controller 1 writes “2” indicating the sleep mode in the mode register FT (28), and the operation board 20 The image processing mode being displayed on the liquid crystal display is written in the NVRAM of the operation board 20 as the previous mode (29a), and the mode is shifted to the pause mode (29b). That is, the switches 83, 84 and 85 are turned off.
[0103]
When the power key 80h for instructing the energy saving related mode switching on the operation board 20 is turned on while the standby mode is set, the system controller 1 considers that the user has instructed the switching to the sleep mode, The image processing mode being displayed on the liquid crystal display of the operation board 20 is written in the NVRAM of the operation board 20 as the previous mode, and the mode is shifted to the pause mode. When the power key 80h of the operation board 20 is turned on while the low power mode or the hibernation mode is set, the system controller 1 assumes that the user has instructed switching to the standby mode, sets the standby mode, and sets the operation board. The previous image processing mode written in the NVRAM 20 is read and displayed on the liquid crystal display of the operation board 20.
[0104]
When the instruction input is recognized by “input reading” (5), the system controller 1 detects that the instruction input is a user operation on the operation board 20, a change from closing to opening of the document pressing switch of the document scanner 10, and document detection by the ADF 30. If it is something that asks for copy use, or if it is a print command from a personal computer PC or FCU, and if it is currently in standby mode, the operator or PC or FCU copy mode setting input or print mode The setting is read and copied or printed out via the process controller 131 (7, 8, 9). Then, the timer Td1 is started (10).
[0105]
When the current state is the low power mode or the hibernation mode, “0” indicating the standby mode is written in the mode register FT (2), the standby mode is entered, and the timer Td1 is started (3, 4). That is, the switches 83, 84 and 85 are turned on. Then, copying or printing out is performed via the process controller 131 (5 to 9).
[0106]
When reading a document image by a PC or by a FCU for facsimile transmission, the system controller 1 reads the image by the document scanner 10 via the process controller 131 when the current mode is the standby mode. The image data is stored in the MEM, and the image data is transferred to the PC or FCU (12, 18). When this is finished, the timer Td1 is started (19). If the current mode is the low power mode, image reading and transfer are performed in the same manner (13, 16), but upon completion, the timer Td2 is started (17). When the current mode is the sleep mode, “1” indicating the low power mode is written in the mode register FT (14), the previous image processing mode written in the NVRAM 264 of the operation board 20 is read, and the operation board is read out. 20 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 79 (15a), the mode is shifted to the low power mode (15b), that is, the switches 84 and 85 are turned on, and image reading and transfer are performed in the same manner (16). Starts (17).
[0107]
If there is an input that does not directly instruct the copying, printout, or image reading described above, for example, the power key 80h of the operation board 20 is turned on, the door is opened / closed, the initial setting key 80d is turned on, or the management key is input, it is read The process corresponding to the input is performed (20).
[0108]
Since the switches 83, 84 and 85 are turned on when the “standby mode” described above is set, the output + 24V of the switch 84 is applied to a power relay (not shown) which is an AC power switch in the AC circuit 86, and the AC circuit 86. A commercial AC voltage is applied to the TRIAC circuit (AC energization circuit by phase control) for energizing the fixing heater (halogen heater in this embodiment) and the DC power circuit in 86, and the DC power circuit is connected to the AC circuit 86. An operating voltage is applied to an energization controller that is an ASIC (Application Specific IC). At this time, the process controller 131 obtains the detected temperature of the fixing temperature sensor 88 from the AC circuit 86 (the ASIC), determines the target temperature corresponding to the detected temperature, and supplies the target temperature to the AC circuit 86. The AC circuit 86 controls the energization phase of the triac circuit so that the detected temperature of the fixing temperature sensor 88 matches the target value given by the process controller 131.
[0109]
FIG. 8 shows an outline of the control operation of the process controller 131. When the original power switch 91 is switched from the off or hibernation mode to the low power mode or the standby mode, that is, when the system controller 1 turns on the switch 85, an operating voltage is applied to the process controller 131. As a result, the process controller 131 is activated, and the printer 100, the finisher 34, the paper feed bank 35, and the large capacity paper feed tray 36 are initialized (31). Check (32) and decode the notification or command from the system controller 1, such as switching of energy saving mode, resolution, zoom setting request, paper feed port, paper discharge port switching request, image forming start, etc. (33) Then, setting corresponding to the command is performed, and the status of the finisher 34 and the large-capacity paper feed tray 36 is checked (34). When the system controller 1 sets the standby mode, “initial control of temperature control” (37) is executed, and “1” indicating the standby mode is written in the register RStby assigned to one area of the RAM 132 ( 36-38). When the system controller 1 switches to the low power mode, the register RStby is cleared (42). When there is a request for switching the paper feed port, the paper feed stage is changed to the designated cassette 103, 104 or large capacity paper feed tray 36 (39). When an image formation start command is received from the system controller 1, the process controller 131 proceeds to “print control” (41) and controls the image formation for the set number of sheets.
[0110]
FIG. 9 shows the contents of “initial setting of temperature control” (37) executed by the process controller 131 when switching to the “standby mode” in which the fixing heater 87 of the fixing device 107 is energized. When proceeding to this, the process controller 131 first converts the temperature signal representing the detected temperature T of the temperature sensor 88 from the AC circuit 86, reads it, and writes it in the register RT (43). The register from which the process controller 131 reads and writes data is one area of the RAM 132 or NVRAM 264.
[0111]
Next, the process controller 131
First target temperature NVTra1 (register NVTra1 defined in NVRAM
The same data;
Second target temperature NVTra2,
Third target temperature NVTra3
First switching time NVTime1,
Second switching time NVTime2,
A first threshold temperature NVTs1, and
Second threshold temperature NVTs2,
Are read from NVRAM 264, and each is defined in RAM 132.
First target temperature register RTra1,
Second target temperature register RTra2,
Third target temperature register RTra3
First switching time register RTime1,
Second switching time register RTime2,
A first threshold temperature register RTs1, and
Second threshold temperature register RTs2,
(44).
[0112]
Then, the target fixing temperature RTemp and the target temperature region information RTsts are determined based on the read temperature value T (45 to 49). Here, assuming that the values represented by the data RTs1 and RTs2 of the first threshold temperature register RTs1 and the second threshold temperature register RTs2 are represented as RTs1 and RTs2 (and so on).
When T <RTs1, the target fixing temperature RTemp is set to Tra1,
Target temperature region information RTsts is set to ST1 (45, 47);
When RTs1 ≦ T <RTs2, the target fixing temperature RTemp is set to Tra2.
And set the target temperature region information RTsts to ST2 (45 to 47);
When T ≧ RTs2, the target fixing temperature RTemp is set to Tra3,
The target temperature region information RTsts is set to ST3 (45, 46, 49).
[0113]
For example, the first threshold temperature RTs1 and the second threshold temperature RTs2 serving as a boundary for switching the target fixing temperature RTemp are, for example,
RTs1 = 90 ° C.
RTs2 = 130 ° C.
It is.
[0114]
The first target temperature RTra1, the second target temperature RTra2, and the third target temperature RTra3 are, for example,
RTra1 = 110 ° C.
RTra2 = 160 ° C.
RTra3 = 180 ° C
It is.
[0115]
For example, when T is 50 ° C., T <90 ° C. (RTs1), so 110 ° C. (RTra1) is set as the target fixing temperature RTemp. When T is 100 ° C., since 90 ° C. (RTs1) ≦ T ≦ 130 ° C. (RTs2), 160 ° C. (RTra2) is set as the target fixing temperature RTemp. Since T ≧ 130 ° C. (RTs2) when T is 140 ° C., 180 ° C. (RTra3) is set as the target fixing temperature RTemp.
[0116]
Next, the process controller 131 refers to the data in the paper feed designation register NVRns of the NVRAM 264 (50), and feeds paper when it has previously turned off the fixing power supply (switched from the standby mode to the energy saving mode). If the value is “1” for specifying the correction of the target fixing temperature based on the attribute information of the paper of the paper feed stage (cassette 103, 104 or paper feed tray 36) specified in the previous mode, the previous mode operation stored in the NVRAM 264 is designated. Data NVTray representing the paper feed stage of the image condition (registered in the NVRAM 264 in 29a or 23 to 25 in FIG. 7) is written in the reference paper feed stage register RTray (51). If the data in the paper feed designation register NVRns is “0” that designates correction of the target fixing temperature based on the attribute information of the paper in the paper feed stage currently designated for paper feed, the current paper feed is designated. Data Tray representing the paper feed stage is written into the reference paper feed stage register RTray (52).
[0117]
Next, the process controller 131 reads out the attribute data NVKd1, NVKd2 and NVKd3 in the attribute information registers NVKd1, NVKd2 and NVKd3 on the NVRAM 264 addressed to the cassettes 103, 104 and the paper feed tray 36, which are the respective paper feed stages, to read the first. Write to the paper feed stage register RKd1, the second paper feed stage register RKd2, and the third paper feed stage register RKd3 (53). Then, the attribute information addressed to the paper feed stage in the reference paper feed stage register RTray is selected from the paper feed stage register and written to the attribute information designation register RKind (54 to 57). If there is information indicating that the paper is in the selected paper feed stage, the target fixing temperature data RTemp of the target fixing temperature register RTemp is added with the temperature increase correction value NVTK addressed to the thick paper. The value is updated (58, 59). Then, the target fixing temperature data RTemp in the target fixing temperature register RTemp is output to the AC circuit 86 (60).
[0118]
Immediately after this output, the process controller 131 writes “1” indicating that it is in the standby mode to the energy saving mode register RStby in step 38 of FIG. 8 and performs polling for confirming the state by interruption processing of a predetermined cycle. An interrupt process that refers to the time RTsts set in steps 45 to 49 is added. That is, interrupt processing for changing the target fixing temperature (raising the fixing temperature) is permitted.
[0119]
FIG. 10 shows the contents of the interrupt processing. The process controller 131 repeatedly enters this interrupt process at a predetermined cycle. When proceeding to this interrupt process, the process controller 131 first refers to the target temperature region information RTsts in the target temperature region register RTsts (61, 62). If Tsts is neither ST3 nor ST2, that is, ST1, the data in the flag register RTo is checked (63), and if it is “0” (timekeeping needs to be started), initial setting for timekeeping (check counter) The register RTCnt is cleared and “1” indicating that the time is being measured is written to the flag register RTo) (64). At the next polling (execution of interrupt processing), since the flag register RTo has “1”, the process proceeds from step 63 to step 65, and the count data RTCnt of the counter register RTCnt that checks the passage of time to shift to the next reload temperature Checks whether the data RTime1 of the first switching time register RTime1 assigned to ST1 has been reached. If not, the count data RTCnt of the counter register RTCnt is incremented by 1 (66).
[0120]
When the count data RTCnt of the counter register RTCnt has reached the data RTime1 of the first switching time register RTime1, the target fixing temperature RTemp is set to RTra2, the data of the target temperature region register RTsts is changed to ST2, and the flag register RTo is cleared. (67).
[0121]
Similarly to ST1, when the data in the target temperature region register RTsts is ST2, the data in the flag register RTon is checked (68), and if it is “0”, initial setting for timing is performed (69). In the next polling, since the flag register RTo has “1”, the process proceeds from step 68 to step 70, where the count data RTCnt of the counter register RTCnt has reached the data RTime2 of the second switching time register RTime2 assigned to ST2. Check. If not reached, the count data RTCnt of the counter register RTCnt is incremented by 1 (71). When the count data RTCnt of the counter register RTCnt has reached the data RTime2 of the second switching time register RTime2, the target fixing temperature RTemp is set to RTra3, the data of the target temperature region register RTsts is changed to ST3, and the flag register RTo is cleared. (72).
[0122]
In this embodiment, when the target fixing temperature RTemp reaches RTra3 (data in the target temperature region register RTets is ST3), the process proceeds from step 61 to “Correction for paper quality corresponding to paper feed” ATT, and steps 62 to 72 are bypassed. Thereafter, in the “reload of target fixing temperature” RDT, the target fixing temperature is not changed.
[0123]
However, since there is a possibility that the paper feed stage may be switched, the “correction for paper quality of paper feed” ATT is executed. Here, it is checked whether the paper feed stage has been switched (73). If the paper in the immediately preceding paper feed stage is thick paper, the target fixing temperature RTemp is set to the thick paper correction value NVTK. Is updated to a value obtained by subtracting (74, 75), and the paper feed stage after switching is written to the reference paper feed stage register RTray (76). Then, with respect to the paper feed stage after switching, when the paper in the paper feed stage is thick paper, the target fixing temperature is added to the thick paper correction value NVTK, as in steps 54 to 59 of FIG. The value is updated (77 to 82).
[0124]
FIG. 11 shows the contents of “print speed setting” DPS at the start of image formation control in “print control” (41: FIG. 8) in response to the print start instruction. Here, the data of the speed designation register NVRfs of the NVRAM 264 is first referred to (83), and if it is “1” (specifies the speed setting corresponding to the attribute information), the attribute information of the paper of the selected paper feed stage Corresponding to (size, plain / thick paper, plain paper / OHP) (84), if the attribute information is the category S1 shown in the following Table 3, the standard speed V1 is standard in the speed register RV and standard in the paper interval register RPfg. The interval L is written (85). If the attribute information is category S2, the speed V2 is written in the speed register RV and the standard interval L is written in the paper interval register RPfg (86). If the attribute information is category S3, the standard speed V1 is written in the speed register RV, and the interval 2L is written in the paper interval register RPfg (87).
[0125]
If the data in the speed designation register NVRfs is “0”, the standard speed V1 is written in the speed register RV and the standard interval L is written in the paper interval register RPfg regardless of the attribute information (85). V2 <V1.
[0126]
The process controller 131 starts a print sequence control for passing the paper at the speed and interval set as described above (88).
[0127]
[Table 3]

For example, if the paper size to be fed is A4 and plain paper, the paper passing mode of section S1 is selected, and a standard printing sequence for passing paper at standard speed V1 and standard interval L is executed. The sheet passing interval described here is the interval (distance or time) between the tail end of the preceding sheet and the leading end of the succeeding succeeding sheet when continuous printing is performed.
[0128]
Depending on the user, productivity may be more important than print quality, and the user who wants to print paper at the fastest speed can set the speed designation register NVRfs of the NVRAM 264 by the initial setting which can be performed by turning on the initial setting key 80d. Data may be set to “0”. Then, image formation is performed with an image forming sequence with a standard speed V1 and a standard interval L regardless of the size, thickness, and type of paper.
[0129]
When the user turns on the initial setting key 80d of the operation board 20, the system controller 1 performs the “input reading process” (20: FIG. 7).
[0130]
FIG. 12 shows the setting of parameters and conditions related to the fixing temperature rise control, the sheet passing speed, and the interval control in the “input reading process” (20). When the initial setting key 80d is turned on, the system controller 1 switches and displays the initial setting menu screen on the liquid crystal display panel 79 via the CPU 253 of the operation board 20. The system controller 1 reads the input of the operation board 20 via the CPU 253, and also performs output (display) from the operation board 20 via the CPU 253. Hereinafter, the system controller 1 is referred to as via the CPU 253 of the operation board 20. Expression is omitted.
[0131]
When the switch button (display) DIPSW1 for designating the fixing and paper passing setting items on the menu is turned on (when touched by the user's finger or pen), the fixing temperature rises on the liquid crystal display panel 79. Switch buttons DIPSW2 to DIPSW17 for designating parameters and conditions related to the raising control, the sheet passing speed, and the interval control, and their values or selections are displayed. This screen also displays an enter key. When the enter key is turned on, various information is displayed as shown in steps 93 to 143 according to the on / off state of the switch buttons DIPSW2 to DIPSW17 displayed at that time. Update writing is performed in each register of the NVRAM 264.
[0132]
In other words, DIPSW 2 and 3 are switches for determining the value set in the first target temperature register NVTra1, and the value set in the register NVTra1 is determined in TR1 or T5 or T6 depending on the on / off state and written in the register NVTra1. (93-97). A switch for determining the value set in the second target temperature register NVTRA2 by the DIPSWs 4 and 3, and the value set in the register NVTra2 is determined in TR2 or T7 or T8 depending on the on / off state, and written in the register NVTra2 ( 98-112). A switch for determining the value set in the third target temperature register NVTra3 by the DIPSWs 6 and 7, and the value set in the register NVTra3 is determined as TR3, T9 or T10 depending on the on / off state and written into the register NVTra3 ( 113-117). A switch for determining the value set in the first threshold temperature register NVTs1 by the DIPSWs 8 and 9, and the value set in the register NVTs1 is determined in T1 or T11 or T12 depending on the on / off state and written to the register NVTs1 ( 118-122).
[0133]
A switch for determining the value set in the second threshold temperature register NVTs2 by the DIPSWs 10 and 11, and the value set in the register NVTs2 is determined in T2 or T13 or T14 depending on the on / off state and written in the register NVTs2 (123) ~ 127). A switch for determining the value set in the first switching time register NVTime1 by the DIPSWs 12 and 13. The value set in the register NVTime1 is determined by the TIME1, TIME3, or TIME4 depending on the ON / 62 OFF state, and is written in the register NVTime1. (128-132). A switch for determining the value set in the second switching time register NVTime2 by the DIPSWs 14 and 15, and the value set in the register NVTime2 depending on the ON / OFF state is determined as TIME2, TIME5 or TIME6 and written in the register NVTime2 ( 133-137).
[0134]
T1, T2, T5 to T14, TR1, TR2, TR3, and TIME1 to TIME6 are fixed values (constants).
[0135]
When the DIPSW 16 is on, “1” is written to the paper feed designation register NVRns, and when the DIPSW 16 is off, the paper feed designation register NVRns is cleared (138 to 140). When the DIPSW 17 is on, “1” is written to the speed designation register NVRfs, and when the DIPSW 17 is off, the paper feed designation register NVRfs is cleared (141 to 143).
[0136]
Although not shown, the “input reading process” (20) includes an item for setting paper feed stage information, and by clicking there, the user can select each paper feed stage (cassette 103, cassette 103). 104, paper attribute information of the paper feed tray 36 can be registered in the NVRAM 264. When the setting of paper feed stage information is designated (clicked), the display panel 79 displays each of the cassettes 103, 104 and the paper feed tray 36. In the column, the currently registered attribute information (size, normal / thick paper, plain paper / OHP) is displayed.The user updates the information by clicking the information item that needs to be changed, and presses the enter key when the update is completed. As a result, the data in the attribute information register of the NVRAM 264 is updated with the updated information.
[0137]
When the paper of any paper feed stage is replaced with one having different attribute information, it is necessary to perform this registration operation on the changed paper feed stage to update the attribute information in the NVRAM 264.
[0138]
In the embodiment described above, the user registers the attribute information of the paper of each paper feed stage in the NVRAM 264 as described above. However, by using an automatic detector or automatic detection function such as paper size, plain / thick paper, plain paper / OHP, etc., it is possible to automatically generate and output paper attribute information of each paper feed stage. .
[0139]
【The invention's effect】
The rise characteristic of the fixing device temperature can be determined by the target temperature corresponding to the fixing temperature at the start of power supply to the fixing means, the predetermined time until the target temperature is switched to the next value, and the next target temperature. As a result, it is possible to prevent or suppress overheating of the fixing device due to residual heat when the fixing power source is repeatedly turned on and off in a short time, and overshooting of the heater temperature when the fixing temperature is raised.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a copying machine having a composite function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of an image forming mechanism of the printer 100 shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing an outline of an image processing system of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a power supply device of the printer 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a block diagram showing electrical elements of the operation board 20 shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
6 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the operation panel surface of the operation board 20 shown in FIG. 3;
7 is a flowchart showing an outline of power-on control of the system controller 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.
8 is a flowchart showing an outline of print control of a process controller 131 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of “initial setting of temperature control” (37) shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process for changing the target fixing temperature after “initial setting of temperature control” (37).
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the head portion of “print control” (41) shown in FIG. 8;
12 is a flowchart showing a part of the initial setting contents in the “input reading process” shown in FIG. 7;
[Explanation of symbols]
10: Color document scanner 20: Operation board
30: Automatic document feeder 34: Finisher
34hs: Loading and lowering tray 34ud: Lift platform
34st: Sort tray group
41M, 41C, 41Y, 41K: Laser emitter
79: LCD touch panel 87: Fixing heater
88: Temperature sensor
100: Color printer PC: Personal computer
PBX: Switch PN: Communication line
102: Optical writing unit 103, 104: Paper feed cassette
105: Registration roller pair 106: Transfer belt unit
107: fixing unit 108: discharge tray
110M, 110C, 110Y, 110K: photoconductor unit
111M, 111C, 111Y, 111K: photosensitive drum
120M, 120C, 120Y, 120K: Developer
160: Transfer conveyance belt ACP: Image data processing device
CDIC: Image data interface control
IMAC: Image memory access control
IPP: Image data processor HDD: Hard disk device

Claims (6)

Imaging means for forming a visible image on paper;
Fixing means for heating the paper on which the image forming means has formed a visible image;
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the fixing means;
When the power supply to the fixing unit is stopped, the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is read and associated with the detected temperature when switching to the fixing power supply mode for supplying power. according target temperature rising characteristic between when the plurality in the order of time for maintaining the high-target temperature high target temperature from the time of maintaining the low target temperature low target temperature is assigned is allocated to continuous, that order number in the target value control unit determining the target temperature it is allocated to the time goal temperature; and,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a power supply unit that controls a conduction phase of a phase control switching element that supplies power to the fixing unit such that a temperature detected by the temperature detection unit matches a target temperature determined by the target value control unit. .   The image forming apparatus includes: a paper feeding unit that stores paper to be supplied to the image forming unit; and a unit that outputs attribute information of the paper of the paper feeding unit. The target value control unit is connected to the power feeding unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a correction corresponding to the attribute information is added to the target temperature to be given.   The image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of sheet feeding units that store sheets supplied to the image forming unit; a unit that outputs sheet attribute information of each sheet feeding unit; and a power supply from the fixing power supply mode to the fixing unit. A non-volatile memory that stores information for specifying a paper feeding unit that has been set for paper feeding when the supply is stopped, and the target value control unit is switched to the fixing power supply mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein correction corresponding to the attribute information of the paper of the paper feeding unit indicated by the information specifying the paper feeding unit of the nonvolatile memory is added to a target temperature to be given to the power feeding unit.   The image forming apparatus includes: a paper feeding unit that stores paper to be supplied to the image forming unit; and a unit that outputs attribute information of the paper of the paper feeding unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet passing speed through which the sheet passes is set to a speed corresponding to the attribute information.   The image forming apparatus includes: a paper feed unit that stores paper to be supplied to the image forming unit; and a unit that outputs attribute information of the paper of the paper feed unit. The target value control unit passes through the fixing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sheet passing interval of the sheet to be printed is set to an interval corresponding to the attribute information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1;
A document scanner that reads an image of a document and generates image data; and
Image processing means for converting image data generated by the document scanner and document information given from outside through communication into image data for image formation adapted to the image forming apparatus and giving the image forming apparatus;
A copying apparatus comprising:

Images