JP4361507B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a printer function such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine.

  In the image forming apparatus, a predetermined toner is applied to the photosensitive drum in accordance with image data requested to be printed from a computer connected to the image forming apparatus, image data read by a scanner function provided in the image forming apparatus, or the like. After the image is formed, the toner image is transferred to the recording paper. Then, the toner is melted by a fixing device having a heated fixing roller or the like, and permeates the recording paper, thereby fixing the toner image. For this reason, if the user carelessly touches a fixing device that is hot or a recording paper that is hot after image formation, the user feels hot and uncomfortable.

Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for generating a message for calling attention from a speaker when a user is too close to the fixing device in a state where a high-temperature fixing device is pulled out from the image forming apparatus. In contrast, for discharged recording paper, a warning sticker such as “The paper may be hot. Be careful when removing it” is attached to the vicinity of the paper output tray. Often done.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-258617

  However, if the warning sticker is applied as described above, the user's attention is gradually lost to the warning sticker that is always stuck, and it is a hot record that must be carefully observed. When paper is ejected, it may not make sense. Also, there is a problem in that the user is required to pay extra attention to the recording paper that is not so hot.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and only when the discharged recording paper is hot and it is necessary to call attention, it is possible to notify the user to that effect. An object is to provide a possible image forming apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image formation is performed in which a toner image is transferred to a recording paper in accordance with image data instructed to be printed, the transferred toner image is fixed on the recording paper, and then the recording paper is discharged. An apparatus for calculating a necessary cooling time, which is a time required for the recording paper to cool in accordance with the number of recording papers after fixing in the printing, and a predetermined amount after the printing is instructed And a notification unit that starts notification of a warning to the user from the time point, and terminates the notification of the warning when the necessary cooling time calculated by the calculation unit has elapsed after the start of the notification.

According to this configuration, the notification unit starts to issue a warning to the user from a predetermined time after the printing is instructed. The notification of warning performed by the notification means may be, for example, a form of displaying a message or a form of turning on an indicator lamp. The instructed printing is continued even while the notification means is informing the warning , and after the toner image is transferred to the recording paper, the toner image is fixed to the recording paper by, for example, heat. . Therefore, the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus is heated, but the temperature of the recording paper decreases with time.

However, when the printed recording paper is continuously discharged, the recording paper heats up, so that the temperature drop varies depending on the number of recording paper. Therefore, the calculation means calculates a required cooling time that is a time required for the recording paper to cool in accordance with the number of recording papers. This required cooling time can be calculated, for example, by adding a predetermined time (representing a numerical value) each time one recording sheet is discharged. Then, when the necessary cooling time calculated by the calculation unit has elapsed, the notification unit ends the notification of the warning that has been performed up to that point.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes a detection unit provided at a predetermined position in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the recording paper, and detecting the passage of the recording paper, The required cooling time is calculated by sequentially adding a predetermined numerical value representing the time each time the detection means detects the passage of the recording paper.

  According to this configuration, each time the detection unit detects the passage of the recording paper, the calculation unit sequentially calculates a numerical value such as “+10” as a predetermined numerical value representing time with respect to the numerical value currently stored. Add the values and calculate the required cooling time. That is, when the predetermined value is small, the time required for cooling the recording paper is short, and when the predetermined value is large, it means that the time required for cooling is long.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, after the printing is instructed, the time measuring means for measuring the time from when the passage of the recording paper is first detected by the detecting means. The notification means sets the time when the passage of the recording paper is first detected by the detection means as a reference time, and starts notification of the warning as a predetermined time after elapse of a predetermined time from the reference time, The notification of the warning is terminated when the time measured by the time measuring means has passed the necessary cooling time calculated by the calculating means.

According to this configuration, the notification unit starts to notify the user of a warning from a predetermined time point. This predetermined time point may be, for example, a time point when the passage of the recording paper is first detected by the detection means (reference time point), or a time point after a predetermined time elapses from the reference time point, for example, 2 seconds. May be. When the time required for the time measured by the time measuring means has passed the necessary cooling time calculated by the calculating means, the notifying means ends the notification of the warning that has been performed up to that point.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the required cooling time calculated by the calculating means has a preset upper limit.

  According to this configuration, the necessary cooling time calculated by the calculating means does not increase without limitation, and even if it exceeds a preset upper limit, it is suppressed at the upper limit and does not become longer than that. For this reason, the notification means does not make a notification exceeding this upper limit, and the notification ends when the notification time reaches the upper limit even at the longest.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method in which a toner image is transferred to a recording paper in accordance with image data instructed to be printed, the transferred toner image is fixed on the recording paper, and then the recording paper is discharged. When the number of pieces of image data instructed for printing is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, a warning notification is started from a predetermined time after the printing is instructed. It is a time required for the subsequent recording paper to cool down, and is provided with notification means for terminating the warning notification when a preset required cooling time has elapsed.

According to this configuration, the notification unit starts to issue a warning to the user from a predetermined time after the printing is instructed. The notification of warning performed by the notification means may be, for example, a form of displaying a message or a form of turning on an indicator lamp. The instructed printing is continued even while the notification means is informing the warning , and after the toner image is transferred to the recording paper, the toner image is fixed to the recording paper by, for example, heat. .

In general, when the number of image data instructed to be printed is a large number, for example, 50 or 100, the temperature of the recording paper after a certain period of time has elapsed after the printing is completed varies greatly even if the number of sheets changes. It will disappear. Therefore, the time required for the temperature of the recording paper to fall to such an extent that the user does not feel that it is hot and uncomfortable is preset as the required cooling time. The notification of the warning that has been performed up to is terminated.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided at a predetermined position in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the recording paper and detects the passage of the recording paper, and the last printing instruction is given. A timing unit that counts the time from the point of time when the passage of the recording paper is detected by the detection unit, and further counts the time from the point of time when the printing is regarded as the end of the printing. The time when the passage of the recording paper is first detected is set as a reference time, and after a predetermined time has elapsed from the reference time, the warning is started from that time, and the time measured by the time measuring means is started. The warning notification is terminated when the necessary cooling time has elapsed.

According to this configuration, the notification unit starts to notify the user of a warning from a predetermined time point. This predetermined time point may be, for example, a time point when the passage of the recording paper is first detected by the detection means (reference time point), or a time point after a predetermined time elapses from the reference time point, for example, 2 seconds. May be. Then, the time counting means regards the end of printing when the passage of the last recording sheet instructed to print is detected by the detection means, and measures the time from the time when the end of printing is regarded as the end. Thereafter, when the time measured by the time measuring unit has passed a preset required cooling time, the notification unit ends the notification of the warning performed up to that point.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, further comprising user setting means capable of setting the predetermined number of sheets.

  According to this configuration, the predetermined number of sheets suitable for the image forming apparatus can be set by the user setting means. Generally, the temperature of printed recording paper starts to decrease immediately after being discharged, but the amount of the decrease is greatest immediately after discharging and gradually decreases with time. Further, the amount of decrease decreases as the number of printed sheets increases in a range where the number of printed sheets is small. However, when the number of image data for which printing has been instructed is large, such as 50 or 100, the temperature of the recording paper after a certain period of time has elapsed after printing has ended, even if the number of sheets has changed. Will disappear. By setting this number as the predetermined number, the user can be prevented from waiting unnecessarily for a long time after the recording paper is discharged.

  The invention according to an eighth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the user setting unit is further configured to set the required cooling time. Features.

  According to this configuration, the required cooling time suitable for the image forming apparatus can be set by the user setting means. For example, if the model of the image forming apparatus is different, the temperature of the fixing roller is different accordingly, and the temperature of the recording paper after printing is also different. For this reason, the user can set the required cooling time. For example, for an image forming apparatus in which the temperature of the recording paper after printing is relatively high, the required cooling time is lengthened. Adjustments such as shortening the required cooling time can be performed for image forming apparatuses that do not become relatively high.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the notification means is a display device that displays a predetermined message.

  According to this configuration, for example, a warning message such as “attention to high temperature” is displayed on the display device, so that the user can effectively know that the temperature of the recording paper is high. The display device may be a dedicated device provided for displaying a warning message, or may be a form using a liquid crystal display or the like normally provided in the image forming apparatus, for example.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the notification means is a display lamp that is turned on as the warning notification.

  According to this configuration, for example, when the temperature of the recording paper is high, the indicator lamp is lit, so that the user can effectively know that the temperature of the recording paper is high. The indicator lamp may be a dedicated lamp provided to alert the user, for example, a form using a light emitting diode (LED) provided in the image forming apparatus. Also good.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the notification means is not performed notification of constantly warning, recording paper to notify only alert in the time range considered hot. That is, only when it is necessary to call attention, it is possible to notify the user of the image forming apparatus to that effect.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the necessary cooling time, which is the time necessary for cooling the recording paper after fixing, can be calculated accurately while being simple.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the time point at which the passage of the recording paper is first detected by the detecting means is set as the reference time point, and the time point is used as the starting point for the time measuring means to start measuring time. Thereby, since the reference point of time becomes clear, it is possible to clearly set a predetermined time when determining a predetermined time point at which notification to the user is started.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even when the number of prints instructed is large, the required cooling time is not unlimitedly requested, so that the user does not have to wait unnecessarily long after discharging the recording paper. Efficient.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the notifying unit does not always notify, but also in the time range in which the recording paper is considered to be at a high temperature even when the number of sheets instructed for printing is a predetermined number or more. Only notify. That is, only when it is necessary to call attention, it is possible to notify the user of the image forming apparatus to that effect.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the time point at which the passage of the recording paper is first detected by the detecting means is set as the reference time point, and the time point is used as the starting point for the time measuring means to start measuring time. As a result, since the reference point of time is clear even when the number of sheets instructed for printing is larger than a predetermined number, the setting of a predetermined time when determining a predetermined time point at which notification to the user is started, etc. Can be done clearly.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the predetermined number can be set according to conditions such as the model of the image forming apparatus and the thickness of the recording paper to be used, the user needs to wait unnecessarily long after discharging the recording paper. Is efficient.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set a necessary cooling time, which is a time until the temperature of the recording paper is sufficiently lowered, according to conditions such as the model of the image forming apparatus and the thickness of the recording paper to be used. The user does not need to wait unnecessarily long after the recording paper is discharged, which is efficient.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, it is possible to effectively notify the user that the recording paper is hot. Further, since the message is a text message, the user can easily determine what is being warned.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, it is possible to effectively notify the user that the recording paper is hot. Further, since the message is based on light, for example, if a red indicator lamp is used at the time of warning, it can be intuitively understood that the warning is received.

  Hereinafter, as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a multifunction peripheral having functions such as a copy, a scanner, and a printer will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure or process which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in each figure shows that it is the same structure or process, The detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-function device 1 includes a main body unit 200, a sheet post-processing unit 300 disposed on the left side of the main body unit 200, an operation unit (user setting unit) 400 for a user to input various operation commands and the like, Document reading unit 500 disposed above the unit 200, document feeding unit 600 disposed above the document reading unit 500, and a dedicated display for displaying a warning message (predetermined message) according to the present invention 700.

  The operation unit 400 includes a touch panel 401, a start key 402, a numeric keypad 403, and the like. The touch panel 401 displays various operation screens and various operation buttons for the user to input various operation commands. The start key 402 is used for the user to input a print execution command or the like, and the ten key 403 is used to input the number of copies to be printed.

  The document feeding unit 600 includes a document placement unit 601, a document discharge unit 602, a paper feed roller 603, a document transport unit 604, and the like, and the document reading unit 500 includes a scanner 501 and the like. The paper feed roller 603 feeds out the original set on the original placement unit 601, and the original transport unit 604 transports the fed originals one by one on the scanner 501. The scanner 501 sequentially reads the conveyed document, and the read document is discharged to the document discharge unit 602.

  The main body 200 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 201, a plurality of paper feed rollers 202, a transfer roller 203, an intermediate transfer body roller 204, a photosensitive drum 205, an exposure device 206, and development for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Devices 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207K, a fixing roller 208, a discharge port 209, a discharge tray 210, a recording paper sensor (detection means) 220, and the like.

  The photosensitive drum 205 is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. The exposure apparatus 206 converts the modulation signal generated based on the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 500 or the image data received from the computer connected to the multifunction machine 1 into a laser beam and outputs the laser beam. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 205 for each color. The developing devices 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207K supply each color developer to the photosensitive drum 205 to form a toner image for each color.

  Each color toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 205 to the intermediate transfer roller 204, whereby a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer roller 204. On the other hand, the paper feed roller 202 pulls out the recording paper from the paper feed cassette 201 in which the recording paper is stored, and feeds the recording paper to the transfer roller 203. At this time, the recording paper sensor 220 provided near the conveyance path detects that the recording paper has passed the position of the recording paper sensor 220. The transfer roller 203 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer body roller 204 onto the conveyed recording paper, and the fixing roller 208 heats and fixes the transferred toner image on the recording paper. The recording sheet fixed by the fixing roller 208 is then carried into the sheet post-processing unit 300 from the discharge port 209 of the main body unit 200. Further, the recording paper may be discharged to the discharge tray 210 as necessary.

  The paper post-processing unit 300 includes a carry-in port 301, a recording paper transport unit 302, a carry-out port 303, a stack tray 304, and the like. The recording paper transport unit 302 sequentially transports the recording paper carried into the carry-in port 301 from the discharge port 209 and finally ejects the recording paper from the carry-out port 303 to the stack tray 304. The stack tray 304 is configured to be movable up and down in the direction of the arrow according to the number of recording sheets stacked from the carry-out port 303.

  For example, a dedicated display unit 700 is disposed at a position that is easy to see from the user, such as the upper surface of the sheet post-processing unit 300. The dedicated display unit 700 displays a warning message to the user when the recording paper discharged to the stack tray 304 is hot.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction device 1 and the computer 2 are connected via a communication cable 3. The computer 2 includes a communication control unit 21, a control unit 22, a display control unit 23, an image data storage unit 24, an operation unit 25, a display unit 26, and the like. The control unit 22 on the computer side includes a ROM that stores a control program, a RAM that temporarily stores data, a CPU that reads and executes the control program from the ROM, and the like. To perform a desired process.

  The operation unit 25 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is used when data is created using application software, for example, by a user operation. Further, the operation unit 25 transmits a print instruction signal for instructing the MFP 1 to print, a print cancel signal for canceling the instructed printing, and the like. The image data storage unit 24 is composed of a storage device such as a ROM or a RAM, for example, and a document file or an image file created using various application software installed in the computer 2 by operating the operation unit 25. And the like are stored.

  The communication control unit 21 is composed of, for example, a CPU and a communication I / F (interface), and is a functional unit on the computer side that is responsible for transmission and reception of data and the like between the computer 2 and the multifunction device 1. For example, the communication control unit 21 sends a print instruction signal, a print cancel signal, or the like from the operation unit 25 to the multifunction device 1, or sends image data stored in the image data storage unit 24 to the multifunction device 1. To do. The display control unit 23 includes, for example, a CPU and the like, and displays various image data and the like on the display unit 26. The display unit 26 includes a display device such as a display, for example, and displays various data and the like under the control of the display control unit 23.

  The multifunction device 1 includes a communication control unit 11, a control unit 12, a display control unit 13, a count unit 14, a register 15, a timer unit 16, a recording paper sensor 220, a dedicated display unit 700, and the like. In the present embodiment and the following second embodiment, the count unit 14 is a calculation unit, the display control unit 13 and the dedicated display unit 700 are notification units, the recording paper sensor 220 is a detection unit, and the timer unit 16 is a time measurement unit. It has the function of. Furthermore, the dedicated display unit 700 is a display device that displays a predetermined message.

  The control unit 12 on the multifunction device side includes a ROM that stores a control program, a RAM that temporarily stores data, a CPU that reads and executes the control program from the ROM, and the like. The function unit is controlled to perform a desired process. For example, when the control unit 12 detects that the recording paper sensor 220 has notified the count unit 14 of the passage of the first recording paper, the control unit 12 sends a count start signal to the timer unit 16. Further, the control unit 12 determines that the printing is finished when the number of prints instructed by the computer 2 is equal to the number of passages detected by the recording paper sensor 220, and sends a print end signal to the counting unit 14.

  The communication control unit 11 includes a CPU and a communication I / F (interface), and is a function unit on the multifunction machine side that is responsible for transmission and reception of data and the like between the computer 2 and the multifunction machine 1. For example, the communication control unit 11 receives a print instruction signal or a print cancel signal from the communication control unit 21 of the computer 2 and notifies each function unit of the multifunction machine 1 or stores image data stored in the image data storage unit 24. Is sent to a functional unit that performs image formation. When the recording paper sensor 220 detects that the recording paper has passed the position between the paper feed cassette 201 and the transfer roller 203, the recording paper sensor 220 notifies the count unit 14 accordingly. The timer unit 16 starts counting when receiving a count start signal from the control unit 12 and notifies the count unit 14 every time “1 second” elapses.

  The count unit 14 resets the value of the register 15 when notified from the control unit 12 that the print instruction signal from the computer 2 has been received. When the count unit 14 receives a notification from the recording paper sensor 220 or the timer unit 16, the count unit 14 sequentially adds the numerical value allocated to each notification to the register 15. This numerical value is stored in the counting unit 14 as a required cooling time, which is a time required for the recording paper to cool in accordance with the number of recording papers. If the recording paper sensor 220 is notified first after resetting the value of the register 15, the count unit 14 notifies the display control unit 13 of a request for displaying a warning message. Upon receiving a warning message display request from the counting unit 14, the display control unit 13 controls the dedicated display unit 700 to display a warning message such as “attention to high temperature”. At this time, the display control unit 13 sets a time point when the notification from the counting unit 14 is received as a reference time point, and after a predetermined time has elapsed from the reference time point as a predetermined time point, displays a warning message on the dedicated display unit 700 at the predetermined time point. Display.

  Further, the count unit 14 receives a print end signal from the control unit 12 and notifies the display control unit 13 of a request to hide the warning message when the value of the register 15 becomes “0”. When the warning message non-display request is notified from the count unit 14, the display control unit 13 controls the dedicated display unit 700 to hide a warning message such as “attention to high temperature”. That is, the dedicated display unit 700 controlled by the display control unit 13 sets the time point when the recording paper sensor 220 first detects the passage of the recording paper as the reference time point, and sets the predetermined time point after a predetermined time has elapsed from the reference time point. The display of the warning message is started, and when the time counted by the timer unit 16 exceeds the necessary cooling time calculated by the counting unit 14, the display of the warning message is terminated. In the present embodiment, the predetermined time from the reference time point is described as “0”. That is, when the display control unit 13 receives a notification from the counting unit 14, the display control unit 13 immediately displays a warning message on the dedicated display unit 700.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when the dedicated display unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention displays a warning message. In the following embodiment, the maximum value of the register value of the register 15 (the preset upper limit of the required cooling time) is set to “255”, and the register value is set when notified from the timer unit 16 or the recording paper sensor 220. It is assumed that the numerical values to be added are “−1” and “+10”, respectively. That is, the recording paper sensor 220 adds the time for displaying the warning message every 10 seconds every time the passage of the recording paper is detected. However, these numerical values are merely examples, and may be set as appropriate according to the actual usage pattern and model. For example, since the temperature of the recording paper after being heated differs depending on the model of the multifunction machine 1 and the thickness of the recording paper used, etc., by repeating the experiment in the development process for each model of the multifunction machine 1 For example, the numerical value added to the register value is appropriately adjusted and combined.

  First, the user of the computer 2 operates the operation unit 25 to instruct the multifunction device 1 to print, for example, image data stored in the image data storage unit 24 (step S100). When receiving the print instruction signal, the control unit 12 notifies the count unit 14 to that effect. Upon receiving the notification, the count unit 14 initializes the register value (N) of the register 15 and sets N = 0 (step S102).

  Thereafter, the count unit 14 determines whether or not there is a notification from the timer unit 16 (step S103). If it is determined that there is a notification (YES in step S103), the register value N of the register 15 is 1 or more. Is determined (step S104). As described above, if the register value remains initialized in step S102, N = 0 (NO in step S104). In this case, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S <b> 106, the count unit 14 determines whether there is a notification from the recording paper sensor 220. As a result, the count unit 14 determines that there is a notification (YES in step S106), and when the notification is the first notification after receiving an instruction to start printing (YES in step S201), the control unit 12 The timer unit 16 is notified, and counting is started from that point (step S202). In addition to this, the count unit 14 may determine that it is the first notification, notify the timer unit 16, and start counting from that point.

  Subsequently, the count unit 14 determines whether or not the register value N of the register 15 is smaller than 245 (step S107). Also in this case, as described above, if the register value remains initialized in step S102 (YES in step S107), “+10” is added to the current register value, and the updated register value is “10”. (Step S108).

  Therefore, since the register value N is positive (> 0) (YES in step S109), a warning message such as “attention to high temperature” is displayed on the dedicated display unit 700 (step S110). That is, this warning message is displayed before the recording paper on which the printing process has been performed is first discharged to the stack tray 304. When the recording paper sensor 220 is provided between the paper feed cassette 201 and the transfer roller 203 as shown in FIG. 1, the stack tray 304 is detected after the recording paper sensor 220 detects the passage of the recording paper. It takes about 3 seconds to be discharged. This time of 3 seconds is a time sufficient for the user to notice the warning message displayed on the dedicated display unit 700 and to return the hand that was put out to take out the previously ejected recording paper. As a result, it is possible to alert the user who is trying to take out the discharged recording paper, and the user does not feel uncomfortable by touching the hot recording paper.

  Subsequently, returning to step S103, when there is a notification from the timer unit 16 (YES in step S103), the count unit 14 determines whether or not the register value N is 1 or more (step S104). As a result, when it is determined that the register value N is 1 or more, the count unit 14 updates the register value by subtracting 1 from the current register value of the register 15 (step S105). For example, if the register value remains N = 10 in the above-described step S108, 1 is subtracted to set N = 9.

  That is, since the warning message is displayed on the dedicated display unit 700 from about 3 seconds before the recording sheet is discharged to the stack tray 304, if the number of sheets instructed to be printed from the computer 2 is one, The warning message is displayed for about 7 seconds after the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 304. Similarly, if the number of sheets instructed to be printed by the computer 2 is two and printing on a recording sheet is performed in 1 second increments, the warning message in the dedicated display unit 700 is the first recording sheet. From 3 seconds before is discharged, 17 seconds after the first recording sheet is discharged are displayed.

  Subsequently, the count unit 14 continues to update the register value in steps S103 and S106 each time there is a notification from the timer unit 16 or the recording paper sensor 220. As a result, when it is determined that the register value has become “0” at a certain time (NO in step S109), the control unit 12 subsequently determines whether printing has ended (step S111), and printing has ended. If it is determined that it has been performed (YES in step S111), a print end signal is sent to the count unit 14. The count unit 14 that has received the print end signal notifies the display control unit 13 and hides the warning message “high temperature caution” displayed on the dedicated display unit 700 (step S112). Thus, all the processes are completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S111 that printing has not ended (NO in step S111), the process returns to step S103 while displaying the warning message “Warning about high temperature” on the dedicated display unit 700. For example, when the register value is “0” and the printing has not been completed, for example, after the start of printing is instructed in step S101, the recording sheet sensor 220 has not yet notified the count unit 14. Correspond when not.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the dedicated display unit 700 does not always notify, but the time range in which the recording paper is considered to be hot, that is, the first recording paper is fed to the transfer roller 203 or the like. Until the time determined in accordance with the number of printed recording sheets is displayed. Thus, only when it is necessary to call attention, it is possible to notify the user of the multifunction device to that effect.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment described above, the mode in which the timer unit 16 starts counting after the first notification from the recording paper sensor 220 has been described. In the present embodiment, a mode in which the timer unit 16 starts counting when printing start is instructed from the computer 2 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when the dedicated display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention displays a warning message. Unlike the above-described first embodiment, steps S201 and S202 in FIG. 3 are not provided, but step S101 is provided instead. Since the other processing flow is the same as that in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment 3)
In the first and second embodiments described above, the register value of the register 15 is sequentially updated each time the recording paper passes through the recording paper sensor 220, printing is completed, and the register value becomes “0”. In the above description, the warning message such as “High temperature warning” is hidden. In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a mode in which a necessary cooling time is provided when the number of sheets instructed for printing is large, and a warning message is not displayed when the necessary cooling time has elapsed after printing is completed.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment (see FIG. 2), the register 15 and the timer unit 16 are not provided, but the end timer unit 17, the cooling time storage unit 18, the predetermined number storage unit 19, and the operation unit are newly provided. 400 is newly added. In the present embodiment, the count unit 34 functions as a calculation unit, the display control unit 13 and the dedicated display unit 700 as a notification unit, the recording paper sensor 220 as a detection unit, and the end timer unit 17 as a timing unit. Furthermore, the dedicated display unit 700 is a display device that displays a predetermined message.

  The control unit 32 displays the dedicated display unit 700 according to the present embodiment when the number of sheets (printed number) instructed by the computer 2 or read by the scanner 501 exceeds the predetermined number stored in the predetermined number storage unit 19. Execute display control. Further, the control unit 32 determines that the printing is finished when, for example, the passage of the last recording sheet instructed to be printed by the recording sheet sensor 220 is detected, initializes (resets) the end timer unit 17, The count is started from that point. When the count value in the end timer unit 17 becomes equal to the required cooling time stored in the cooling time storage unit 18, the count unit 34 notifies the display control unit 13 to hide the display of the warning message. . The necessary cooling time stored in the cooling time storage unit 18 is set to a time at which the user does not feel uncomfortable even when touching the discharged recording paper. For example, the number of sheets instructed for printing is 50 sheets. If so, it takes about 30 seconds.

  The required cooling time is preferably set by the user operating the touch panel 401 or the like of the operation unit 400. As a result, the predetermined number of sheets can be set according to conditions such as the model of the multifunction machine and the thickness of the recording paper to be used, so that the user does not have to wait unnecessarily long after the recording paper is discharged, which is efficient.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when the dedicated display unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention displays a warning message. First, the user of the computer 2 operates the operation unit 25 to instruct the multifunction device 1 to print, for example, image data stored in the image data storage unit 24 (step S301).

  Subsequently, when the control unit 32 receives the print instruction signal, the control unit 32 compares the instructed print number with the predetermined number stored in the predetermined number storage unit 19 (step S302). As a result, if it is determined that the number of printed sheets is less than the predetermined number (NO in step S302), step S102 (see FIG. 3) or below in the first embodiment or step S101 in the second embodiment (FIG. 4). (Ref.) Perform the following processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of printed sheets is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (YES in step S302), the process shifts to a process specific to the present embodiment.

  First, the count unit 34 determines whether there is a notification from the recording paper sensor 220 (step S303). As a result, when it is determined that there is a notification (YES in step S303), the count unit 34 notifies the display control unit 13 of a request for displaying a warning message. Upon receiving a warning message display request from the counting unit 34, the display control unit 13 controls the dedicated display unit 700 to display a warning message such as “attention to high temperature” (step S304).

  Subsequently, the control unit 32 determines whether or not printing is completed (step S305). If it is determined that printing is not completed (NO in step S305), the process returns to step S303. If YES is determined in step S303, the dedicated display unit 700 continues to display the warning message.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the printing is completed (YES in step S305), the control unit 32 resets the end timer unit 17 and newly starts counting (step S306). The count unit 34 continues to display the warning message displayed on the dedicated display unit 700 until the count value of the end timer unit 17 becomes equal to the predetermined time stored in the cooling time storage unit 18 (in step S307). NO). When the count value of the end timer unit 17 becomes equal to the predetermined time (YES in step S307), the warning message “High temperature warning” is hidden (step S308), and all the processes are ended.

  According to the present embodiment described above, when the printing of a predetermined number of sheets or more is instructed, the dedicated display unit 700 ends the display after a predetermined time has elapsed, so that the user sufficiently decreases the temperature of the discharged recording paper. It is efficient because there is no need to wait unnecessarily for a long time.

[Other preferred embodiments]
(A) In the first and second embodiments described above, it has been described that the warning message is displayed on the dedicated display unit 700 when the register value of the register 15 is positive (> 0). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the warning message may be displayed on the touch panel 401 or the like originally provided in the multifunction device 1. In this case, since it is not necessary to newly provide the dedicated display unit 700, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Further, unlike the above, for example, an upper surface of the paper post-processing unit 300 or the like, and a display light such as a light emitting diode (LED) may be provided at a predetermined position that is easy for the user to see. In this case, the user may be alerted by controlling the lighting state, such as lighting the indicator lamp instead of a warning message that the discharged recording paper is hot.

  (B) In the embodiment described above, the recording paper sensor 220 is described as being provided between the paper feed cassette 201 and the transfer roller 203 as shown in FIG. However, the embodiment according to the present invention is not limited to this, and in the case where an arbitrary position downstream of the paper feed roller 202 and to the discharge tray 210 on the recording paper conveyance path or the paper post-processing unit 300 is provided. It may be at an arbitrary position downstream of the sheet feed roller 202 and up to the stack tray 304.

  For example, if the recording paper sensor 220 is arranged near the paper feed roller 202 from the position shown in FIG. 1, the recording paper sensor 220 detects the passage of the recording paper and then is discharged to the discharge tray 210 or the stack tray 304. It is assumed that the time until the time is 5 seconds. In this case, for example, a function for delaying the notification signal by 2 seconds between the recording paper sensor 220 and the count unit 14 or a function for delaying the notification signal from the recording paper sensor 220 by 2 seconds is provided. In the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, a warning message can be displayed on the dedicated display unit 700 from 3 seconds before the recording paper is discharged to the discharge tray 210 or the stack tray 304. That is, in this embodiment, the predetermined time that is the elapsed time between the reference time point and the predetermined time point is 2 seconds.

  In addition, the number of seconds before the warning message is displayed is not limited to 3 seconds before the recording paper is discharged to the discharge tray 210 or the stack tray 304, but the type of the multifunction machine 1 and the recording paper used. The optimum time may be set according to the thickness of the film.

  (C) In the embodiment described above, the timer unit 16 starts counting after the recording paper sensor 220 detects the passage of the recording paper (Embodiment 1), or counts when a print instruction signal is received from the computer 2. Has been described as starting (Embodiment 2). However, the embodiment according to the present invention is not limited to this, and the timer unit 16 may always count without receiving a signal from another. In this case, the dedicated display unit 700 starts displaying a warning message with the time point when the recording paper sensor 220 is first detected by the recording paper sensor 220 as a reference time point, and a predetermined time after the reference time point. When the time counted by the timer unit 16 from the predetermined time exceeds the necessary cooling time calculated by the count unit 14, the display of the warning message is terminated.

  (D) In the first and second embodiments described above (see FIGS. 3 and 4), there is a notification from the recording paper sensor 220 in the step of determining whether or not there is a notification from the timer unit 16 (step S103). However, the embodiment according to the present invention is not limited to this, and the order of these may be reversed.

  (E) In the embodiment described above, the count unit 14 increments the assigned numerical value every time there is a notification from the recording paper sensor 220 and the timer unit 16, and when the numerical value becomes “0”. In the above description, the warning message is hidden. However, the embodiment according to the present invention is not limited to this, and the timer unit 16 may be configured to count up the time after the recording paper sensor 220 detects the passage of the recording paper, for example. In this case, when the notification from the recording paper sensor 220 is received, the numerical value added and stored in the counting unit 14 (the numerical value indicating the time) and the time counted in the timer unit 16 become equal to each other, and the necessary cooling is performed. Assuming that time has elapsed, the warning message to the dedicated display unit 700 may be hidden.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process when the exclusive display part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention displays a warning message. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process when the exclusive display part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention displays a warning message. It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic structure of the multifunctional device 1 which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process when the exclusive display part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention displays a warning message.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image forming device)
2 Computer 3 Communication cable 11 Communication control unit 12, 32 Control unit 13 Display control unit 14, 34 Count unit 15 Register 16 Timer unit 17 End timer unit 18 Cooling time storage unit 19 Predetermined number storage unit 220 Recording paper sensor 700 Dedicated display unit

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus that transfers a toner image to a recording sheet in accordance with image data instructed to be printed, fixes the transferred toner image on the recording sheet, and then discharges the recording sheet.
Calculating means for calculating a required cooling time that is a time required for the recording paper to cool in accordance with the number of recording papers after fixing in the printing;
Notification means for starting a warning notification to the user from a predetermined time after the printing is instructed, and ending the warning notification when the necessary cooling time calculated by the calculation means has elapsed after the start of the notification. When,
An image forming apparatus comprising: Provided at a predetermined position in the vicinity of the recording paper conveyance path, further comprising a detecting means for detecting the passage of the recording paper;
2. The calculation unit according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates the necessary cooling time by sequentially adding a predetermined numerical value representing time every time the detection unit detects passage of the recording sheet. Image forming apparatus. After the printing is instructed, further comprising a time measuring means for measuring a time from when the passage of the recording paper is first detected by the detecting means;
The notification means starts the warning notification with a time point when the passage of the recording paper is first detected by the detection means as a reference time point, and starts a warning after a predetermined time has elapsed from the reference time point. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the notification of the warning is terminated when the measured time has passed the necessary cooling time calculated by the calculating unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the required cooling time calculated by the calculating unit has a preset upper limit. An image forming apparatus that transfers a toner image to a recording sheet in accordance with image data instructed to be printed, fixes the transferred toner image on the recording sheet, and then discharges the recording sheet.
When the number of pieces of image data instructed for printing is a predetermined number or more, a warning notification is started from a predetermined time after the instruction for printing is made. A notification means for ending the warning notification when a preset required cooling time elapses, which is a time required for cooling;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A detection means provided at a predetermined position near the conveyance path of the recording paper and detecting the passage of the recording paper;
A time measuring means that counts the time from the time when the end of printing is regarded as the end of printing when the passage of the last recording sheet instructed for printing is detected by the detecting means;
Further comprising
The notification means sets the time when the passage of the recording paper is first detected by the detection means as a reference time, and starts the warning notification from the time as a predetermined time after a lapse of a predetermined time from the reference time, 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the notification of the warning is ended when the time measured by the time measuring unit elapses the required cooling time.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising user setting means capable of setting the predetermined number of sheets.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the user setting unit is further configured to set the required cooling time.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is a display device that displays a predetermined message. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is an indicator lamp that is turned on as the warning notification.

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