JP5010558B2 - Image forming apparatus, printing control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a sample print function, a print control method thereof, and a program.

  In an image forming apparatus equipped with a finisher (post-processing device) such as a sorter or a stacker, when a large amount of continuous printing is performed in a mode using those finishers, the density of an image printed on paper for some reason Even if an abnormality occurs in the position, etc., the operator does not notice the abnormality during printing, and after printing is finished, the operator will notice the abnormality only when the paper stored in the finisher is removed, and the paper and toner will not be It may be wasted.

  As an image forming apparatus that addresses this problem, there is an image forming apparatus having a sample print function. With the sample print function, the paper being printed is fed and printed twice for the same print data, and one paper is ejected to the normal paper output tray as the paper for a normal print job. This sheet is discharged to another sheet discharge tray (sample print tray) where it is easy to check the image formation status. That is, this is a function that executes printing based on the same print data a plurality of times at a predetermined timing, and distributes the printed sheets to the normal print discharge port and the sample print discharge port and discharges them. It can also be said that the conditions are the same except for the discharge port, and one of the discharge ports different from the normal print job discharge port is discharged as a sample print discharge port.

  The sample print function is based on the operator's instructions from the operation panel. The manual sample print function executes sample prints almost simultaneously with the instructions. The number of prints set in advance is automatically set as an interval regardless of the operator's operation. There is an automatic sample print function for executing sample print (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-41505 A

  The purpose of sample printing is to check the printing status of the paper such as image quality. However, the operator can replenish consumables or move the internal unit by jamming to change the image forming status such as image quality. It often occurs immediately after letting go. Therefore, it is effective to execute the sample print at this time, but if the sample print is automatically performed at a fixed printing interval, the intended timing cannot be obtained. The operation must be performed aiming at the timing of using the consumables and the moved unit.

  In addition, if normal printing is continued after sample printing, the original printing cannot be recovered, and even if a malfunction occurs in the image formation status on the sample printed paper, the operator can further The operation for interrupting the forming operation must be performed, and a defective image forming operation is executed before the operation for interrupting, so that consumables such as paper are wasted.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. The object of the present invention is to reliably detect a case where a defect is likely to occur in an image forming situation, and to check whether there is a defect by an operator. It is possible to recover print jobs and suppress waste of consumables such as paper.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a sample print function for executing printing a plurality of times under the same conditions other than the discharge port, and distributing printed paper to the normal print discharge port and the sample print discharge port. An image forming apparatus having a detection means for detecting a change in the state of the image forming apparatus caused by an operator's work, and a supply of consumables or a physical movement of the unit, which is a change in the state detected by the detection means. Storage means for storing a print mode using the consumables and units as a sample print related mode, and a condition list recording means for recording a condition list which is a list of conditions for performing automatic sample printing, the detection means When a state change is detected by the above, the storage means is referred to and a sample print related mode corresponding to the state change is displayed in advance. Add a condition list, the added sample print-related mode of the sample printing is executed, the condition list recording means for deleting the sample print related mode from the condition list, all sample print-related mode on the condition list If, by comparing the print print mode to be performed from now, a sample print execution means for executing a sample print in the case of matching, the paper said sample print execution means has printed the first time to sample the print paper ejection port An image forming apparatus comprising: a unit that displays a message that prompts an operator to select whether to restart or cancel the printing operation after stopping the second printing operation after executing the sheet discharging operation. It is.
Also, the printing control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention executes printing a plurality of times under the same conditions other than the paper discharge port, sorts the printed paper into the normal print paper discharge port and the sample print paper discharge port, and discharges it. In a printing control method for an image forming apparatus having a sample print function for paper, a detection step for detecting a change in the state of the image forming apparatus caused by an operator's work, and a supply of consumables that is a change in the state detected in the detection step A condition for recording a condition list that is a list of conditions for performing automatic sample printing, and a storage process for storing a print mode that uses the consumables and the unit as a sample print related mode corresponding to the physical movement of the unit and unit In the list recording process, when a state change is detected by the detection process, referring to the data stored in the storage process, A condition list recording step of adding a sample print related mode corresponding to the state change to the condition list, and deleting the sample print related mode from the condition list when the sample print related mode is executed. , and all sample print-related mode on the condition list, comparing the print print mode to be performed from now, and a sample print execution step of executing a sample print in the case that matches the sample print run The process executes the operation of discharging the first printed sheet to the sample print discharge port, and then stops the second printing operation and prompts the operator to select whether to restart or cancel the printing operation. A print control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that display is performed.

[Action]
According to the present invention, when a sample print is automatically performed when there is a high possibility that a problem occurs in the image forming situation, the first printing is performed and the sample print is discharged to the sample print discharge port. Stop.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably detect a case where a defect is likely to occur in the image forming situation, confirm the presence or absence of a defect by an operator, recover a print job, and suppress waste of consumables such as paper. It becomes possible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body 400 that prints an image on a sheet, a large-capacity stacker 200 for stacking sheets printed on the apparatus main body 400, punch holes in a plurality of sheets, and a ring member that passes through the punched holes. Accordingly, a ring-binding bookbinding apparatus 300 that performs bookbinding and a finisher 100 that is a post-processing apparatus are configured. Are connected in this order.

  A document bundle placed on a document table 2 with an image surface facing up in an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1 is contacted from the top document by a feed roller 3 and a feed belt 4. It is fed to a predetermined position on the glass 6. The document on the contact glass 6 is illuminated by the light source 51 of the reading unit 50, and the reflected light is reflected by the reflection mirrors 52, 55, 56 and introduced into the photoelectric conversion unit 54 through the condenser lens 53. After the image data of the original on the contact glass 6 is read by the reading unit 50, the original that has been read is discharged by the feeding belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when it is detected by the document set sensor 7 that the next document is present on the document table 2, the document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. The feeding roller 3, the feeding belt 4, and the discharging roller 5 are driven by a motor.

  The transfer papers stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first paper feeding device 11, the second paper feeding device 12, and the third paper feeding device 13, respectively, and are conveyed vertically. The unit 14 is transported to a position where it abuts on the photoreceptor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser from the writing unit 57. That is, the laser diode in the writing unit 57 generates laser light according to the image data passed from the reading unit 50, and the laser light is scanned by the rotary polygon mirror 58, passes through the lens system 59, and is reflected by the reflection mirror 60. Reflected and reaches the photoreceptor 15. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 15 is developed by the developing unit 27. Then, the toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17 and is discharged to a subsequent apparatus by the paper discharge unit 18. In the developing unit 27, toner bottles (not shown) are set, and a toner remaining amount sensor is installed in each bottle.

  The large-capacity stacker 200 has an upper stacker tray 202, a lower stacker tray 203, and an upper tray 204 as discharge ports, and can selectively discharge sheets. Further, the sheet can be discharged to the downstream post-processing device via the through-pass conveyance path 201 without being discharged into the large capacity stacker 200.

  The upper stacker tray 202 and the lower stacker tray 203 each have a door (not shown) on the front surface of the unit. When the door is opened, the paper can be taken out together with the basket from which the paper is discharged. Further, the upper stacker tray 202 and the lower stacker tray 203 are provided with door opening sensors 206 and 207 and paper presence / absence sensors 204 and 205, respectively, to detect the door open state and the presence / absence of paper. Can do.

  The ring-binding bookbinding apparatus 300 is a unit that performs bookbinding by punching a plurality of sheets and passing a ring member. The bound paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 301. The paper discharge unit 301 has a door on the front surface, and the stacked paper can be taken out by opening the door. The paper discharge unit 301 is provided with a door open sensor 302 and a paper presence / absence sensor 303, which can detect the door open state and the presence / absence of paper, respectively.

  The finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus can guide the conveyed transfer paper to the normal discharge roller 102 direction or the staple processing unit direction by the switching plate 101 via the punch unit 121. The sheet directed in the direction of the normal paper discharge roller 102 is discharged to the normal paper discharge tray 104 side via the transfer roller 103 by the switching plate 150 or discharged to the sample tray 152 via the transfer roller 151. I can do things. The sheet headed toward the staple processing unit can be conveyed to the staple table 108 via the conveyance rollers 105 and 107. The punch unit 121 punches a predetermined position (sheet rear end) of the sheet.

  The transfer paper loaded on the staple table 108 is aligned by the paper jogger 109 every time one sheet is discharged, and is bound by the stapler 106 upon completion of a partial copy. The group of transfer sheets bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple completion discharge tray 110 by its own weight.

  On the other hand, the normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth. The paper discharge tray section 104 that can be moved back and forth moves forward and back for each original or each copy section sorted by the image memory, and sorts the copy paper that is simply discharged.

  The sample tray 152 is a dedicated tray (discharge port) for discharging a sample-printed sheet described later. Here, the discharge destination of the sample-printed paper is described as a dedicated tray, but it can also be used as a tray for other purposes.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the image forming apparatus main body of the present embodiment.
The image forming apparatus main body 401 of the present embodiment shown by the functional block in FIG. 2 includes a control unit 406 that controls the entire apparatus, and an image input unit 402 that inputs image data to the apparatus by the control unit 406. An image storage unit 404 that stores image data input from the input unit 402, an image printing unit 403 that forms an image on a sheet based on the image data, and an operation unit 405 that allows a user to input commands and data to the apparatus. Integration and control of each means.

  The image input unit 402 is a scanner, a network interface, or the like. The scanner is a document image input unit, and is the reading unit 50 in the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  The image data input to the apparatus by the image input unit 402 is used for printing by the image printing unit 403 or is stored in the image storage unit 404. The image storage unit 404 is a volatile or non-volatile storage device, and is preferably a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk in order to read the stored image data even after the power of the device is turned off.

  The image printing unit 403 performs printing using the image data input from the image input unit 402 or the image data read out from the image storage unit 404. In the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, the image printing unit 403 is the writing unit 57, the developing unit 27, the fixing unit 17, the first to third paper feeding devices 11 to 13, and the vertical conveyance unit. 14 and the paper discharge unit 18, and by operating these means, print output processing is performed according to the image forming processing process.

  The control unit 406 controls the image input unit 402, the image printing unit 403, and the image storage unit 404 according to the contents instructed by the operation unit 405, and displays the control result and the state of the device on the operation unit 405.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of a touch panel used for input by the operation unit 405. On this display screen, it is possible to specify a color mode such as black and white / color and a print mode such as duplex / single side, punch, and staple. A sample output key 415 for instructing sample printing is also provided.

FIG. 4 is an internal block diagram of the control means 406 of FIG.
The control unit 406 includes an automatic sample print factor storage unit 408, an automatic sample print determination unit 409, an operation control unit 410, and an image formation control unit 411. Detection information from each sensor in FIG. 1 is input to the automatic sample print factor storage unit 408. The operation control unit 410 is connected to the operation unit 405 in FIG. 2, and the image formation control unit 411 is connected to the image input unit 402, the image printing unit 403, and the image storage unit 404 in FIG.

  The contents instructed by the operator using the operation unit 405 (hereinafter referred to as a print mode) are transmitted to the control unit 406 and transmitted to the image formation control unit 411 via the operation control unit 410. The image formation control unit 411 controls the image input unit 402, the image printing unit 403, and the image storage unit 404 according to the contents of the print mode to form an image. In addition, the image formation control unit 411 executes automatic sample printing according to the determination result of the automatic sample print determination unit 409.

  The automatic sample print determining means 409 holds a factor list in which a list of factors and conditions for performing automatic sample printing as shown in FIG. 5 is recorded. In this factor list, “related sensor” records sensor information for detecting the supply of consumables to the device and the physical movement of the unit, and printing related to the supply of detected consumables and the movement of the unit. The mode is recorded as “Related Mode”. “Factor name” is used to display the reason and log recording when sample printing is performed automatically.

  In the present embodiment, the content of the factor list is handled as being fixedly recorded. However, the user list can be rewritten, automatically rewritten depending on the state of the image forming apparatus, etc. It may be configured to change.

  In the automatic sample print factor storage means 408, a condition list for recording conditions for performing automatic sample printing as shown in FIG. 6 is recorded. The recorded content in this figure is an example in which three conditions of “full color”, “paper source = tray 1”, and “staple” are conditions for performing automatic sample printing. When the conditions for performing automatic sample printing are satisfied, the “related mode” in the factor list is added, and when the sample printing related to the “related mode” is performed, it is deleted from the condition list. Details of these processes will be described later.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the processing of the control means 406 when there is a change in the sensor output.
When the automatic sample print factor storage means 408 detects a change in the sensor output from the detection information notified from each sensor, the automatic sample print factor storage means 408 first sets the first row of the factor list in FIG. 5 as the target row in step S1, and then in step S2. Then, it is determined whether or not the changed sensor output matches the “related sensor” and “condition” in the factor list. If it is determined that they match (S2: Yes), the “related mode” of the target line is added to the condition list of FIG. 6 in step S3.

  Thereafter, the process is repeated until all the lines in the factor list become the target line (step S4: Yes) (step S4: No → S5 → S2 → S3). Since one consumable or unit may be related to a plurality of printing modes, even if the conditions are met once, all the conditions are compared until the end of the factor list.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing performed by the image forming apparatus 401 when printing image data on paper based on image data to be printed.
The image formation control unit 411 sends the print mode information (paper source, paper discharge destination, print color, single side or double side, etc.) passed from the operation control unit 410 to the automatic sample print determination unit 409. The automatic sample print determination unit 409 resets the sample print skip flag and the sample print flag held therein (steps S11 and S12), and sets the first line of the condition list as the target line (step S13).

  Next, in step S14, it is determined whether or not the print mode of the sheet to be printed matches the line of interest. If the print mode matches (S14: Yes), the sample print flag is set in step S15, and in step S16. The contents of the target line are deleted from the condition list.

Thereafter, the processing is repeated (step S17: No → S18 → S14 to S16) until all the rows in the condition list become the target row (step S17: Yes). Printing mode in the printing of one sheet paper, because there is a case that matches the plurality of related mode condition list, and were compared conditions to completion condition list matches the time condition. As a result, the number of sample prints is kept to the minimum while the sample print conditions are satisfied without necessarily performing the sample prints for the number recorded in the condition list.

  Next, when the sample print skip flag is set (step S19: Yes) or the sample print flag is reset (step S20: NO), the image printing unit 403 performs normal printing, and the print job discharge port ( For example, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 104), and the printing process is terminated (step S28). In order to print the next image, this processing is performed again (return → print processing).

  If the sample print reset flag is not set (S19: NO) and the sample print flag is set (S20: Yes), the image printing unit 403 performs printing as a sample print, and the sample print discharge port (sample tray) 152) (step S21), a confirmation dialog shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the operation means 405 (step S22), and the operator is prompted to select a subsequent process.

  If the operator presses the [Cancel Print] key 416 on the display screen of FIG. 9 (step S26: Yes), the job being printed is canceled (step S27), and the [Continue] key 417 is pressed. (Step S25: Yes) returns to the process of resetting the sample print flag (Step S12). When the [Continue (Sample Print Skip)] key 418 is pressed (step S23: Yes), the same processing as when the [Continue] key 417 is pressed except that the sample print skip flag is set (step S24). I do.

  If the [Continue] key 417 is pressed, the condition list is examined again, so that if consumables are replenished or the unit is moved while the confirmation dialog is displayed, the sample print is performed again for the same image. Makes it possible to do. If the [Continue (sample print skip)] key 418 is pressed, the corresponding print mode is deleted from the condition list by examining the condition list again in the same manner as when the [Continue] key is pressed, and the sample print skip is performed. Execution of sample printing is suppressed by setting a flag.

  If there is an image to be printed continuously, this processing is performed again as in the case where the sample print is not performed. When continuous printing is performed, there are a plurality of sheets in the apparatus. Therefore, this processing is performed continuously and in a multiplexed manner on each sheet. For example, when a paper end occurs, the next paper that should have been printed normally becomes the sample print target when the paper is replenished, and the paper output destination may be changed. Since this process is performed prior to the paper, it operates without problems.

The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment has the following features (1) to (4).
(1) When a change in the state of the image forming apparatus is detected, the sample print is automatically performed, and the normal print job is discharged to the sample print tray first before being discharged to the sample print tray, and then to the sample print tray. Since the printing operation is temporarily stopped after the paper is discharged, it is possible to reliably detect the malfunction when there is a high possibility that the malfunction will occur in the image formation status, and to produce the print that does not use the location where the state change has occurred Sex can be maintained. In addition, it becomes possible to deal with a troubled part during the stop, and it is possible to recover original printing. Furthermore, waste of consumables such as paper can be suppressed.

  (2) Since it is possible to select whether to resume or cancel the job while it is stopped, the operator can perform processing according to the image forming status. In addition, since it is possible to select that the resumed image is not subject to sample printing in the resumed print job, if you do not need to perform sample prints when you need to deal with faulty locations while stopping, Is not performed, and waste of consumables such as paper can be suppressed.

  (3) Since the supply of consumables is detected and sample printing is performed when the consumables are used next time, images of consumables themselves, faulty consumables to be replenished, defective consumables set, etc. It is possible to reliably detect a defect in the formation status, and to deal with the location where the defect has occurred, so that original printing can be recovered.

  (4) Since the physical movement of the unit is detected and sample printing is performed when the unit is used next time, it is possible to reliably detect a defect in the image forming status due to a defective unit setting or the like. Therefore, it is possible to deal with the location where the problem has occurred, and it is possible to recover the original printing.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus main body according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows the display screen of the touchscreen used for an input with the operation means of FIG. It is an internal block diagram of the control means of FIG. It is a figure which shows the list of the factors and conditions which perform automatic sample printing. It is a figure which shows the condition list | wrist for recording the conditions which perform automatic sample printing. It is a flowchart of a process when there is a change in sensor output. It is a flowchart of a process when printing an image on paper based on the image data when image data to be printed is generated. It is a figure which shows the confirmation dialog displayed on an operation means.

Explanation of symbols

  400 ... Image forming apparatus main body, 403 ... Image printing means, 405 ... Operating means, 406 ... Control means, 408 ... Automatic sample print factor storage means, 409 ... Automatic sample print determination Means 410... Operation control means 411... Image formation control means 415.

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus having a sample print function in which printing is executed a plurality of times under the same conditions except for the discharge outlet, and the printed paper is distributed to the normal print discharge outlet and the sample print discharge outlet.
Detecting means for detecting a change in the state of the image forming apparatus generated by the operator's work;
Storage means for storing a print mode using the consumables and units as a sample print related mode in response to replenishment of consumables and physical movement of the unit, which is a state change detected by the detection means;
A condition list recording means for recording a condition list that is a list of conditions for performing automatic sample printing, wherein when a change in state is detected by the detection means, a sample corresponding to the change in state is referred to the storage means Condition list recording means for adding a print-related mode to the condition list and deleting the sample print-related mode from the condition list when a sample print of the added sample print-related mode is executed;
And all sample print-related mode on the condition list, comparing the print print mode to be performed from now, a sample print execution means for executing a sample print in the case of matching,
After executing the operation of discharging the first printed paper to the sample print discharge port by the sample print execution means, the second printing operation is stopped, and the selection of whether to restart or cancel the printing operation is made. Means for prompting the operator;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection of restarting the printing operation is a selection as to whether or not to perform the operation of discharging the paper to the sample print paper discharge port again. Printing control method for an image forming apparatus having a sample print function for performing printing a plurality of times under the same conditions other than the discharge port, and sorting and discharging printed paper to a normal print discharge port and a sample print discharge port In
A detection step of detecting a change in the state of the image forming apparatus generated by the operator's work;
A storage step of storing a print mode using the consumables or unit as a sample print-related mode in response to supply of consumables or physical movement of the unit, which is a state change detected in the detection step;
A condition list recording step for recording a condition list which is a list of conditions for performing automatic sample printing, and when the state change is detected by the detection step, the state is referred to by referring to the data stored in the storage step A condition list recording step of adding a sample print related mode corresponding to a change to the condition list and deleting the sample print related mode from the condition list when the sample print of the added sample print related mode is executed;
And all sample print-related mode on the condition list, comparing the print print mode to be performed from now, and a sample print execution step of executing a sample print in the case of match,
In the sample print execution step, after executing the operation of discharging the first printed sheet to the sample print discharge port, the second printing operation is stopped, and the selection of whether to restart or cancel the printing operation A printing control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that a display prompting an operator is performed.   A printing control program for causing an image forming apparatus to execute each step of the printing control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

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