JP5088511B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in data handling in an image forming apparatus that performs image formation by transferring image data stored in an HDD onto a memory.

  Various image forming apparatuses generally use a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) and a semiconductor memory that is a volatile storage unit as a storage device that is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage unit. In this case, the HDD is non-volatile and has a large capacity, and the semiconductor memory has a characteristic that it can be accessed at a high speed although it has a smaller capacity than the HDD.

  In this type of image forming apparatus, input image data is stored and stored in the HDD. As a result, a large amount of image data can be stored, and since it is non-volatile, it can be used or reused when necessary.

  When used for image formation, image data is transferred from the HDD onto a semiconductor memory (hereinafter simply referred to as memory). When executing image formation, image data is sent from the memory to the image forming unit at high speed. Thereby, it is possible to achieve both storage of a large amount of image data and high-speed image formation.

  On the other hand, the image data stored in the image forming apparatus needs to be quickly deleted after use from the viewpoint of security. In recent years, security has been strengthened, and erasing image data has become an important issue (for example, Patent Document 2 below).

  From such a technical background, when image formation is executed (executed) after transferring the image data of the HDD to the memory, it becomes a problem at which point the image data on the memory is erased.

  This type of image forming apparatus including a hard disk drive as a storage device is described in the following patent documents.

JP 2005-327334 A JP 2003-150360 A JP 2004-288049 JP-A-2005-249882

  The above Patent Document 1 describes the storage in the HDD. However, no consideration has been given to the linkage between the erasure timing of image data in the HDD and the erasure timing of image data in the memory.

  In the above Patent Document 2, a technique for deleting image data at once after restarting is described. However, even in this Patent Document 2, no consideration is given to the cooperation between the image data erasure timing in the HDD and the image data erasure timing in the memory.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 describes a technique in which image data is encrypted and stored in the HDD, and only a part of the image data is erased after the job is completed. However, even in this Patent Document 3, no consideration is given to the cooperation between the erase timing of image data in the HDD and the erase timing of image data in the memory.

  In Patent Document 4 described above, a recovery method when a jam occurs is described. In this case, it is described that the image data is deleted from the memory unit after the image formation is completed. However, even in this Patent Document 4, no consideration is given to the cooperation between the image data erasure timing in the HDD and the image data erasure timing in the memory.

  In the case of forming an image by copying image data from the HDD to the memory, the recording paper on which the image is normally formed is used for the recovery process at the time of jamming (re-image formation of a page that has not been ejected due to jamming). Generally, the image data on the memory is erased after being ejected from the forming apparatus. As a result, as a recovery process at the time of jamming, it is possible to re-execute image formation on recording paper that has not been normally ejected using image data on the memory.

  However, when the post-processing device is attached to the image forming apparatus that executes erasing at this timing, the image formation of the next recording paper is already performed in parallel during the post-processing before the recording paper is finally discharged. It is difficult to say that the capacity of the memory is being used effectively.

In other words, the memory requires a capacity of image data corresponding to the number of circulations during execution of image formation and a capacity of image data corresponding to the number of processes during post-processing.
In addition, when booklet processing such as stapling is performed as post-processing, not only the capacity for the number of circulating images (about several) for image formation, but also a large number of processed sheets (several tens to several hundreds) handled in booklet processing. Capacity) is required for the memory.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems. In an image forming apparatus that selectively uses an HDD and a memory for storing image data, the image data erasing timing in the HDD, the erasing timing of the image data in the memory, and And an image forming apparatus capable of executing efficient memory utilization and image forming operations while ensuring security.

The present invention for solving the above-described problems is as follows.
(1) According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an HDD for storing job-unit image data in nonvolatile storage, a semiconductor memory to which image data stored in the HDD is transferred, and the image data from the semiconductor memory. An image forming unit for forming a visible image on recording paper by performing exposure according to the image data on the image carrier upon receipt of the supply, and the image data stored in the HDD as the semiconductor A control unit that transfers the data to a memory and supplies the image data on the semiconductor memory to the image forming unit to control the image forming unit to perform image formation. The control unit sequentially erases the image data of the pages that have been exposed by the image forming unit from the memory for each page, and completes the image formation for the job and discharges the recording paper. The image data of the job that the completed erased from the HDD in the job basis point, it is an image forming apparatus according to claim.

  (2) In the invention according to claim 2, the control unit erases data in the semiconductor memory so as to secure at least a storage capacity in the semiconductor memory corresponding to the number of circulated sheets, which is the number of recording sheets circulated during image formation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation is performed.

  (3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor memory, the control unit ensures at least a storage capacity in the semiconductor memory corresponding to the number of circulated sheets, which is the number of recording sheets circulated during image formation. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the erasing operation is interrupted, and the image data stored in the HDD is transferred by overwriting to an area where the erasing operation is interrupted.

  (4) In the invention according to claim 4, the control unit is configured such that when the recording paper on which the image data erased from the memory is formed due to completion of exposure in the image forming unit is not normally discharged, The image data stored in the HDD is transferred again to the semiconductor memory, the image data on the semiconductor memory is supplied to the image forming unit, and the image forming unit is controlled to execute image formation as a recovery process. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

  (5) The invention according to claim 5 is provided with a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the recording paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit, and the discharge of the recording paper is performed on the recording paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus performs discharging in a state where post-processing is performed in a section.

  (6) In the invention according to claim 6, when the control unit erases the image data of the completed job from the HDD in units of the job at the time when the recording paper is ejected, the control unit uses the capacity of the job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the erasing is performed in a plurality of times for each small predetermined unit of predetermined capacity.

  (7) The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the control unit executes the erasure for the erasure divided into a plurality of times every predetermined time. An image forming apparatus.

According to the above invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the invention of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the control unit is configured to perform image formation on the recording paper by performing exposure according to the image data transferred from the HDD to the semiconductor memory on the image carrier. Sequentially erases image data of pages that have been exposed in the image forming unit from the memory for each page, and when the image formation for the job is completed and the recording paper is discharged, the image data of the completed job is Control to erase from HDD in units of jobs.

  In the conventional general erasing procedure (deleting image data on the memory after the recording paper is discharged), the image formation of the next recording paper is already executed in parallel during the post-processing before the recording paper is discharged. Therefore, the image data capacity corresponding to the number of circulations during image formation and the image data capacity for the number of post-processing images are required for the memory, but the image data is erased when the exposure is completed in the memory of the present invention. Therefore, it is sufficient to have a capacity of the image data for the number of circulating sheets during image formation.

  As a result, in an image forming apparatus that selectively uses the HDD and the memory for storing image data, the image data erasure timing in the HDD and the image data erasure timing in the memory can be linked to ensure security. On the other hand, efficient memory utilization and image forming operation are possible.

  (2) In the invention of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the control unit in the semiconductor memory ensures at least a storage capacity in the semiconductor memory corresponding to the number of circulated sheets that is the number of recording sheets circulated during image formation. Perform an erase operation. That is, in the memory of the present invention, the image data is erased when the exposure is completed, so that the capacity of the circulating image data during image formation is secured.

    As a result, in an image forming apparatus that selectively uses the HDD and the memory for storing image data, the image data erasure timing in the HDD and the image data erasure timing in the memory can be linked to ensure security. On the other hand, efficient memory utilization and image forming operation are possible.

  (3) In the invention of the image forming apparatus according to claim 3, the control unit is a semiconductor memory so as to secure at least a storage capacity in the semiconductor memory corresponding to the number of circulated sheets, which is the number of recording sheets circulated during image formation. The erasing operation is interrupted, and the image data stored in the HDD is transferred by overwriting to the area where the erasing operation is interrupted.

  That is, in the memory of the present invention, the image data is basically erased when the exposure is completed. However, if the time required for the erasing operation cannot keep up with the circulation of the image data capacity during the image formation, the erasing operation is omitted. Then, by copying the image data from the HDD over the memory, the capacity of the circulating image data during the image formation is secured.

  As a result, in an image forming apparatus that selectively uses the HDD and the memory for storing image data, the image data erasure timing in the HDD and the image data erasure timing in the memory can be linked to ensure security. On the other hand, efficient memory utilization and image forming operation are possible.

  (4) In the invention of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the control unit is configured when the recording paper on which the image data erased from the memory is formed due to completion of exposure in the image forming unit is not normally discharged due to a jam or the like. Transfers the image data stored in the HDD to the semiconductor memory again, supplies the image data on the semiconductor memory to the image forming unit, and controls the image forming unit to perform image formation as a recovery process.

  As a result, in an image forming apparatus that selectively uses the HDD and the memory for storing image data, the image data erasure timing in the HDD and the image data erasure timing in the memory can be linked to ensure security. On the other hand, efficient use of the memory and image forming operation become possible, and it becomes possible to cope with a discharge failure due to a jam or the like.

  (5) In the invention of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the image forming apparatus includes a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the recording paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit. It is the discharge | emission in the state in which the post-processing was made.

  As a result, in an image forming apparatus that uses an HDD and a memory for storing image data, even when post-processing is executed after image formation, the image data erasing timing in the HDD and the image data in the memory are It is possible to link the erasure timing with each other, and it is possible to efficiently use a memory and perform an image forming operation while ensuring security, and it is possible to cope with a discharge failure due to a jam or the like.

  (6) In the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the control unit erases the image data of the completed job from the HDD in units of the job when the recording paper is discharged, The erasing is executed in a plurality of times for each unit of a predetermined capacity that is smaller than the capacity of the job.

Thus, if a large-capacity job is erased at once, a certain long time is required for processing, but this method does not cause such a problem.
As a result, in an image forming apparatus that uses an HDD and a memory for storing image data, an efficient erasing operation can be performed when erasing image data of a job, and post-processing is executed after image formation. However, it is possible to link the image data erasing timing in the HDD and the image data erasing timing in the memory, enabling efficient use of the memory and image forming operation while ensuring security. It is also possible to deal with defective discharge due to jam or the like.

  (7) In the invention of the image forming apparatus according to claim 7, when the control unit erases the image data of the completed job from the HDD in units of the job when the recording paper is discharged, The erasure is executed for each predetermined time unit smaller than the capacity of the job divided into a plurality of times every predetermined time. It should be noted that the predetermined time elapses is preferably a time longer than the time generated every time the data is erased.

Thus, if a large-capacity job is erased at once, a certain long time is required for processing, but this method does not cause such a problem.
As a result, in an image forming apparatus that uses an HDD and a memory for storing image data, it is possible to perform an efficient erasing operation when erasing image data of a job, and it is possible to avoid wasting time for the erasing operation. Other data can be stored and read during the free time, and even when post-processing is performed after image formation, image data erase timing in the HDD and image data erase timing in the memory Can be linked to each other, enabling efficient use of the memory and image forming operation while ensuring security, and it is also possible to cope with defective discharge due to jam or the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments (embodiments) for carrying out an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 100]
Here, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment will be described in detail based on FIG. 1 (block diagram) and FIG. 2 (cross-sectional configuration diagram).

  The image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment can be applied to various types of image forming apparatuses. Here, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having functions of a scanner, a copier, a printer, and a facsimile machine, or The description will be continued with a specific example of the image forming apparatus including the post-processing device.

Also, description of general portions that are known as the image forming apparatus 100 and are not directly related to the characteristic operation and control of the present embodiment is omitted.
The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image processing unit 110 that performs image processing on image data, a scanner 120 that reads a document to generate image data, an image forming unit 130 that forms an image using image processed image data, It is configured with.

  Further, a post-processing device 200 and a post-processing 300 for performing various post-processing such as stapling on the recording paper on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 are connected. The number of post-processing devices may be one, or a total of three or more post-processing devices may be connected by adding a non-illustrated post-processing device.

  Here, in the image processing unit 110, a control unit 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a volatile RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a nonvolatile RAM 104, and an operation display unit 105 are connected to the system bus B1. .

  An image processing unit 111 that performs image processing on image data and a storage unit 112 that stores image data before and after image processing are connected to a general-purpose bus B2 such as a PCI bus connected to the system bus B1. .

  Here, the image storage unit 112 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1122 as a storage device which is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage unit. Here, the input image data is stored and saved in the HDD. As a result, a large amount of image data can be stored and is non-volatile, so that it can be used or reused when necessary. The HDD 1122 is controlled by the HDD controller 1121.

  Further, the image storage unit 112 uses a semiconductor memory (hereinafter simply referred to as a memory) 1124 as a volatile storage means that is faster and has a smaller capacity than the HDD. When image data is used for image formation, the image data is transferred from the HDD 1122 to the memory 1124 so that the image data is sent from the memory 1124 to the image forming unit 130 at high speed. The memory 1124 is controlled by the memory controller 1123.

  In the case of a color image forming apparatus, the image storage unit 112 in FIG. 1 includes a HDD controller 1121, HDD 1122, memory controller 1123, and memory 1124 for each color of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K. It is configured to prepare for.

  Here, the control unit 101 configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like for controlling each unit performs image processing according to a control program of the image forming apparatus 100 based on an installed OS (Operating System), firmware, or the like. The image forming apparatus is comprehensively controlled by controlling each part of the forming apparatus 100 and performing various arithmetic processes.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 101 performs exposure according to the image data transferred from the HDD 1122 to the memory 1124 on the image carrier of the image forming unit 130 to perform image formation on the recording paper. The image data of the pages for which exposure has been completed in the image forming unit 130 is sequentially deleted from the memory 1124 for each page, and when the image formation for the job is completed and the recording paper is discharged from the post-processing device, Control is performed so that image data is erased from the HDD 1122 in units of jobs.

  The ROM 102 is a read-only memory that stores a basic input output system (BIOS) and various programs. Here, the BIOS is a program (firmware) for controlling the basic operation of the control unit 101. The BIOS is executed first when a startup event occurs in the control unit 101, and executes a POST (Power On Self Test) process for initializing each component.

  The volatile RAM 103 is a volatile memory used as a work area (main memory) of the control unit 101. For example, it is a memory that temporarily stores an OS, a control program, processing data, and the like stored in an HDD, a ROM, or the like. The non-volatile RAM 104 is a memory in which various information and data required by the control unit 101 are stored without being lost even when the power is turned off.

Various messages are displayed on the operation display unit 105 according to instructions from the control unit 101, and operations from the user are transmitted to the control unit 101.
The communication unit 109 communicates with an external device via various communication means such as a network, and also communicates with the post-processing devices 200 and 300 and the like.

  The scanner 120 is an image input unit such as a scanner that reads an image from a document and inputs image data. A scanner 120 that reads an image from a document and obtains image data includes a scanning light source unit, a scanning mirror unit, an imaging lens, and a CCD image sensor.

  The image output unit 130 can be configured as a printer that forms a toner image on a recording material when the image forming apparatus 100 is the above-described multifunction peripheral. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposure on an image carrier such as a photosensitive belt or a photosensitive drum, and this electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image. Electrophotographic image formation is performed in which the toner image on the carrier is transferred / fixed onto the recording paper. In the case of a color image forming apparatus, each unit is provided for each color of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K as necessary.

  The post-processing apparatus 200 includes a control unit 201, a communication unit 209, and a post-processing unit 210, and performs communication between the control units via the communication unit 109 of the image forming apparatus 100. Perform linked post-processing. The post-processing apparatus 300 includes a control unit 301, a communication unit 309, and a post-processing unit 310. The post-processing apparatus 300 communicates with the control units via the communication unit 109 and the communication unit 209, and the image forming apparatus 100 and the post-processing unit Post-processing in cooperation with the apparatus 200 is executed.

[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 100 (1)]
The operation (1) of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, when image data read by the scanner 120 or image data input from an external device (not shown) is input (step S101 in FIG. 3), the control unit 101 A series of image data from the start page to the end page of image data is handled in units called jobs, and the jobs are stored in the HDD 1122 via the HDD controller 1121 (step S102 in FIG. 3).

  The control unit 101 determines whether or not the job can be normally stored in the HDD 1122 via the HDD controller 1121 (step S103 in FIG. 3). If the job is not normally stored in the HDD 1122 (error in step S103 in FIG. 3), the control unit 101 records an error occurrence (job storage error) in the operation log (step S114 in FIG. 3). A message indicating that an error has occurred in storing the job and the job cannot be stored normally is displayed on the operation display unit 105 (step S118 in FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, if the job is stored normally in the HDD 1122 (normal in step S103 in FIG. 3), the control unit 101 checks whether there is an unoutput job scheduled for image formation output in the HDD 1122 ( Step S105 in FIG. 3). Note that jobs that are not scheduled for image formation and that are simply stored need not be known here.

  If the image forming output is scheduled and an unoutput job exists in the HDD 1122 (YES in step S105 in FIG. 3), the control unit 101 outputs the unoutput via the HDD controller 1121 and the memory controller 1123. The job is transferred (copied) from the HDD 1122 to the memory 1124 (step S106 in FIG. 3).

  Note that the control unit 101 determines whether the job transfer from the HDD 1122 to the memory 1124 has been normally performed via the memory controller 1123 (step S107 in FIG. 3). If the transfer of the job from the HDD 1122 to the memory 1124 is not successful (error in step S107 in FIG. 3), the control unit 101 records an error occurrence (job transfer error) in the operation log (step in FIG. 3). In step S114, a message indicating that an error has occurred in job transfer and transfer / storage to the memory 1124 has not been performed normally is displayed on the operation display unit 105 (step S118 in FIG. 3).

  Then, the control unit 101 continues the above-described unoutput job check in the HDD 1122 and transfer of the job from the HDD 1122 to the memory 1124 until the image data for the number of circulations in the image forming apparatus 100 is accumulated in the memory 1124 ( In step S108 in FIG. 3, NO).

  Here, the number of circulating sheets refers to the image forming apparatus 100 in a series of image forming steps including paper feeding, conveyance, exposure / development / transfer, and conveyance (including reversal conveyance in the case of double-sided image formation). The number of recording sheets that can exist at the same time. That is, it is desirable that the image data corresponding to the number of circulations can be read at a high speed from the memory 1124 that can be read at a higher speed than the HDD 1122 and can be exposed according to the image data.

  When the image data for the circulation number is accumulated in the memory 1124 (YES in step S108 in FIG. 3), the control unit 101 feeds the recording paper, transports the recording paper, and carries the image according to the image data. Exposure to the body, development of the latent image formed on the image carrier by exposure to a visible image (toner image), transfer of the toner image on the image carrier to the recording paper, heat of the toner image on the recording paper The fixing by the pressure and the conveyance of the recording paper to the post-processing apparatus 200 are started (step S109 in FIG. 3).

  Here, when the exposure to the image carrier corresponding to the image data for one page is completed (YES in step S110 in FIG. 3), the control unit 101 performs development, transfer, The image data that has been exposed (hereinafter, “exposure completed image data”) is erased from the memory 1124 before the recording paper on which image formation with the image data is being performed is being performed. (Step S111 in FIG. 3).

  The control unit 101 determines via the memory controller 1123 whether the image data has been successfully erased in the memory 1124 (step S112 in FIG. 3). If the image data is not normally erased in the memory 1124 (error in step S112 in FIG. 3), the control unit 101 records an error occurrence (exposure completed image data erase error) in the operation log (in FIG. 3). In step S114, the operation display unit 105 displays that an error has occurred in erasing the exposure-completed image data in the memory 1124 and the image cannot be normally stored (step S118 in FIG. 3).

  If the image data is normally erased in the memory 1124 (normal in step S112 in FIG. 3), the control unit 101 checks the unoutput job in the HDD 1122 and transfers the job from the HDD 1122 to the memory 1124. The exposure completion image data erasure on the memory 1124 at the completion of the exposure is repeated (YES in step S112 in FIG. 3, step S104). That is, the storage area on the memory 1124 vacated by erasing the exposure completion image data is used for storing new image data read from the HDD 1122 (step S106 in FIG. 3).

  Here, in the conventional general erasing procedure (deleting the image data on the memory after the recording paper is discharged), the image formation of the next recording paper is already performed in parallel during the post-processing before the recording paper is discharged. Therefore, the memory 1124 needs to have a capacity of image data corresponding to the number of circulating sheets during execution of image formation and an image data capacity of the number of processed sheets during post-processing. However, the memory 1124 of this embodiment has completed exposure. Since image data (exposure completed image data) is sometimes deleted, it is sufficient to have a capacity of the image data of the number of circulating sheets during execution of image formation. As a result, in the image forming apparatus 100 that selectively uses the HDD 1122 and the memory 1124 for storing image data, the erasure timing of the image data in the HDD 1122 and the erasure timing of the image data in the memory 1124 in an appropriate state without waste. They can be linked to each other, enabling efficient use of memory and image forming operations while ensuring security.

  Further, the control unit 101 determines that an image output is scheduled and an unoutput job does not exist in the HDD 1122 (NO in step S105 in FIG. 3), that is, an already output job exists in the HDD 1122. In this case, when the recording paper on which the image of the already output job has been formed has been subjected to post-processing by the post-processing devices 200 to 300 and is discharged out of the apparatus, the already-output job is output via the HDD controller 1121. Erasing from the HDD 1122 (step S115 in FIG. 3).

  When erasing a job in the HDD 1122, it is possible not only to give a command to erase the job but also to overwrite specific data such as “0” or random data in the storage area on the erased HDD 1122. desirable. Moreover, it is desirable to repeat overwriting not only once but several times. Since a predetermined time is required for such erasure and overwriting, it is desirable to perform time-division erasure work using a predetermined capacity or a time difference, as will be described later.

  Here, the control unit 101 determines via the HDD controller 1121 whether or not the job can be normally deleted in the HDD 1122 (step S116 in FIG. 3). If the job has not been deleted normally on the HDD 1122 (error in step S116 in FIG. 3), the control unit 101 records an error occurrence (job deletion error) in the operation log (step S114 in FIG. 3), and the HDD 1122 The operation display unit 105 displays that an error has occurred in erasing the output job at step S118 and the job cannot be normally erased (step S118 in FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, if the deletion of the job is normally performed on the HDD 1122 (normal in step S116 in FIG. 3), the control unit 101 records the operation as a normal operation in the operation log (step S117 in FIG. 3). Then, a message indicating that the output job in the HDD 1122 has been normally erased is displayed on the operation display unit 105 (step S118 in FIG. 3).

  Here, with respect to the job, since the recording paper on which the image of the already output job has been formed has been post-processed and discharged outside the apparatus, the already output job is deleted from the HDD 1122. If the jam occurs due to some trouble in the process of the process and the post-process and is not normally discharged, the control unit 101 transfers the image data stored in the HDD 1122 to the memory 1124 again, and the memory 1124 Image formation as recovery processing is executed based on the image data. In this case, since the image data can be transferred from the HDD 1122 to the memory 1124 using the time for removing the recording paper jammed by the jam, there is no disadvantage caused by erasing the exposure completed image data. As a result, in the image forming apparatus 100 that selectively uses the HDD 1122 and the memory 1124 for storing image data, the image data erasure timing in the HDD and the image data erasure timing in the memory can be linked, It is possible to efficiently use the memory and perform image forming operations while ensuring security, and to deal with discharge failures due to jams and the like.

  In the above operation, the control unit 101 executes an erasing operation in the memory 1124 so as to ensure at least a storage capacity in the memory 1124 for the number of circulating sheets. In other words, the image data is erased when the exposure is completed in the memory according to the present embodiment, so that the capacity of the circulating image data during the image formation is ensured. As a result, in the image forming apparatus that selectively uses the HDD 1122 and the memory for storing image data, the image data erasing timing in the HDD 1122 and the image data erasing timing in the memory 1124 can be linked to ensure security. However, efficient use of the memory and image forming operation become possible.

  In the above operation, the control unit 101 interrupts the erasing operation in the memory 1124 so as to secure at least the storage capacity in the memory 1124 for the number of circulations, and the HDD 1122 for the area where the erasing operation is interrupted. Transfer the image data saved in to by overwriting. In other words, in the memory of this embodiment, the image data is basically deleted when the exposure is completed, but if the time required for the erasing operation is not enough to secure the circulating image data capacity during image formation, the erasing operation is performed. By omitting and copying the image data from the HDD 1122 over the memory, the capacity of the image data of the circulation number during image formation is secured. As a result, in the image forming apparatus that selectively uses the HDD 1122 and the memory for storing image data, the image data erasing timing in the HDD 1122 and the image data erasing timing in the memory 1124 can be linked to ensure security. However, efficient use of the memory and image forming operation become possible.

  In the above operation, the control unit 101 stores the recording paper on which the image data erased from the memory upon completion of exposure in the image forming unit is not normally ejected due to a jam or the like in the HDD 1122. The image data is transferred to the memory 1124 again, the image data on the memory 1124 is supplied to the image forming unit, and the image forming unit is controlled to execute image formation as a recovery process. As a result, in the image forming apparatus that selectively uses the HDD 1122 and the memory for storing image data, the image data erasing timing in the HDD 1122 and the image data erasing timing in the memory 1124 can be linked to ensure security. However, efficient use of the memory and image forming operation are possible, and it is possible to deal with discharge failures due to jams and the like.

  When a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the recording paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is provided, the recording paper is discharged after the post-processing is performed on the recording paper by the post-processing unit. Emissions. As a result, in the image forming apparatus that selectively uses the HDD 1122 and the memory for storing image data, the image data erasing timing in the HDD 1122 and the image data in the memory 1124 even when post-processing is executed after image formation. The erasing timing can be linked to each other, and it is possible to efficiently use the memory and perform the image forming operation while ensuring the security, and it is possible to deal with a discharge failure due to a jam or the like.

  In the above operation, the control unit 101, when erasing the image data of the completed job from the HDD 1122 in units of the job when the recording paper is discharged, is not a job batch, but is smaller than the capacity of the job in advance. The erasure is executed in a plurality of times for each predetermined unit of predetermined capacity.

Thus, if a large-capacity job is erased at once, a certain long time is required for processing, but this method does not cause such a problem.
As a result, in the image forming apparatus that uses the HDD 1122 and the memory for storing image data, an efficient erasing operation can be performed when erasing the image data of the job, and post-processing is executed after the image formation. However, the erase timing of the image data in the HDD 1122 and the erase timing of the image data in the memory 1124 can be linked, and efficient use of the memory and image forming operation can be achieved while ensuring security. In addition, it is possible to deal with defective discharge due to jams and the like.

  In the above operation, the control unit 101, when erasing the image data of the completed job from the HDD 1122 in units of the job when the recording paper is discharged, is not a job batch, but is smaller than the capacity of the job in advance. For each predetermined unit of predetermined capacity, the erasure is executed in a plurality of times every predetermined time. It should be noted that the predetermined time elapses is preferably a time longer than the time generated every time the data is erased.

Thus, if a large-capacity job is erased at once, a certain long time is required for processing, but this method does not cause such a problem.
As a result, in the image forming apparatus that selectively uses the HDD 1122 and the memory for storing image data, an efficient erasing operation can be performed when erasing the image data of a job, and wasteful time is not taken for the erasing operation. Other data can be stored and read during the free time, and even when post-processing is performed after image formation, the image data erasing timing in the HDD 1122 and the image data erasing in the memory 1124 are erased. It is possible to link the timing with each other, and it is possible to efficiently use a memory and perform an image forming operation while ensuring security, and it is possible to deal with a discharge failure due to a jam or the like.

[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 100 (2)]
The operation (2) of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Basically, there is a common part with the operation (1), so a duplicate description is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 101 executes the above-described non-output job check in the HDD 1122, transfer of the job from the HDD 1122 to the memory 1124, and deletion of the exposure completed image data on the memory 1124 when the exposure is completed. Jam occurrence detection is performed at the timing (step S113 in FIG. 4). In particular, when a jam occurs in the exposure completed image data erased from the memory 1124 (step S111 in FIG. 4) (in FIG. 4). In step S113, YES), the control unit 101 transfers the image data stored in the HDD 1122 (image data corresponding to the erased exposure completed image data) from the HDD 1122 to the memory 1124 again (step S106 in FIG. 4). Image formation as recovery processing is executed by the image data on the memory 1124 (Step S109 in FIG. 4).

  In this case, the image data can be transferred from the HDD 1122 to the memory 1124 using the time to remove the jammed recording paper. There is no decline.

  As a result, in the image forming apparatus 100 that selectively uses the HDD 1122 and the memory 1124 for storing image data, the erasure timing of the image data in the HDD 1122 and the erasure timing of the image data in the memory 1124 can be linked. It is possible to efficiently use the memory and perform the image forming operation while ensuring the image quality, and to deal with a discharge failure due to a jam or the like.

[Other Configurations of Image Forming Apparatus 100]
In the above embodiment, the HDD 1122 has been described as a specific example of a nonvolatile storage device. However, the nonvolatile storage device is not limited to the HDD 1122, and may be a solid state drive using a flash memory or the like.

100 Image forming apparatus 102 ROM
103 RAM
104 RAM
105 Operation Display Unit 110 Image Processing Unit 1122 HDD
1124 Memory 120 Scanner 130 Image forming unit

Claims (7)

HDD that stores image data for each job by nonvolatile storage;
A semiconductor memory to which image data stored in the HDD is transferred;
An image forming unit for forming a visible image on a recording paper by performing supply according to the image data on the image carrier upon receiving the supply of the image data from the semiconductor memory;
A control unit that transfers the image data stored in the HDD to the semiconductor memory, supplies the image data on the semiconductor memory to the image forming unit, and controls the image forming unit to perform image formation When,
An image forming apparatus having
The control unit sequentially erases the image data of pages that have been exposed in the image forming unit from the memory for each page,
Erasing image data of the completed job from the HDD in units of the job when image formation for the job is completed and the recording paper is discharged;
An image forming apparatus. The controller is
Performing an erasing operation in the semiconductor memory so as to ensure at least a storage capacity in the semiconductor memory corresponding to the number of circulating paper sheets that are circulated during image formation;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The controller is
The erasing operation in the semiconductor memory is interrupted so as to secure at least the storage capacity in the semiconductor memory corresponding to the number of circulating paper sheets that are circulated during image formation. , Transferring the image data stored in the HDD by overwriting,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The controller is
When the recording paper on which the image data erased from the memory has been formed due to completion of exposure in the image forming unit is not normally discharged,
The image data stored in the HDD is transferred again to the semiconductor memory, the image data on the semiconductor memory is supplied to the image forming unit, and the image forming unit is controlled to execute image formation as a recovery process. To
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the recording paper image-formed by the image forming unit;
The discharge of the recording paper is a discharge in a state where the recording paper is post-processed by the post-processing unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. The controller is
When the image data of the completed job is erased from the HDD in units of jobs when the recording paper is discharged, the unit is divided into a plurality of times for each unit of a predetermined capacity smaller than the capacity of the job. Execute the deletion,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The control unit executes the erasure for every lapse of a predetermined time for the erasure divided into a plurality of times.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

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