JP5138543B2 - Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus control method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that performs image formation (image formation) by interrupting stop processing of an image forming apparatus that performs image forming processing, and the image forming apparatus. Relates to the control method.

  As an image forming apparatus for an electrophotographic printer, for example, an image forming apparatus having a configuration shown in FIG. 11 is known. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus for an electrophotographic printer. The image forming apparatus 1100 includes a photoreceptor 1101, a charging unit 1102, an exposure unit 1103, a developing unit 1104, a paper transport unit 1105, a transfer unit 1106, a cleaning unit 1107, and a charge eliminating unit 1108. The photoconductor 1101 rotates in the direction of arrow a, and the charging unit 1102 charges the surface of the photoconductor 1101 uniformly. Next, light corresponding to the print information is irradiated onto the uniformly charged surface of the photoconductor 1101 by the exposure unit 1103. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 1101. The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 1101 is visualized by being attached with toner by the developing unit 1104. The toner adhering to the photoconductor 1101 is transferred by the transfer unit 1106 to the paper conveyed from the paper conveyance unit 1105 in the direction of arrow b. The transferred image on the paper is conveyed to a fixing unit (not shown) and fixed. Note that the toner remaining on the photoconductor 1101 is removed by the cleaning unit 1107, and the charged surface of the photoconductor 1101 is discharged by the charge removing unit 1108.

  By the way, an image forming apparatus including the above-described image forming apparatus performs printing when a print instruction (image forming instruction) is given while a stop process of each unit of the image forming apparatus is being performed. It has been conventionally required to restart quickly. For example, in Patent Document 1, when an instruction to stop the image forming apparatus is instructed, by waiting for a certain period of time in a state where only the developing unit is stopped, an image forming instruction is issued during the standby state. It is described that printing can be resumed only by restarting only the developing unit. On the other hand, if a formation command is not issued during standby, stop processing is performed for other than the developing unit after a predetermined time has elapsed.

JP-A-6-143683

  However, the above techniques have the following problems. When a stop command is received, the method of waiting for a certain period of time with only the developing unit stopped stops driving other members (transfer unit, cleaning unit, etc.) for a certain period of time. There is a problem that the lifetime of the product is shortened. Also, even when a print command is received at the moment when the stop process of each part of the image forming apparatus is started, the stop process of the developing part is always performed, so the time until the restart of printing cannot be further shortened. There is also a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to quickly perform printing instructed during the stop process of the image forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that executes an image forming process, a control unit that executes a start process and a stop process of the image forming apparatus in stages, When the execution instruction of the image forming process is received during the execution of the stop process, the execution state of the stop process is inquired to the control means to identify the stage of the stop process being executed, and according to the specified stage And determining means for determining whether or not the specified stage stop process can be interrupted, and based on the determination result by the determination means, during the specified stage stop process or after the specified stage stop process. A shutdown unit that instructs the control unit to interrupt the stop process; and a startup unit that instructs the control unit to execute the startup process after the stop process is interrupted. And

  The present invention also relates to a method for controlling an image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus that executes an image forming process, in which a control unit executes a start process and a stop process of the image forming apparatus in stages. When the determination unit receives the execution command of the image forming process during the execution of the stop process, the determination unit inquires the execution state of the stop process to the control unit and specifies the stage of the stop process being executed. Then, according to the specified stage, a determination process for determining whether or not the stop process at the specified stage can be interrupted, and the start-up unit stops the specified stage based on the determination result of the determination process. A step of instructing the control means to interrupt the stop process during the process or after the stop process at the specified stage, and a start-up means to the control means after the stop process is interrupted Execution of processing It characterized by having a a start-up step of indicating.

  According to the present invention, even when an image forming process execution command is received during the stop process, the stop process can be interrupted and the start process can be restarted, so that the printing instructed during the stop process of the image forming apparatus can be performed. It can be done quickly.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, an example in which the image forming apparatus and the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are applied to a laser printer will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the laser printer, and as long as the configuration described later is provided. Further, the present invention can be applied to a multi-function peripheral (MFP) in which a plurality of functions such as copying, faxing, and printers are housed in one casing, an electrophotographic copying machine, and the like. Furthermore, since the embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description. As long as there is no description which limits, it is not restricted to these aspects.

(First embodiment)
First, an outline of the configuration of the laser printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a unit configuration of a laser printer according to the present embodiment.

  The laser printer 100 includes a main unit 110, a duplex unit 120, a mail box unit 130, a finisher unit 140, and a paper feed unit 150.

  The main unit 110 includes an image forming unit that prints (forms) an image on a sheet such as a resist unit and a fixing unit (not shown), and controls the entire printing process (image forming process) such as image forming, developing, and fixing. Or a unit for feeding a sheet as a recording medium to be printed.

  The duplex unit 120 reverses a sheet (recording sheet) by a reversing mechanism (switchback) to perform duplex printing, and performs refeeding after reversal.

  The mail box unit 130 includes a plurality of paper discharge ports for discharging paper, and discharges the printing result (paper after printing) to an arbitrary paper discharge port. In this embodiment, two bins are provided.

  The finisher unit 140 performs post-processing such as stack processing and stapling processing that are shifted and sorted for each job printing.

  The paper feed unit 150 includes a paper feed tray for storing paper, and manages the paper feed conveyance to the registration.

  Next, as an example of the image forming unit provided in the main body unit 110 according to the present embodiment, an image forming unit including the image forming apparatus for the electrophotographic process shown in FIG. 2 is considered. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus for an electrophotographic printer. As described above, the image forming apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2 performs an image forming process, and rotates in the direction of the arrow a to form a photoreceptor 201 (image bearing member) on which an image to be printed on a sheet is formed. ), A charging unit 202 for charging the surface of the photoconductor 201, an exposure unit 203 for exposing the charged surface of the photoconductor 201 to form a latent image, and a latent image formed on the surface of the exposed photoconductor 201. A developing unit 204 for attaching toner, a paper conveying unit 205 for conveying paper in the direction of arrow b, a transfer unit 206 for transferring a toner image attached to the surface of the photosensitive member 201 to a sheet (paper medium), and a photosensitive member 201 after transfer. A cleaning unit 207 (removal unit) that removes residual toner remaining thereon, a neutralization unit 208 that neutralizes residual charges on the photoconductor 201, and a drive unit (not shown) that rotates the photoconductor 201 in the direction of arrow a. Ete constructed.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 3, an operation procedure and operation contents of the image forming apparatus 200 when the image forming unit executes the printing process (image forming process) will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation timing chart of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. When printing is started, the image forming unit starts the operation shown in FIG. 3 in order to place the image forming apparatus 200 in a printable state. The operations are roughly classified into startup of the image forming apparatus 200, printing processing, and shutdown. First, start-up of the image forming apparatus 200 will be described.

[Start-up of image forming device (start-up process)]
(A1) A laser printer control unit, which will be described later, first stably rotates a polygon mirror for exposure (not shown).
(A2) Next, the laser printer control unit drives the photosensitive member 201 by a drive unit (not shown) to rotate it stably.
(A3) Next, the laser printer control unit drives the static elimination unit 208.
(A4) Next, the laser printer control unit applies a preparatory bias for paper transfer from the transfer unit 206.
(A5) Next, the laser printer control unit applies a primary bias to the photoconductor 201 from the charging unit 202 to charge the surface of the photoconductor 201.
(A6) Next, when the surface of the photosensitive member 201 that has started charging reaches the developing unit 204, the laser printer control unit applies a primary bias from the developing unit 204 to charge the toner.
(A7) Next, the laser printer control unit applies a secondary charging bias from the charging unit 202 to the photosensitive member 201 because the voltage value has stabilized 50 ms after the primary charging bias is applied.
(A8) Similarly, the laser printer controller applies a secondary development bias to the toner from the development unit 204 because the voltage value has stabilized 50 ms after the primary development bias is applied.
(A9) Thereafter, when the entire surface of the photoconductor 201 is charged by the secondary bias applied from the charging unit 202 (that is, when charging starts and the photoconductor 201 goes around once), the image forming apparatus 200 is ready for printing. Become.
In the present embodiment, the start-up (start-up process) of the image forming apparatus 200 is divided into five stages of start-up processes A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5-A9. It shall be executed in stages.

[Image processing device print processing (image processing)]
The laser printer control unit exposes the charged surface on the photosensitive member 201 by the exposure unit 203 and discharges it into the form of a latent image to be formed at the time of printing after the image forming apparatus 200 is started up. Toner is adhered to the neutralized portion. The adhered toner is adhered to the conveyed paper by the transfer unit 206. At this time, the remaining toner that could not be transferred onto the sheet is killed from the surface of the photoreceptor 201 by the cleaning unit 207. Thereafter, the laser printer control unit neutralizes the residual charge remaining on the photosensitive member 201 by the neutralization unit 208. As a result, the surface of the photosensitive member 201 becomes zero in potential and can be charged for the next latent image formation. This process is performed for the size of the paper. If there is a request, the laser printer control unit repeats the required number of sheets. When printing is completed, the laser printer control unit lowers the image forming apparatus 200 and stops the image forming apparatus 200.

[Falling of imaging device (stop processing)]
(B1) First, the laser printer control unit stops the application of bias by the transfer unit 206. Until this bias is completely turned off, the next stop operation B2 is not performed.
(B2) Next, the laser printer control unit sets the output of the charging unit 202 to a primary bias.
(B3) Next, the laser printer control unit sets the output of the developing unit 204 as the primary bias when the surface on the photosensitive member 201 to which the primary bias by the charging unit 202 is applied reaches the developing unit 204.
(B4) Next, the laser printer control unit stops applying the primary bias by the charging unit 202 because the voltage value is stabilized 50 ms after the output of the charging unit 202 is changed to the primary bias.
(B5) Similarly, the laser printer control unit stops the application of the primary bias by the developing unit 204 because the voltage value has stabilized 50 ms after changing the output of the developing unit 204 to the primary bias. As a result, the surface of the photoreceptor 201 is not charged, and the toner is not charged.
(B6) Next, the laser printer control unit continues the neutralization process by the neutralization unit 208 until the surface on the photoconductor 201 that has stopped applying the primary bias by the charging unit 202 reaches the neutralization unit 208, and then The drive of the static eliminating unit 208 is stopped.
(B7) Then, the laser printer control unit waits until the surface on the photosensitive member 201 that has stopped applying the primary bias by the developing unit 204 reaches the cleaning unit 207, and when it reaches, the process proceeds to B8 that is the next stop operation. To do.
(B8) Next, the laser printer control unit stops driving the photosensitive member 201. The next stop operation B9 is not performed until the driving of the photosensitive member 201 is completely stopped.
(B9) Next, the laser printer controller stops driving the polygon mirror (not shown). When the polygon mirror is completely stopped, the stop process of the image forming apparatus 200 is completed.
In the present embodiment, the fall (stop process) of the image forming apparatus 200 is divided into 6 stages of stop processes B1, B2 to B5, B6, B7, B8, and B9. It is assumed that processing is executed in stages.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, bias application (output) from the charging unit 202 and the developing unit 204 in the start-up (A5 to A9) and start-up (B2 to B5) operations of the image forming apparatus 200. Is performed in two stages, and 50 ms is provided between the drive timings, which are the timings of shifting to each stage. This is because the rising characteristics of both biases are different. 50 ms is an example.

  Specifically, if the charging unit 202 and the developing unit 204 are to be set to the target voltage in one step, a time lag occurs until the target voltage is reached. As a result, the balance between the charging bias and the developing bias may be lost, and a developer containing toner may adhere to the surface of the photoconductor 201. If the target bias is divided and a lower voltage is targeted as in the present embodiment, the time lag between the two is reduced. The image forming unit according to the present embodiment repeats the printing process (operation) as described above.

  Next, the laser printer control unit of the laser printer 100 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the laser printer control unit of the laser printer according to this embodiment.

  The laser printer 100 is centered on a controller 410 that performs interface control with the host machine 450 and image data editing control, and an engine 420 that controls startup, printing processing, and shutdown of the image forming apparatus 200 described above. It is configured.

  The host machine 450 is a general computer, and transmits and receives data to and from the laser printer 100 in accordance with various user operations.

  The controller 410 includes a host interface 411, a program ROM (Read Only Memory) 412, a font ROM 413, a panel interface 414, a controller CPU 415, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 416, an option RAM 417, an engine interface 418, It is mainly equipped with. The controller 410 is connected to the host machine 450 via the host interface 411, is connected to the operation panel 440 through which a user operation is input via the panel interface 414, and further stores various fonts. A font cartridge 460 is connected.

  The host interface 411 performs interface control with the host machine 450. The program ROM 412 stores a program for editing image data and controlling the entire controller 410. The font ROM 413 stores standard fonts used for printing. The panel interface 414 controls the interface with the operation panel 440, and performs an interface with the user on the operation panel 440.

  The controller CPU 415 performs overall control of the controller 410 by controlling transmission and reception of data with the host machine 450 by executing various programs stored in the program ROM 412. The RAM 416 and the option RAM 417 are memories in which data such as programs for processing and control and images are developed. Engine interface 418 is an interface between controller 410 and engine 420.

  The engine 420 includes an engine CPU 421, a controller interface 422, a flash ROM 423, an input port 424, an output port 425, an engine ROM 426, a RAM 427, a sensor 428, a motor 429, a clutch 430, and a power supply unit 431. And mainly.

  The sensor 428 detects each setting condition related to the printing process, abnormality of the image forming apparatus 200, and the like. The motor 429 includes a polygon mirror (not shown) included in the exposure unit 203, a main motor that rotates the photosensitive member 201, a conveyance motor that rotates a paper feed roller included in the paper conveyance unit 205, and the like. The clutch 430 drives or stops the paper feed roller and the like. The power supply unit 431 supplies power necessary for applying a bias by the charging unit 202, the developing unit 204, and the transfer unit 206, driving the neutralizing unit 208, and the like, and charging the unit 202, the developing unit 204, the transfer unit 206, and the neutralizing unit 208. For example, it is a commercial power source.

  The flash ROM 423 stores various programs and various data. The input port 424 performs input processing such as each setting condition related to the printing processing detected by the sensor 428 and the state of the image forming apparatus 200. The output port 425 performs predetermined output processing for realizing startup, printing processing, and shutdown of the image forming apparatus 200. The engine ROM 426 stores an engine control program and the like. The RAM 427 has a buffer register function and is used as a working memory.

  The engine CPU 421 controls the startup, the printing process, and the shutdown of the image forming apparatus 200 described above by executing a control program stored in the engine ROM 426. The controller interface 422 performs interface control with the controller 410 via the engine interface 418.

  The recording medium for recording the control program is not limited to the engine ROM 426, and a semiconductor storage unit, an optical and / or magnetic storage unit, or the like can be used. By using such a recording medium for recording a control program in an external system or the like different from each of the above-described embodiments and causing the CPU to execute the control program, substantially the same effect as the present invention can be obtained. It can also be obtained.

  Next, a control module of the image forming apparatus 200 realized by the engine CPU 421 executing a control program stored in the engine ROM 426 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control module that controls the image forming apparatus. The control module of the image forming apparatus 200 performs print processing by each unit (photosensitive member 201, exposure unit 203, etc.) included in the image forming apparatus 200, and step-by-step start-up processing (start-up) and stop processing (fall-down). A photosensitive member (drive unit) control unit 501, an exposure unit control unit 502, a transfer unit control unit 503, a charge removal unit control unit 504, a charging unit control unit 505, and a development unit control unit 506 to be executed, and sequentially start processing / An image forming apparatus starting unit 508 and an image forming apparatus falling unit 509 for instructing execution of stop processing are provided. In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the photoconductor control unit 501, the exposure unit control unit 502, the transfer unit control unit 503, the charge removal unit control unit 504, the charging unit control unit 505, and the development unit control unit 506, These are simply described as the control units 501 to 506.

  The control module of the image forming apparatus 200 further includes an image forming apparatus cleaning processing unit 510, an image forming apparatus stop / interruption determining unit 511, an image forming apparatus printing unit 512, an image forming apparatus emergency stop unit 513, an image forming apparatus control unit 514, The image forming apparatus stop / interrupt control unit 515, the paper conveyance control unit 516, the fixing control unit 517, and the print control unit 518 are provided.

  The image forming device cleaning processing unit 510 performs killing of residual toner attached to the photoconductor 201 by the cleaning unit 207. The image forming device stop / interruption determination unit 511 determines whether or not the stop processing being executed can be interrupted. The image forming device printing unit 512 instructs execution of print processing of the image forming device 200. In addition, the image forming device emergency stop unit 513 stops the stop process urgently. The image forming device control unit 514 controls the entire image forming device 200. The image forming device stop interruption control unit 515 prints the image forming device 200 to the image forming device printing unit 512, the image forming device start-up unit 508, and the image forming device turn-down unit 509 in accordance with a print processing execution command. Instructs processing, start-up processing, and stop processing. The paper conveyance control unit 516 controls the conveyance of the paper by the paper supply unit 150, and the fixing control unit 517 controls a fixing unit (not shown) included in the finisher unit 140. The print control unit 518 gives operation instructions to the image forming device control unit 514, the paper conveyance control unit 516, and the fixing control unit 517.

  Here, let us consider a case where the image forming unit receives a print processing execution command while the image forming unit included in the main unit 110 is performing the shutdown (stopping process) of the image forming apparatus 200. When printing is instructed (when an image forming command is received), it is necessary to perform the printing process as quickly as possible. However, since the image forming apparatus 200 is in the stop process, the stop process is once interrupted and the image is generated again. In order to restart the image apparatus 200, it is necessary to perform a startup operation (startup process). Accordingly, the image forming device stop / interrupt control unit 511 controls to stop the stop processing and perform the start-up operation again.

  Next, the flow of the printing process, the starting process, and the stopping process of the image forming apparatus 200 by the control module shown in FIG. 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of printing processing, starting processing, and stopping processing of the image forming apparatus by the control module shown in FIG. When the power of the laser printer 100 is turned on, the imaging device stop / interrupt control unit 515 waits until it receives a print processing execution command from the controller 410 via the controller interface 422 (step S601, step S602 / No). . Upon receiving the print processing execution command from the controller 410 (step S602 / Yes), the image forming device stop / interrupt control unit 515 instructs the image forming device start-up unit 508 to start processing, and starts the image forming device. The unit 508 instructs each of the control units 501 to 506 to execute the step-by-step activation process indicated by A1 to A9 (step 603).

  When the start processing is completed, the image forming device stop / interrupt control unit 515 instructs the image forming device printing unit 512 to perform printing processing, and the image forming device printing unit 512 performs the above-described printing on each of the control units 501 to 506. The execution of the process is instructed (step S604).

  When the printing process is completed, the image forming device stop interruption control unit 515 instructs the image forming device fall unit 509 to stop processing, and the image forming device fall unit 509 instructs the control units 501 to 506 to perform the above-described process. The execution of the stepwise stop process shown in B1 to B9 is instructed (step S605). Meanwhile, the image forming device stop / interrupt control unit 515 monitors whether or not the stop processing is completed (step S606). When the stop process has been completed (step S606 / Yes), the image forming apparatus stop / interrupt control unit 515 waits again until a print process execution command is received from the controller 410 (step S601, step S602 / No).

  On the other hand, if the stop process has not been completed (step S606 / No), the image forming apparatus stop / interrupt control unit 515 waits until receiving a print process execution command from the controller 410 (step S607 / No).

  Then, after the start of the stop process (step S605), the image forming apparatus stop / interrupt control unit 515 receives the print processing execution command from the controller 410 (step S607 / Yes), and the image forming apparatus stop / interrupt control unit 515. Instructs the image forming apparatus fall unit 509 to interrupt the stop process (step S608). The image forming device lowering unit 509 inquires of the image forming device stop / interruption determining unit 511 whether the stop process can be interrupted at present (step S609).

  The image forming device stop / interruption determination unit 511 inquires the control unit 501 to 506 of each unit about the execution state of the stop processing (step S610). Further, the image forming apparatus stop / interruption determination unit 511 detects an abnormality of the laser printer 100 by the sensor 428 (step S611). If an abnormality of the laser printer 100 is detected (step S611 / Yes), the imaging device emergency stop unit 513 instructs the control units 501 to 506 to continue the stop process (step S623), and the control unit Reference numerals 501 to 506 continue the stop process regardless of the print process execution command. On the other hand, if there is no abnormality in the laser printer 100 (step S611 / No), the image forming apparatus stop / interruption determination unit 511 specifies the stage of the stop process being executed from the execution state of the stop process by the control units 501 to 506. Then, according to the specified stage, it is determined whether or not the stop process at the specified stage can be interrupted, and the determination result is notified to the image forming apparatus shutdown unit 509 (step S612).

Here, an operation process when determining whether or not the stop process at the specified stage can be interrupted according to the stage specified by the imaging device stop / interruption determination unit 511 will be described below for each case.
(1) When an interruption is instructed during (B1) of the stop processing (falling) procedure of the image forming apparatus 200 described above (that is, when an execution command for printing processing is received).
The image forming device stop / interruption determination unit 511 determines that the procedure of (B1) can be interrupted because there is no problem (abnormality) in the device even if the stop processing of the transfer unit 206 is interrupted. Thereafter, only the startup procedure (A4) is actually executed.

(2) When interruption is instructed during (B2) to (B5) of the stop processing procedure of the image forming apparatus 200 When the stop processing of the charging unit 202 / developing unit 204 is interrupted, a developer ( (Toner) adheres and causes malfunction of the device. For this reason, the image forming apparatus stop / interruption determining unit 511 determines that the stop process of the charging unit 202 and the developing unit 204 cannot be interrupted. Thereafter, when the procedures (B2) to (B5) are completed, only the startup procedures (A4) to (A9) are actually executed.

(3) When an interruption is instructed during (B6) of the stop processing procedure of the image forming device 200 The image forming device stop / interruption determining unit 511 may cause a problem with the device even if the stop processing of the static elimination unit 208 is interrupted ( Since (abnormal) does not occur, it is determined that the procedure of (B6) can be interrupted. Thereafter, only the startup procedures (A4) to (A9) are actually executed.

(4) When interruption is instructed during (B7) of the stop processing procedure of the image forming apparatus 200 The image forming apparatus stop / interruption determining unit 511 may cause problems with the apparatus even if the stop processing of the cleaning unit 207 is interrupted ( Since (abnormal) does not occur, it is determined that the procedure of (B7) can be interrupted. Thereafter, only the startup procedures (A4) to (A9) are actually executed.

(5) When an interruption is instructed during (B8) of the stop processing procedure of the image forming apparatus 200 If the stop process of the photoconductor 201 is interrupted, the rotation operation of the photoconductor 201 becomes unstable and the apparatus malfunctions. cause. For this reason, the image forming apparatus stop / interruption determination unit 511 determines that the stop process of the photoconductor 201 cannot be interrupted, and the procedure (B8) is not interrupted. Thereafter, when the procedure (B8) is completed, only the startup procedures (A2) to (A9) are actually executed.

(6) When an interruption is instructed during (B9) of the stop processing procedure of the image forming apparatus 200 The image forming apparatus stop / interruption determining unit 511 does not stop the polygon mirror (not shown) stop process. Therefore, it is determined that the procedure of (B9) can be interrupted. Thereafter, all the startup procedures (A1) to (A9) are executed. At this time, since the polygon mirror is actually rotating due to inertia, the driving is stabilized earlier than starting from the stop.

  By determining whether or not the stop process can be interrupted as described above, the print operation can be started earlier than when the start-up operation is performed again after completing the stop process.

  Based on the determination result indicated by the notification, the image forming device shutdown unit 509 performs a stop process on each control unit (501 to 506) during the specified stop process or after the specified stop process. An interruption instruction is given (step S613). Each of the control units 501 to 506 interrupts the stop process in accordance with the interrupt instruction from the image forming device falling-down unit 509 (step S614).

  When the suspension of the stop process is completed (step S615), the image forming device falling-down unit 509 notifies the image forming device control unit 514 to that effect (step S616). The image forming device stop interruption control unit 515 instructs the image forming device start-up unit 508 to start up again (start-up process) (step S617).

  The image forming device startup unit 508 instructs each control unit 501 to 506 to execute the startup process of each unit as usual (the startup process indicated by A1 to A9 described above) (step S618). Each of the control units 501 to 506 executes the startup process of the control target (photosensitive member 201, charging unit 202, etc.) in accordance with the startup process execution instruction from the image forming apparatus startup unit 508. At this time, if the control object remains activated, the activation operation is not necessary again (step S619). In any case, after the start-up is completed (even if the restart operation is unnecessary because of the start-up), each control unit 501 to 506 notifies the image forming apparatus startup unit 508 that the start-up is completed (step S620). .

  Thereby, when members such as the photoconductor 201 and the charging unit 202 are activated in advance, the start-up operation of the image forming apparatus 200 is compared with the case where the image forming apparatus 200 is started from a completely stopped state. Can be launched faster.

  When all the startup operations are completed, the imaging device startup unit 508 notifies the imaging device control unit 514 of the completion (step S621), and the imaging device stop interruption control unit 515 notifies the imaging device printing unit 512. The printing process is instructed, and printing by the print control unit 518 that controls the image forming apparatus 200 is started again (step S622).

  As described above, even when an image formation command is received during the stop process, the time required until the instructed image formation (printing) is started can be reduced by interrupting the stop process.

  In addition, if the stop process cannot be interrupted, it is interrupted after the stop process is completed, and the start operation is performed again, so that the instructed printing is started without causing a failure when the apparatus is stopped. Can reduce the time it takes to complete.

  In the present embodiment, each of the control units 501 to 506 starts the stop process in response to an instruction to execute the stop process from the image forming device falling unit 509. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, when the stop process is started, the stop process may be started after waiting for a certain time, so that the print process can be started immediately when printing is instructed during the standby.

  If an abnormality has occurred in the image forming apparatus 200, even if an image forming instruction (print processing execution command) is received during the stop process, appropriate control can be performed by continuing the stop process. I can do it.

  When an image forming instruction (print processing execution instruction) is issued during stop processing or waiting for stop processing, and the stop processing is interrupted, the stop processing or the like is performed after the instructed image forming (printing) processing ends. By restarting, efficient control can be performed.

  Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the preferred embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described ones and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

(Modification)
In this modification, stop determination information indicating whether or not the stop process of each stage can be interrupted, and the stop process of each stage determined according to the abnormality that occurs in the own device due to the stop of the stop process of each stage, Is stored, and in the stored table, it is determined whether or not the specified stop process can be interrupted according to the interrupt determination information stored in association with the specified stop process. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted, and only the configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table stored in the engine ROM. As shown in FIG. 7, the engine ROM 426 indicates whether or not the stop process at each stage and the stop process at each stage determined according to the abnormality occurring in the own device due to the stop of the stop process at each stage can be interrupted. A table associating the determination information with the activation process information indicating the image forming apparatus 200 that needs to be activated when the stop process is interrupted according to the interruption determination information is stored.

  The image forming device stop / interruption determination unit 511 specifies the interrupt determination information associated with the stop process at the specified stage in the table stored in the engine ROM 426, and according to the specified interrupt determination information, It is determined whether or not the stop process can be interrupted.

  For example, when the image forming apparatus stop / interruption determination unit 511 receives a print processing execution command during the waiting time before the stop process is started, the image forming apparatus stop / interruption determination unit 511 stores the “interrupt” stored in association with “during the waiting time for falling”. According to “possible”, it is determined that the stop process can be interrupted. Note that the image forming apparatus startup unit 508 indicates that “unnecessary” stored in association with “during waiting time for shutdown” indicates that activation processing is not required, and therefore the control unit 501 to 506 Do not instruct execution of startup processing.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus stop / interruption determination unit 511 receives a print processing execution instruction during execution of the stop process of the transfer unit 206, the image forming apparatus stop / interrupt determination unit 511 stores “interruptible” stored in association with the “transfer unit stop process”. ”, It is determined that the stop process can be interrupted. Note that the image forming apparatus startup unit 508 indicates that “necessary” of the transfer unit 206 stored in association with the “transfer unit stop process” indicates that the transfer unit 206 needs to be activated. The transfer unit control unit 503 is instructed to execute a startup process.

  In addition, when the image forming apparatus stop / interruption determination unit 511 receives a print processing execution instruction during execution of the stop process of the charging unit 202, the “stop process” stored in association with the “charge unit stop process” is stored. In accordance with “wait”, it is determined that the stopping process cannot be interrupted (that is, waiting for the charging unit 202 to complete the stopping process). The image forming apparatus start-up unit 508 determines that the “necessary” of the transfer unit 206 and the “necessary” of the charging unit 202 stored in association with the “charging unit stop process” are Since it indicates that the startup process is necessary, the transfer unit control unit 503 and the charging unit control unit 505 are instructed to execute the startup process.

  As described above, according to the present modification, the stop process at each stage and the interrupt determination information indicating whether the stop process at each stage can be interrupted are used using the table for associating the specified stage. Even in the process of determining whether or not the stop process can be interrupted, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, an example in which an image forming unit including an image forming apparatus which is an electrophotographic color printer is mounted on the main body unit 110 will be described. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted, and only the configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described.

  First, a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus that is a color printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Note that an image forming apparatus 800 illustrated in FIG. 8 is a tandem image forming apparatus that employs an intermediate transfer member.

  The image forming apparatus 800 includes four photoconductors 801Y, 801M, 801C, and 801K and a plurality of developing units 802Y, 802M, 802C, which develop the latent images formed on the photoconductors into toner images of different colors. 802K, and an intermediate transfer belt 807, which is an endless belt that rotates in the direction of arrow A to which toner images of different colors are primarily transferred in a superimposed state. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the photoconductors 801Y, 801M, 801C, and 801K, they are simply referred to as photoconductors 801. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the developing units 802Y, 802M, 802C, and 802K, they are simply referred to as the developing unit 802.

  In the present embodiment, on the upper side of the intermediate transfer belt 807, along the arrow A direction of the intermediate transfer belt 807, the above-described four photoreceptors 801 for each color of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are arranged in parallel. Respectively. Around the photoreceptor 801, charging units 803Y, 803M, 803C, and 803K, the developing unit 802, the intermediate transfer roller 805 that constitutes the intermediate transfer unit, and cleaning units 804Y, 804M, 804C, and 804K are provided. Each is arranged. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the charging units 803Y, 803M, 803C, and 803K, they are simply referred to as the charging unit 803. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the cleaning units 804Y, 804M, 804C, and 804K, they are simply referred to as the cleaning unit 804.

  The photosensitive member 801 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow B, and at this time, a bias is applied by the charging unit 803 so that the surface of the photosensitive member 801 is uniformly charged. Next, the exposure unit 806 exposes the surface of the photoconductor 801 uniformly charged by the charging unit 803 with laser light. As a result, a latent image is formed on the photoreceptor 801, and the latent image is visualized as a toner image of each color by the developing unit 802.

  Here, intermediate transfer rollers 805Y, 805M, 805C, and 805K, which are intermediate transfer portions, are arranged to face each photoconductor 801, and an intermediate transfer is performed between each intermediate transfer roller 805 and the photoconductor 801. The belt 807 is rotated while being sandwiched. The intermediate transfer belt 807 is supported by two axes of a driving roller 808 and a tension roller 810. The intermediate transfer belt 807 may be stretched by two or more rollers. However, in order to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus 800 as much as possible, the intermediate transfer belt 807 is stretched by 2 axes to suppress the height of the image forming apparatus 800. ing. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the intermediate transfer rollers 805Y, 805M, 805C, and 805K, they are simply referred to as an intermediate transfer roller 805.

  The toner image visualized on each photoconductor 801 is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 807 by the action of the intermediate transfer roller 805. In this manner, the black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toner images visualized on the respective photoreceptors 801 are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 807 in a state where the toner images are accurately and sequentially superimposed, and a full-color composite color. An image is formed. The cleaning unit 804 removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 801 after the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 807.

  The registration roller pair 812 serving as a paper transport unit sends the paper between the driving roller 808 and the paper transfer roller 809 serving as a paper transfer unit at a predetermined timing. The driving roller 808 (secondary transfer counter roller) and the paper transfer roller 809 are disposed to face each other with the intermediate transfer belt 807 interposed therebetween. When the paper is fed between the driving roller 808 and the paper transfer roller 809, the composite color image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 807 is collectively transferred onto the paper by the action of the paper transfer roller 809. The toner image transferred onto the paper is fixed by heat and pressure by the fixing unit 813 and is discharged onto a paper discharge tray (not shown). Note that the transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 807 after the toner image is transferred to the sheet is removed by the cleaning unit 811. Although not shown, the image forming apparatus 800 according to the present embodiment includes a charge removing unit that removes residual charges remaining on the photosensitive member 801 between the cleaning unit 804 and the charging unit 803. And

  Here, with reference to FIG. 9, an operation procedure and operation contents of the image forming apparatus 800 when the image forming unit executes a printing process (image forming process) will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation timing chart of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. When printing is started, the image forming unit starts the operation shown in FIG. 9 in order to place the image forming apparatus 800 in a printable state. The operation is roughly classified into startup of the image forming apparatus 800, printing processing, and shutdown. First, start-up of the image forming apparatus 800 will be described.

[Start-up of image forming device (start-up process)]
(A1) The laser printer controller first stably rotates a polygon mirror for exposure (not shown).
(A2) Next, the laser printer control unit drives the photosensitive member 801 and the intermediate transfer belt 807 by a driving unit (not shown) and a driving roller 808, and stably rotates the photosensitive member 801 and the intermediate transfer belt 807.
(A3) Next, the laser printer control unit drives a static elimination unit (not shown).
(A4) Next, the laser printer controller applies a preparatory bias for intermediate transfer and paper transfer from the intermediate transfer roller 805 and the paper transfer roller 809.
(A5) Next, the laser printer control unit applies a primary bias to the photoconductor 801 from the charging unit 803 to charge the surface of the photoconductor 801.
(A6) Next, when the surface of the photosensitive member 801 that has started charging reaches the developing unit 802, the laser printer control unit applies a primary bias from the developing unit 802 to charge the toner.
(A7) Next, the laser printer control unit applies a secondary charging bias from the charging unit 803 to the photosensitive member 801 because the voltage value is stabilized after 50 ms after applying the primary charging bias.
(A8) Similarly, the laser printer control unit applies a development secondary bias to the toner from the development unit 802 because the voltage value has stabilized 50 ms after the development primary bias is applied.
(A9) Thereafter, when the entire surface of the photoreceptor 801 is charged by the secondary bias applied from the charging unit 803 (that is, when charging starts and the photoreceptor 801 goes around once), the image forming apparatus 800 is ready to print. Become.
Also in the present embodiment, the start-up (start-up process) of the image forming apparatus 800 is divided into five stages of start-up processes A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5-A9. Shall be executed in stages.

[Image processing device print processing (image processing)]
The laser printer control unit exposes the charged surface on the photoconductor 801 by the exposure unit 806 and discharges it into the form of a latent image to be formed at the time of printing after the image forming apparatus 800 is started up, and by the developing unit 802. Toner is adhered to the neutralized portion. The adhered toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 807 by the intermediate transfer roller 805. At this time, the remaining toner that could not be transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 807 is killed from the surface of the photoreceptor 801 by the cleaning unit 804. Thereafter, the toner image conveyed to the paper transfer roller 809 by the intermediate transfer belt 807 is transferred to the paper conveyed by the registration roller pair 812. The laser printer control unit neutralizes residual charges remaining on the photoreceptor 801 by a neutralization unit (not shown). As a result, the surface of the photoconductor 801 becomes zero in potential, and can be charged for the next latent image formation. This process is performed for the size of the paper. If there is a request, the laser printer control unit repeats the required number of sheets. When printing is completed, the laser printer control unit lowers the image forming device 800 and stops the image forming device 800.

[Falling of imaging device (stop processing)]
(B1) First, the laser printer control unit stops the application of bias by the intermediate transfer roller 805 and the paper transfer roller 809. Until this bias is completely turned off, the next stop operation B2 is not performed.
(B2) Next, the laser printer control unit sets the output of the charging unit 803 to a primary bias.
(B3) Next, when the surface on the photosensitive member 801 to which the primary bias is applied by the charging unit 803 reaches the developing unit 802, the laser printer control unit sets the output of the developing unit 802 as the primary bias.
(B4) Next, the laser printer control unit stops applying the primary bias by the charging unit 803 because the voltage value is stabilized after 50 ms after changing the output of the charging unit 803 to the primary bias.
(B5) Similarly, the laser printer control unit stops applying the primary bias by the developing unit 802 because the voltage value is stabilized 50 ms after the output of the developing unit 802 is changed to the primary bias. As a result, the surface of the photoreceptor 801 is not charged, and the toner is not charged.
(B6) Next, the laser printer control unit continues the charge removal process by the charge removal unit until the surface on the photoconductor 801 that has stopped applying the primary bias by the charging unit 803 reaches the charge removal unit (not shown). Then, the driving of the static eliminating unit is stopped.
(B7) Next, the laser printer control unit waits until the surface on the photosensitive member 801 that has stopped applying the primary bias by the developing unit 802 reaches the cleaning unit 804, and when it reaches, the next stop operation is B8. Transition.
(B8) Next, the laser printer control unit stops driving the photosensitive member 801 and the intermediate transfer belt 807. The next stop operation B9 is not performed until the driving of the photosensitive member 801 is completely stopped.
(B9) Next, the laser printer controller stops driving the polygon mirror (not shown). When the polygon mirror is completely stopped, the stop process of the image forming apparatus 800 is completed.
Also in the present embodiment, the fall (stop process) of the image forming apparatus 800 included in the image forming apparatus 800 is a stop process in six stages of B1, B2 to B5, B6, B7, B8, and B9. It is assumed that the stop process of each stage is executed in stages.

  Next, a control module of the image forming apparatus 800 realized by the engine CPU 421 executing a control program stored in the engine ROM 426 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control module that controls the image forming apparatus. The configuration of the control module of the image forming apparatus 800 is an intermediate transfer that controls the intermediate transfer roller 805 and the paper transfer roller 809 instead of the transfer section control unit 503 included in the control module of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment. A roller / paper transfer roller control unit 1001 is provided, and an intermediate transfer belt control 1002 for controlling driving of the intermediate transfer belt 807 by the drive roller 808 is added.

  Note that the flow of printing processing, starting processing, and stopping processing of the image forming apparatus 800 by the control module shown in FIG. 10 is the same as the flow shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 described in the first embodiment, and therefore will be described here. Is omitted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the image forming unit including the image forming apparatus 800 that is an electrophotographic color printer is mounted on the main body unit 110, the same as in the first embodiment. The effect of can be obtained.

It is the schematic which showed the unit structure of the laser printer concerning 1st Embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus for an electrophotographic printer. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement timing chart of the imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the laser printer control part of the laser printer concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control module which controls an image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of printing processing, start-up processing, and stop processing of the image forming apparatus by the control module shown in FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which engine ROM memorize | stores. It is a figure which shows an example of the image forming apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement timing chart of the image forming apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control module which controls an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the basic composition of the image forming apparatus for electrophotographic printers.

Explanation of symbols

200,800 Image forming apparatus 201,801 Photoconductor 202 Charging unit 203,806 Exposure unit 204,802 Development unit 205 Paper transport unit 206 Transfer unit 207,804 Cleaning unit 208 Static elimination unit 426 Engine ROM
501 Photoconductor control unit 502 Exposure unit control unit 503 Transfer unit control unit 504 Static elimination unit control unit 505 Charging unit control unit 506 Development unit control unit 508 Image forming device start-up unit 509 Image forming device stop unit 511 Image forming device stop interruption Determination unit 1001 Intermediate transfer roller / paper transfer roller control unit 1002 Intermediate transfer belt control unit

Claims (12)

An image forming device that executes image forming processing;
Control means for executing step-by-step start processing and stop processing of the image forming device;
When the execution instruction of the image forming process is received during the execution of the stop process, the execution state of the stop process is inquired to the control means to identify the stage of the stop process being executed, In response, determination means for determining whether or not the stop process at the specified stage can be interrupted,
Based on a determination result by the determination unit, a falling unit that instructs the control unit to interrupt the stop process during the stop process of the specified stage or after the stop process of the specified stage;
A startup unit for instructing the control unit to execute the startup process after the suspension process is interrupted;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The stop process at each stage is associated with interrupt determination information indicating whether or not the stop process at each stage determined according to the abnormality that occurs in the imaging device due to the stop of the stop process at each stage can be interrupted. And further comprising storage means for storing,
2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the stop process can be interrupted according to the interrupt determination information stored in association with the stop process at the specified stage. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a charge eliminating unit that neutralizes residual charges on the image carrier, an exposure unit that exposes the charged image carrier to form a latent image, and a toner remaining on the image carrier. A removal unit for removing, and a transfer unit for transferring the toner image on the image carrier to a paper medium,
The determination unit interrupts the stop process at the specified stage when the stop process at the specified stage is the stop process of any of the static elimination unit, the exposure unit, the removal unit, and the transfer unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is determined to be possible. The image forming apparatus includes a charging unit that charges the image carrier, a developing unit that attaches toner to a latent image on the image carrier, and a drive unit that drives the image carrier.
The determination unit determines that the stop process at the specified stage cannot be interrupted when the stop process at the specified stage is the stop process of any of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the drive unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is performed. The image forming apparatus further includes a detecting unit that detects an abnormality of the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further continues the stop process regardless of the execution command of the image forming process when an abnormality is detected.   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein when the start-up unit instructs execution of the start-up process, the control unit executes only the start-up process at a stage where the stop process is not executed. Forming equipment. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus that executes image forming processing,
A control step in which the control means executes the start-up process and the stop process of the image forming device stepwise;
When the determination unit receives an instruction to execute the image forming process during the execution of the stop process, the control unit inquires about the execution state of the stop process and identifies the stage of the stop process being executed, In accordance with the specified stage, a determination process for determining whether the stop process of the specified stage can be interrupted,
A startup step in which the startup unit instructs the control unit to interrupt the stop process during the specified stage stop process or after the specified stage stop process, based on the determination result of the determination step; ,
A start-up step of instructing the control means to execute the start-up process after the start-up unit interrupts the stop process;
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: The image forming apparatus determines whether or not the stop process at each stage and the stop process at each stage determined according to an abnormality occurring in the image forming apparatus due to the stop of the stop process at each stage can be interrupted. And a storage means for storing the information in association with each other,
The said determination process determines whether the said stop process can be interrupted according to the said interruption determination information memorize | stored in association with the said stop process of the specified stage. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a charge eliminating unit that neutralizes residual charges on the image carrier, an exposure unit that exposes the charged image carrier to form a latent image, and a toner remaining on the image carrier. A removal unit for removing, and a transfer unit for transferring the toner image on the image carrier to a paper medium,
In the determination step, when the stop process at the specified stage is the stop process of any of the static elimination unit, the exposure unit, the removal unit, and the transfer unit, the stop process at the specified stage is interrupted. 8. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein it is determined that it is possible. The image forming apparatus includes a charging unit that charges the image carrier, a developing unit that attaches toner to a latent image on the image carrier, and a drive unit that drives the image carrier.
In the determination step, when the stop process at the specified stage is the stop process of any of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the drive unit, the stop process at the specified stage cannot be interrupted. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the determination is performed. The image forming apparatus further includes detection means for detecting an abnormality of the image forming apparatus,
8. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, in the case where an abnormality is detected, the control process continues the stop process regardless of the image forming process execution command.   8. The image according to claim 7, wherein the control step executes only the start-up process at a stage where the stop process is not executed when the start-up unit instructs execution of the start-up process. Control method of forming apparatus.

Images