JP6586774B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming apparatus management apparatus, and image forming recovery method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of performing recovery printing for a jam that occurs when an image is formed on a continuous transfer medium, a management apparatus thereof, and an image formation recovery method.

When printing is performed by an image forming apparatus, a recovery printing function is known that performs printing again from an image that has not been output when a paper jam occurs.
For example, in Patent Document 1, if the print data to be printed is stored in the data storage unit and abnormally interrupted while printing on the roll paper based on the print data, the interruption position in the print data is acquired and the operation display unit As a result of the operation, an arbitrary position in the direction of the printed print data from the interruption position is set as a print resume position, and subsequent print data is read from the data accumulation section from the designated print resume position, An apparatus for resuming printing on paper has been proposed. In this apparatus, when printing is interrupted due to running out of paper or the like, it is possible to efficiently resume printing while suppressing the consumption of consumables while maintaining good usability.

  In Patent Document 2, when the first print information is input, the print length is calculated to calculate the length of the double-sided printed material 1 that is finally produced, and then printed on the back surface of the recording medium. The print information block 2 to be selected is selected. The print information block 2 is selected based on each priority. The last selected print information block 2 is selected based on the length of the double-sided printed material. When printing side by side, all margins are selected to have a uniform length that falls within a predetermined tolerance. In this way, when the second print information is determined, the first print information can be printed on the front surface of the recording medium, cut by the cutter unit, and the second print information can be printed on the back surface. In Patent Document 2, it is assumed that the second print information can be printed with an appropriate layout on the other side of the cut sheet-like printed matter having a length matching the print range of the first print information.

JP 2012-148437 A JP 2008-188874 A

By the way, when printing on continuous paper by the image forming apparatus, cutting may be performed at intervals such as a predetermined cycle. In normal continuous paper output, the image data is erased from the image memory after the paper printing of the image data is completed. For this reason, when recovery output after jam removal is resumed from image data at the time of jam occurrence, an output product in which image data between the cutting positions is printed may not be obtained.
Such an output state will be described with reference to the output example of FIG. In the output example of FIG. A, it is assumed that the cutting position is set in a cycle of two pages, the paper discharge is completed for pages 1 to 3 and a jam occurs before the fourth page is discharged. Normally, the pages 1 to 3 that have been discharged are erased from the image memory as shown in FIG. B, and the third page to be cut position cannot be re-output.

  In Patent Document 1, when a JAM occurs, a screen for setting a recovery output from which position is displayed is displayed, and the user can instruct an optimal recovery position on the setting screen. In the output example shown in FIG. 13, when JAM occurs on the fourth page, the method of recovery is displayed on the setting screen. For example, (a) recovery from the image from the previous n sheets, (b It is possible to set the position where the user wants to recover, such as recovery at a cycle of n), recovery from (c) xx cm. In the figure, n is set to 2 and xx is set to 50. However, in this apparatus, image data needs to be available on the memory until all the images of the acquired job are output, and the image memory cannot be used efficiently.

In addition, when recovery is specified by the method (a), it is necessary to know the number of images stored in the cutting cycle and the number of images output in the cutting cycle and the occurrence of JAM. When the JAM occurs, it is necessary for the user to check the output contents. When the recovery is specified by the method (b), if the number of images stored in the cutting cycle is not fixed (see FIG. 14), the output is specified correctly. Even if recovery is specified by the method of (c), the user needs to check the output contents when JAM occurs, so that the user cannot efficiently perform recovery output at the cutting cycle, There is also a problem that it cannot be specified.
In FIG. 14, if a jam occurs before the fifth page is discharged, the recovery setting in the unit of the number of sheets is output from the fifth page. No output is obtained.

  Further, Patent Document 2 describes a method of cutting at an appropriate position according to the image printing length, and no consideration is given to re-output considering the cutting position.

  The invention of the present application has been made in the background of the above circumstances, an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently performing recovery setting in cutting output, and recovering and outputting all image data between cutting positions. An object is to provide an apparatus management apparatus and an image formation recovery method.

That is, among the inventions of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the first aspect is
An image forming unit that forms an image based on image data used in printing;
A transport unit for transporting the transfer medium;
A controller for controlling the conveyance and the image formation;
An operation display unit controlled by the control unit;
In the operation display unit, the control unit can set the number of images within a cutting cycle to be recovered,
The control unit sets a position for cutting the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium. If a jam occurs in the continuous transfer medium during image formation, a set of images included between the cutting positions The image data for starting the recovery re-output is determined in units of.
The invention of another form of image forming apparatus
An image forming unit that forms an image based on image data used in printing;
A transport unit for transporting the transfer medium;
A controller for controlling the conveyance and the image formation;
An operation display unit controlled by the control unit;
The control unit enables a setting operation for adding a cutting position to image data in the operation display unit,
The control unit sets a position for cutting the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium. If a jam occurs in the continuous transfer medium during image formation, a set of images included between the cutting positions The image data for starting the recovery re-output is determined in units of.
The invention of another form of image forming apparatus
An image forming unit that forms an image based on image data used in printing;
A transport unit for transporting the transfer medium;
A controller for controlling the conveyance and the image formation;
An operation display unit controlled by the control unit;
In the operation display unit, the control unit can set a sheet feeding length within a cutting cycle to be recovered,
The control unit sets a position for cutting the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium. If a jam occurs in the continuous transfer medium during image formation, a set of images included between the cutting positions The image data for starting the recovery re-output is determined in units of.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit re-outputs the job based on the determination of the image data.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit grasps the number of images stored in the cutting cycle and performs recovery output for the grasped number of images. .

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the invention of the above aspect, the control unit has a function of adding a cutting position to the image data, and after the image data having the cutting position is output, Image data until the image data at the cutting position is output is targeted for recovery.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit sets a cutting cycle in the paper feed length.

The invention of another form of the image forming apparatus has an operation display unit controlled by the control unit in the present invention of the above form,
The control unit can set a cutting cycle according to the operation content of the operation display unit.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the invention of the above aspect, when the discharge of the image to be recovered by the unit is completed, the control unit deletes the image data from the storage area, and The set of units starting from a page is updated to a recovery start page.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention further includes an image data receiving unit that receives image data from the outside.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the invention is characterized in that the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention further includes a cutting unit that cuts the continuous transfer medium.

The first aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus management apparatus of the present invention is:
A management device for an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data used in printing,
A communication unit for communicating with the image forming apparatus;
A management control unit for controlling the communication and operation display unit;
The management control unit can set the number of images within a cutting cycle to be recovered in the operation display unit,
The management control unit sets a position to cut the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium, and if a jam occurs on the continuous transfer medium during image formation, the management control unit sets the position of the image included between the cutting positions. Image data for starting recovery re-output is determined in units of sets.
The invention of the image forming apparatus management apparatus of another form
A management device for an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data used in printing,
A communication unit for communicating with the image forming apparatus;
A management control unit for controlling the communication and operation display unit;
The management control unit enables a setting operation to add a cutting position to image data in the operation display unit,
The management control unit sets a position to cut the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium, and if a jam occurs on the continuous transfer medium during image formation, the management control unit sets the position of the image included between the cutting positions. Image data for starting recovery re-output is determined in units of sets.
The invention of the image forming apparatus management apparatus of another form
A management device for an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data used in printing,
A communication unit for communicating with the image forming apparatus;
A management control unit for controlling the communication and operation display unit;
In the operation display unit, the management control unit can set a paper feed length within a cutting cycle to be recovered,
The management control unit sets a position to cut the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium, and if a jam occurs on the continuous transfer medium during image formation, the management control unit sets the position of the image included between the cutting positions. Image data for starting recovery re-output is determined in units of sets.

Of the inventions of the image formation recovery method of the present invention, the first aspect of the present invention is:
In an image formation recovery method when an image is formed on a continuous transfer medium based on image data used in printing,
Setting the number of images within the cutting cycle to be recovered;
Setting a position to cut the continuous transfer medium when forming an image;
And a step of determining image data for starting recovery re-output in units of image sets included between the cutting positions when a jam occurs in the continuous transfer medium during image formation.
Another aspect of the invention of the image formation recovery method is an image formation recovery method for forming an image on a continuous transfer medium based on image data used for printing.
A step of setting a paper feed length within a cutting cycle to be recovered;
Setting a position for cutting the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium;
And a step of determining image data for starting recovery re-output in units of image sets included between the cutting positions when a jam occurs in the continuous transfer medium during image formation.

  The image forming recovery method according to another aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the aspect of the invention, further comprising a step of issuing a command to re-output the job based on the determination of the image data.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the recovery output of the continuous transfer medium, there is an effect that the recovery output considering the cutting position can be performed.

1 is a diagram showing a mechanical outline of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows an electrical block diagram. Similarly, it is a diagram illustrating an output example in which image data for starting the re-output of the recovery output is determined with the first page corresponding to the cutting cycle as the recovery position. It is a flowchart which shows the determination procedure shown in FIG. In another embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram showing an output example in which the image data to start the re-output of the recovery output is determined by comparing the print start position of the image data and the cutting position. It is a flowchart which shows the determination procedure shown in FIG. In another embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the example of an output which added the cutting position to the image data. It is a flowchart which shows the determination procedure shown in FIG. In other embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the example of the recovery output setting screen of a cutting cycle. In other embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the example of an output when a cutting cycle is set by the number of images, and the example of an output when a paper feed length is set. In other embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen which sets addition of a cutting position. It is a figure which shows the condition at the time of jam occurrence with a prior art, and an output example. It is a figure which shows the condition at the time of jam occurring with another prior art, and the registration state of an image memory. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the generation | occurrence | production state and output example of jam at the time of setting a sheet number cycle.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 1A including an image forming unit. A paper feed adjusting unit 300 is connected to the front side of the apparatus main body 1A, and a paper feed unit 200 is connected to the front side of the paper feed adjusting unit 300. ing. Further, a paper discharge adjusting unit 400 is connected to the paper discharge side of the apparatus main body 1A, and a winding unit 500 is connected to the paper discharge side of the paper discharge adjusting unit 400.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is described as being configured by the apparatus main body 1A and the apparatus connected to the apparatus main body 1A. However, the type of the apparatus connected to the apparatus main body 1A The number is not particularly limited, and the image forming apparatus may be configured by only the apparatus main body 1A. In that case, the apparatus main body 1A may constitute an image forming system together with other apparatuses.

The paper feed unit 200 has a function of storing, holding, and feeding roll paper as continuous paper.
The paper feed adjusting unit 300 has a buffer function for absorbing a minute speed difference and deviation between the paper feed unit 200 and the apparatus main body 1A. The paper discharge adjusting unit 400 has a buffer function for absorbing a minute speed difference and deviation between the apparatus main body 1A and the winding unit 500. It should be noted that a cutting unit for cutting the roll paper may be installed between the apparatus main body 1A and the winding unit 500, or the cutting by the cutting unit may be performed off-line.
The winding unit 500 has a function of winding and holding the discharged roll paper.

  In this embodiment, roll paper is used as continuous paper. However, the continuous paper is not limited to roll paper, and any continuous paper may be used. Also includes paper. The continuous paper may be provided in the form of roll paper, or may be in the form of being alternately folded. The continuous paper corresponds to the continuous transfer medium of the present invention. The continuous transfer medium is not necessarily required to be paper.

  The image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming unit 110 that forms an image on a sheet in the apparatus main body 1A, and an operation display unit 140 that receives information from an operator and displays information on the upper part of the apparatus main body 1A. have. In the operation display unit 140, an operation unit that performs an operation and a display unit that performs a display may be configured separately, and the operation unit and the display unit are integrally configured, such as a touch panel LCD. There may be.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a conveyance path 22 that extends from the paper feeding unit 200 to the paper feeding adjustment unit 300 and the image forming unit 110, and further from the image forming unit 110 to the paper discharge adjustment unit 400 and the winding unit 500. .
The conveyance path 22 conveys paper. On the conveyance path 22, paper detection units 18 (one place in the figure) are arranged at a plurality of positions. In addition, the installation position of the paper detection unit 18 is not limited to this, and is installed at an appropriate location on the conveyance path 22. The paper detection unit 18 detects the main scanning width of the roll paper fed from the paper feeding device 200 and the leading and trailing edges of the roll paper using an optical sensor or the like.
In the transport path 22, roll paper stored in the paper feed unit 200 is fed.
In this embodiment, the conveyance section of the present invention is configured by the conveyance path 22, a conveyance roller, a motor (not shown) that drives a roller that is rotationally driven, and the like.

  The image forming unit 110 has a photoconductor prepared for each color (cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc.), and a charger, a writing unit, and a developing unit (not shown) are arranged on the peripheral portion of each photoconductor. Has been. The photosensitive member surface charged by the charger is subjected to image exposure by a writing unit such as an LD based on the image information of the document recorded in the image memory or the like, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive member surface. The latent image is developed by the developing unit to become a toner image. The toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt, and the image on the intermediate transfer belt is conveyed through the conveyance path 22 and transferred to the roll paper. In the present invention, a color image forming apparatus having a photoreceptor for each color and an intermediate transfer belt has been described. However, in the present invention, the image forming apparatus is composed of a monochrome image forming apparatus. There may be.

  The image transferred by the image forming unit 110 and fixed by applying heat and pressure is discharged out of the apparatus main body 1A along with the conveyance of the roll paper.

Next, a functional description of the image forming apparatus 1 will be given based on the block diagram of FIG.
The image forming apparatus 1 is input / output between a copier body having a control block 110, a scanner unit 130, an operation display unit 140, and a printer unit 150, and an external device (PC) 2 through a network 3 as main components. And an image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 for processing image data.

The control block 110 has a PCI bus 112, and the PCI bus 112 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111 in the control block unit 110. Further, the HDD 127 is connected to the PCI bus 112. The HDD 127 can store image data.

Further, the control block 110 includes a control CPU 113, and the DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the control CPU 113. In addition, a non-volatile memory 115 is connected to the control CPU 113. The nonvolatile memory 115 stores a program for operating the control CPU 113, setting data of the image forming apparatus 1, process control parameters, and the like.
The control CPU 113 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 and grasps the state of the entire image forming apparatus, and performs roll paper conveyance control, image formation control, and the like. That is, the control CPU 113 functions as a part of the control unit of the present invention. The control CPU 113 can detect the occurrence of JAM during transport control.

  The scanner unit 130 includes a CCD 131 that performs optical reading and a scanner control unit 132 that controls the entire scanner unit 130. The scanner control unit 132 is connected to the control CPU 113 so as to be capable of serial communication, and is controlled by the control CPU 113. The scanner control unit 132 can be configured by a CPU or a program for operating the CPU. The image data read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116.

The operation display unit 140 includes a touch panel type LCD 141 and an operation unit control unit 142. The LCD 141 and the operation unit control unit 142 are connected, and the operation unit control unit 142 and the control CPU 113 are serially connected. It is connected so that it can communicate. With this configuration, the operation display unit 140 is controlled by the control CPU 113. The operation unit control unit 142 can be configured by a CPU, a program for operating the CPU, and the like.
The operation display unit 140 sets the apparatus main body 1A and the sheet feeding device 200, and controls image formation control and roll sheet feeding of the sheet feeding device 200 based on the settings.

  The operation display unit 140 can input operation control conditions such as settings and operation commands in the image forming apparatus 1 and can display setting contents, machine states, information, and the like. Controlled by The operation display unit 140 can perform a predetermined operation or the like. For example, it is possible to set a cutting cycle in the recovery output executed by the control CPU 113. Moreover, the cutting cycle is set by the initial setting, and this may be changed.

  The DRAM control IC 111 is connected to an image memory 120 including a compression memory 121 and a page memory 122. The image memory 120 stores image data acquired by the scanner unit 130 and image data acquired through the network 3. As described above, the image memory 120 is a storage area for image data, and stores image data of a job to be printed. Further, the DRAM control IC 111 can store image data relating to a plurality of jobs in the image memory 120. That is, the image memory 120 can store image data of a reserved job. The image data can also be stored in the HDD 127.

  The DRAM control IC 111 is connected to a compression IC 118 that compresses image data and a decompression IC 125 that decompresses the compressed image data. A write processing unit 16 is connected to the decompression IC 125. The write processing unit 126 is connected to the LD 152 of the printer unit 150 and processes data used for the operation of the LD 152. The LD 152 is a generic term for the LDs for each color. In addition, the printer unit 150 controls the conveyance unit including the image forming unit 110 and the conveyance path 22.

  The printer unit 150 includes a printer control unit 151 that controls the entire printer unit 150. The printer control unit 151 is connected to the control CPU 113 and receives control. That is, the printing operation is started / stopped according to the parameters given from the control CPU 113. A roll paper feed control unit 210 of the paper feed unit 200 is controllably connected to the printer control unit 151, and roll paper feed control can be performed via the printer control unit 151 according to a command from the control CPU 113. it can. The control CPU 113 can detect the occurrence of JAM on the roll paper based on information from the printer control unit 151. The occurrence of JAM can be grasped by the operation of the transport unit, the detection result of the paper detection unit 18, and the like.

In addition, a DRAM control IC 161 of the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 is connected to the PCI bus 112 connected to the DRAM control IC 111. In the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160, an image memory 162 is connected to the DRAM control IC 161. In the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160, a controller control CPU 163 is connected to the DRAM control IC 161, and a LAN interface 165 is connected to the DRAM control IC 161. The LAN interface 165 is connected to the network 3.
An external device (PC) 2 or the like is connected to the network 3, and image data can be transmitted to and received from the image forming apparatus 1.

  Further, a LAN interface 128 is connected to the control CPU 113, and the network 4 is connected to the LAN interface 128. A management device 5 is connected to the network 4 via the NIC 5A. The NIC 5A corresponds to a communication unit. Furthermore, the management apparatus 5 has a management control unit 5B, and can manage the image forming apparatus 1 by the operation of the management control unit 5B. The management control unit 5B can be configured by a CPU, a program that operates the CPU, a storage unit, and the like. The management control unit 5B can also manage recovery. The management apparatus 5 corresponds to the image forming apparatus management apparatus of the present invention.

Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
First, a procedure for accumulating image data in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
When the scanner unit 130 reads an image of a document and generates image data, the scanner unit 130 optically reads the document image from the document by the CCD 131. At this time, the operation of the CCD 131 is controlled by the scanner control unit 132 that receives a command from the control CPU 113. The image read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116, and the image data subjected to the data processing is compressed by the compression IC 118 by a predetermined method and stored in the compression memory 121 or the HDD 127 via the DRAM control IC 111. The Image data stored in the compression memory 121 or the HDD 127 can be managed as a job by the control CPU 113.

When acquiring image data from the outside, for example, image data transmitted from the external device (PC) 2 through the network 3 is stored in the image memory 162 by the DRAM control IC 161 via the LAN interface 165. Data in the image memory 162 is temporarily stored in the page memory 122 via the DRAM control IC 161, the PCI bus 112, and the DRAM control IC 111. Data stored in the page memory 122 is sequentially sent to the compression IC 118 via the DRAM control IC 111 and compressed, stored in the compression memory 121 and the HDD 127 via the DRAM control IC 111, and managed by the control CPU 113 as described above. Is made.
When image data is read, a combined JOB unit can be created from the received data, and the data can be stored in the compression memory 121.

When the image forming apparatus 1 outputs an image, that is, when it is used as a copying machine or a printer, the image data stored in the compression memory 121 or the HDD 127 is sent to the decompression IC 125 via the DRAM control IC 111 to obtain the image data. The developed image data is repeatedly developed on the LD 152 by the writing processing unit 126, whereby the image data is printed on the roll paper RP.
When used as a copying machine, information such as printing conditions (print mode) set on the operation display unit 140 is notified, and setting information is created by the image control CPU 113. The created setting information can be stored in the RAM in the control CPU 113. The confirmation copy and normal printing are also specified here.
When used as a printer, the printing condition corresponds to the printer driver in the external device (PC) 2. The printing conditions set here are stored in the same manner as the image (external device (PC) 2 → LAN IF 164 → image memory 162 → DRAM control IC 161 (controller) → DRAM control IC 111 (main body) → page memory 120).

  In the printer unit 150, each unit is controlled by the printer control unit 151 that receives a command from the control CPU 113. In the image forming unit 100, the toner image written on each photoconductor is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt, and then transferred to the roll paper RP supplied by the paper supply unit 200 and fixed. The sheet on which the image has been formed is transported to the paper discharge adjusting unit 400 by the transport path 22 and is further wound and held by the downstream winding unit 500. When there are a plurality of reserved jobs, the image output is sequentially performed according to the setting order.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the image data arranged on the roll paper RP fed from the paper feeding unit 200 is cut by an off-line machine or an on-line machine cutting unit. Recovery output is possible when JAM occurs during paper output. In that case, the control unit determines image data to start recovery re-output in units of image sets included between the cutting positions.

  FIG. 3A shows the image data of page 2 in the first cutting cycle, page 3 in the second cutting cycle, and page 2 in the third cutting cycle in the seven-page job in this embodiment. The output instruction is received so as to be within the range, and a jam has occurred without completing the discharge of the page on the way.

In this example, it is determined whether the output for the cutting cycle has been completed after feeding the received image data, and it is determined that the output for the cutting cycle has been completed. If the cutting cycle has not been exceeded, the first page of the cutting cycle If the cutting period is exceeded, the recovery position is updated for the next page of image data to be printed. In FIG. 3A, JAM occurs during the output of the fifth page image, and when the JAM occurs, the second cutting cycle has not been exceeded. Resume from the third page, which is the first page of the cutting cycle.
At this time, FIG. B shows a table for performing recovery in one unit with a set of images included between the cutting positions as a unit.

In this example, the recovery output is performed from the first page of the set of images generated between the cutting positions. That is, when a jam occurs in the first cutting cycle of the first page or the second page, recovery output is started from the first page.
In addition, when a jam occurs in the second cutting cycle of the third page to the fifth page, recovery output starts from the third page, and when a jam occurs in the third cutting cycle of the sixth page and the seventh page, Recovery output starts from the 6th page. This makes it possible to reliably recover and output the image between the cutting positions regardless of where the jam occurs.
In other words, by updating the recovery position when the output of the second page and the fifth page is completed, it is possible to perform recovery output of all pages within the cutting cycle regardless of which page JAM occurs. Become.

Next, a procedure for determining image data for starting recovery re-output will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. All subsequent flowcharts are executed under the control of the control unit.
First, in step 1, an output page n = 1 and a recovery position j = 1 are set.
Next, n pages of image data are output (step 2), and it is determined whether JAM has occurred during n pages of image output (step 3).
If JAM has occurred during n page image output (step 3, Yes), the process proceeds to step 4. If JAM has not occurred (step 3, No), the process proceeds to step 6.

In step 4, the JAM recovery position is set in the output page, and then the JAM removal is completed and the re-output after recovery is performed (step s5). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 2.
In step 6, it is determined whether output of all pages has been completed. If output of all pages has been completed (step 6, Yes), the procedure ends. If the output of all pages has not been completed (step s6, No), the process proceeds to step 7.

In step 7, the number of output pages n = n + 1 is updated, and it is determined whether all the output of the image data in the cutting cycle is completed (step 8).
If all the image data of the cutting cycle has been output (step 8, Yes), the process proceeds to step s9. If all the image data of the cutting cycle has not been output (step 8, No), the process proceeds to step s2.
In step 9, the recovery position j is updated to j = n, and the process proceeds to step 2.

  The above example is an example in which recovery output is realized in the cutting cycle when JAM occurs. Each time image data is printed out during JOB output, the number of pages of the image data and the recovery position are updated. Whether or not the recovery position is updated is determined whether the image data to be output next exceeds the cutting cycle (step 8), and if it is exceeded, the recovery position is updated (step 9). By carrying out this control, it is possible to perform the recovery output of the cutting cycle only by resetting the recovery position when the JAM occurs (step) to the output page (step 4).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an output example according to another embodiment.
In this embodiment, when the image data is arranged, the image data print start position is compared with the cutting position, and if the print start position exceeds the cutting cycle position, the image data to be recovered is updated and already output. Delete the completed image data from the image memory.
The upper diagram in FIG. 5 is an example when the image data of the fifth page is arranged. When the image data of the fifth page is arranged, the second cutting position is not exceeded, so the recovery position is not updated. First, the information of page 3 and page 4 remains stored in the image memory.

The middle diagram of FIG. 5 is an example when the image data of the sixth page is arranged. When the image data of the sixth page is arranged, since the second cutting position is exceeded, the recovery position is set to the first time. The cutting position is updated to the second cutting position, and the information on pages 3 to 5 on which images have already been printed is erased from the image memory.
The lower diagram in FIG. 5 is an example when the image data of the seventh page is arranged. When the image data of the seventh page is arranged, the position for recovery is not updated because the third cutting position is not exceeded. The sixth page information remains stored in the image memory.

When arranging image data as described above, the image print start position is compared with the cutting cycle position, and the recovery target is sequentially updated to cut the image data regardless of how many pieces of image data are stored within the cutting cycle. It is possible to perform recovery output with a period.
The cutting cycle position can be grasped by the control unit, and can be grasped by, for example, printing conditions, the number of sheets input by the operation display unit, image information of the cutting position, and the like.

The procedure in the above embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is also executed under the control of the control unit.
First, in step 10, an output page n = 1 and a recovery position j = 1 are set.
Next, n pages of image data are arranged, and the image data is output (step 11).
Next, it is determined whether the output of all pages has been completed (step 12). If the output of all pages has been completed (step 12, Yes), the output image data is deleted and the procedure is terminated.
If the output of all pages has not been completed (step 12, No), the process proceeds to step s13.

In step s13, the output page (n = n + 1) is updated, the image data is arranged and output, and it is determined whether the image arrangement position of the image data exceeds the cutting cycle position (step 14). When the image arrangement position of the image data exceeds the cutting cycle position (step 14, Yes), the process proceeds to step 15, and when the image arrangement position of the image data does not exceed the cutting cycle position (step 14, No), Proceed to step 11.
In step 15, the recovery position (j = n) is updated, and the output image data is deleted (step s16). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 11.

The example of this embodiment is an example of calculating the number of image data that fits within the cutting cycle. When the image data to be output is arranged (step 11), it is compared whether the start position of the arranged image data exceeds the cutting position of the cutting cycle (step 14). If the cutting data exceeds the cutting cycle, recovery output is performed. The position is updated (step 15) and the output image data is deleted (step 16).
By performing the control of this embodiment, even when the number of images included in the cutting cycle is different, the recovery position can be updated and the image memory can be efficiently used while outputting the image.
The cutting cycle position can be grasped by the control unit, and can be grasped by, for example, printing conditions, the number of sheets input by the operation display unit, or the like.

Next, the output state of another embodiment is shown in FIG. In this example, a means for adding a cutting position to image data is provided, and a cutting cycle can be set based on the added cutting position information.
In the upper part of FIG. 7, the cutting position is added to page 1, page 4, and page 6 of the 6-page output JOB, and after roll feeding output, between pages 1 and 2, between pages 4 and 5, and page 6 output. After completion, the cutting process is performed. In the example in the upper diagram of FIG. 7, JAM occurs on the fourth page, and the cutting cycle including page 4 is pages 2 to 4, so the recovery position is resumed from page 2.

In the lower part of FIG. 7, cutting positions are added to page 1, page 4, and page 6 of the 7-page output JOB, and after roll feed output, between pages 1 and 2, between pages 4 and 5, and pages 6 and 7 In the meantime, the cutting process is performed after the output of the page 7 is completed. In the example in the lower part of FIG. 7, JAM has occurred on the sixth page, and the cutting cycle including page 6 is pages 5 and 6, so the recovery position is resumed from page 5.
In the example of this embodiment, since the cutting position is added to the image page, any pattern such as the length of the cutting cycle is different, the number of images in the cutting cycle is different, or the image size included in the cutting cycle is different. Even if an image data output instruction is received, recovery output by the cutting cycle is possible.

Next, the procedure of the above embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. This procedure can also be executed under the control of the control unit.
First, in step 20, output page n = 1 and recovery position j = 1 are set.
Next, n pages of image data are arranged, and the image data is output (step 21).
Next, it is determined whether the output of all pages has been completed (step 22). If the output of all pages has been completed (step 22, Yes), the output image data is deleted and the procedure is terminated.
If the output of all pages has not been completed (step 22, No), the process proceeds to step s23.

In step s23, it is determined whether a cutting position is given (step s23). If the cutting position is not given (No at Step s23), the process proceeds to Step s26.
If the cutting position is given (step s23, Yes), the recovery position (j = n) is updated (step s24), and the output image data is deleted (step s25).
Next, the output page (n = n + 1) is updated, and the process proceeds to step s21.

In the example of this embodiment, it is determined whether the cutting position is added to the image data, and the recovery position is updated. When one image data is arranged, it is confirmed whether a cutting position is given to the image data (step 23). If the cutting position is given, the cutting position to be recovered is updated to the cutting of the next page (step 24).
By executing the control of this embodiment, it is possible to set an appropriate cutting cycle in all patterns such as the distance of the cutting cycle is different, the number of images in the cutting cycle is different, and the image size in the cutting cycle is different. Thus, recovery output can be performed in units of cutting cycles.
In each of the above-described embodiments, the recovery control in the cutting cycle has been described. However, the recovery control in the cutting cycle using these combination patterns is also within the scope of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, a setting screen for setting the control content of the control unit is provided, and the setting of the number of images included in the cutting cycle and the addition of the cutting position can be performed by the operation display unit.

FIG. 9 shows a recovery output setting screen 1400 displayed on the operation display unit.
In the setting screen 1400, a “set cutting cycle by number of images” button 1410, a “set cutting cycle by sheet feed length” button 1420, and a “recovery output by cutting position information of image data” button 1430 are provided. In the “Set cutting cycle by number of images” button 1410, an image number input unit 1411 is arranged in parallel, and “Set cutting cycle by feed length” is arranged. The button 1420 is provided with a paper feed length input unit 1421. In this example, the “Set cutting cycle by number of images” button 1410 is selected and the button is highlighted.
The OK button 1440 confirms the setting contents, and the cancel button 1441 cancels the setting contents.

When the “Set cutting cycle by number of images” button 1410 is selected, the cutting cycle can be set by the number of image data in the image number input unit 1411 regardless of the length of the roll paper to be fed. It becomes. When this setting is performed, the cutting cycle is set like the output product in the upper diagram of FIG.

When the “Set cutting cycle by feed length” button 1420 is selected, the cutting cycle is set by the length of the roll feed fed in the feed length input unit 1421 regardless of the print size of the image data. Can be set. When this setting is performed, the cutting cycle is set as in the output product in the lower diagram of FIG.

When the “recovery output with cutting position information of image data” button 1430 is selected, the cutting cycle is set based on the cutting position information set on the setting screen of FIG. 11, and cutting is performed like the output product of FIG. The period is set.
By setting an appropriate cutting position according to the output material, the user can perform recovery output with a cutting cycle based on the set contents.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of output when the cutting cycle is set by the number of images as described above.
The lower diagram in FIG. 10 is an example of output when the cutting cycle is set by the paper feed length.
The image size differs in units of two pages in the job shown in the upper part of FIG. 10, and it is appropriate to specify the number of images in units of the number of papers rather than the paper supply length. In the job shown in the lower part of FIG. The job is set with the image size, and the cutting cycle can be appropriately set by designating in units of paper feed length rather than the number of images.
The user can set an appropriate cutting cycle by switching the cutting position according to the type of JOB to be output.

FIG. 11 is an example of the cutting position addition setting screen 1500 for recovery output based on the cutting position information as described above. The cutting position adding method display field 1501 describes the adding method. In the cutting position description column 1502, the presence / absence of cutting is described.
FIG. 11 shows a screen displaying an output preview of 16 pages JOB, and a Δ button is arranged between each page. It is possible to switch between adding and releasing the cutting position each time the Δ button on the preview screen is pressed. When added, it is changed to ▲. It is also possible to add cutting positions to many pages at once by inputting text boxes. As a cutting position addition method, it is possible to set in units of roll feed length units and image number cycle units.

  In the above embodiment, the recovery output is managed by the control unit provided in the image forming apparatus 1. However, the recovery output of the image forming apparatus 1 may be managed by the management control unit 5B of the management apparatus 5 described above. Good. The management apparatus 5 sets the cutting cycle in the image forming apparatus 1, receives JAM information from the control CPU 113, and determines image data to start recovery re-output for each set of images included between the cutting positions. can do. The management apparatus 5 can also notify the image forming apparatus 1 of the decision information and issue a recovery output command to the image forming apparatus 1.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, but appropriate modifications can be made in the above embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1A Apparatus main body 2 Network 3 External apparatus (PC) 2
4 Network 5 Management device 5A NIC
5B Management control unit 110 Image forming unit 113 Control CPU
115 Nonvolatile memory 120 Image memory (DRAM)
121 Compression memory 122 Page memory 128 LAN interface 200 Paper feed unit 1400 Recovery output setting screen 1500 Cutting position addition setting screen

Claims (17)

An image forming unit that forms an image based on image data used in printing;
A transport unit for transporting the transfer medium;
A controller for controlling the conveyance and the image formation;
An operation display unit controlled by the control unit;
In the operation display unit, the control unit can set the number of images within a cutting cycle to be recovered,
The controller sets a position for cutting the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium, and sets a set of images included between the cutting positions when a jam occurs in the continuous transfer medium during image formation. An image forming apparatus that determines image data for starting recovery re-output in units of. An image forming unit that forms an image based on image data used in printing;
A transport unit for transporting the transfer medium;
A controller for controlling the conveyance and the image formation;
An operation display unit controlled by the control unit;
The control unit enables a setting operation for adding a cutting position to image data in the operation display unit,
The controller sets a position for cutting the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium, and sets a set of images included between the cutting positions when a jam occurs in the continuous transfer medium during image formation. An image forming apparatus that determines image data for starting recovery re-output in units of. An image forming unit that forms an image based on image data used in printing;
A transport unit for transporting the transfer medium;
A controller for controlling the conveyance and the image formation;
An operation display unit controlled by the control unit;
In the operation display unit, the control unit can set a paper feed length within a cutting cycle to be recovered,
The controller sets a position for cutting the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium, and sets a set of images included between the cutting positions when a jam occurs in the continuous transfer medium during image formation. An image forming apparatus that determines image data for starting recovery re-output in units of. The control unit, on the basis of the determination of the image data, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the re-output of the job. The control unit is cut to grasp the number of images to be stored in the period, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the recovery output number of sheets after grasping. The control unit has a function of adding a cutting position to the image data, and the image data from when the image data having the cutting position is output until the image data at the next cutting position is output is targeted for recovery. the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that. Wherein the control unit, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that to set the cutting cycle in the paper feeding length. An operation display unit controlled by the control unit;
Wherein the control unit, the operation contents of the operation display unit, an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is possible to set the cutting cycle. When the discharge of the image to be recovered by the unit is completed, the control unit deletes the image data from the storage area and updates the set of units starting from the next page to a recovery start page. the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an image data receiving unit for receiving image data from the outside. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a cutting unit that performs cutting of the continuous transfer medium. A management device for an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data used in printing,
A communication unit for communicating with the image forming apparatus;
A management control unit for controlling the communication and operation display unit;
The management control unit can set the number of images within a cutting cycle to be recovered in the operation display unit,
The management control unit sets a position to cut the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium, and if a jam occurs on the continuous transfer medium during image formation, the management control unit sets the position of the image included between the cutting positions. An image forming apparatus management apparatus, wherein image data for starting recovery re-output is determined in units of sets. A management device for an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data used in printing,
A communication unit for communicating with the image forming apparatus;
A management control unit for controlling the communication and operation display unit;
The management control unit enables a setting operation to add a cutting position to image data in the operation display unit,
The management control unit sets a position to cut the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium, and if a jam occurs on the continuous transfer medium during image formation, the management control unit sets the position of the image included between the cutting positions. An image forming apparatus management apparatus, wherein image data for starting recovery re-output is determined in units of sets. A management device for an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data used in printing,
A communication unit for communicating with the image forming apparatus;
A management control unit for controlling the communication and operation display unit;
In the operation display unit, the management control unit can set a paper feed length within a cutting cycle to be recovered,
The management control unit sets a position to cut the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium, and if a jam occurs on the continuous transfer medium during image formation, the management control unit sets the position of the image included between the cutting positions. An image forming apparatus management apparatus, wherein image data for starting recovery re-output is determined in units of sets. In an image formation recovery method when an image is formed on a continuous transfer medium based on image data used in printing,
Setting the number of images within the cutting cycle to be recovered;
Setting a position to cut the continuous transfer medium when forming an image;
And, when a jam occurs on the continuous transfer medium during image formation, determining image data for starting recovery re-output in units of image sets included between the cutting positions. Formation recovery method. In an image formation recovery method when an image is formed on a continuous transfer medium based on image data used in printing,
A step of setting a paper feed length within a cutting cycle to be recovered;
Setting a position for cutting the continuous transfer medium when forming an image on the continuous transfer medium;
And, when a jam occurs on the continuous transfer medium during image formation, determining image data for starting recovery re-output in units of image sets included between the cutting positions. Formation recovery method. The image forming recovery method according to claim 15 , further comprising a step of issuing a command to re-output the job based on the determination of the image data.

Images