JP6660125B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method therefor, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof.

  Generally, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink droplets from a recording head, if the ejection surface of the recording head continues to be left in the air, ink sticking due to drying may occur. Occur. In this case, the nozzles of the recording head may be clogged, and good ejection may not be performed. On the other hand, when the user uses the image forming apparatus, there is naturally a case in which a print job opens between a print job and the next print job, and there is a concern that nozzles may be clogged during that time. Even in such a case, when the interval between print jobs is short, the minimum discharge (preparation discharge) that can maintain the dischargeable state is performed periodically to maintain the dischargeable state so that good discharge can be performed. Control is generally known.

  In addition, since the ink is consumed even though it is the minimum ejection, if the user waits in that state for a long time, the user will consume the ink for printing other than printing, which is disadvantageous to the user. May be connected. Therefore, in a situation where the image forming apparatus is not used for a certain period of time, such as when a print job is performed for a long time, the recording head is covered with a dedicated unit so as to be shielded from the atmosphere to prevent drying (hereinafter referred to as cap closing, Or called capping) is also commonly known. For example, a timer capping determination time for determining whether to perform a cap closing operation between a print job and the next print job is held in the image forming apparatus. Then, when the timer capping determination time elapses after the print job is completed and the next print job is not received, the cap closing operation is performed.

  However, in the cap closing operation, it is necessary to operate a dedicated unit or a dedicated member using a drive source such as a motor. Further, at the time of next printing, control for releasing a dedicated unit or member covering the recording head (hereinafter referred to as cap opening) is also required. In other words, if the cap closing operation starts when the user wants to print, there is a disadvantage that it takes more time for the cap opening operation, the cap closing operation, or a part of the time, in addition to the time originally required for printing I do.

In view of such a problem, Patent Document 1 proposes the following technology. In other words, when there is no print data in the buffer in the image forming apparatus, the cap is closed, and when there is print data in the buffer, the cap is not closed and the print processing can be continued at any time. According to this proposal, even if the timer capping determination time elapses after the print job is completed, if the print data is stored in the buffer in the image forming apparatus, the printing is performed without waiting for the cap closing operation or the cap opening operation. Processing can be performed. However, for example, in a system in which an information processing apparatus such as a PC generates print data and transmits the print data to an image forming apparatus to perform printing, there is no print data in the buffer even though there is a next print job. The following case is assumed.
(1) The print data based on the print job is large, and it takes time to generate the print data. (2) The transfer speed from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus is slow. (3) The user sets the next print job. In such a case, the print job execution command is delayed. In such a case, since the print job data is not in the buffer, the image forming apparatus performs the cap closing operation after the elapse of the timer capping determination time. For example, in such a case, it is assumed that print data is detected in the buffer when the cap closing operation starts. In this case, after the cap closing operation is completed, the cap is opened again and printing is performed. In other words, in such a case, there arises a problem that the cap closing operation, the cap opening operation, or a part of the time takes much time in addition to the time originally required for printing.

  To solve such a problem, Patent Document 2 proposes the following. That is, the timer capping determination time until the cap closing operation is performed has two types, a normal first timer capping determination time and a second timer capping determination time longer than normal. Then, after the printing is completed, if the data of the next print job or the information indicating the possibility of the next printing is received before the first timer capping determination time elapses, the timer capping determination time is set to the second time. To the timer capping judgment time of. As a result, even when the print data is not stored in the buffer in the image forming apparatus, if the information indicating the printing has been received, the timer capping determination time is changed to the longer timer capping determination time. As a result, when there is a next print job, it is possible to increase the cases where the print job can be executed without the cap closing operation or the cap opening operation.

JP-A-11-320912 JP 2013-75396 A

  However, for example, when a plurality of documents are read and then laid out on one sheet and printed on a recording medium, the following problem remains. That is, in order to read a plurality of documents, as a method of reading a document, a method of reading using an automatic document feeder and a method of fixing and reading a document on a platen are considered.

  Here, consider a case where four originals are read, laid out on one recording medium, and printed (hereinafter referred to as 4 in 1 copy). First, a case in which a document is fixedly read on a platen will be described. The user repeats the operation of placing the originals one by one on the original platen and starting reading by an operation such as pressing a reading key for four pages. At this time, when setting the original of each page, time is required for operations such as checking the front and back of the original and the order and orientation of the pages at the time of layout. If you notice a mistake, you will spend much more time correcting it. On the other hand, when performing 4-in-1 copy using the automatic document feeder, the user only needs to set the document for 4 pages in the automatic document feeder and perform the operation for starting reading once. At this point, the user has already confirmed the order and orientation of the pages as well as the front and back. Further, in the automatic document feeder, once reading is started, document feeding and reading are performed automatically and continuously, so that the user does not intervene between pages. That is, usually, the time required to complete the reading of four pages of the original is shorter when the automatic document feeder is used than when the original is fixedly read. Further, it is considered that the variation in the time until the reading is completed is smaller when the automatic document feeder is used for the same reason.

  Here, it is considered that the technique described in Patent Document 2 is applied to the above-described 4-in-1 copy operation. That is, the second timer capping determination time is set in accordance with the time required for the document reading operation from the automatic document feeder. With this method, the user does not have to wait for the 4 in 1 copy when reading from the automatic document feeder due to the cap closing operation. However, in the case where the original is fixed on the original platen and the original is read and 4in1 copy is performed, if it takes time to set the original, the second timer capping determination time elapses, and the cap closing operation starts. Would. Therefore, as a result, a part of the cap opening operation and the cap closing operation is added as extra waiting time, and printing cannot be performed quickly. In order to avoid this, it is conceivable to set the second timer capping determination time in consideration of the user's work time when reading a document while the document is fixed on the platen. However, in this case, when the automatic document feeder is stopped due to an error or the like, the cap open state is maintained for a longer time than the time set for the automatic document feeder, and the amount of ink consumed for purposes other than printing. Will increase.

  Further, according to the technique described in Patent Document 2, once the cap is closed, the timer capping determination time is not changed even if a next print job or information that may be printed is received. For example, in a case where printing is performed after reading a document, opening the cap in advance may leave the cap closed when reading the document takes time. Further, if the cap is opened after the completion of the reading, there is a problem that the user has to wait extra for the time required for opening the cap.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to quickly print after reading a plurality of originals, even if the original reading method is different, when printing on a recording medium. The object is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be started.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit that can read a document by a plurality of reading methods, a recording unit that records an image of the document read by the reading unit on a recording medium, and an ink of the recording unit. a cap for covering the ejection surface, when the waiting time the recording operation is not performed in the recording means has reached a predetermined time, and control means for performing a capping operation for covering the ink discharge surface by the cap, the predetermined Setting means for setting the time of reading the original by the reading means when the original is read by the reading means and then the original is read by the recording means. depending on the method, and the predetermined time first time, set switch to a long second time than the first time, by the reading means When conducting recording without reading the manuscript is characterized that you set the predetermined time to a third time shorter than the first time.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can quickly start printing after reading, even when a plurality of documents are read and then printed on a recording medium, even if the document reading method is different. .

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an inkjet multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a reading mechanism provided in the inkjet multifunction peripheral. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram for explaining a sheet feeding operation of a recording sheet of an image forming mechanism provided in the inkjet multifunction peripheral. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image forming mechanism of the inkjet multifunction peripheral. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control of timer capping of the inkjet multifunction peripheral. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation in a case where four originals are fed from an automatic original feeder, read, laid out on one recording sheet and printed.

  Hereinafter, an example in which four originals are fed and read and printed on one recording sheet in an inkjet multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. I do.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 is an inkjet multifunction peripheral that has a scanner function and a printer function in addition to a copy function. The inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 is connected to an external information processing apparatus 101 via an external interface 103 and an external bus 102. In the present embodiment, the external bus 102 is configured by a USB (Universal Serial Bus), but may be a network connection connectable to a plurality of external devices or another interface.

  The MPU 108 is a processor that controls the inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 by a program. The internal bus 112 is a bus that connects each block. The ROM 109 is a memory for storing a program operated by the MPU 108 and permanent data. The RAM 110 is a rewritable working memory that holds data that evaporates when the power is turned off. On the other hand, the nonvolatile memory 111 is a rewritable memory that does not volatilize even when the power is turned off and stores data permanently.

  The operation unit 107 is a user interface including an operation panel for receiving various operation instructions from the operator of the inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 and an image display unit. The image reading unit 106 includes an image sensor unit 210 (see FIG. 2) having a light source for irradiating a document with light, and an image sensor in which elements for reading reflected light and performing photoelectric conversion are arranged. Further, the image reading unit 106 performs A / D (analog / digital) conversion of an analog electric signal output from the image sensor unit 210, performs characteristic correction according to the image sensor, and converts the signal into digital image data. Further, a circuit for performing a DMA (Direct Memory Access) transfer for storing the digital image data in the RAM 110 is provided. That is, an analog electric signal which is read and output by the image sensor by the image sensor is sequentially processed and stored in the RAM 110 as one digital image data.

  The image processing unit 105 reads out image data stored in the RAM 110 and performs various image processing for improving image quality and image conversion processing for image formation. Further, the image processing unit 105 reads out image data stored in the RAM 110, performs an encoding process using a JPEG method or the like, and performs a process of decoding the encoded data.

  When the inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 is used as a scanner, in reading a document using the automatic document feeder, first, a document stacked on a document stacking unit described later is read by the image reading unit 106 and converted into an analog electric signal. Then, A / D conversion and characteristic correction are performed, and the digital signal is stored in the RAM 110 as image data. The image processing unit 105 performs JPEG encoding on the image data written in the RAM 110, and stores the encoded data in the RAM 110. Then, the encoded data is transmitted from the external interface 103 to the information processing apparatus 101 via the external bus 102. In the information processing apparatus 101, the encoded data is stored as an image file in a storage device provided in the information processing apparatus 101. Here, the JPEG method has been described as an example of the encoding method. However, the present invention is not limited to the JPEG encoding, and another encoding method may be used. The image data may be directly sent to the information processing apparatus 101 without performing the encoding.

  When the copy function of a document is used in the inkjet multifunction peripheral 100, the process up to storing the coded data of the document in the RAM 110 is the same as the case of using it as a scanner. The image processing unit 105 decodes the encoded data, performs various image processing on the image data, discharges ink from the recording head in the image forming unit 104 based on the print data, and copies a document onto a recording medium. Form. Here, it is described that the read original is stored in the RAM 110 as encoded data. However, a method of storing an image in the RAM 110 without encoding the image and performing various image processing in the image processing unit 105 is described. May be. When the inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 functions as a normal printer, it prints image data and the like input from, for example, the information processing apparatus 101 or the like other than the image reading unit.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram for explaining a reading mechanism provided in the inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 in the present embodiment, and is a schematic cross-sectional view of a document conveyance path of the automatic document feeder as viewed from the side. In the automatic document feeder, a document stacking unit 201 is a stacking tray for stacking documents. When reading is performed using the automatic document feeder, first, the uppermost document 202 of the document stacking unit 201 is fed into the automatic document feeder by the feed roller 203. The separation roller 204 separates and transports the top document 202 from a plurality of stacked documents into one. The separation roller 204 is set so as to rotate at a lower speed than the conveyance roller 205, so that a predetermined amount of space is provided between the first document and the second document. The fed document 202 is transported by the transport roller 205 along a transport path, and when the leading edge of the document reaches the reading position 215, reading is started. After the reading is started, the flow reading is continued while the document 202 is being conveyed, and the reading is terminated after the document is read to the rear end or after a predetermined amount of reading. The document 202 that has been read is discharged to a document discharge unit 207 by a discharge roller 206. Here, an example in which reading is started from the leading edge of the document and reading is performed up to the trailing edge of the document has been described.However, reading may be started earlier by a predetermined amount from the leading edge of the document, or a predetermined amount may be determined from the trailing edge of the document. The reading may be terminated after a predetermined amount.

  The image sensor unit 210 is a unit for reading a document, and reads the upward surface of the document 202 loaded on the document loading unit 201. The image sensor unit 210 reads a document in a state where the document is disposed at the reading position 215 via a glass with respect to the transport path. The image sensor unit 210 includes a contact image sensor (CIS), irradiates light from a mounted LED to a document surface, forms reflected light on the image sensor with a rod lens array, and reads the document. The image sensor unit 210 can move in the direction of the arrow 211 in the drawing, and is located at the standby position 212 except during the reading operation. In the case of reading using the automatic document feeder, the image sensor unit 210 is stopped at the reading position 215 by moving the image sensor unit 210 by a predetermined amount from the standby position 212, and the document conveyed along the conveyance path is read. The standby position 212 can be accurately calculated by detecting the position of the image sensor unit 210 using a calibration sheet 213 described later.

  The document detection sensor 208 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the document stacking unit 201. The document edge sensor 209 is a sensor for detecting a leading end position of a document conveyed by the conveyance roller 205. When the leading edge of the document 202 being transported by the transport roller 205 reaches the document edge sensor 209, the sensor value changes, so that it is possible to detect that the leading edge of the document 202 is at the position of the document edge sensor 209. . The document edge sensor 209 detects that the position of the rear end of the document 202 is the position of the document edge sensor 209 by changing the sensor value when the rear end of the document 202 passes through the document edge sensor. be able to. The inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 executes reading start and reading end based on the detected position of the leading edge of the document and the position of the trailing edge of the document. The reading of the original 202 is started after the original edge sensor 209 detects the leading end position of the original and after a predetermined reading start transport amount is conveyed. For example, assuming that the position at which the document edge position is detected by the document edge sensor 209 is a position 216, reading is started from the leading edge of the document by starting reading after transporting the distance 217 to the reading position 215. The reading of the document 203 is finished after a predetermined reading end carrying amount has been conveyed from the time when the document edge sensor 209 detects the rear end position of the document.

  The image sensor unit 210 is used not only for reading using an automatic document feeder, but also for reading a document while the document is fixed on a document table (hereinafter, referred to as fixed document reading). In the fixed original reading, the original placed on the fixed original reading surface 214 is read by moving the image sensor unit 210 along the fixed original reading surface 214. A reading glass is disposed on the fixed document reading surface 214, and the document placed on the reading glass is read while moving the image sensor unit 210 from left to right in the drawing.

  The calibration sheet 213 is a sheet for acquiring a white reference for performing characteristic correction of the image sensor unit 210. Further, a pattern for determining the reference position of the movable image sensor unit 210 is formed on the calibration sheet 213, and is used for detecting the position of the image sensor unit 210. The vicinity of the pattern on the calibration sheet 213 is read while moving the image sensor unit 210, and the position of the image sensor unit 210 is detected by detecting the pattern from the read image. By setting the position of the standby position 212 to be a predetermined amount of relative position from the detected position, the standby position 212 of the image sensor unit 210 can be accurately maintained. The position detection of the image sensor unit 210 is performed every time when the power is turned on and after the reading operation is completed and before moving to the standby position 212. Although the case where the position of the image sensor unit 210 is detected using the pattern formed on the calibration sheet 213 has been described here, the present invention is not limited to the position detection method. The position may be detected by providing a sensor that detects the position of the image sensor unit 210, or the position may be detected by moving the image sensor unit 210 as much as possible and hitting the end of the movable range.

  Next, a drive system (not shown) of the automatic document feeder will be described. The drive motor is a DC motor, and detects a rotation amount by reading a slit pattern printed on a code wheel provided on a motor shaft with an encoder sensor. The rotation control of the drive motor is performed based on the rotation amount from the encoder sensor. The driving force of the drive motor is transmitted to the paper feed roller 203, the separation roller 204, the transport roller 205, and the paper discharge roller 206 by a gear train. Since the slit pattern is set to a predetermined document transport amount per slit, the document transport amount can be detected from the rotation amount. Here, the drive motor has been described as a DC motor, but the present invention is not limited to a drive motor, and may be, for example, a pulse motor. When a pulse motor is used, the rotation amount of the motor and the conveyance amount of the document may be obtained from the number of drive pulses.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram for describing a sheet feeding operation of a recording sheet of an image forming unit provided in the inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment, and is a schematic cross-sectional view of a recording sheet conveyance path viewed from the side. is there. A recording sheet 1 has a plurality of recording sheets stacked on a feed tray 11 (stacking unit). Reference numeral 2 denotes a pickup roller which abuts on the uppermost recording sheet 1 stacked on the feed tray 11 and picks up this recording sheet. Reference numeral 3 denotes a feeding roller for feeding the recording sheet 1 picked up by the pickup roller 2 to the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction. Reference numeral 4 denotes a feed driven roller which is urged by the feed roller 3 to pinch and feed the recording sheet 1 together with the feed roller 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a conveying roller for conveying the recording sheet 1 fed by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding driven roller 4 to a position facing the recording head 7. Reference numeral 6 denotes a pinch roller which is urged by the transport roller 5 to pinch and transport the recording sheet together with the transport roller 5. Reference numeral 7 denotes a recording head that performs recording on the recording sheet 1 transported by the transport roller 5 and the pinch roller 6. In the present embodiment, an ink jet recording head that performs recording on the recording sheet 1 by discharging ink will be described. Reference numeral 8 denotes a platen that supports the back surface of the recording sheet 1 at a position facing the recording head 7. Reference numeral 10 denotes a carriage on which the recording head 7 is mounted and moves in a direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction. The recording sheet 1 is guided by a conveyance guide 15 between a feeding nip formed by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding driven roller 4 and a feeding nip formed by the feeding roller 5 and the pinch roller 6. . Reference numeral 16 denotes a sheet detection sensor for detecting the leading edge and the trailing edge of the recording sheet 1. The sheet detection sensor 16 is provided downstream of the feeding roller 3 in the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet detection sensor 18 is provided downstream of the feeding roller and upstream of the conveyance roller, and is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a recording sheet including a leading end and a trailing end of the recording sheet.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an image forming unit of the inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 10 denotes a carriage on which a recording head is mounted. The recording head is supplied with ink from an ink tank 50, and performs printing by discharging ink droplets from the recording head. Reference numeral 30 denotes a motor for driving the carriage (hereinafter, carriage motor). Reference numeral 34 denotes a cap unit which is in close contact with the ejection surface of the recording head so as to prevent the recording head from drying and causing ejection failure. When capping the recording head 7, the carriage 10 is moved in the direction from the center of the apparatus toward the cap unit 34, and the member 35 is pushed by the carriage 10 and further moved to the home side. As a result, the cap unit 34 is lifted up, comes into close contact with the recording head surface, and closes the cap.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control of timer capping of the inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment. When printing is performed in the image forming unit, ink droplets are ejected from the recording head while scanning the carriage with the cap open, and the recording sheet is conveyed to form an image on the recording sheet. That is, it is more advantageous to wait in the cap open state and receive the print job from the viewpoint of the time from when the user requests printing to when printing is completed. However, in order to wait in the cap open state, it is necessary to periodically perform a minimum discharge (hereinafter, referred to as preliminary discharge) to maintain the state of the print head in a good state, and thus, the apparatus waits in the cap open state for a long time. This is not preferable from the viewpoint of ink consumption. Therefore, the time when the print function is not used (the recording operation is not performed) in the cap open state (hereinafter referred to as a capping standby time) is counted, and reaches a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as a timer capping determination time). Timer capping control is performed to close the cap when it is done. This flowchart is a periodic activation process that is periodically executed on the MPU 108.

  First, in step S500, it is checked whether a motor that performs a printing operation, in this embodiment, a transport motor (not shown), a carriage motor 30, and a feeding motor (not shown) are operating. If neither motor is operating, it is determined that the print function is not used, and the capping standby time is counted in step S501. Next, in step S502, the capping standby time is compared with the timer capping determination time. If the capping standby time is equal to or longer than the timer capping determination time, an instruction for timer capping is issued in step S503. On the other hand, in step S500, when the motor that performs the printing function is operating, and when the capping standby time is shorter than the timer capping determination time in step S502, the periodic startup processing ends.

  In the present embodiment, the third timer capping determination time, the first timer capping determination time longer than the third timer capping determination time, and the second timer capping determination time longer than the first timer capping determination time It is stored in the ROM 109. The third timer capping determination time is a capping determination time when performing normal printing. Further, the first timer capping determination time is a capping determination time for preventing timer capping from being performed until a plurality of documents are fed from the automatic document feeder and read to generate print data. Further, the second timer capping determination time is a capping determination time for preventing the timer capping from being performed until a document is read while the document is fixed and print data is generated. In the present embodiment, the third timer capping determination time is 25 seconds, the first timer capping determination time is 5 minutes, and the second timer capping determination time is 20 minutes.

  When the inkjet multifunction peripheral 100 is started, the third timer capping determination time is held in the RAM 110 as the timer capping determination time of the inkjet multifunction peripheral 100. Then, the timer capping determination time in the RAM 110 is used for comparison in the periodical activation process. As will be described in detail later, when reading a plurality of documents from the automatic document feeder and printing them on one recording sheet, the timer capping determination time in the RAM 110 is switched to the first timer capping determination time.

  In addition, in the cap closing operation, since the preliminary ejection during printing or between pages is performed in the cap, the ink accumulated in the cap is sucked out of the cap. Thereafter, the carriage 10 is moved to a cap position where the cap unit 34 and the recording head 7 are in close contact. On the other hand, in the cap opening operation, first, the carriage 10 is abutted against a member on the home side to determine a reference position. Then, after the transport motor is rotated forward to pull in the carriage lock pin, the carriage 10 is preliminarily ejected and moved to a standby position where a print job can be waited.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation in the case where four originals are fed and read from the automatic document feeder in the present embodiment, and laid out and printed on one recording sheet. In response to an instruction from the operation panel of the inkjet multifunction peripheral 100, in steps S610 to S613, the automatic document feeder sequentially feeds and reads four originals. After that, in step S614, four pieces of image data are laid out based on the set image orientation and the order of the images to generate one piece of image data. Upon receiving the operation instruction on the operation panel, the image forming unit first checks in step S600 whether or not the cap is in the open state in parallel with the processing in steps S610 to S614. If the cap is closed, a cap open operation is performed in step S601. When the cap is already in the open state, the cap open operation is unnecessary.

  Next, in step S602, it is checked whether or not the preparation operation is necessary. If it is determined that the preparation operation is necessary, the preparation operation is performed in step S603. Here, the preparatory operation is a so-called recovery operation, and includes an operation of eliminating ink clogging of the ink ejection ports of the recording head 7 and filling the ink near the ejection port surface in the ink flow path. In addition, it also includes an operation of wiping the face of the recording head 7 so that the inks of a plurality of colors do not mix with each other. Note that the recovery operation indicates an operation for maintaining the ink ejection surface of the recording head 7 in a state suitable for printing and an overall operation sequence accompanying the operation. For example, there are a cleaning operation including wiping and ink suction, a cap closing and a cap opening, and a stirring operation in the ink tank. In step S602, when the preparation operation is unnecessary, the process proceeds to step S604.

  Next, in step S604, it is confirmed whether the original is read with the original fixed or the original is read by the automatic original feeder in the current 4-in-1 copy. When reading is performed by the automatic document feeder, processing for switching the timer capping determination time to the first timer capping determination time is performed in step S605. If the original is to be read with the original fixed, a process of switching the timer capping determination time to the second timer capping determination time is performed in step S606. In steps S605 and S606, the count of the capping standby time that is currently being counted is reset. When the preparation operation is completed, the image forming unit waits while performing the minimum preparation discharge for maintaining the discharge performance until print data is generated and a print trigger is activated. Next, in response to the feed command of the first trigger of printing, in step S620, the timer capping determination time is returned to the normal third timer capping determination time, and the count of the capping standby time is cleared. Next, a recording sheet is fed in step S621, printing is performed on the recording sheet based on print data in step S622, and the recording sheet is discharged in step S623.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, only the mode of reading four originals and printing one original is applied. Therefore, the first timer capping determination time is a time during which the timer capping is not performed during the reading of four documents, and is obtained by multiplying the document reading time for one document by the number of sheets read “4”. The judgment time based on time is adopted. However, regarding the document reading time, if the document is fed and read continuously, a load may be applied to the feed motor of the automatic document feeder and the temperature of the motor may rise. In that case, control is performed to reduce the reading speed so that the temperature does not further rise. The reading speed also changes depending on the quality set by the user at the time of reading. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the timer capping determination time is calculated as the document reading time when the reading speed is the slowest in one of the possible combinations of the apparatus and the document reading time for one sheet.

  Although not described in the present embodiment, the following control may be performed when there is a control to decrease the reading speed when the temperature of the paper feed motor of the automatic document feeder rises to a predetermined temperature or higher. . A first timer capping determination time calculated from the normal reading speed in the ROM, and a fourth timer capping calculated from the reading speed when the reading speed is reduced due to an increase in the temperature of the paper feed motor of the automatic document feeder. The judgment time is stored. Then, after the preparation operation of the image forming unit is completed, if the reading method is from the automatic document feeder and the reading speed does not decrease due to an increase in the temperature of the sheet feeding motor, processing for switching to the first timer capping time is performed. If the reading speed has decreased, a process for switching to the fourth timer capping determination time is performed. Note that the fourth mimer capping determination time is set to be longer than the first timer capping determination time and shorter than the second timer capping determination time when the document is fixedly read. In addition, when the reading speed is reduced due to a rise in the temperature of the paper feeding motor of the automatic document feeder and the risk of ink consumption due to the low reading speed is large, the capping is prioritized without switching the timer capping determination time. Control may be performed.

  In addition, the second timer capping determination time in the case of reading with the original fixed is a limit time that can be controlled so that the ink in the cap does not overflow due to the preliminary ejection until the printing of one page is completed after waiting for the original reading. The value is calculated based on the original value.

  In the present embodiment, the mode is limited to a mode in which four originals are read and printed on one recording medium. The present invention may be applied to a mode for printing from a plurality of sheets to a plurality of sheets.

  Also, in the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of improving the throughput from receiving an instruction to read and print four originals and providing a print result, a cap opening operation of the image forming unit, a preparation operation, and a reading operation of the original by the reading unit The operation is executed in parallel. Further, in order to prevent the timer capping operation from being performed during reading, the timer capping determination time is switched to a time according to the reading method at the timing of the completion of the preparatory operation in which the image forming unit enters a standby state while performing preparatory ejection. As a result, after the image reading unit completes reading the original and generates print data, it is possible to increase the probability that printing can be performed quickly without waiting for an operation such as a cap open operation.

  Further, even if the image forming unit is in the cap closed state or the cap open state, if the time required for the preparation operation such as cleaning does not exceed the time of the image reading unit, the document is read and print data is generated. Later, the paper can be fed and printed quickly.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program and reads the program. This is the process to be performed.

7: recording head, 10: carriage, 34: cap unit, 100: inkjet multifunction device, 210: image reading unit

Claims (11)

Reading means capable of reading a document by a plurality of reading methods;
Recording means for recording an image of the document read by the reading means on a recording medium,
A cap that covers an ink ejection surface of the recording unit,
A control unit that executes a capping operation of covering the ink ejection surface with the cap when a standby time during which the recording operation of the recording unit is not performed reaches a predetermined time;
Setting means for setting the predetermined time;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
The setting unit, when performing recording by the recording unit after reading the original by the reading unit , sets the predetermined time to a first time according to a method of reading the original by the reading unit. In the case where switching is set to the second time longer than the first time and recording is performed without reading the original by the reading means, the predetermined time is set to the third time shorter than the first time an image forming apparatus comprising that you set to.   The apparatus further includes a preparation unit that performs a recording preparation operation in preparation for a recording operation by the recording unit, and the control unit causes the reading operation by the reading unit and the recording preparation operation by the preparation unit to be performed in parallel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The recording preparation operation includes an operation of separating the cap from the ink ejection surface, an operation of sucking ink from the ink ejection surface , an operation of ejecting ink droplets from the recording unit , and an operation of wiping the ink ejection surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, comprising at least one . When the predetermined time is set to the first time or the second time, the setting means sets the predetermined time to the third time before the recording medium is supplied to the recording means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image forming apparatus returns to ( 1) . Said reading means, when reading the original using the automatic document feeding function, the control means any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that for setting the predetermined time to the first time An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The control means, when reading a document using the automatic document feed function, to control the motor that performs automatic document feed to perform the reading operation,
When the temperature of the motor when reading the original using the automatic document feeding function is equal to or above a prescribed temperature, said control means reduces the reading speed of the reading operation, the setting means of the predetermined The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the time is set to a fourth time longer than the first time and shorter than the second time. The control means, when reading a document using the automatic document feed function, to control the motor that performs automatic document feed to perform the reading operation,
When the temperature of the motor when reading the original using the automatic document feeding function is equal to or above a prescribed temperature, said control means reduces the reading speed of the reading operation, the setting means of the predetermined The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein a time is set to the first time. Said reading means, when reading by fixing the manuscript, the control unit image according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that for setting the predetermined time to the second time Forming equipment. An image comprising: reading means capable of reading a document by a plurality of reading methods; recording means for recording an image of the document read by the reading means on a recording medium; and a cap for covering an ink ejection surface of the recording means. A method for controlling a forming apparatus, comprising:
A control step of performing a capping operation for covering the ink ejection surface with the cap when a standby time during which the recording operation of the recording unit is not performed reaches a predetermined time;
When recording is performed by the recording unit after reading the document by the reading unit, the predetermined time is set to a first time and a time longer than the first time according to a method of reading the document by the reading unit. long second set switch to time, wherein when performing recording without reading the document by the reading means, setting step of setting the predetermined time to a third time shorter than the first time When,
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 9 . A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 9 .