JP7342486B2 - Image forming device, image forming method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program.

An image forming apparatus is disclosed in which recording media stacked in a storage section are continuously and sequentially supplied to an image forming section, and the image forming section forms an image on the supplied recording media. In such an image forming apparatus that continuously forms images on a recording medium, a fixed interval from when the recording medium reaches the image forming section from the storage section is used as the image forming interval. Further, a technique has been disclosed in which the image forming interval is set according to the degree of wear of the paper feed roller (for example, Patent Document 1).

However, the interval at which the recording medium is supplied to the image forming section may vary depending on other factors such as clogging of the recording medium, regardless of the degree of wear of the paper feed roller. For example, the recording medium may be supplied to the image forming section at intervals shorter than the fixed interval, or the recording medium may be supplied to the image forming section at intervals longer than the fixed interval. For this reason, if the image forming unit continuously forms images on recording paper at fixed intervals or at intervals depending on the degree of wear of the paper feed roller, images may be formed at unnecessarily narrow or unnecessarily wide intervals. There were cases where it was done.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program that can continuously form images on a recording medium at optimal image forming intervals. purpose.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objects, the present invention provides the following steps: from the start of feeding of the recording medium from the storage section by a paper feeding section that sequentially feeds the recording medium from the storage section to the image forming section. a measuring section that measures the arrival time until the recording medium reaches a predetermined position on the conveyance path between the storage section and the image forming section; a correction unit that corrects an interval at which images are formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit based on the image forming unit. The correction unit sets a second subtraction result obtained by subtracting a first subtraction result as the difference obtained by subtracting the arrival time from the predicted arrival time from a predetermined predicted image formation interval as a new image formation interval. By doing so, the image forming interval is corrected.

According to the present invention, images can be continuously formed on a recording medium at optimal image formation intervals.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall structure of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the paper feed control section according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between a paper feed control event by the paper feed control unit and an image formation control event by the image forming unit 30 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing executed by the paper feed control unit according to the present embodiment.

Below, embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. is included. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations of constituent elements can be made without departing from the gist of the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall structure of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet of paper 20. Paper 20 is an example of a recording medium. The image forming apparatus 10 can be applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a multifunction peripheral (MFP), or the like. A multifunction device is a device that has at least two functions of a printing function, a copying function, a scanner function, and a fax function. Hereinafter, a case where the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is a multifunction device will be described as an example.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 11, an image reading device 12, an image forming section 30, a storage section 19, a paper feed roller 21, a paper feed sensor 22, and a paper feed sensor 22. It has a paper sensor 23. The image forming section 30 includes a writing unit 13 , a photosensitive drum 14 , a developing device 15 , a transfer section 16 , and a fixing section 17 .

The ADF 11 guides a document placed on a document feed tray provided in the ADF 11 onto the image reading device 12 . The image reading device 12 reads the image of the document and outputs it to the writing unit 13. The writing unit 13 converts the image data received from the image reading device 12 into optical information, scans and exposes the photosensitive drum 14, and forms an electrostatic latent image.

Toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 14 by the developing device 15, and a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor drum 14. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 14 is transferred onto the paper 20 by the transfer section 16. The paper 20 onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported by the transport mechanism and reaches the fixing section 17 . The fixing unit 17 fixes the toner image on the paper 20. The paper 20 on which the image is formed by fixing the toner image is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 10.

The storage section 19 stores the paper 20. The storage unit 19 stores a plurality of sheets 20 in a stacked state.

The paper feed roller 21 is an example of a paper feed section. The paper feed roller 21 sequentially feeds the sheets 20 stored in the storage section 19 toward the image forming section 30 one by one.

In the present embodiment, the paper feed roller 21 transports the sheets 20 stacked in the storage unit 19 one by one, starting from the topmost sheet 20 (the end in the anti-vertical direction), and transports the sheets 20 on the transport path R (i.e. The sheets are sequentially fed one by one to the image forming section 30).

The paper feed sensor 22 and the paper feed sensor 23 are arranged at predetermined positions on the conveyance path R between the storage section 19 and the image forming section 30, and detect the paper 20. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the paper feed sensor 22 is disposed at a position corresponding to the boundary side end of the storage section 19 and the conveyance path R in the conveyance path R. Further, the paper feed sensor 23 is located closer to the image forming section 30 than the boundary between the storage section 19 and the transport path R in the transport path R, and is located closer to the storage section 19 than the position where the toner image is transferred by the image forming section 30. Explain the case where it is placed on the side. In this embodiment, a case where the arrangement position of the paper feed sensor 23 corresponds to a predetermined position on the transport path R will be described as an example.

Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be explained.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming section 30, a transport section 31, an I/F (interface) section 32, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 33, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 34, and a RAM (Random Access Memory). ) 35, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive)/SSD (Solid State Drive) 36, and a bus 37 that connects each section.

The image forming section 30 is realized by a writing unit 13, a photosensitive drum 14, a developing device 15, a transfer section 16, and a fixing section 17. The conveyance section 31 is realized by the storage section 19 , the paper feed roller 21 , the paper feed sensor 22 , and the paper feed sensor 23 . The I/F section 32 is an interface that enables communication with external devices.

The CPU 33 uses the RAM 35 as a work area and executes programs stored in the ROM 34. The HDD/SSD 36 stores various information. The information stored in the HDD/SSD 36 may be used by the CPU 33 when executing a reading program.

Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be explained.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming control section 40, a transport control section 41, a control section 42, and a communication section 43. The image forming control section 40, the conveyance control section 41, the control section 42, and the communication section 43 are connected to be able to exchange data or signals.

The image forming control section 40 controls the image forming section 30. The image forming control section 40 includes a developing section 44, a printing section 45, and a fixing section 46. The developing section 44 controls the developing device 15. The printing section 45 controls scanning exposure by the writing unit 13. The fixing section 46 controls the fixing section 17.

The conveyance control section 41 controls the conveyance section 31. The conveyance control section 41 includes a paper feed control section 47 , a paper discharge control section 48 , and a duplex control section 49 . The paper feed control section 47 controls the feeding of the paper 20 from the storage section 19 to the image forming section 30 . The paper discharge control unit 48 controls the paper 20 on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit 30 to be discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 10 . The duplex control unit 49 performs duplex control to form images on both sides of the paper 20.

Next, the paper feed control section 47 will be explained in detail.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the paper feed control section 47. As shown in FIG.

The paper feed control section 47 includes a drive control section 47A, a detection section 47B, a measurement section 47C, a first judgment section 47D, a correction section 47E, a counting section 47F, a setting section 47G, and a second judgment section. It includes a section 47H and a third judgment section 47I.

Each of the above units is realized by, for example, one or more processors. For example, each of the above units may be realized by causing a processor such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, by software. Each of the above units may be realized by a processor such as a dedicated IC (Integrated Circuit), that is, by hardware. Each of the above units may be realized using a combination of software and hardware. When using a plurality of processors, each processor may implement one of each unit, or may implement two or more of each unit.

The drive control unit 47A controls the drive of the paper feed roller 21. The drive control unit 47A controls starting the drive of the paper feed roller 21, stopping the drive of the paper feed roller 21, and re-driving the paper feed roller 21.

The re-driving of the paper feed roller 21 refers to the period from when the paper 20 is determined not to have reached a predetermined position on the conveyance path R (that is, the position of the paper feed sensor 23) until the next time when it is determined that the paper 20 has not arrived. This indicates that when a jam of the paper 20 (sometimes referred to as a paper jam or paper jam) is detected, the drive of the paper feed roller 21 is stopped and then the drive is started (resume). A pair of one drive stop of the paper feed roller 21 and one drive start after the drive stop corresponds to one re-drive.

If the paper 20 does not reach the position of the paper feed sensor 23 (predetermined position) within a predetermined time from the start of supply of the paper 20 from the storage unit 19, the drive control unit 47A stops feeding the paper 20 and then resumes feeding the paper 20. The paper feed roller 21 may be controlled so as to perform the above-mentioned re-driving.

This predetermined time is a threshold value for determining that a jam of the paper 20 (paper jam) has occurred. This predetermined time may be determined in advance. In the following description, this predetermined time may be referred to as a jam monitoring time.

The detection unit 47B receives a detection signal indicating detection of the paper 20 from the paper feed sensor 22 and the paper feed sensor 23.

The measurement unit 47C measures the arrival time from when the paper feed roller 21 starts feeding the paper 20 from the storage unit 19 until the paper 20 reaches the position (predetermined position) of the paper feed sensor 23. The measurement unit 47C measures the arrival time by counting the time from the start of driving the paper feed roller 21 until the paper feed sensor 23 detects the upstream end of the paper 20 in the conveyance direction. The measuring unit 47C determines that the upstream end of the paper 20 in the conveyance direction is detected by the paper feed sensor 23 when the detection unit 47B switches from a state in which it has not received a detection signal for the paper 20 from the paper feed sensor 23 to a state in which it has received the detection signal. All you have to do is judge.

Here, as described above, the drive control unit 47A may drive the paper feed roller 21 again. In this case, the measuring unit 47C determines whether the paper 20 is detected by the paper feed sensor 20 after one or more re-drivings have been performed from the start of paper feeding before the paper feed roller 21 is driven again (start of drive of the paper feed roller 21). What is necessary is to measure the time until it is determined that the predetermined position, which is the installation position, has been reached as the arrival time.

Therefore, when the paper feed roller 21 is re-driven, the measurement unit 47C calculates a longer time to reach the arrival time than when the paper 20 does not jam (that is, when the re-drive is not performed). It is measured as .

The measuring unit 47C also measures the arrival time from when the paper feed roller 21 starts feeding the paper 20 from the storage unit 19 until the paper 20 reaches the position (predetermined position) of the paper feed sensor 23. Therefore, if the paper 20 reaches the position of the paper feed sensor 23 earlier due to fluctuations in the supply status, a shorter arrival time will be measured.

The first determination unit 47D determines whether the paper 20 has reached the position of the paper feed sensor 23 (predetermined position) within the jam monitoring time (predetermined time) from the start of paper feeding of the paper 20 from the storage unit 19. do.

The correction unit 47E corrects the image forming interval on the paper 20 by the image forming unit 30 based on the difference between the arrival time measured by the measurement unit 47C and a predetermined predicted arrival time.

The image forming interval is the timing at which the image forming section 30 starts forming an image on the sheet 20 conveyed from the storage section 19 and the timing at which the image forming section 30 starts forming an image on the sheet 20 conveyed from the storage section 19 next. Indicates when to start and the interval between.

The predicted arrival time indicates the time (period) predicted in advance from the start of feeding the paper 20 from the storage unit 19 until the paper 20 reaches the position (predetermined position) of the paper feed sensor 23. The predicted arrival time may be a predetermined time. Further, the predicted arrival time may be an arrival time measured by the measurement unit 47C before the current measurement (for example, immediately before or last time).

The correction unit 47E adjusts the image forming interval by setting the first subtraction result obtained by subtracting the arrival time from the predicted arrival time from the predetermined predicted image forming interval as a new image forming interval. Correct.

The image forming interval is the interval between sheets of paper 20 when the image forming section 30 continuously forms images on the sheets of paper 20. In other words, the image forming interval is the interval from when the image forming section 30 starts forming an image on one sheet of paper 20 until it starts forming an image on the next sheet of paper 20. The predicted image formation interval may be any predetermined interval. Note that the predicted image forming interval may be an image forming interval that was set in the past (for example, the previous time).

Therefore, if the currently measured arrival time is shorter than the predicted arrival time, the correction unit 47E sets an image forming interval shorter than the predicted image forming interval. Further, if the currently measured arrival time is longer than the predicted arrival time, the correction unit 47E sets an image forming interval longer than the predicted image forming interval.

The correction unit 47E outputs the set image forming interval to the image forming unit 30. For example, the correction unit 47E outputs the set image forming interval to the image forming unit 30 when the driving of the paper feed roller 21 is started, that is, when the feeding of the paper 20 from the storage unit 19 is started. do.

The image forming section 30 sequentially forms images on the sheets 20 that are sequentially conveyed from the storage section 19 at each image forming interval received from the correction section 47E.

Therefore, the image forming unit 30 forms an image on the paper 20 at each image forming interval corrected based on the difference between the arrival time and a predetermined predicted arrival time.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between a paper feed control event by the paper feed control unit 47 and an image formation control event by the image forming unit 30. In addition, in FIG. 5, t indicates time, and the larger the numerical value given to the right side of t, the more future time (timing) it means.

Drive of the paper feed roller 21 is started under control of the drive control unit 47A, and feeding of the paper 20 from the storage unit 19 is started (timing t1). The measuring unit 47C measures the timing from when the nth sheet of paper 20 (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) starts to be supplied from the storage unit 19 (timing t1) until the paper 20 reaches the position of the paper feed sensor 23 (timing t2). The arrival time A1 is measured.

Here, it is assumed that the predicted arrival time is a time A0 that is longer than the arrival time A1 (predicted arrival time A0>arrival time A1). In this case, the correction unit 47E calculates the subtraction result β1, which is the subtraction result β obtained by subtracting the arrival time A1 from the predicted arrival time A0. Then, the correction unit 47E sets the subtraction result obtained by subtracting the subtraction result β1 from the predicted image forming interval T0 as a new image forming interval T1.

The image forming unit 30 starts forming an image on the n-th sheet 20 at timing t3 after a predicted image forming interval T0 from the start of the previous image forming. The start timing of image formation on the paper 20 is the timing at which the upstream end of the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 14 in the rotational direction of the photoreceptor drum 14 is transferred to the image formation control section 40 . For example, it is assumed that the image forming unit 30 finishes forming an image on the nth sheet of paper 20 at timing t4.

On the other hand, the drive of the paper feed roller 21 is started under the control of the drive control section 47A, and the feeding of the (n+2)th sheet 20 from the storage section 19 is started (timing t5). The correction unit 47E outputs the corrected image forming interval T1 to the image forming unit 30 when feeding of the next sheet 20, the (n+1)th sheet 20, starts (timing t5). The image forming unit 30 starts forming an image on the (n+1)th sheet of paper 20 at timing t6 when the image forming interval T1 has elapsed from the timing (timing t3) of starting image formation on the nth sheet of paper 20. .

Therefore, in this case, the image forming unit 30 starts forming images on the (n+1)th sheet 20 at the image forming interval T1, which is β1 shorter than the predicted image forming interval T0.

When the feeding of the n+2-th sheet 20 from the storage section 19 starts (timing t5), the measuring section 47C starts feeding the n+2-th sheet 20 from the storage section 19 (timing t5). ) until the paper 20 reaches the position of the paper feed sensor 23 (timing t9) is measured.

Similarly to the above, the correction unit 47E calculates the subtraction result β2, which is the subtraction result β obtained by subtracting the arrival time A2 from the predicted arrival time A0. Here, it is assumed that the predicted arrival time A0 is shorter than the arrival time A2 (predicted arrival time A0<arrival time A2). In this case, the correction unit 47E calculates the subtraction result β2 of a negative value.

Then, the correction unit 47E sets the result of subtracting the negative value subtraction result β2 from the predicted image forming interval T0 as a new image forming interval T2. Therefore, in this case, the correction unit 47E calculates the image forming interval T2 that is longer by β2 than the predicted image forming interval T0.

On the other hand, the image forming unit 30 starts forming an image on the (n+1)th sheet 20 at timing t6, which is an image forming interval T1 after the start of the previous image forming (timing t3). For example, it is assumed that the image forming section 30 finishes forming an image on the (n+1)th sheet of paper 20 at timing t9.

Then, the correction unit 47E outputs the corrected image forming interval T2 to the image forming unit 30 when feeding of the next sheet 20, the n+2 sheet 20, starts (timing t10). do. The image forming unit 30 starts forming an image on the n+2 sheet of paper 20 at timing t12, which is after the image forming interval T2 has elapsed from the timing (timing t6) of starting image formation on the n+1 sheet of paper 20. .

Therefore, in this case, the image forming section 30 starts forming images on the n+2 sheet of paper 20 at the image forming interval T2, which is longer by β2 than the predicted image forming interval T0.

In this way, the correction unit 47E adjusts the image on the paper 20 by the image forming unit 30 based on the difference (first subtraction result) between the arrival time measured by the measurement unit 47C and the predetermined predicted arrival time. Correct the formation interval. Therefore, the image forming section 30 can continuously and sequentially form images on the sheets 20 that are sequentially conveyed from the storage section 19 at each image forming interval corrected according to the subtraction result.

Note that the correction unit 47E may correct the image forming interval according to the arrival time measured by the measurement unit 47C, and at least one of the type of paper 20 and the storage unit 19. For example, the correction unit 47E stores the correction time for each type of paper 20 in advance. Then, the correction unit 47E may further add or subtract a correction time corresponding to the type of paper 20 to the image forming interval calculated by the above method, and use the result as the new corrected image forming interval. The information indicating the type of paper 20 may be input by, for example, an operation instruction by the user. Further, for example, the correction unit 47E stores the correction time in advance for each type of storage unit 19 that accommodates the paper 20 transported along the transport path R. Then, the correction unit 47E may further add or subtract a correction time corresponding to the type of the storage unit 19 to the image forming interval calculated by the above method, and use the result as the new corrected image forming interval. . The information indicating the type of storage unit 19 can be obtained by, for example, disposing a sensor that can identify the storage unit 19 in the image forming apparatus 10, and identifying the storage unit 19 that supplies the paper 20 to the conveyance path R based on a signal from the sensor. You can obtain it with .

Returning to FIG. 4, the explanation will be continued. Next, the counting section 47F will be explained. The counting unit 47F controls the feeding of the paper 20 during a period (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a first period) from when it is determined that the sheet 20 has not reached the position (predetermined position) of the sheet feeding sensor 23 until it is determined that the sheet has arrived. The number of re-drivings performed by the paper roller 21 is counted.

The setting unit 47G sets the past number of times of re-driving as the upper limit of the number of re-driving.

The number of past re-drives indicates the number of re-drives counted in the first period before the current first period. The past number of re-drivings is, for example, the number of re-drivings counted in the first period immediately before the current first period (that is, the previous time). Note that the past number of re-drives is not limited to the number of re-drives counted in the previous first period.

If the number of times it is determined that the paper 20 has not reached the position (predetermined position) of the paper feed sensor 23 is greater than or equal to the set upper limit for the number of times of re-driving, the second judgment unit 47H determines that the paper 20 is jammed, that is, the paper is jammed. I judge that. Note that the second determination unit 47H may output the determination result to an output unit provided in the image forming apparatus 10. The output unit is, for example, a display, a speaker, a light, etc.

The third determining unit 47I determines the failure time based on the arrival time and the number of re-drivings. For example, the longer the arrival time or the greater the number of re-drivings, the closer the third determination unit 47I to the current timing is to determine the time when a failure is likely to occur. Note that the second determination section 47H may output the determination result to an output section.

Next, an example of the flow of processing executed by the paper feed control unit 47 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing executed by the paper feed control unit 47.

The drive control unit 47A sets the rotation speed of the paper feed roller 21 (step S100). The drive control unit 47A sets the rotation speed by reading information indicating a predetermined rotation speed. The measuring unit 47C sets a jam monitoring time (step S102). The measuring unit 47C sets a jam monitoring time by reading information indicating a predetermined jam monitoring time.

Next, the correction unit 47E sets an image forming interval (step S104). For example, the correction unit 47E sets the image forming interval after the previous correction in step S120, which will be described later.

Next, the measurement unit 47C sets the predicted arrival time (step S106). The measurement unit 47C sets a predetermined time A0 as the predicted arrival time. Note that, for example, the measurement unit 47C may set the arrival time previously stored in step S116, which will be described later, as the predicted arrival time.

Next, the drive control unit 47A starts driving the paper feed roller 21 (step S108). The correction unit 47E notifies the image forming unit 30 of the image forming interval set in step S104 (step S110). The image forming section 30 forms an image on the paper 20 at the accepted image forming interval (see FIG. 5).

Next, the measuring unit 47C starts a timer from the timing of step S108, and starts measuring the elapsed time since the drive of the paper feed roller 21 was started in step S108 (step S112).

Next, the measuring unit 47C determines whether the paper feed sensor 23 is turned on (step S114). The measurement unit 47C makes the determination in step S114 by determining whether or not a detection signal indicating detection of the paper 20 has been received from the paper feed sensor 23.

If it is determined that the paper feed sensor 23 is turned on (step S114: Yes), the measuring unit 47C determines that the paper 20 has reached the position of the paper feed sensor 23 (predetermined position). Then, the measuring unit 47C stores the time until the affirmative determination is made in step S114 as the arrival time until the paper 20 reaches the predetermined position (step S116).

The correction unit 47E calculates the subtraction result (first subtraction result) obtained by subtracting the arrival time stored in step S116 from the predicted arrival time set in step S106 as the difference between the predicted arrival time and the arrival time (step S118). ).

Next, the correction unit 47E uses the result of subtracting the difference calculated in step S118 (second subtraction result) from a predetermined predicted image forming interval (for example, predicted image forming interval T0, see FIG. 5) as a new The image forming interval is corrected by setting it as the image forming interval (step S120).

Next, the setting unit 47G sets the number of re-drives counted up in step S142, which will be described later, as the upper limit of the number of re-drives (step S122).

Next, the setting unit 47G resets the jam detection counter and the re-drive count counter (setting the count value to "0") (step S124).

Next, the detection unit 47B determines whether the rear end of the paper 20 (the downstream end in the transport direction) has passed through a position where the next paper 20 can be fed toward the transport path R ( Step S126). The detection unit 47B makes an affirmative determination in step S126 when the detection signal from the paper feed sensor 22 changes from the paper detection state of the paper 20 to the non-detection state. The detection unit 47B repeats the negative determination (step S126: No) until it makes an affirmative determination (step S126: Yes). If an affirmative determination is made (step S126: Yes), the process advances to step S128.

In step S128, the drive control unit 47A stops driving the paper feed roller 21 (step S128). Next, the drive control unit 47A determines whether there is a request to convey the next sheet 20 (step S130). If an affirmative determination is made in step S130 (step S130: Yes), the process returns to step S100. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S130 (step S130: No), the process advances to step S132.

In step S132, the third determination unit 47I determines the failure time based on the arrival time stored in step S116 and the number of re-drivings before resetting in step S124 (step S132). Then, this routine ends.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S114 (step S114: No), the process proceeds to step S134.

In step S134, the counting unit 47F determines whether the timer value started in step S112 is equal to or longer than the jam monitoring time set in step S102 (step S134). If a negative determination is made in step S134 (step S134: No), the counting section 47F determines that no jam has occurred, and returns to step S114.

On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S134 (step S134: Yes), it is determined that a jam has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S136. In step S136, the counting unit 47F counts up the jam detection counter by "1" (step S136).

Next, the drive control unit 47A stops driving the paper feed roller 21 (step S138). Next, the second determination unit 47H determines whether the number of jam detections, which is the count value after being counted up in step S136, is equal to or greater than the upper limit of the number of re-drivings set in step S122 (step S140).

If a negative determination is made in step S140 (step S140: No), the process advances to step S142. The counting unit 47F increments the re-drive number counter by "1" (step S142). The drive control unit 47A then starts driving the paper feed roller 21 (step S144). Through the processing in step S138 and step S144, the drive control unit 47A re-drives the paper feed roller 21. Then, the process returns to step S114.

On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S140 (step S140: Yes), the process advances to step S146. In step S146, the second determination unit 47H determines that the paper 20 is jammed, that is, there is a paper jam (step S146). Then, this routine ends.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes the measurement section 47C and the correction section 47E. The measuring unit 47C feeds the paper 20 (recording medium) from the storage unit 19 by the paper feed roller 21 (paper feed unit) that sequentially feeds the paper 20 (recording medium) from the storage unit 19 to the image forming unit 30. The arrival time from the start until the paper 20 (recording medium) reaches a predetermined position on the conveyance path 4 between the storage section 19 and the image forming section 30 is measured. The correction unit 47E corrects the image forming interval on the paper 20 (recording medium) by the image forming unit 30 based on the difference between the arrival time and a predetermined predicted arrival time.

In this way, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the correction unit 47E controls the image formation on the paper 20 by the image forming unit 30 based on the difference between the measured arrival time and the predetermined predicted arrival time. Correct the spacing. Therefore, the image forming section 30 can continuously and sequentially form images on the sheets 20 that are sequentially conveyed from the storage section 19 at each image forming interval corrected according to the above-mentioned difference.

In other words, the image forming unit 30 maintains the optimum image forming interval even if the time during which the paper 20 is fed to the image forming unit 30 changes due to a jam of the paper 20, re-driving of the paper feed roller 21, etc. Images can be continuously formed on the paper 20 in this manner.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment can continuously form images on the paper 20 (recording medium) at optimal image forming intervals.

Note that each function of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" refers to a processor that is programmed to execute each function using software, such as a processor implemented using an electronic circuit, or an ASIC or DSP (Digital It includes devices such as a signal processor), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and conventional circuit modules.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when at least one of the functional units of the image forming apparatus 10 is realized by executing a program, the program is provided as being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. In the above-described embodiment, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 is a file in an installable or executable format and is stored on a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), or a CD-ROM. It may be configured to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as R (Compact Disk-Recordable) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). Further, in the above-described embodiment, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and provided by being downloaded via the network. Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 has a module configuration including at least one of the above-mentioned functional units, and the actual hardware includes the CPU and the above-mentioned storage device. By reading and executing a program from , each of the above-mentioned functional units is loaded onto the main memory and generated.

10 Image forming device 19 Storage section 20 Paper 21 Paper feed roller 30 Image forming section 47A Drive control section 47C Measurement section 47D First judgment section 47E Correction section 47F Counting section 47G Setting section 47H Second judgment section 47I Third judgment Department

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-127116

Claims (7)

From the start of feeding of the recording medium from the storage section by the paper feed section that sequentially feeds the recording medium from the storage section to the image forming section, the recording medium is transported along the conveyance path between the storage section and the image forming section. a measurement unit that measures the arrival time until reaching the predetermined position above;
a correction unit that corrects an image formation interval on the recording medium by the image forming unit based on a difference between the arrival time and a predetermined predicted arrival time;
Equipped with
The correction unit is
By setting the second subtraction result obtained by subtracting the first subtraction result as the difference obtained by subtracting the arrival time from the predicted arrival time from the predetermined predicted image formation interval as the new image formation interval, Correcting the image formation interval,
Image forming device. The paper feeding section includes:
If the recording medium does not reach the predetermined position within a predetermined time from the start of feeding of the recording medium from the storage unit, performing re-driving that resumes after stopping the feeding of the recording medium;
The measurement unit includes:
When the re-driving of the recording medium is executed, the recording medium is returned to the predetermined position after the re-driving is executed one or more times from the start of paper feeding of the recording medium before the re-driving. measuring the arrival time until it is determined that the arrival has arrived;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . a first determination unit that determines whether the recording medium has reached the predetermined position within the predetermined time from the start of feeding of the recording medium from the storage unit;
a counting unit that counts the number of re-drivings performed by the paper feeding unit during a period from when it is determined that the recording medium has not reached the predetermined position until when it is determined that the recording medium has arrived at the predetermined position;
a re-drive count setting unit that sets the past re-drive count as an upper limit of the re-drive count;
a second determination unit that determines that the recording medium is clogged when the number of times it is determined that the recording medium has not reached the predetermined position is equal to or greater than the upper limit of the number of times of re-driving;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , comprising: The correction unit is
correcting the image forming interval according to the arrival time, the type of the recording medium, and at least one of the storage unit;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . a third determining unit that determines a failure time based on the arrival time and the number of re-drivings;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , comprising: An image forming method executed by a computer, the method comprising:
From the start of feeding of the recording medium from the storage section by the paper feed section that sequentially feeds the recording medium from the storage section to the image forming section, the recording medium is transported along the conveyance path between the storage section and the image forming section. a measurement step of measuring the arrival time until reaching the predetermined position above;
a correction step of correcting the image forming interval on the recording medium by the image forming unit based on the difference between the arrival time and a predetermined predicted arrival time;
including;
The correction step includes:
By setting the second subtraction result obtained by subtracting the first subtraction result as the difference obtained by subtracting the arrival time from the predicted arrival time from the predetermined predicted image formation interval as the new image formation interval, Correcting the image formation interval,
Image forming method. A program to be executed by a computer,
From the start of feeding of the recording medium from the storage section by the paper feed section that sequentially feeds the recording medium from the storage section to the image forming section, the recording medium is transported along the conveyance path between the storage section and the image forming section. a measurement step of measuring the arrival time until reaching the predetermined position above;
a correction step of correcting the image forming interval on the recording medium by the image forming unit based on the difference between the arrival time and a predetermined predicted arrival time;
including;
The correction step includes:
By setting the second subtraction result obtained by subtracting the first subtraction result as the difference obtained by subtracting the arrival time from the predicted arrival time from the predetermined predicted image formation interval as the new image formation interval, Correcting the image formation interval,
program .

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