JPH10198227A - Image forming device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly and precisely execute the predictive calculation of time required for an image forming action by providing a device with a calculation means obtaining the time required for the image forming action by using stored learning data and a calculation means obtaining the time required for the image forming action by using time counted after the image forming action is started and selecting one of them. SOLUTION: Attribute data obtained by making a content set when the image forming action is started into data is produced (S102). When the identical attribute data exists and the data required for the calculation is completed in a storage device (S105), the time required is calculated based on time data, a registered numeric, a set mode and the number of originals (S106). When the identical attribute data does not exist, a scanning interval between the start of a first scanning action and the start of a second scanning action after the action is started is measured (S107) and the time required is calculated based on the scanning interval, the registered numeric, the set mode and the number of originals (S108). Then, the frequency of the image forming action until the action is finished after it is started is obtained and the time required is subtracted according to the proportion of the frequency of the image forming action after the action is started (S109).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with an annunciator for notifying a required time until an image forming operation is completed or a progress of the image forming operation, and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, copiers, printers, and the like have been widely known as image forming apparatuses.

This type of image forming apparatus has a display for displaying an operation mode (paper size, number of output sheets, magnification, etc.), and displays the time required for image formation from the start to the end of image formation on this display. There is something. For example, when the image formation is started, the time until the completion of the image formation predicted according to the operation mode is displayed as “takes 3 minutes until the end”, “waiting time 3 minutes”, “scheduled end time 11:20” or the like. There is a function to notify the user. In addition, after the display such as “It takes 3 minutes to finish”, the progress of the image forming operation is displayed as “It takes 2 minutes to finish” and “It takes 1 minute to finish” during image formation. There is something.

In order to execute such a display function, required times corresponding to various operation modes are stored in advance, and the total required time for a designated image formation is estimated based on the stored data. Was displayed. Moreover, in this case, the prediction calculation always uses constant data without updating the data stored in advance.

In addition, instead of storing various data in the memory in advance, the total required time is estimated and calculated by, for example, measuring the interval between document reading scans after the image forming operation is actually started. There is something.

[0006]

As described above, when various kinds of data are stored in the memory in advance, it is necessary that data corresponding to the operation mode specified by the operator does not exist in the memory. Numerical values cannot be calculated according to time. On the other hand, when a method of measuring the scanning interval of reading the document after the image forming operation is actually started is used, it is impossible to predict and calculate the total required time until the measurement is completed.

Further, in order to calculate a numerical value corresponding to the required time in all operation modes, data including time data corresponding to all possible values of attribute data (data corresponding to a setting mode at the start of operation) is required. It must be stored in advance, which increases the required storage capacity. On the other hand, in the case where data including time data corresponding to a part of the possible values of the attribute data is stored in advance, the operation mode that is frequently used differs depending on the user. May decrease, and as a result, the frequency of prediction calculation may decrease.

Further, even if a plurality of data including the same attribute data exist in the memory, only one of the data is used, so that the storage capacity of the memory is wasted. Further, when a large number of data including the same attribute data are present, the types of the stored attribute data are reduced, so that the possibility of performing the prediction calculation is reduced. As a result, the above-described measurement (for example, measurement of the scan interval) must be performed after the image forming operation is actually started, and the calculation time is lengthened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus configured to be able to predict and calculate a time required for an image forming operation quickly and accurately, and to provide a control method therefor.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a first means for calculating a numerical value corresponding to a required time of an operation using data stored in a memory in advance, and an image forming operation to be started. A second means for calculating and calculating a numerical value corresponding to the required time of the operation using the actually measured time later is provided, and either one of the first means and the second means can be selected. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof.

A third object of the present invention is that the set attribute data matches the attribute data stored in the memory in advance, and the time data corresponding to the matched attribute data is calculated by the first means. If the time data corresponding to the attribute data does not include all of the data required to perform the operation by the first means, the first means is selected when all the data necessary for performing the operation are included. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having improved practicability by selecting the second means, and a control method thereof.

A fourth object of the present invention is to improve or improve the practicality by adding or updating required data to a memory after an image forming operation is completed, and by overwriting the oldest stored data when adding required data. And a control method thereof.

[0015] A fifth object of the present invention is to store data 1 as arbitrary data when storing attribute data included in data 1 in advance and attribute 2 included in data 2 stored in a memory in advance. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with improved practicability by updating the time data included in data 2 with the time data included in data 1 when the data matches.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus provided with a notifying means for notifying a required time until the image forming operation is completed or a progress of the image forming operation. A storage unit for preliminarily storing required time information corresponding to the image forming mode; and a measurement unit for measuring a time required to complete a predetermined part of the image forming operation after the image forming operation is started. Means, based on the information stored in the storage means, a first computing means for calculating the time required until the image forming operation is completed, and based on the measurement time obtained by the measurement means, A second calculating means for calculating a time required until the image forming operation is completed, and the first calculating means or the second calculating means.
Selecting means for selectively operating the calculating means (claim 1).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the information stored in the storage means includes attribute information indicating an operation mode for image formation, and time information corresponding to each attribute information. Let it be learning information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the measuring means measures an interval of a reading scan performed when an image forming operation is performed or a feeding interval of a transfer sheet.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: a time required until an image forming operation is completed, based on a calculation result of the first calculation means or the second calculation means selected by the selection means; The progress of the image forming operation is displayed on the notification means.

The invention according to claim 5 further includes:
It is provided with a conversion unit for generating attribute information based on instruction information set by an operator at the start of an image forming operation.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the attribute information converted by the conversion means matches the attribute information stored in the storage means, and the attribute information is stored in correspondence with the matched attribute information. When the time information includes all data necessary for performing the calculation by the first calculating means, the first calculating means is selected, and the time information stored corresponding to the attribute information is selected. If the data does not include all the data necessary for performing the calculation by the first calculation means, the second calculation means is selected.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, after the image forming operation is completed, new learning information relating to the image forming operation is additionally stored in the storage means.

In the invention according to claim 8, when the new learning information is additionally stored in the storage means, the oldest learning information is overwritten.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when the attribute information included in the new learning information matches the attribute information of the learning information already stored in the storage means, the new learning information is already stored. The updated time information included in the attribute information is updated with the time information included in the new learning information.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the case where the paper feed interval of the transfer paper is measured by the measuring means is, for example, a case where an interleaving mode is set by an operator.

Further, in the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the time required until the image forming operation is completed or the time required for the image forming operation to be completed is determined by using storage means for preliminarily storing required time information corresponding to the image forming mode. In reporting the progress of the forming operation, a first calculation step of calculating a time required until the image forming operation is completed, based on the information stored in the storage unit, and the image forming operation is started. A second calculating step of calculating a time required until the image forming operation is completed, based on a measured time obtained by measuring a time required to complete a predetermined portion of the image forming operation. Is selectively operated (claim 11).

Here, for example, the information stored in the storage means is learning information including attribute information indicating an operation mode for image formation and time information corresponding to each attribute information. (Claim 12).

It is also preferable to measure an interval between reading scans performed when the image forming operation is performed or a feeding interval of the transfer paper (claim 13).

[0027] Based on the selected operation result of the first operation means or the second operation step, the time required for the image forming operation to be completed or the progress of the image forming operation is displayed. Yes (Claim 1
4).

In addition, it is possible to provide a conversion step for generating attribute information based on the instruction information set by the operator at the start of the image forming operation.

[0029] In the invention according to claim 16, the attribute information converted by the conversion means matches the attribute information stored in the storage means, and the attribute information is stored in correspondence with the matched attribute information. If the time information includes all data necessary for performing the calculation in the first calculation step, the first calculation step is selected, and the time information stored corresponding to the attribute information is If not all the data necessary for performing the calculation in the first calculation step is selected, the second calculation step is selected.

According to the seventeenth aspect, after the image forming operation is completed, new learning information relating to the image forming operation is additionally stored in the storage means.

In the invention of claim 18, when the new learning information is additionally stored in the storage means, the oldest learning information is overwritten.

In the invention according to claim 19, when the attribute information included in the new learning information matches the attribute information of the learning information already stored in the storage means,
The time information included in the attribute information already stored is updated with the time information included in the new learning information.

In the twentieth aspect of the present invention, the time interval for feeding the transfer paper is measured when the operator sets the slip sheet mode.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a first embodiment of the present invention, a first value obtained by calculating a numerical value corresponding to a required time of an image forming operation using learning data stored in a storage means.
Calculation means, and second calculation means for calculating and calculating a numerical value corresponding to the required time of the operation using the time measured by the measurement means after the image forming operation is started, the first calculation means and the second calculation means Either of the two calculation means can be selected.

In the above configuration, after the start of the image forming operation,
Either the first calculation means or the second calculation means can be selected.

In the second embodiment, the attribute data converted by the conversion means matches the attribute data in the data stored by the storage means, and the time data corresponding to the matched attribute data is obtained. Includes all the data necessary for performing the calculation by the first calculating means, selects the first calculating means, and the time data corresponding to the attribute data is necessary for performing the calculation by the first calculating means. If all the data are not included, the second calculation means is selected.

In the above configuration, the information indicating the operation mode is converted into attribute data by the conversion unit after the image forming operation is started, and learning data including the same attribute data exists in the learning data stored by the storage unit. If so, the first calculating means is selected and a numerical value corresponding to the time required for the operation is calculated, and if there is no learning data including the same attribute data, the measuring means measures the scanning or paper feeding interval. After that, the second calculating means is selected, and a numerical value corresponding to the time required for the operation is calculated.

In the third embodiment, the learning data is added to or updated in the storage means after the end of the image forming operation.
When adding learning data, the oldest learning data is overwritten.

In the above configuration, the learning data is added to or updated in the storage means after the image forming operation is completed, and when the learning data is added, the oldest learning data is overwritten. Is stored in the storage means, the probability of selecting the first calculation means increases.

In the fourth embodiment, when learning data 1 as arbitrary learning data is stored, the learning data 1 included in the learning data 1 and the learning data in the data stored by the storage means are stored. When the attribute data included in the learning data 2 that is the data matches, the time data included in the learning data 2 is updated with the time data included in the learning data 1.

In the above configuration, since there is no longer a plurality of pieces of learning data including the same attribute data, the types of attribute data that can be stored are increased, and the probability of selecting the first calculation means is increased.

Hereinafter, an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, schematically showing an internal mechanism. In the drawing, 1 is a document illumination lamp, 2 is a document table glass, 3 is an automatic document feeder, 4 is a developing device, 5 is a transfer separation charger, 6 is a photosensitive drum, 7 is a fixing device, 8 is a sorter, 9 Denotes a document tray, and 10 denotes a discharge tray.

The original set on the original tray 9 is fed onto the original platen glass 2 by the automatic original feeder 3 and is illuminated by the illumination lamp 1.
An electrostatic image is formed thereon. The electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) is visualized by the developing device 4 using a toner made of a resin or the like that softens and melts when heated. Then, the transfer separation charger 5
Then, the toner image is transferred onto the recording paper, and is heated and fixed by the fixing device 7, and then is discharged to a discharge tray 10 built in the sorter 8.

The automatic document feeder 3 also includes a document tray 9
A sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of the upper document is built in. Therefore, when the original is set on the original tray 9, if the sensor detects that there is no original when the first original is fed to the original platen glass 2, the number of originals is recognized as one. I do. When the sensor detects that no original exists when the second original is fed to the original platen glass 2, it recognizes that the number of originals is two.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an operation section of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes an operation unit main body, 22 denotes a start key for instructing operation start, 2
Reference numeral 3 denotes a numeric keypad for setting the number of image forming copies. The number of image formations for the set value 1 of the numeric keypad can be one or two or more depending on the operation mode. Reference numeral 24 denotes a clear key for clearing a numerical value set by the numeric keypad 23, reference numeral 25 denotes a stop key for stopping the image forming operation, reference numeral 26 denotes operation mode setting, paper setting, magnification setting, required time display, and numeric keypad 2.
3 is a touch panel and a display device for displaying the numerical value set in 3.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an electric circuit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 30 denotes a key input device, which includes the keys 22 to 26 shown in FIG. The output of the key input device 30 is supplied to a control device 32 including a microcomputer, a storage device, and the like. An image forming operation detector 31 outputs an image forming operation detection signal, and outputs a position detection signal of the document illumination lamp 1, a document size detection signal, a sheet detection signal, and the like from a detection unit (not shown). These detection signals are supplied to the control device 32. Reference numeral 33 denotes a display device of the touch panel and the display device 26 (see FIG. 2), and the display drive signal is supplied from the control device 32. An image forming operation load 34 includes a motor (not shown) for driving the original illumination lamp 1, the developing device 4, the transfer / separation charger 5, the photosensitive drum 6, the fixing device 7, and the like, and a control electromagnetic clutch (see FIG. Not shown),
Includes a heating element (not shown). Each of these loads is controlled by the control device 32.

Next, the structure and generation method of learning data in the present embodiment will be described.

The learning data is composed of "attribute data" and "time data". Here, the "attribute data" is data obtained by converting the settings at the start of the operation, and includes the following contents (1) to (4).

(1) Coded operation modes such as single-sided copy, double-sided copy, and continuous page copy. In the present embodiment, single-sided copy is “1”, double-sided copy is “2”, and page continuous copy is “1”. 3 ".

(2) A4, A3, LTR (letter), etc. are coded for the paper size of the original. In this embodiment, A4 size is "1", A3 is "2", and LTR is "3". ".

(3) The size of paper (transfer paper) on which an image is formed, such as A4, A3 or LTR, is coded. In this embodiment, A4 size is "1" and A3 is "2". , LTR to “3”.

(4) Numerical value indicating the copy magnification. In the present embodiment, 50% is "50" and 100% is "10".
"0", 125% is "125", and 150% is "150".

"Attribute data" is constituted by a combination of the above (1) to (4). For example, if the operation mode is single-sided copy, the paper size of the document is A4, the paper size of the paper on which the image is formed is A4, and the copy magnification is 100%,
“Attribute data” is “1”, “1”, “1”, “100”
Are converted into hexadecimal numbers, and are synthesized in the order of (1) to (4).
1,01,64 "(hexadecimal notation).

The operation mode is set to continuous page copying, the paper size of the original is set to A3, and the paper size of the paper on which the image is formed is set to LT.
Assuming that R and the copy magnification are 125%, “03,0”
The “time data” included in the learning data “2, 03, 7D” is composed of a plurality of data of the following (5) to (7). This data is data obtained by measuring a scan interval, which is an interval from the start of a scan (scanning of a document such as an optical system scan) to the start of the next scan.
The unit is millisecond.

(5) When the operation mode is one-sided copying, scanning is performed when the document is not replaced by the automatic document feeder 3 (ie, when the number of copies is two or more and the document does not move). This is data obtained by measuring intervals. In the case where the operation mode is the duplex printing, the data is data obtained by measuring a scan interval when an image to be copied on the first side of a sheet on which an image is to be formed is scanned (the number of copies is two or more). Further, when the operation mode is continuous page copying, the data is data obtained by measuring a scan interval when the first side of the document is scanned (the number of copies is two or more).

(6) Data obtained when an original is exchanged by the automatic original feeder 3 between the start of one scan and the start of the next scan (the number of originals is two or more).

(7) Unnecessary data for single-sided copying. However, if the operation mode is duplex copying,
This is data obtained by measuring a scan interval when an image to be copied on the second side of a sheet on which an image is formed is scanned (the number of copies is two or more). Further, when the operation mode is continuous page shooting, the data is data obtained by measuring the scan interval when the second side of the document is scanned (the number of copies is two or more).

"Time data" is generated by sequentially combining the data of (5) to (7). For example, set the operation mode to simplex copy, and set the paper size of the original to A.
4. Assuming that the size of the sheet on which the image is to be formed is A4 and the copy magnification is 100%, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the above (5) is 1200 ms (actual measurement value).
Therefore, it becomes 1200, and the above (6) is 3000 ms.
(It is an actual measurement value), so it becomes 3000. In the above (7), since the operation mode is single-sided copy, there is no data. Thus, the time data is “1200”, “300”
0 ". Therefore, the result is finally converted to hexadecimal and then combined, so that "04B0,0BB8" is obtained.

The operation mode is set to continuous page copying, the paper size of the original is set to A3, and the paper size of the image forming paper is set to LT.
Assuming that R and the copy magnification are 125%, similarly, the above (5) changes from 1200 ms to 1200, and the above (6)
Becomes 3000 from 3000 ms, and the above (7) becomes 26
The time data becomes “12” from 00 ms to 2600.
00 "," 3000 ", and" 2600 ". Since the final time data is converted into a hexadecimal number and then synthesized, it becomes “04B0, 0BB8, 0A28”.

If the conditions for performing the timings (5) to (7) are not met, such as when there is only one document, the corresponding data is generated as 0, and all of the above (5) to (7) Becomes zero, the learning data becomes invalid and is not stored.

As described above, since the "attribute data" and the "time data" are generated, the learning data includes the operation mode of single-sided copy, the paper size of the document is A4, and the paper on which the image is formed. Paper size is A4, copy magnification is 10
In the case of 0%, "010101164,04B0,0BB
8 ", when the operation mode is continuous page copying, the paper size of the document is A3, the paper size of the paper on which the image is formed is LTR, and the copy magnification is 125%," 0302037D, 04B ".
0,0BB8,0A28 ".

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the timing and display processing for calculating the required time, which will be described later, in the image forming apparatus operating with the above-described configuration.

First, in step S200, an operation mode setting, a magnification setting, and a paper setting for performing an applied operation such as forming an image on both sides of a paper by the touch panel and the display device 26 are determined by pressing and selecting the touch panel. .

Next, in step S201, the ten key 23
Is used to set the number of copies for image formation.

Next, in step S202, the process stands by until the start key 22 is pressed. After the start key 22 is pressed, the image formation and the timing of the above-described scan interval are continuously performed in parallel with the processing described below until step S212 where the operation ends.

In step S203, if the original is set on the original tray 9 and is not set on the original platen glass 2, the process proceeds to step S204, and if the original is not set on the original tray 9 and the original platen glass is If it is set to 2, the process proceeds to each step of step S205.

In step S205, a variable indicating the number of documents is set to 1, and the flow advances to step S208.

In step S 204, the process waits until the automatic original feeder 3 completes feeding the first original onto the original platen glass 3.

If it is determined in step S206 that the number of originals is one, the flow advances to step S208. If the number of originals is not one, the character string "Please enter the number of originals" is included. 23 displays a document number input screen for inputting the number of documents
And the process proceeds to step S207.

The determination as to whether or not the number of originals is one is based on whether or not it is detected that the next original is not on the tray when the first original placed on the tray 9 is fed. Performed by

In step S207, it is determined whether or not the number of originals has been input using the numeric keypad 23. If the number of originals has been input, the flow advances to step S208. If not, the flow advances to step S207.

In step S208, the required time is calculated. This is calculated according to a required time calculation method described later with reference to FIG. 5, and the calculated required time is represented by Ts.
[Sec], and if there is an error that can be predicted in advance, a correction calculation is performed.

In the present embodiment, the display is performed in units of one minute.
The unit of the required time obtained in step 8 is converted from "second" to "minute". Assuming that the required time after conversion is Tm, Tm is represented by the following equation (8).

[0075]

Tm = Ts / 60 (1) In step S210, this Tm is displayed on the display device 26 (FIG. 2).
Compared with 1 which is the minimum value of the required time displayed in step S211.
Is the minimum value of the required time displayed on the display device 26.
After that, the process proceeds to step S212, and if the value is 1 or more, the process immediately proceeds to step S212.

In step S212, step S208
The required time calculated and converted from step S2 to step S211 is displayed on the display device 26. If the required time is 3
In the case of minutes, the character string “3 minutes remaining” is displayed on the display device 26.
Will be displayed.

In step S213, if the operation has not been completed, the process returns to step S208, and if completed, the process proceeds to step S214. In step S214, learning data is generated for the measured data according to the learning data generation method described above, and stored in the storage device (included in the control device 32). At this time, if the same attribute data as the newly generated attribute data exists in the attribute data stored in the storage device, the time data corresponding to the same attribute data stored in the storage device is newly added. Rewrite with the generated time data. In addition, the attribute data identical to the generated attribute data does not exist in the attribute data stored in the storage device, and the learning data is already stored in all the storage areas for storing the learning data. If so, the oldest learning data in the learning data in the storage device is deleted, and the newly generated learning data is stored in the storage area from which the learning data has been deleted.

In step S215, the required time displayed on the display device 26 is deleted.

Next, the procedure for calculating the required time shown as step S208 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of step S208 shown in FIG.

First, in step S100 of FIG.
A calculation execution flag indicating whether or not the required time has been calculated after the start of the operation is checked. If the calculation execution flag is 1, the process proceeds to step S110. If the calculation execution flag is other than 1, the process proceeds to step S101.

In step S101, 1 is assigned to the calculation execution flag. In step S102, attribute data is generated according to the learning data generation method described above. In the next step S103, a search is made as to whether the same attribute data as the attribute data generated in step S102 exists in the storage device.

In step S104, step S1
If the same attribute data as the generated attribute data exists in the storage device, the process proceeds to step S105. If the same attribute data as the generated attribute data does not exist in the storage device, the process proceeds to step S107. Further, step S10
In step 5, it is checked whether data necessary for calculating the required time using the time data is available. In other words, if the conditions for timekeeping are not met by setting the number of documents and the number of copies, the stored time data is 0, so that the time data is checked before calculation. For example, when the time required for one-sided copying is to be obtained, if the number of originals is set to one and the number of copies is set to five, the original is not replaced by the automatic document feeder 3 and the data generation method has been described (6).
No data is required, and only data (5) is required. In the case of double-sided copy, the number of documents is 5, and the number of copies is 5.
Is set, all the operations from (5) to (7) are performed, so that it is determined that all the data is necessary (5) to (7). If the data necessary for the calculation is complete, the process proceeds to step S106, and if not, the process proceeds to step S107.

In step S106, the time data, the number,
The required time is calculated from the setting mode and the number of documents.
The time data of (5), (6) and (7) are respectively represented by t1,
Assuming that t2 and t3, the number of times the operations (5), (6) and (7) are performed from the start to the end of the operation is obtained. Assuming n1, n2 and n3, respectively, it is expressed by the following calculation formula (2). It is. Since the time data is in the unit of millisecond, it is converted to the unit of second by the equation (2).

[0085]

T = (t1 × n1 + t2 × n2 + t3 × n3) / 1000 (2) In step S107, if the scan interval from the start of the first scan to the start of the second scan after the operation is started is determined, the step is performed. Proceed to S108.

In step S108, a predetermined time is calculated from the scan interval, the number of setting, the setting mode, and the number of documents. This is obtained by calculating the number of image formations performed from the start of the operation to the end of the operation, and multiplying by the scan interval. If the required time required is T, the scan interval is ts, and the number of image formations performed from the start of the operation to the end of the operation is n, the following formula (3) is used. Since the scan interval is in units of milliseconds, it is converted into units of seconds by equation (3).

[0087]

T = ts × n / 1000 (3) Further, when the operation mode is continuous page shooting, the scan interval between the scanning of the first original and the scanning of the second original is different. In the calculation to be performed, an error occurs, so correction is performed. In this embodiment, the coefficient is multiplied by T, with the coefficient being 1.5.

In step S109, the obtained predetermined time T
Is subtracted according to the operation rate. That is, the number of times of image formation performed from the start of the operation to the end of the operation is obtained, and the required time T is subtracted according to the ratio of the number of times of image formation performed after the start of the operation. If the required time required is Ts, the number of image formations performed from the start of the operation to the end of the operation is n1, and the number of image formations performed after the start of the operation is n2, the following formula (4) is used.

[0089]

Ts = T × (n1-n2) / n1 (4) When the slip sheet mode is set, the paper feed interval of the transfer paper is measured instead of the above scan interval measurement ( Steps S107 and S108).

[0090]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus which can quickly and accurately calculate the time required for an image forming operation.

Further, according to the present invention, the following specific effects can be obtained.

(1) First calculation means for calculating and calculating a numerical value corresponding to the required time of the operation using the learning data stored in the storage means, and time measurement by the measurement means after the image forming operation is started. A second calculating means for calculating a numerical value corresponding to a required time of the operation using the time, and either one of the first calculating means and the second calculating means can be selected. Therefore, it is possible to select the means in accordance with the condition, and it is possible to improve the practicality of the image forming apparatus.

(2) The attribute data converted by the conversion means matches the attribute data in the data stored in the storage means, and the time data corresponding to the matched attribute data is determined by the first calculation means. When all the data necessary for performing the calculation are included, the first calculation means is selected,
If the time data corresponding to the attribute data does not include all of the data necessary for performing the calculation by the first calculating means, the second calculating means is selected. This can be done automatically. Thus, there is a disadvantage of the first calculating means that a numerical value corresponding to the required time cannot be calculated unless the corresponding learning data exists, and the time measurement is performed by the measuring means after the image forming operation is started, so that the time measurement ends. Since the disadvantages of the second calculating means, such as the inability to calculate the numerical value according to the required time, are reduced, the practicability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

(3) After completing the image forming operation, the learning data is added or updated in the storage means, and when the learning data is added, the oldest learning data is overwritten. Therefore, the learning data which is frequently used is held in the storage means. Therefore, the probability of selecting the first calculation unit that requires a shorter time before the calculation is performed increases, and the practicability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

(4) When storing the learning data 1 which is arbitrary learning data, the learning data 2 which is the learning data among the attribute data included in the learning data 1 and the data stored by the storage means is stored. When the attribute data included matches the time data included in the learning data 2, the time data included in the learning data 1 is updated.
A plurality of pieces of learning data including the same attribute data no longer exists. As a result, the number of types of attribute data that can be stored increases, so that the probability of selecting the first calculation unit that requires a shorter time before the operation is performed increases, and the practicability of the image forming apparatus is improved. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of step S208 shown in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 document illumination lamp 2 platen glass 3 automatic document feeder 4 developing machine 5 transfer / separation charger 6 photosensitive drum 7 fixing device 8 sorter 9 document tray 10 paper ejection tray 21 operation unit body 22 start key 23 numeric keypad 24 clear key 25 stop Key 26 Touch panel and display device

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a notifying unit for notifying a required time until an image forming operation is completed or a progress status of the image forming operation, wherein required time information corresponding to an image forming mode is stored in advance. A storage unit for storing, after the image forming operation is started, a measuring unit for measuring a time required to complete a predetermined portion of the image forming operation, and based on the information stored in the storage unit, A first calculating means for calculating a time required until the image forming operation is completed; and a second calculating means for calculating a required time until the image forming operation is completed based on the measured time obtained by the measuring means. And an selecting means for selectively operating the first calculating means or the second calculating means. 2. The learning information according to claim 1, wherein the information stored in the storage means includes attribute information indicating an operation mode for image formation, and time information corresponding to each attribute information. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that: 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit measures an interval of a reading scan performed when the image forming operation is performed or a feeding interval of the transfer paper. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, based on a calculation result of the first calculation unit or the second calculation unit selected by the selection unit, a required time until an image forming operation is completed or image formation. An image forming apparatus, wherein the progress of an operation is displayed on the notification means. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion unit configured to generate attribute information based on instruction information set by an operator when starting an image forming operation. 6. The attribute information according to claim 5, wherein the attribute information converted by the conversion means matches the attribute information stored in the storage means, and the attribute information is stored in correspondence with the matched attribute information. When the time information includes all the data necessary for performing the calculation by the first calculating means, the first calculating means is selected, and the time information stored corresponding to the attribute information is stored in the second calculating means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second calculating means is selected when all the data necessary for performing the calculation by the first calculating means are not included. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein after completion of the image forming operation, new learning information relating to the image forming operation is additionally stored in the storage unit. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the oldest learning information is overwritten when the new learning information is additionally stored in the storage unit. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein when the attribute information included in the new learning information matches the attribute information of the learning information already stored in the storage unit, the attribute information stored in the new learning information is stored. An image forming apparatus characterized by updating time information included in attribute information with time information included in the new learning information. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the measurement unit measures the paper feed interval of the transfer paper when an interleaving mode is set by an operator. 11. When notifying the required time until the image forming operation is completed or the progress of the image forming operation by using a storage unit that stores the required time information corresponding to the image forming mode in advance, A first calculation step for calculating a time required until the image forming operation is completed based on the information stored in the means, and a predetermined portion of the image forming operation is completed after the image forming operation is started. And a second calculating step of calculating a time required until the image forming operation is completed, based on the measured time obtained by measuring the time required for performing the image forming operation. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus. 12. The learning information according to claim 11, wherein the information stored in the storage unit includes attribute information indicating an operation mode for image formation, and time information corresponding to each attribute information. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, the method comprising: 13. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an interval of a reading scan performed when the image forming operation is performed or a paper feeding interval of the transfer paper is measured. 14. The time required for the image forming operation to be completed or the progress of the image forming operation based on the selected operation result of the first operation means or the second operation step. For controlling the image forming apparatus. 15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a conversion step of generating attribute information based on instruction information set by an operator at the start of an image forming operation. 16. The attribute information according to claim 15, wherein the attribute information converted in the conversion step matches the attribute information stored in the storage means, and is stored corresponding to the matched attribute information. When the time information includes all the data necessary for performing the calculation in the first calculation step, the first calculation step is selected, and the time information stored corresponding to the attribute information is stored in the second calculation step. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: selecting the second calculation step when all the data necessary for performing the calculation in one calculation step are not included. 17. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein after completion of the image forming operation, new learning information on the image forming operation is additionally stored in the storage unit. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein when the new learning information is additionally stored in the storage unit, the oldest learning information is overwritten. 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein when the attribute information included in the new learning information matches the attribute information of the learning information already stored in the storage means, A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: updating time information included in attribute information with time information included in the new learning information. 20. The control method of an image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the paper feed interval of the transfer paper is measured when an interleaving mode is set by an operator.