JPH10198228A - Image forming device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the erroneous display of the time needed to form an image by not using the real time needed to form the image for correction, when an image forming operation is not a normal one. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a display device 33 for displaying the time required from the start of the formation of the image to its completion, during the image forming operation, a controller 32 having a counting means for counting the real time needed to form the image and a correcting means for correcting the time required displayed on the display device 33, in accordance with the real time counted by the counting means and a detecting means for detecting the fact that the image forming operation is not the normal one (for instance, a service mode). The controller 32 controls the correcting means, not to use the real time counted by the counting means, for the formation of the image, for the display by the display means 33, when that the image forming operation is not the normal one is detected.

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 having a function of correcting and displaying a required time from the start to the end of image formation in accordance with real time and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer has display means for displaying an operation mode (paper size, number of output sheets, magnification, etc.). Some display the time required for image formation. For example, when the image formation is started, the present apparatus sets the time until the end of the image formation predicted in advance according to the operation mode to “takes 3 minutes until the end”, “waiting time 3 minutes”, “scheduled end time 11:20”, etc. Is displayed to notify the user. Also, "3 until the end
"It takes 2 minutes", "It takes 2 minutes to finish", "It takes 1 minute to finish" during image formation
And those displaying the progress of the image forming operation.

If the time predicted before the end of image formation at the start of image formation differs from the real time (due to differences between apparatuses, use environment, deterioration of the apparatus, etc.), the predicted time is corrected to match the real time. Some do. For example, there is a learning function that has means for constantly counting (measuring) the actual time until the end of image formation in a certain operation mode, and using this measured data as a predicted time for the next image formation.

[0004]

However, the conventional example has the following disadvantages.

In some cases, a serviceman performs an image forming operation in a service mode that is not used by a user, such as inspection and adjustment of the apparatus. In this case, a special operation different from the image forming operation used by the user may be performed, and the image forming time is also a special time.

[0006] Even when the user is in the process of forming an image, if a paper jam occurs, the image forming operation is not correct, and the time required for the image forming is different from the time required for normal image forming.

Similarly, when a failure (abnormality) occurs in the apparatus during image formation, the image forming operation is not correct, so the time required for image formation is different from the time required for normal image formation.

In the case where the normal image formation is not performed, if correction (learning) is performed using the actual required time data of the image formation, an incorrect required image formation time is predicted at the next normal image formation. Display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which solves the above problems and a control method therefor.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display means for displaying a required time from the start to the end of image formation during an image forming operation.
Measuring means for measuring the actual time required for image formation, correcting means for correcting the required time displayed on the display means according to the actual time measured by the measuring means, and that it is not a normal image forming operation Detecting means for detecting, and when the detecting means detects that it is not a normal image forming operation, controlling the correcting means so that the real time measured by the measuring means for the image formation is not used for display by the display means And control means for performing the control.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the correction means has a storage means for storing required time information to be supplied to the display means, and the control means has a function of the detection means. Is detected as not a normal image forming operation, the actual time measured by the measuring means for the image formation is not stored in the storage means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the control means sets a value of a required time to be displayed on the display means as the image forming operation progresses during the image forming operation. It is characterized by a gradual decrease.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
Wherein the detecting means detects that the service mode is set.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the control means controls to not perform the measurement by the measuring means when the detecting means detects that the service mode is set. Features.

Further, the invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in claim 4 or 5, the detecting means has a service switch.

Further, the invention of claim 7 is based on claims 1-3.
Wherein the detecting means detects a paper jam during the image forming operation.

Further, the invention of claim 8 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
Wherein the detecting means detects that the device has failed during the image forming operation.

Further, the invention of claim 9 provides the invention according to claims 1 to 8
Is characterized in that the image forming apparatus is a copying machine.

Further, the invention according to claim 10 is the first invention.
8 is characterized in that the image forming apparatus is a printer.

Further, according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the required time displayed on the display means for measuring the actual time required for image formation and displaying the required time from the start to the end of the image formation during the image forming operation. When correcting according to the measured real time, when the detection unit that detects that it is not a normal image forming operation detects that it is not a normal image forming operation,
The measured real time for the image formation is not used for display by the display unit.

Further, the invention of claim 12 is the invention of claim 11
In the above, the correction is performed on a storage unit that stores information on a time required to supply the display unit with the display unit, and when the detection unit detects that it is not a normal image forming operation, the measurement for the image formation is performed. The real time measured by the means is not stored in the storage means.

Furthermore, the invention of claim 13 provides the invention of claim 11
(12) In the method (12), during the image forming operation, the value of the required time displayed on the display unit is gradually reduced as the image forming operation proceeds.

Further, the invention of claim 14 is the invention of claim 11
In any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the detecting means detects that the service mode is set.

Further, the invention of claim 15 is the invention of claim 14
Wherein the measurement is not performed when the detection unit detects that the service mode is set.

Further, the invention of claim 16 is the invention of claim 14
(15) In the method (15), the detecting means includes a service switch.

Further, the invention of claim 17 is based on claim 11
In any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the detecting means detects a paper jam during the image forming operation.

Further, the invention of claim 18 is the invention of claim 11
In any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the detecting means detects that the apparatus has failed during the image forming operation.

Further, the invention of claim 19 is the invention of claim 11
The image forming apparatus of any one of (1) to (18) is performed by a copying machine.

Further, the invention of claim 20 is the invention of claim 11
The image formation according to any one of (1) to (18) is performed by a printer.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Embodiment 1) An example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is shown.

FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, schematically showing an internal mechanism. That is, 1
Is a document illumination lamp, 2 is a document table glass, 3 is a 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 is a document tray, 10
Denotes a paper discharge tray. That is, the document set on the document tray 9 is fed onto the document table glass 2 by the document feeder 3 and illuminated by the illumination lamp 1, and the reflected light image forms an electrostatic image on the drum 6. The electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) is visualized by the original imager 4 using a toner made of a resin or the like that softens and melts when heated. Then, the toner image is transferred to the cassette 11 or 1 by the transfer separation charger 5.
The recording paper is transferred onto the recording paper supplied from the printer 2 through the transport path 13, and the transferred recording paper is heated and fixed by the fixing device 7, and then is discharged to a paper discharge tray 10 built in the sorter 8. Since the document feeder 3 has a built-in sensor for detecting the presence of a document on the document tray 9, when a document is set on the document tray 9, the first document is placed on the platen glass 2.
When the sensor detects that there is no original when the original is fed to the printer, it detects that the number of originals is one,
When the sensor detects that no original exists when the first original is fed to the original platen glass 2, the sensor operates to detect that the number of originals is two.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an operation section of the above-described image forming apparatus. That is, 21 is an operation unit main body,
Reference numeral 22 denotes a start key for instructing start of operation, and reference numeral 23 denotes a ten-key for setting the number of image forming copies. Set value of the number of copies 1
May 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, 25 denotes a stop key for stopping the image forming operation, 26 denotes an operation mode setting, paper setting, magnification setting, required time display, and numerical values set by the numeric keypad 23. A touch panel for performing display and a display device.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an electric circuit of the above-described image forming apparatus. That is, 30 is a key input device, which is each of the keys. 22 to 26, and the output is supplied to a control device 32 including a microcomputer, a recording device, and the like. The storage device in the control device 32 stores control procedures as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, and these control procedures are executed by the microcomputer in the control device 32. Reference numeral 31 denotes an image forming operation detection signal, which is a position detection signal of the document illumination lamp 1, a document size detection signal, a sheet detection signal, and the like, which are output from a detection unit (not shown).
2 is supplied. 33 is a touch panel and a display device 26
The driving signal is supplied by the control unit 32. Reference numeral 34 denotes a motor for driving the original illuminating lamp 1, the developing device 4, the transfer / separation charger 5, the photosensitive drum 6, the fixing device 7, etc., which are loads for the image forming operation, a control electromagnetic clutch, a heating element, and the like. It is controlled by the control device 32.

Next, the structure and generation method of the learning data according to 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 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 this 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”
These data are converted into hexadecimal numbers and then synthesized in the order of (1) to (4), so "01,01,
01, 64 "(hexadecimal notation).

The operation mode is set to A3, the paper size of the document is set to A3, and the paper size 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 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, when the first side of the original is scanned (the number of copies is 2).
The above is data obtained by measuring the scan interval.

(6) Data measured when the document is exchanged by the document feeder 3 between the start of one scan and the start of the next scan (the number of documents 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 above data (5) to (7). For example,
The operation mode is simplex copy, the paper size of the original is A4, the paper size of the paper on which the image is formed is A4, and the copy magnification is 100.
%, In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the “time data” is 1200 because the above (5) is 1200 ms (actually measured value), and the “time data” is 30
00 ms (measured value), which is 3000,
In the above (7), since the operation mode is one-sided copy, no data exists, and 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 document 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 shown in the above-mentioned example in which the single-sided copy mode is used, 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 a process for calculating a required time, which will be described later, and a process relating to display in the image forming apparatus which operates in the above-described configuration.

First, in step 100, an operation mode setting, a magnification setting, and the like for performing an applied operation such as forming an image on both sides of a sheet using the touch panel and the display device 26 are performed.
The paper setting is determined by pressing and selecting the touch panel.

Next, in step 101, the number of copies for which an image is to be formed is set using the numeric keypad 23.

Next, at step 102, the start key 2
Wait until 2 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 112 in which the operation ends.

Further, in step 103, 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 104, and if the original is not set on the original tray 9 and the original 2
If it is set to, the process proceeds to each step of Step 105.

In step 105, a variable indicating the number of documents is set to 1, and the flow advances to step 108.

In step 104, the process waits until the first document is completely fed onto the document glass 3 by the document feeder 3.

If it is determined in step 106 that the number of originals detected by the original feeder 3 is one, the process proceeds to step 108, and if the number of originals is not one, enter "input the number of originals." Is displayed on the display device 26 for inputting the number of documents using the numeric keypad 23, and the process proceeds to step 107. The determination as to whether or not the number of originals is one is made in the tray 9
Is determined based on whether it is detected that the next document is not on the tray when the first document placed on the tray is fed.

In step 107, 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 proceeds to step 108;

In step 108, the required time is calculated. This is calculated according to a required time calculation method described later, and the calculated required time is set to Ts [seconds]. If there is an error that can be predicted in advance, a correction calculation is performed.

In this embodiment, since the display is performed in units of one minute, in step 109, the unit of the required time obtained in step 108 is converted from "seconds" to "minutes".
Assuming that the required time after conversion is Tm, Tm is represented by the following equation (8).

[0060]

Tm = Ts / 60 (1) In step 110, this Tm is compared with 1 which is the minimum value of the required time displayed on the display device 26 (see FIG. 3).
If it is smaller than 1, at step 111 the above Tm is rewritten to 1 which is the minimum value of the required time displayed on the display device 26, and then the process proceeds to step 112. If it is 1 or more, the process immediately proceeds to step 112.

At step 112, the required time calculated and converted from step 108 to step 111 is displayed on the display device 26. If the required time is 3 minutes, a character string of “3 minutes remaining” is displayed on the display device 26.

In step 113, if the operation is not completed, the process returns to step 108, and if completed, the process proceeds to step 114.

If it is determined in step 114 that the service person has entered the service mode for performing adjustment / inspection of the apparatus, the measured data is not stored and 1
Proceed to 16. As an example, a means for entering the service mode is a dedicated service switch, and the detection that this switch has been pressed is performed by a signal input to the microcomputer. If it is determined in step 114 that the service mode has not been entered, the process proceeds to step 115. This 114
The determination as to whether or not the apparatus is in the service mode may be performed immediately after the start key is pressed in the area 102. If the apparatus is in the service mode, the processing of steps 103 and subsequent steps may not be performed.

In step 115, learning data is generated from the measured data in accordance with the above-described learning data generating method, 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 116, 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 108 shown in FIG.

First, in step 200 of FIG. 5, a calculation execution flag indicating whether 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 209. If the calculation execution flag is other than 1, the process proceeds to step 201.

In step 201, the calculation execution flag is set to 1
Is assigned. In step 202, attribute data is generated according to the learning data generation method described above. Next, in step 203, a search is performed to determine whether the same attribute data as the attribute data generated in step S102 exists in the storage device.

In step 204, step 202
If the attribute data identical to the attribute data generated in the step 1 exists in the storage device, the process proceeds to step 205. If the attribute data identical to the attribute data generated does not exist in the storage device, the process proceeds to step 207. Further, in step 205, it is checked whether or not data necessary for calculating the required time using the time data is available. This is because if the time counting conditions are not met due to the setting of 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 obtaining the required time for one-sided copying, if the number of documents is set to one and the number of copies is set to five, the document is not exchanged by the document feeder 3, so the data (6) described in the data generation method is There is no need, and only data of (5) is required. If the number of documents is set to 5 and the number of copies is set to 5 in the case of double-sided copy, all the operations from (5) to (7) are performed, and thus all the operations from (5) to (7) are performed. Is determined to be necessary. If the data necessary for the calculation is complete, the process proceeds to step 206;
Proceed to 07.

In step 206, the required time is calculated from the time data, the number of setting, the setting mode, and the number of documents. (5),
The time data of (6) and (7) are respectively represented by t1, t2 and t
The number of times the operations of (5), (6), and (7) are performed from the start of the operation to the end of the operation is calculated as n1,
Assuming that n2 and n3, it is represented by the following equation (2).
Since the time data is in the unit of millisecond, it is converted to the unit of second by the equation (2).

[0072]

T = (t1 × n1 + t2 × n2 + t3 × n3) / 1000 (2) In step 207, 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. Proceed to 208.

In step 208, the scan interval,
A predetermined time is calculated from the number of copies, 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).

[0074]

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 209, the obtained predetermined time T is subtracted according to the operation ratio. This is because the number of image formations performed from the start of the operation to the end of the operation is obtained, and the required time T is calculated according to the ratio of the number of times the image formation is performed after the start of the operation.
Is subtracted. 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.

[0076]

Ts = T × (n1-n2) / n1 (4) (Embodiment 2) FIG. 6 shows a paper jam during image formation (jam).
6 is a flowchart showing a process for calculating a required time and a display relating to a display when the event occurs.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the determination of 114 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment due to a paper jam.
It is determined whether or not an error has occurred.

For this reason, 100-113 and 115-1
The description of 16 is the same as that of FIG.

Reference numeral 614 denotes a paper jam during image formation (jam).
Occurs and the operation ends, the process proceeds to 116 without storing the measured data in the storage device.

This is because even when the user is forming an image,
When a paper jam (jam) occurs, the image forming operation is not correct, and the time required for image formation is different from the time required for normal image formation. Therefore, this measurement data is not stored.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the processing for calculating the required time and displaying when a failure (abnormality) of the apparatus occurs during image formation.

In FIG. 7, the determination at 114 in the flowchart of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment is made by determining whether or not a failure (abnormality) has occurred.

For this reason, 100-113 and 115-1
The description of 16 is the same as that of FIG.

Reference numeral 714 denotes a device failure (abnormal) during image formation.
Occurs and the operation ends, the process proceeds to 116 without storing the measured data in the storage device.

This is because even when the user is forming an image,
When a failure (abnormality) of the apparatus occurs, it is not a correct image forming operation. Therefore, the time required for image formation is different from the time required for normal image formation. Therefore, this measurement data is not stored.

[0086]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the image forming operation is not a normal image forming operation, the actual time required for the image forming is not used for correction, so that an incorrect image forming time is displayed. Can not be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for calculating and displaying a required time from the start of the operation to the end of the operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for calculating a required time in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 original illumination lamp 2 original platen glass 3 automatic original feeder 4 developing device 5 transfer / separation charger 6 photosensitive drum 7 fixing device 8 sorter 9 original tray 10 paper output tray 21 operation unit 26 touch panel and display device 30 key input device 31 image Forming operation detection signal 32 Control device 33 Display device 34 Image forming operation load

Claims (20)

[Claims] A display unit for displaying a time required from the start to the end of the image formation during the image forming operation; a measuring unit for measuring a real time required for the image formation; Correction means for correcting the time according to the actual time measured by the measurement means, detection means for detecting that it is not a normal image forming operation, and when the detection means detects that it is not a normal image forming operation, An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the correction unit so that the real time measured by the measurement unit for the image formation is not used for display by the display unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit includes a storage unit configured to store required time information to be supplied to the display unit, and the control unit determines that the detection unit performs a normal image forming operation. An image forming apparatus characterized in that when it is detected that there is no actual time, the real time measured by the measurement means for the image formation is not stored in the storage means. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit gradually reduces a value of a required time displayed on the display unit during the image forming operation as the image forming operation proceeds. Image forming device. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit detects that the mode is a service mode. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls not to perform the measurement by the measuring unit when the detecting unit detects that the service mode is set. 6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said detecting means has a service switch. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit detects a paper jam during an image forming operation. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit detects that the apparatus has failed during the image forming operation. 9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a copying machine. 10. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer. 11. The real time required for image formation is measured, and during the image forming operation, the required time displayed on the display means for displaying the required time from the start to the end of the image formation is calculated based on the measured real time. When the detecting means detects that the image forming operation is not a normal image forming operation, the detecting unit detects that the image forming operation is not a normal image forming operation. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the correction is performed on a storage unit that stores information on a time required to supply the display unit with the display unit, and the detection unit detects that it is not a normal image forming operation. A method of controlling the image forming apparatus, wherein the actual time measured by the measuring means for the image formation is not stored in the storage means. 13. The control of an image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein during the image forming operation, the value of the required time displayed on the display means is gradually reduced as the image forming operation proceeds. Method. 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the detecting unit detects that the service mode is set. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the measurement is not performed when the detection unit detects that the service mode is set. 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the detection unit includes a service switch. 17. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the detection unit detects a paper jam during an image forming operation. 18. The method according to claim 11, wherein the detecting unit detects that the apparatus has failed during the image forming operation. 19. A control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said image formation is performed by a copying machine. 20. A method according to claim 11, wherein the image formation is performed by a printer.