JPS63253962A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prolong the service life of a photosensitive drum by constituting the titled recorder so that with respect to a recording operation request, etc., generated in the course of a post-rotation, it can be received in a real time, and printing can be executed by a pre-rotation operating time portion. CONSTITUTION:Whether a post-processing rotation is being executed or not is discriminated by a post-processing rotation discriminating means F, and in the course of its post-processing rotation, a processing command means E decides the sort of an inputted signal. As a result of decision, when a prescribed condition is satisfied, a pre-processing rotation executing means C is executed in parallel to a post-processing rotation executing means D. Accordingly, even if the post-processing rotation is on the way, the pre-processing rotation is executed. In such a way, the rotation of a photosensitive body A is shortened and the service life can be prolonged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a recording device, and particularly to a recording device that uses electrophotography to form an image on a photoreceptor and performs print processing.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in this type of recording apparatus, in order to stabilize the formed image, a so-called pre-processing rotation (hereinafter referred to as pre-rotation) is used to electrostatically clean the photosensitive drum prior to image formation. A so-called post-processing rotation (hereinafter referred to as post-rotation) is performed to clean the photosensitive drum at the end of image formation.

The specific processing contents of such pre-rotation and post-rotation are already well known in the field of electrophotography technology, so a detailed explanation will not be provided.

However, for ease of understanding, the pre-rotation and post-rotation processes are roughly divided into high-pressure AIA process, high-pressure B process, and high-pressure C process.
The following explanation assumes that the IA process is performed. In each of these processes, for example, simultaneously with the rotation of the photosensitive drum, voltage application to each charger, lighting of an exposure lamp, etc. are performed while controlling the timing appropriately.

Forward rotation and backward rotation under such a premise, for example,
This is done as shown in the figure. That is, in response to a recording operation start command from the control device, if a recording operation is possible, the recording apparatus starts the drum motor that drives the photosensitive drum and starts forward rotation. And after starting T. After a period of time, high pressure A treatment is started, and after that T, high pressure B treatment is started.
The high-pressure C process is started 12 hours after the start of the process, and the pre-rotation is completed 13 hours after the start of the high-pressure C process, making it possible to accept image information.

After the pre-rotation is completed, image formation and subsequent printing operation are performed, and after the printing operation is completed, the post-rotation is performed. The processing order of the post-rotation is not necessarily the same as the processing order of the pre-rotation. For example, high pressure B
The process is turned off, and 14 hours later, the high pressure C process is turned off. After 15 hours, the high pressure A process is turned off. After T6 hours have passed after the high pressure A process has been turned off, the drum motor is stopped and post-rotation is completed. .

However, since conventional forward rotation and backward rotation were considered to be separate and contradictory processes, it is now possible to process them at the same time or with a slight phase difference. However, once one process is completed, the other process is executed, or the processes are roughly divided into predetermined time periods and executed alternately.

Therefore, even if, for example, a recording operation request signal is generated immediately after determining that the recording operation has ended, the pre-rotation process is always executed after the post-rotation process is completed.
This causes the photosensitive drum to rotate extra, resulting in a problem that the life of the photosensitive drum is shortened.

In order to deal with the above problem, it is conceivable to delay the start timing of the post-rotation, but this would lengthen the post-rotation, making it impossible to use the photosensitive drum efficiently. It is also possible to send the next recording operation end signal before the start of the post-rotation, but this is quite difficult in terms of image processing ability, and there are disadvantages such as restrictions on the operation of the host computer located above the control device.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional apparatus, to extend the life of the photoreceptor, and to respond to recording operation requests issued during post-rotation in real time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording device that can cope with this problem and can be brought into a state in which a recording operation can be performed in the shortest possible time.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording apparatus that forms an image on a photoreceptor and performs print processing, which includes a photoreceptor pre-processing rotation executing means and a photoreceptor rotation execution means. a post-processing rotation executing means; a post-processing rotation determining means for determining the state of the post-processing rotation executing means; and a post-processing rotation determining means for determining the type of signal input during execution of the post-processing rotation based on the determination result of the post-processing rotation determining means. , execute the preprocessing rotation execution means in parallel under predetermined conditions [
[Operation] According to the present invention, the post-processing rotation determining means determines whether or not the post-processing rotation is in progress, and thereafter, during the processing rotation, the processing command means determines the type of manually input signal. As a result of the determination, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, the pre-processing rotation executing means is executed in parallel with the post-processing rotation executing means. Therefore, since the pre-processing rotation is executed even during the post-processing rotation, the rotation of the photoreceptor can be shortened, the life span can be extended, and the recording operation can be performed in the shortest possible time.

[Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, in which A is a photosensitive drum, B is a print processing execution means for forming an image on the photosensitive drum A and printing;
C is a pre-processing rotation execution means for pre-processing the photosensitive drum before image formation by the print processing execution means B; D is a post-processing rotation execution means for performing post-processing; and E is for determining the type of manually input signal. This is a processing command means that gives commands to each of the above-mentioned execution means based on the signal.

F is a post-processing rotation determining means that determines the operating state of the post-processing rotation execution means.This determining means F determines that the post-processing rotation is in progress, and if the input signal is a recording operation signal, the processing command means When E makes a judgment, the preprocessing rotation execution means C is also executed in parallel.

Next, FIG. 2 shows an outline of a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as LBP) as an example of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

In the figure, 1 is the LBP main body, 2 is a control device that outputs operation commands for LBP 1, 3 is a control device that receives commands from the control device 2 and controls the operation of the LBPI, and includes a CPU 38, ll0M3B, R.A.
Built-in M3tl: etc. Furthermore, this control device 3
It is electrically connected to the control device 2 via a well-known video interface (VIDEO I/F).

Reference numeral 4 denotes an input/output device, which is controlled by the control device 3 and performs key input, display, etc. The transmission and reception of signals between the control device 2 and the input/output device 4 and the control device 3 is controlled by a predetermined program stored in the ROM 3B, and
This ROM 3B further has an area 3B1 for storing a control program of an embodiment described later.

5 is a photosensitive drum, 6 is a developing device containing black toner, and 7 is a photosensitive drum.
is a developing device containing red toner, and both are removable. 8 is a laser device, and 9 is a scanner device for scanning laser light emitted from the laser device, both of which are controlled by the control device 3.

11.11. ... are each chargers, 12 is an exposure lamp,
13 is a fixing roller, 14 is a flapper for determining the conveyance path of the print paper, 15 and 16 are conveyance rollers that can be rotated in forward and reverse directions, 17 and 18 are paper feed rollers, and 19 is a registration roller, which are controlled by the control device 3. controlled by

When the power is turned on, the LBPI starts operating as much as possible in a printable state (referred to as the RDY state), controls the temperature of the fixing roller 13, performs electrostatic cleaning of the photosensitive drum 5, and Performs automatic ejection of accumulated recording paper, etc.
Check whether it is in the RDY state while turning on the power.
It is executed in real time, and the state where printing is not possible (hereinafter N
(referred to as OT RDY state), wait until the cause is removed. This will be displayed on the input/output device 4, and the V
It is sent to the control device 2 via the IDEO I/F. When the RDY state is entered, the device enters a standby state in which it waits for instructions from the control device 2.

Upon receiving a signal instructing printing (hereinafter referred to as a PRNT signal) from the control device 2, the control device 3 executes pre-rotation of the photosensitive drum 5 for stabilizing the formed image.

Note that there are detailed print paper instructions when printing, such as the type of print paper, print paper feed stage instructions, and 9 single-sided printing.

Multiple printing, double-sided printing, printing color instructions, etc. are performed by serial communication defined by VIDEO I/F. Then, the print paper is fed a predetermined time before the end of the pre-rotation. Note that this predetermined time is not particularly limited, and for example, from paper feeding to photosensitive drum 5.
This corresponds to the time until the control device 3 outputs an image write permission signal (hereinafter referred to as the VSNREQ signal). Print paper is fed by paper feed rollers 17 or 18 and hits registration rollers 19. The registration rollers 19 continue to convey the print paper a predetermined distance while being stopped. Then, a predetermined amount of loops are formed in the print paper and the print paper is conveyed while rotating. After that, after conveying the print paper for a predetermined amount by the registration rollers 19, the conveyance of the print paper is temporarily stopped and a VSNREQ signal is output to the control device 2, and at the same time,
Developer device 6 for either black toner or red toner
Alternatively, 7 is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 5. Upon receiving the VSNREQ signal, the control device 2 sends a synchronization signal (hereinafter referred to as VSY
(referred to as an NC signal) and starts outputting image information.

When the control device 3 receives the VSYNC signal, after a predetermined period of time to synchronize with the image developed on the photosensitive drum 5, the print paper waiting on the registration rollers 19 is conveyed again, and the image formed on the photosensitive drum 5 is conveyed again. To transfer images to printing paper in a synchronized state.

Once the image is transferred, it is fixed by the fixing roller 13. Note that when the image formation for the print paper size is completed, the photosensitive drum 5 performs PRNT for the next print paper.
If the signal is in the FALSE state, post-rotation of the photosensitive drum is performed to stabilize the formed image. When the photosensitive drum 5 finishes performing the post-rotation, it stops rotating. The flapper that determines the conveyance path of the print paper on which the image has been fixed by the fixing roller 13 is controlled according to its print mode (for example, double-sided printing, etc.), and if it is single-sided printing, the flapper remains in the OFF state as shown in FIG. 2. It is transported and discharged. Also, if you print on both sides, turn off the flapper.
The printed paper is conveyed in this state, and when the trailing edge of the printed paper reaches the roller 15 or after a predetermined timing after passing, a switchback operation of reversing the conveying rollers 15 and 16 is performed to retransport the paper to the re-conveying path shown by X in FIG. to change the print side of the print paper to the back side.

In addition, for multiple printing, the flapper 14 is turned on and the print paper is conveyed as it is to the re-conveyance path indicated by X in FIG. The print paper conveyed to the re-conveyance path for double-sided printing and multiplex printing waits at a predetermined location in a predetermined state.

After this, it is sufficient to designate the paper feed by the control device 3 as the paper re-feed port, perform the same operation as described above, print the image on the print paper again, and turn off the flapper 14 to eject the paper.

Continuous printing can be achieved by controlling the above operations for each print paper and feeding the paper at predetermined intervals. Note that even in continuous printing, it is determined whether or not to perform post-rotation in accordance with the content of the print signal at the timing when the image formation on the photosensitive drum 5 for the print paper size is completed.

Next, an example of the control procedure of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In addition, used in the flowchart It is as follows.

rENTERJ... A call operation that instructs the execution of each task, which is an independent program, and at the same time causes the program to be executed according to the specified execution start address of that task.

r ESfl:PJ... Return operation to store the next execution address in the execution start designated address of the task and return to the location where rENTERJ was performed.

rWAITJ: A return operation to automatically perform processing such that the task is rENTerlJed after a set time and perform rESCPJ processing.

The flowchart shown in FIG. P of
The RNT signal is monitored in step 100.
= ca + gu IX Nashi o ri nee, -11^ - 11^ - rint task When ENTER, the ESCPIA process is performed so that the execution starts from step 100 again, and the process returns to the main routine. And the PRNT signal is TR
If it becomes a UE, the process moves to step 120, and the processing rotation priority for electrostatic cleaning of the photosensitive drum 5 is set to pre-rotation, and in step 130, the pre-rotation process begins.

When the pre-rotation is completed through steps 140 and 150, printing is controlled by the print sequence in step 180, and in step 200, the presence or absence of the PRNT signal 9 of the next page is checked, and if there is a signal, the process returns to step 180 to continue printing. . If there is no PRTN signal, step 210
Even if it is determined that the printing is completed in step 230, the process proceeds to step 230, and after setting the priority to post-rotation, execution of post-rotation begins at step 240. Then, in step 250, the PRNT of the next page is
Check the presence or absence of a signal, and if requested, step 120
Return to and repeat the above operation. When it is determined in step 260 that the post-rotation has been completed, in step 270 the final printed paper is fixed and ejection rotation is instructed to be stored in a predetermined location, and in step 280 the ejection rotation is completed. If the process is not completed, the presence or absence of the PINT signal is checked in step 250, as described above. When the discharge rotation is completed, the process returns to step 100 by ESCP in step 110.

Note that, in step 140, a check is made 60 mm before the end of the previous rotation. This is a decision made in order to feed the print paper in advance so that the print paper can be conveyed in synchronization with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 5 in order to print the image immediately after the end of the previous rotation. It does not necessarily have to be 60mm in front. Note that if it is determined YES in step 140, the above purpose can be achieved by issuing a paper feed instruction and proceeding to step 150. However, in this embodiment, for ease of explanation,
Since the paper feed instruction is included in the print sequence in step 180, illustration is omitted.

In step 120, the priority is set to forward rotation, and in step 130
After starting the pre-rotation at step 140°, during the pre-rotation processing at step 150, the PR is started at step 160.
Checking NT signal. The determination of the presence or absence of the PRNT signal in step 160 determines whether or not the recording operation can be canceled. In other words, the PRNT signal is a synchronization signal for writing an image onto the photosensitive drum 5 after the previous rotation is completed, and is restricted by 17F. For example, if the PRNT signal is not held, the control device 2 will not print without any intention to print. (cancel), and immediately starts the operation to finish the print operation. If it is determined at step +60 that printing is to be canceled, the priority is set to post-rotation at step 230, and post-rotation execution is started at step 240.

As a result, parallel processing is executed for post-rotation in addition to pre-rotation in the priority post-rotation state, and as will be explained in detail with reference to FIG.
After passing through step 280, the printing operation is completed and step 110''t' ESCP is performed.

Next, since printing is completed, the priority is set to post-rotation in step 230, post-rotation is started in step 240, and the PRNT for printing the next page is determined during post-rotation processing by determining the presence or absence of the PRNT signal in step 250.
When the signal becomes TFltlE, the process immediately moves to step 120, the priority is rewritten to pre-rotation, and pre-rotation is started in step 130. As a result, priority is given to the pre-rotation state, and parallel processing is executed for the pre-rotation in addition to the post-rotation, and finally, in the pre-rotation processing completed state, the print sequence is executed in step 180 as described above.

Next, the forward rotation and backward rotation processing will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 showing the forward rotation and backward rotation operations. In FIG. 4, ■ is a pre-rotation task flow, and ■ is a post-rotation task flow.

In FIG. 4 ■, when the print task enters the previous rotation in step 130, step 5
At 00, a flag indicating forward rotation is set. Then, in step 501, the priority is checked, and if post-rotation is given priority, it is checked in step 502 whether or not the process has already been processed by post-rotation.

When unprocessed or when priority is given to previous rotation, step 50
At step 3, the drum motor is turned on and the process moves to step 504, where a pre-rotation drum motor operation flag is set. On the other hand, if the drum motor has been operated by post-rotation in step 502, a flag is similarly set in step 504 indicating that the drum motor has been operated in a predetermined manner at a predetermined timing, and the process proceeds to step 505. In step 505, the predetermined time T is reached. ITfi to W which will be ENTERed again later
Fill in the data and return to the print task.

Note that once execution of this pre-rotation task is started by ENTER, it continues to be executed while being automatically time-controlled by WAIT processing, and stops when it is finished. When execution is started again by a print task or the like, the process starts from step 500. The above-mentioned steps 500 to 505 are considered as one division, and although the processing contents and processing cycles are different, the same processing is performed in steps 506 to 510...steps 511 to 51.
Elapsed time T3 with each step 516 as one division
is executed until

The post-rotation in FIG.

That is, in step 240 described above, the post-rotation is ENTER.
Then, in step 550, a flag indicating that post-rotation is in progress is set. Then, in step 551, the priority is checked, and if the previous rotation is given priority, it is checked in step 552 whether or not the previous rotation has already been processed. When unprocessed and when priority is given to the previous rotation, the high pressure B is turned off in step 553, and the process proceeds to step 554, where the post rotation high pressure B operation flag is set. On the other hand, in step 552, forward rotation is performed.

If the high-pressure Bfi filling has already been performed, also perform step 5.
A flag is set in step 54 to indicate that the high pressure B has been operated in a predetermined manner at a predetermined timing, and the process moves to step 555. In step 555, similar to step 505, WAIT processing is performed such that ENTER is performed again after a predetermined time T4.

Note that once the post-rotation task is executed by ENTnE, it continues to be executed while being automatically time-controlled by the WAIT process, and stops when it is finished. Then, when execution is started again by a print task or the like, the process starts from step 550.

Steps 550 to 555 described above are considered as one division, and the same processing is performed in steps 556 to 560, although the processing content and processing cycle are different.・・・
- Steps 561 to 566 are each executed as one section until the elapsed time T6. With the above configuration, when only forward rotation is performed with priority given to forward rotation, or when only rear rotation is performed with priority given to rear rotation, the operation is the same as before.

Next, an example will be shown in which forward rotation is executed with priority given to forward rotation during backward rotation. Now, we will explain how, hypothetically, at time 0 after the start of the rear rotation shown in FIG. 6, the PRNT signal is issued, the front rotation is ENTERed, and parallel processing is performed.

First, when the post-rotation starts, step 55 is performed as described above.
The priority is checked in step 1, but in this example, when starting the rear rotation, priority is given to the rear rotation, so the high pressure B is turned off in step 553, and then the high pressure B is turned off in step 554 and then in step 55.
A 14-hour WAITIA procedure will be carried out at 5:00 p.m. FIG. 5C (As is clear from the relationship, ENTEH is performed again after the first 14 hours have elapsed after the start of the rear rotation, and the process proceeds to step 55G. At this point, priority has already been given to the front rotation, so step 557 The process proceeds to step 558, where it is checked whether or not there has been a high pressure C operation for the previous rotation.Since the high pressure C operation for the previous rotation has not been performed at this point, the process proceeds to step 558, where the high pressure C is turned off (Fig. reference)
In step 559, the post-rotation high pressure C operation flag is set, and in step 560, a 13-hour WAIT process is performed.

On the other hand, when the pre-rotation task ■ starts the pre-rotation at the timing shown in ■ in Figure 5, 260 → 2 in Figure 3
Steps are performed in the order of 90→250→120, and priority is transferred to the previous rotation. As a result, a flag indicating forward rotation is set in step 500, priority is checked in step 501, and the process proceeds to step 503 to turn on the drum motor. However, in this case, since the drum motor is already in the on state, it does not affect the actual rotation and only serves as the starting point of the timer. Then, in step 504, the front rotation drum motor operation flag is set,
In step 505, WAIT processing is performed for 10 hours.

Then, T after the start of the pre-rotation, which comes for the first time after 14 hours. At time, the previous rotation task ■ is re-ENTERed and its priority is checked in step 506. However, since priority is given to the front rotation, high pressure A is turned on in step 508, but since it is originally on in the rear rotation, the fifth
Figure ■ shows that nothing has changed. Although the illustration in FIG. 4 is omitted after T and time A have elapsed from this process, the priority is similarly checked downstream of step 510 of the previous rotation task (2). In this case, as mentioned above, since forward rotation has priority, high pressure B
(See Figure 5 ■).

In this way, the pre-rotation task ■ and the post-rotation task ■ are executed in parallel, and in this example, the post-rotation task ends first, but the priority is checked in step 561, and the pre-rotation task Since it is a priority, the process goes to step 564, where each operation flag for the post-rotation is reset, the post-rotation flag is reset at step 565, and the post-rotation is subjected to ESCP processing at step 566. Furthermore, for the pre-rotation task that continues even after the end of the post-rotation task, the priority is checked in step 511 after 18 hours have elapsed since the high voltage C ON operation JA31, and since the pre-rotation task has priority, steps 512 and 5
At step 13, the post-rotation is canceled and the post-rotation task flag is reset. However, this is valid when the post-rotation task O is still being executed, and in this example, since the post-rotation has already been completed, it is not executed. Then, in step 514, each operation flag for forward rotation is reset, in step 515, the flag for forward rotation is also reset, and in step 516, the ES
Perform CP processing and end the pre-rotation.

In this way, as a result of performing parallel processing of the forward rotation with priority given to the forward rotation during the backward rotation, if the backward rotation takes a longer time, if the forward rotation ends first, the end rotation will be completed. At this point, the post-rotation will be canceled and its execution will be stopped.

Furthermore, if the front rotation is ENTERed at time O after the start of the rear rotation shown in FIG. In this case as well, the process ends in the same pre-rotation state as shown in (2).

In other words, in any case of the above-mentioned G-heavy force, the end result is simply the end of the forward rotation.

In the embodiments described above, in order to facilitate understanding of forward rotation and rear rotation, high pressure A is used in conjunction with the description of the conventional example.
The explanation has been simplified as processing, high-pressure B processing, and high-pressure CIA processing, but there are various types of actual pre-rotation and post-rotation as well known, so based on the same theory as the above explanation, scale expansion etc. are also included. It goes without saying that this should be done at the appropriate time.

In addition, in this embodiment, the PRNT signal is the condition for giving priority to the front rotation during the rear rotation and executing parallel processing for the front rotation.
However, other conditions may be added, or a combination of various conditions may be used. Requests for recording operations, etc. that occur during the process can be accepted in real time, and printing can be executed within the pre-rotation operation time.Therefore, there are no restrictions on print timing for the control device, and there is no need to wait. Printing can be continued at the appropriate timing. Moreover, the use of the photosensitive drum can be suppressed to the necessary minimum, the efficiency of use can be improved, and the life of the photosensitive drum can be extended.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a laser beam printer to which the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are implementations of the present invention. A flowchart showing an example of the control procedure, Fig. 5 shows the parallel processing when the present invention is implemented. It is a timing chart showing processing. A: Photosensitive drum, B: Print processing execution means, C: Pre-processing rotation execution means, D: Post-processing rotation execution means, E: Processing command means, F: Post-processing Rotation determination means. Implementation of the present invention n-form 4-block okanwei diagram Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A recording apparatus that forms an image on a photoreceptor and performs print processing, comprising: a pre-processing rotation execution unit for the photoconductor; a post-processing rotation execution unit for the photoconductor; and the post-processing rotation execution unit. post-processing rotation determining means for determining the state of the execution means; and determining the type of signal input during the execution of the post-processing rotation based on the determination result of the post-processing rotation determining means, and determining the type of signal input when a predetermined condition is met. A recording device comprising: processing command means for executing processing rotation execution means in parallel. 2) When the processing commanding means executes preprocessing rotation in parallel during execution of postprocessing rotation, the final stage of the execution is executed with priority given to each output state determined by the preprocessing rotation execution means. A recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3) When the processing commanding means executes the preprocessing rotation in parallel during the execution of the postprocessing rotation, if the execution of the preprocessing rotation execution means ends before the execution of the postprocessing rotation execution means ends, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein execution of the post-processing rotation execution means is stopped at the time of completion of the rotation.