JPS63253963A - 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 cancelable state generated in the course of a pre-rotation, it can be received in a real time, and the recorder can be stopped within the operating time of a post- rotation. CONSTITUTION:Whether a pre-processing rotation is being executed or not is discriminated by a pre-processing rotation discriminating means F, and in the course of its pre-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 post-processing rotation executing means D is executed in parallel to a pre-processing rotation executing means C. Accordingly, even if the pre-processing rotation is on the way, the post-processing rotation is executed. In this way, the rotation of a photosensitive body A is shortened and the service life can be prevented from becoming short.

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 embedding, 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 as appropriate.

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. Then, after To time has passed after startup, high-pressure AIA embedding is started, after that T time, high-pressure B treatment is started, and 12 hours after that, high-pressure (JQ embedding is started), and pre-rotation is finished 13 hours after the start of high-pressure C treatment. This makes 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 it becomes possible to cancel the recording operation immediately after a recording operation request is generated, for example, the pre-rotation process is always completed and then the post-rotation process is executed, so there is no excess capacity on the photosensitive drum. There was a problem in that the life of the photosensitive drum was shortened due to the rotation of the photosensitive drum. On the other hand, in order to ensure the guaranteed number of photosensitive drums during their lifetime, the inconvenience of having to set a limit on the number of possible cancel operations has been eliminated.

[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 solve a situation in which the recording operation can be canceled during the previous rotation. As soon as
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording device capable of responding in real time and increasing the efficiency of use of photoreceptors.

[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 pre-processing rotation determining means for determining the state of the pre-processing rotation executing means, and determining the type of signal input during the execution of the pre-processing rotation based on the determination result of the pre-processing rotation determining means; The present invention is characterized by comprising a processing command means for executing the post-processing rotation execution means in parallel when a predetermined condition is met.

[Function] According to the present invention, the preprocessing rotation determining means determines whether or not the preprocessing rotation is in progress, and during the preprocessing rotation, the processing command means determines the type of the input signal. As a result of the determination, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, the post-processing rotation executing means is executed in parallel with the pre-processing rotation executing means. Therefore, since the post-processing rotation is executed even during the pre-processing rotation, the rotation of the photoreceptor is shortened, and shortening of the life of the photoreceptor can be prevented.

[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 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 preprocessing rotation determining means for determining the operating state of the preprocessing rotation execution means C, and when it is determined by this determining means F that the preprocessing rotation is in progress, the input signal is treated as, for example, a recording operation cancel signal. When the processing commanding means E makes a judgment, the post-processing rotation execution means is also executed in parallel.

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

In the figure, 1 is the LOP main body, 2 is a control device that outputs an operation command of L[lPl, and 3 is a control device that receives a command from the control device 2 and controls the operation of LBPI, and includes CPII3A, ROM3B, R
Built-in AM3C etc. Furthermore, this control device 3 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 ll0M3B further has an area 381 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.

If, 11... are chargers, 12 is an exposure lamp, 1
3 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 forward and backward, 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 soon as possible to be in a printable state (hereinafter referred to as RDY state), and controls the temperature of the fixing roller 13, electrostatically cleans the photosensitive drum 5, and cleans the recording paper staying in the machine. Perform automatic discharge, etc. R
A check to see if the printer is in the DY state is executed in real time while the power is turned on, and the printer is in the DY state.
RDY state), wait until the cause is removed. This is displayed on the input/output device 4 and is also displayed on the VID
It is sent to the control device 2 via the EO I/F. R
When in the DY state, it 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 PnNTnN) from the control device 2, the control device 3 executes pre-rotation of the photosensitive drum 5 for stabilizing the formed image.

In addition, detailed instructions for print paper when executing printing, such as type of print paper, paper feed tray instructions, 1-sided printing, etc.

Multiple printing, double-sided printing, printing color instructions, etc. are performed by serial communication using the 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 the print paper is conveyed 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 cositroll 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 size of the print paper is completed, the photosensitive drum 5 performs PnNT on the next print paper.
If the signal is in the FΔLSE 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 subjected to image scanning 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 print paper is conveyed in this state, and when the trailing edge of the print paper reaches or near the roller 15, a switchback operation is performed in which the conveyance rollers 15 and 16 are reversed, as indicated by X in FIG. The paper is transported to the re-transport path and the print side of the paper is changed to the back side.

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 the figure 'fJ2. 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. Thereafter, the control device 3 specifies the paper feed as the paper re-feed port, performs the same operation as described above, prints the image on the print paper again, and turns the flapper 14 OFF.

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, 'ENTEJ, rEscP' and r WAIT used in the flowchart
The meaning of J 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 ESCPJ: Return operation to store the next execution address in the specified execution start address of the task and return to the location where rENTEnJ was executed.

``WAITJ... After the set time, the task is automatically ``ENTERJ''.
ES (: Return operation for performing PJ processing.

The flowchart (2) shown in FIG. 3 is a part of the print task that is "ENTERed" at predetermined intervals by the main routine. ■ is executed as follows. When the power is turned on and the ROY state is reached, the P from the Cositrol device 2 is
The IINT signal is monitored at step 100. Temporarily FA
If LSE, move to step 110 and print the next print task E.
At NTE II, the ESCP process is executed again from step 100, and the process returns to the main routine. Then, when the PRNT signal becomes TRUE, the process moves to step 120, and the process rotation priority for electrostatic cleaning of the photosensitive drum 5 is set to pre-rotation, and in step 110, pre-rotation processing begins.

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 is not particularly limited. If YES is determined in step 140, the above objective can be achieved by instructing paper feeding and moving to step 150. However, in this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the paper feeding instruction is not executed in the subsequent step 1B (1). The illustration is omitted because it is included in the print sequence.After starting the pre-rotation in step 130, the PRNT signal is checked in step 160 during the pre-rotation processing in step 140 and step 150 to see if the print has been canceled. is making a judgment.

By determining the presence or absence of the PRNT signal in step 160, it is possible to determine whether or not the recording operation can be canceled. VS which is a synchronization signal
The leading edge of the YNC signal is maintained and VrDEo
This is because jtlJ is reduced at 1/F. PRN
If the T signal is not held, it is assumed that there is no intention to print, and the process moves to step 230, which will be described later.

If it is held, the end of the previous rotation is determined through steps 140 and 150 described above, and if it is completed, step 18 is performed.
Printing control is performed using a print sequence of 0, and in step 200, the presence or absence of the I'11NT signal for the next page is checked. If there is a PRNT signal, return to step 180 and continue printing; if not, print ends (step 21O)
In step 230, the priority is set to post-rotation, and in step 240, post-rotation is executed.

Thereafter, in step 250, the presence or absence of a PRNT signal for the next page is checked, and if there is a request, the process returns to step 120 and repeats the above-described operation. If it is determined in step 260 that the post-rotation has been completed, then in step 270 an instruction is given to eject rotation so that the last printed paper is traversed and stored in a predetermined location, and in step 280 it is determined whether or not the ejection rotation is complete. If it is before the end, the PnN
Check for presence of T signal. When the discharge rotation is completed, the process returns to step 100 by ESCP in step 110.

If it is determined in step 160 that there is no PRNT signal and printing is to be canceled, then in step 230 the priority is set to post-rotation, and in step 240 post-rotation is executed. As a result, although the details will be described later, the priority is in the backward rotation state, the backward rotation is performed separately from the forward rotation, and parallel processing is executed.Finally, in the state in which the backward rotation processing is completed, the above-mentioned steps 270 and 280 are completed, and the step ESCP at 110.

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 the priority is given to the rear rotation, in step 502, the rear H city bar) 1 is already set to Kaede Urokuh.
? -Th) RU壬Y-41 When the process is unprocessed and when priority is given to the previous rotation, the drum motor is turned on in step 503, and the process proceeds to step 504, where the previous rotation drum motor operation flag is set. On the other hand, if the drum motor has been operated by post-rotation in step 502, the process also proceeds to step 504, where a flag indicating that the drum motor has been operated in a predetermined manner at a predetermined timing is set, and the process proceeds to step 505. In step 505, the predetermined time T is reached. It performs IT processing on W, which will be ENTERed again later, and returns to the print task.

Note that once execution of this pre-rotation task is started by pressing ENTER, it continues to be executed while being automatically time-controlled by the ITIA process to W, and stops when it is finished. When execution is started again by a print task or the like, the process starts from step 500. Steps 500 to 505 described above are considered as one division, and although the processing contents and processing cycles are different, similar processing is performed in steps 506 to 51O...Step 511.
- Elapsed time T with each step 516 as one division
It is executed up to 3.

The post-rotation in FIG. 4O is also performed as a processing formation similar to the pre-rotation. 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 conventional operation is performed.

Next, a case where rear rotation is given priority during forward rotation and rear rotation is executed will be described.

Now, hypothetically, at time 0 after the start of the front rotation shown in FIG. 6, a situation will be described in which the rear rotation is ENTERed and processed in parallel. As mentioned above, the priority is checked in step 501, but in this example, when the previous rotation is started, priority is given to the previous rotation, so the drum motor is turned on in step 503, followed by step 504 and then T in step 505. WAI of time
T processing is performed. As is clear from the relationship shown in Figure 5 ■■, T is the first to arrive. After the time has passed, re-ENTEI
I and the process proceeds to step 506. At this time, priority is given to the rear rotation at the timing shown by the dashed line in Fig. 5■, and the rear rotation has also started, so the process advances to step 507, where the rear rotation has already started and the priority is given to the rear rotation. It is checked whether or not there was any rotational high-voltage AIS operation.

At this point, the high pressure A operation for the post-rotation has not been performed, so the high-pressure AIA filling is turned on in step 508, the pre-rotation high pressure A operation flag is set in step 509, and the WAIT process for time T1 is performed in step 510 ( (See Figure 5■).

On the other hand, when post-rotation is started with post-rotation priority, post-rotation task (2) sets a flag indicating that post-rotation is in progress at step 550, and a priority check is performed at step 551. Here, priority is given to rear rotation, so the process proceeds to step 553, where the high pressure B is turned off, and at step 554, the rear rotation high pressure B is turned off.
The operation flag is set, and the 14-hour W is set in step 555.
Performs IT processing.

Next, after 17 hours had passed since the high pressure A treatment was turned on,
Although not shown, step 51 of the previous rotation task ■
A priority check is performed downstream of G. in this case,
As already mentioned, priority is given to the rear rotation, and since it is determined that there is an operation based on the rear rotation high pressure B operation flag set in step 554, the high voltage BIA operation is not turned on as shown in Fig. 5 (■). .

Furthermore, after 14 hours have elapsed since the start of the post-rotation, priority is checked in step 556. However, since the priority is given to the rear rotation, the high pressure C process is turned off in step 558, but since it is originally off in the front rotation, the 5th
Figure ■ shows that nothing has changed.

Thereafter, the post-rotation high pressure C operation flag is set in step 559, and a 15-hour WAIT process is performed in step 560.Even after the elapse of aTs time, the high pressure A process is turned off as a result of the same process as described above. In this way,
After the last 16 hours have elapsed, the priority is checked in step 561, but in this example, since the post-rotation ends first, the post-rotation priority state continues to be 1, and step 56
Step 2 cancels the remaining processing of the pre-rotation regardless of the state of the pre-rotation, resets each operation flag of the pre-rotation in step 563, resets the post-rotation task blowfish in step 564, and cancels the ESGP in step 566. Performs processing and ends post-rotation.

In this way, as a result of parallel processing of backward rotation with priority given to backward rotation during forward rotation, if backward rotation ends first, then forward rotation will be canceled and its execution will be stopped at the time of its completion. Become. As a result, the processing time is significantly shortened, as is clear from the comparison with Figure 5.

In addition, if the rear rotation is ENTERed at time 0 after the start of the front rotation shown in FIG. 6 and processed in parallel, the fifth
The process is performed according to the same flow as the case shown in Figure ■■ and described above, and the result is as shown in ■. However, in this case, even if the forward rotation ends, the backward rotation does not end yet, so in step 511 at the end of the forward rotation, It is determined that priority is given to rear rotation, and step 514
After proceeding to step 515 and resetting the pre-rotation task flag, the pre-rotation flag is also reset, and step 516
Then, ES[:P processing is performed and the pre-rotation ends.

In any case of (D) above, in the final embodiment, the front rotation and rear rotation are treated with high pressure A in conjunction with the description of the conventional example for ease of understanding.

Although the explanation was simplified as high pressure B treatment and high pressure C treatment,
As is well known, there are various methods of actual forward rotation and rear rotation, so it goes without saying that they should be carried out at appropriate timings, including when expanding the scale, based on the same theory as explained above. .

In addition, as another example, the condition for executing the parallel processing of the post-rotation with priority given to the post-rotation during the pre-rotation is that instead of canceling the print, the printer is in a non-printable state (N
OT RDY state). This is a case where the temperature condition of the fixing roller is suddenly not satisfied after the PRNT signal is input and the pre-rotation starts.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, a recording operation cancelable state that occurs during the pre-rotation can be accepted in real time, and the recording device can be stopped within the operation time of the post-rotation. As a result, there is no restriction on the number of cancellations, and the use of the photosensitive drum is suppressed to the necessary minimum, improving usage efficiency and extending the life of the photosensitive drum.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

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. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the results of parallel processing when the present invention is implemented; FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing conventional forward rotation and post rotation 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: Pre-processing Rotation determination means. Block structure diagram No. 1 that holds 1 sho 3g of the present invention
group

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A recording apparatus that forms an image on a photoconductor 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 preprocessing rotation execution unit. Preprocessing rotation determining means for determining the state of the execution means; and determining the type of signal input during execution of the preprocessing rotation based on the determination result of the preprocessing rotation determining means, and executing the postprocessing when a predetermined condition is met. A recording device comprising: processing command means for causing the rotation execution means to execute in parallel; 2) The processing command means determines that one of the predetermined conditions for executing the post-processing rotation in parallel during the execution of the pre-processing rotation is when one of the input signals indicates a recording operation disabled state. A recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3) When the post-processing rotation is executed in parallel during the execution of the pre-processing rotation, the processing commanding means executes each output state determined by the post-processing rotation execution means with priority at the end of the execution. A recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that: 4) When the processing commanding means executes the post-processing rotation in parallel during the execution of the pre-processing rotation, if the execution of the post-processing rotation execution means ends before the execution of the pre-processing rotation execution means ends, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein execution of the preprocessing rotation execution means is stopped at the time of completion of the rotation.