JP2003345190A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform, without interrupting image formation, an adjustment process for maintaining image quality. <P>SOLUTION: An adjustment control part 12 monitors the number of prints held in an area 22 storing the number of prints. When determining that adjustment is required, the control part 12 instructs to start an adjustment process according to conditions for performing the adjustment process corresponding to the number of prints. A control part 10 performs the adjustment process according to the start instruction given by the adjustment control part 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

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 that periodically performs adjustment for improving image quality.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Copiers, printers and the like using electrophotography are known. That is, after a latent image is formed on a uniformly charged photosensitive drum by a laser, an LED, or the like, toner is attached to the photosensitive drum to develop it, and the toner is fixed by transferring it to a transfer material such as paper. Print the original data.

In the image forming apparatus as described above,
For example, in the case of an image forming apparatus that forms a color image by image deletion or density decrease due to adhering matter or moisture absorption on the surface of the photoconductor drum, or in the case of an image forming apparatus that forms a color image, the image position of each color may be deviated from an ideal position, resulting in image quality We regularly make adjustments to prevent declines.

[0004]

By the way, in the above-mentioned image forming apparatus or the like, the adjustment is performed by setting a prescribed condition for judging whether or not the adjustment is necessary in advance.
It will be enforced if the specified conditions are met. Therefore, there is a problem in that the image forming process by the image forming apparatus is interrupted or another job having a high priority is made to stand by by the adjustment, which hinders the user from using the image forming apparatus. .

In particular, in the case of a color image forming apparatus which has been put into practical use with advanced functions in recent years, a monochrome image is generally used because the color unique adjustment such as the color misregistration correction described above is required. The time required for the adjustment is longer than that of the image forming apparatus that forms the image, which is particularly remarkable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make an adjustment for maintaining the image quality so as not to hinder the execution of the image forming process.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 compulsorily automatically executes a predetermined adjustment operation when a predetermined parameter value exceeds a compulsory start level. In the image forming apparatus, a midway level that is a threshold value equal to or lower than the forced start level, a setting unit that sets a usage state condition at the midway level, and whether the predetermined parameter value exceeds the midway level. A first determining means for determining, and a second determining means for determining whether or not the usage status of the image forming apparatus satisfies the usage status conditions, and the predetermined parameter value is determined by the first determination means. The predetermined adjustment operation is automatically executed when it is determined that the midway level is exceeded and the usage state is determined to satisfy the usage state condition by the second determination means. It is.

Here, the predetermined parameter value is specifically set, for example, the number of image forming processes (the number of prints) in the image forming apparatus, the continuous pause time of the image forming apparatus, or a combination thereof. It is a value that is set. In addition, as the usage state condition, for example, a step of transitioning from the normal state to the minimum power consumption state according to the duration of the unused state of the image forming apparatus, or starting up to a printable state such as when the power is turned on Set stages that take time.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the predetermined parameter value is at the midway level below the forced start level, the adjusting operation is automatically executed at the time when it is determined that the usage condition is satisfied. To do. Therefore, the adjustment operation can be executed at a timing that does not hinder the image forming processing by the image forming apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the spooled image forming jobs are displayed in a list in the order of execution, and the first parameter is determined by the first determining means. When it is determined that the midway level has been exceeded, it is further characterized by further comprising display means for displaying an adjustment job corresponding to the predetermined adjustment operation in the list display.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the predetermined parameter value reaches the midway level below the forced start level, the spooled image forming jobs are displayed on the display screen in the order of execution, The adjustment job is included in the list and displayed. This gives the user
It is possible to notify that the adjustment operation needs to be executed.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the same as claim 2
The image forming apparatus described above is characterized by further comprising a replacement unit that switches the execution order of the image forming job and the adjustment job displayed by the display unit in accordance with an operation input from the operation unit.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the execution order of the image forming job and the adjusting job can be changed on the screen for displaying the list of the image forming jobs and the adjusting job in the order of execution. With this, the user can manually instruct the timing of executing the adjustment operation by setting the priority of the adjustment job before the predetermined parameter value reaches the forced start level. Therefore, the adjustment operation can be executed at a timing that does not hinder the image forming processing by the image forming apparatus.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention controls the start timing of the adjustment process in an image forming apparatus that regularly performs various adjustments for maintaining image quality. Here, the adjustment processing (adjustment operation) is, as described above, performed periodically in order to prevent deterioration of image quality due to, for example, image deletion, density decrease, or color shift in the case of a color image forming apparatus. It is a process for adjustment.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining when the adjustment of the image forming apparatus is performed. In the drawing, the number of prints (one example of parameter values) by the image forming apparatus 1 is shown in the horizontal axis direction, and an area D where the number of prints is “a” or less does not require adjustment, and an area A where the adjustment is “a” or more. , B, and C are areas requiring adjustment. In the adjustment-needed area, the urgency of the adjustment increases in the order of areas A, B, and C, and the print numbers are "a" to "b" in area A and "b" to "c" in area B, respectively. , "C"
The above is set as the region C.

In the present embodiment, the execution condition of the adjustment is set according to each adjustment urgency corresponding to each of the areas A to C, and the timing of starting the adjustment process based on the execution condition (hereinafter, "start"). Timing.)).

FIG. 2 shows an example of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. In the figure, the image forming apparatus 1
The upper surface of the main body includes a document table 2 on which a document is placed, an openable / closable scanner cover 3, and an operation panel 4, and the operation panel 4 includes a display 5 integrally formed with a touch panel and various types. Button groups and are arranged. Also,
The image forming apparatus 1 is configured to be connectable to an external terminal such as a personal computer and has a function as a printer for performing printing based on image data input from the terminal. A user who uses the image forming apparatus 1 performs an operation by pressing each button or the button displayed on the display 5.

Specifically, the display 5 has a menu selection screen, a job list screen, a paper size setting screen,
A setting screen such as a light and shade adjustment screen and a confirmation screen are displayed, and a message such as the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is displayed as appropriate, and the user can display the size, shade, magnification, or It is possible to check the state of the image forming apparatus 1 and change various setting values as necessary. Then, for example, when copying is desired, the document is placed on the document table 2, the scanner cover 3 is closed, and the start button of the operation panel 4 is pressed to cause the image forming apparatus 1 to start reading the document. , Print processing is executed.

Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10 and a RAM (Random Access Memory).
y) 20, ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, operating device 40, display device 50, image reading unit 60, image forming unit 7
0, the storage device 80, and a storage medium 90 included in the storage device 80
Etc., each functional unit other than the storage medium 90 is the bus 1
00 for connection.

The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processi).
ng Unit) and the like, and stores the program and data stored in the storage medium 90 in the RAM 20 based on a processing request or the like input via the operation device 40, and based on the program, the image forming apparatus 1 The image forming apparatus 1 is operated by performing various processes such as overall control and instructions to each functional unit in the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the processing result is stored in the RAM 20.
And output to the display device 50. further,
A part or all of the processing result stored in the RAM 20 is stored in the storage medium 90.

Further, the control unit 10 updates the print number storage area 22 in the RAM 20 when executing the print processing.
Then, the control unit 10 starts the execution of the adjustment program 94 and performs the adjustment process at the start timing determined by the adjustment execution control unit 12 described later based on the number of prints stored in the print number storage area 22. . Further, the control unit 10 initializes the print number storage area 22 to “0” when the adjustment process is executed.

Further, the control unit 10 creates, for example, a print job instructed to copy or a print job generated based on image data input from a terminal connected by a communication device (not shown) in the order of generation of the print job. It is stored in the print queue 24. Then, the control unit 10
Executes the print jobs stored in the print queue 24 in order of storage.

Various functions are realized by the control unit 10. In particular, a function unit for determining the start timing of the adjustment process, which is a characteristic part for realizing the present invention, is provided.
It is called the adjustment execution control unit 12. This adjustment execution control unit 12
Executes processing according to the adjustment execution control program 92 stored in the storage medium 90, and sets the start timing of the adjustment processing in accordance with the adjustment urgency represented by the areas A, B, and C shown in FIG. decide.

Specifically, the adjustment execution control unit 12 monitors the number of prints held in the print number storage area 22 and determines the start timing of the adjustment processing according to the execution condition of the adjustment processing corresponding to the print number. To do. Figure 4
An example of the implementation condition list table 98 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in the implementation condition list table 98, the area A
The execution condition of the adjustment process, which is the usage condition of the image forming apparatus 1, is defined in association with the range of the number of prints corresponding to D.

For example, when the number of prints is within the range of 400 to 450 (area A), for example, the image forming apparatus 1
Depending on the duration of the unused state of the printer, when the normal state of waiting for print processing is transitioned to the power saving mode that minimizes the power consumption, or when the power is turned on and the printer is ready to print. If it takes time to
This is the condition for performing the adjustment process. When the number of prints is within the range of the area A and the execution condition is satisfied, the adjustment execution control unit 12 sets the time point as the start timing of the adjustment process.

Then, for example, the number of prints is 451 to 5
If it is within the range of 00 (area B), the print queue 2
The adjustment processing execution condition is that the adjustment job accumulated in 4 is displayed at the top of the job list display and becomes the highest priority item. The adjustment execution control unit 12 determines that the number of prints is in the area B.
Print queue 2 when the adjustment job is generated
4 is added, and when the number of prints is within the range of the area B and when the execution condition is satisfied, the time is set as the start timing of the adjustment process.

Further, for example, when the number of prints reaches 501 (area C), the adjustment execution control unit 12 sets the time as the start timing of the adjustment processing. Then, according to the start timing determined by the adjustment execution control unit 12, the control unit 10 changes the accumulation order of the jobs in the print queue 24, sets the adjustment job as the highest priority item, and prints the print currently being executed. The processing is interrupted and the adjustment processing is executed.

Further, for example, when the number of prints is less than 400 (area D), it is not necessary to carry out the adjustment processing.

The RAM 20 has a memory area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the control unit 10 and data relating to the execution of these programs. In particular, in order to realize this embodiment, a print number storage area 22 for holding the latest print number and a print queue 24 for accumulating spooled jobs are provided.

The ROM 30 stores an initial program for performing various initial settings, hardware inspection, loading of necessary programs, and the like. The controller 10 reads and executes this initial program when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, and sets the operating environment of the image forming apparatus 1.

The operating device 40 includes, for example, cursor keys,
It is provided with various key groups to which unique functions such as numeric keys and function keys are assigned, and outputs a depression signal corresponding to the depressed key to the control unit 10. When a touch panel or the like provided integrally with the display device 50 is used as the operation device 40, the control unit 10 detects the position on the display device 50 designated by a finger or a dedicated touch pen.
By outputting to, various operating means are realized. The operation device 40 corresponds to a touch panel integrally formed with the various button groups and the display 5 shown in FIG.

The display device 50 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal).
Display) and the like, and the control unit 10 outputs a display signal corresponding to the display information to the display device 50 to display the display information. The display device 50 corresponds to the display 5 shown in FIG.

The image reading section 60 is a section including the scanner cover 3 and the document table 2 shown in FIG. 2, and according to an instruction from the control section 10, reads a document image designated by the user to generate image data. To do. Here, the document image is intended to include not only image data such as figures and photographs but also text data such as characters and symbols. The image data read by the image reading unit 60 is temporarily stored in the RAM 20.

The image forming section 70 conveys a recording sheet having a sheet size and orientation according to an instruction from the operating device 40 in accordance with an instruction from the control section 10, and, for example, to the recording sheet,
Image reading unit 60 using color / monochrome electrophotography
And forms and outputs the image data generated in. Further, at this time, various image processing such as enlargement / reduction / rotation processing and gray-scale contrast adjustment is appropriately performed on the image data according to an instruction from the operation device 40.

The storage medium 90 is realized by, for example, a hard disk, an IC memory card, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc., and stores various processing programs related to image formation, data processed based on the various processing programs, and the like. Particularly, in order to realize the present embodiment, an adjustment execution control program 92, a job list display program 96, an adjustment program 94, and an execution condition list table 98 are stored. The control unit 10 performs processing such as reading and writing of data stored in the storage medium 90 via the storage device 80.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described in detail. FIG. 5 shows an operation flow of the image forming apparatus 1 relating to the execution of the adjustment execution control process. As shown in the figure, first, the adjustment execution control unit 12 determines whether the number of prints is within the range of the area A shown in FIG. 1 (step A10), and when it is determined that the number of prints is not within the range of the area A. In step A2, it is determined whether or not it is within the range of the area B.
0). Further, when the adjustment execution control unit 12 determines that the number of prints is not within the range of the area B, the adjustment execution control unit 12 determines whether the number of prints is within the range of the area C (step A30). If it is determined that the number of prints is not within the range of the area D, the process returns to step A10.

Further, the adjustment execution control unit 12 executes the step A
When it is determined in 10 that the number of prints is within the range of the area A, it is determined whether or not the execution condition of the adjustment processing in the area A is satisfied (step A40). When it is determined that the execution condition is satisfied, the adjustment execution control unit 12 determines the time point as the execution timing of the adjustment process, and the control unit 10 executes the adjustment process (step A50). Also,
When it is determined in step A40 that the condition for performing the adjustment process in the area A is not satisfied, the adjustment execution control unit 12 returns to step A10 and repeats the process.

When it is determined in step A20 that the number of prints is within the range of the area B, the adjustment execution control unit 12 determines whether or not the execution condition for the adjustment processing in the area B is satisfied (step A60). Then, when it is determined that the execution condition is satisfied, the adjustment execution control unit 12
Determines the time point as the execution timing of the adjustment processing, transitions to step A50, and the control unit 10 executes the adjustment processing. When it is determined in step A60 that the condition for performing the adjustment process in the area B is not satisfied, the adjustment execution control unit 12 returns to step A10 and repeats the process.

When the adjustment execution control unit 12 determines that the number of prints is within the range of the area C in step A30, the adjustment execution control unit 12 shifts to step A50 by using the time as the adjustment processing start timing, and the control unit 10 is executing the process. The print job or the like is interrupted and the adjustment processing is executed.

Further, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that the adjustment processing is necessary based on the number of prints,
The adjustment job is displayed on the job list screen that displays a list of print jobs that are being output or are waiting to be output, which are accumulated in the print queue 24.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the job list screen 200. The job list screen 200 can be transitioned by, for example, pressing a job list screen transition button displayed on the menu selection screen. In FIG. 6, the job list screen 200 includes print jobs that are being output or are waiting for output, and adjustment jobs that are waiting for execution (hereinafter,
Print job and adjustment job are collectively referred to as “job” as appropriate.
Say. ) Is displayed together with the time required to execute the job. Further, the job list screen 200
Are arranged with move buttons 202 and 203 for instructing to change the priority of the selected job, a priority button 206 for prioritizing the selected job, and a return button 208 for returning to the menu selection screen. Has been done.
The user operates the move buttons 202 and 203 and the priority button 2
By operating 06, it is possible to change the priority order of jobs in a waiting state other than the currently executing job displayed at the top.

FIG. 7 shows a processing flow of the control unit 10 relating to the job list display processing. As shown in the figure, first, the control unit 10 responds to the display instruction of the job list screen input via the operation device 40 according to the print queue 2.
Display information for displaying a list of jobs accumulated in No. 4 is output to the display device 50 to display the job list (step B10).

Next, the control unit 10 determines whether the number of prints is within the range of the area A (step B20). The adjustment job information is additionally displayed (step B30), and the process proceeds to step B60.

Further, if it is determined in step B20 that the number of prints is outside the range of the area A, the controller 10
The job priority changing operation is monitored (step B4).
0), the job list is re-displayed according to the priority changing operation input via the operation device 40 (step B).
50). At this time, the control unit 10 replaces and updates the storage order of the jobs stored in the print queue 24 according to the priority order instructed by the change operation. In addition to this, the control unit 10 updates the print queue 24 according to the completion of each job, and causes the job list to be displayed again. Then, the control unit 10 ends this processing when an end instruction is input, specifically, when the return button 208 shown in FIG. 6 is pressed (step B60: YES).

The job list screen displayed by executing the above-described job list display processing is displayed as follows when the number of prints at the time of display is within the range of each of the areas A to C.

That is, first, when the number of prints is within the range of the area A, the print queue 2 is displayed on the job list screen.
A list of print jobs accumulated in No. 4 is displayed, and adjustment job information is displayed as a message at the bottom of the job list. On the job list screen, for the selected print job, the move button 2 shown in FIG.
02, 203, or the priority button 206 can be used to change the priority order, and the job list is updated according to the operation input. Further, the adjustment job information displayed in the message at the bottom of the job list has a low degree of urgency, and therefore the selection operation cannot be performed because it is executed only when the execution condition is satisfied. As described above, the adjustment job information is deleted when the adjustment execution control unit 12 determines that the execution condition of the adjustment process in the area A is satisfied and the control unit 10 executes the adjustment process.

When the number of prints is within the range of the area B, the adjustment job is stored in the print queue 24 by the adjustment execution control unit 12, so that the adjustment job can be selected together with the print job on the job list screen. Listed. That is, on this job list screen,
The adjustment job is selected, and the move buttons 202 and 203 or the priority button 20 shown in FIG. 6 are selected for the adjustment job.
6 can be used to change the priority order, and the job list is updated according to the operation input.

Further, when the number of prints is within the range of the area C, the job list is updated and the uppermost job being executed is interrupted and moved to the second job as a stopped job. The adjustment job is displayed in the upper part and the adjustment process is executed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the number of prints is within the range of the area A, for example,
When the power saving mode is set according to the duration of the unused state of the image forming apparatus 1, or when it takes time to start up to a printable state such as when the power is turned on, it is necessary for the user to change the image forming apparatus 1 The timing that does not hinder the use can be set as the adjustment execution condition, and the start timing of the adjustment processing can be determined based on the execution condition.

Further, when it is determined that the adjustment is necessary according to the number of prints, the information regarding the adjustment processing is displayed on the job list display screen, so that the user can be notified that the adjustment processing is necessary.

Further, when the number of prints is within the range of the area B, the priority of the adjustment job is changed and the adjustment job is started in the same manner as the operation of changing the priority of the print job on the job list display screen. The timing can be set manually. Further, since the time required to execute the adjustment job is displayed on the job list display screen, the user refers to the execution time of the adjustment job,
It is possible to determine the start timing of the adjustment process and set the priority order of the jobs.

In this embodiment, the predetermined number of prints, which is a factor for determining whether or not the adjustment of the image forming apparatus 1 is necessary, is described as the number of prints, but other values may be used. For example, the parameters may be determined according to the conditions to be considered for determining the adjustment time, such as the continuous pause time of the image forming apparatus, the value set in consideration of the number of prints and the continuous pause time, and the like.

Further, although it has been explained that the two intermediate levels are set below the level at which the adjustment process is forcibly started, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more intermediate levels are set depending on the case. You may choose to do 1
Of course, it is also possible to set the middle level of the stage.

[0054]

According to the present invention, when the predetermined parameter value is a midway level below the forced start level, the adjusting operation is automatically executed at the time when it is judged that the usage condition is satisfied. Therefore, the adjustment operation can be executed at a timing that does not hinder the image forming processing by the image forming apparatus.

Further, when the predetermined parameter value reaches the midway level below the forced start level, the spooled image forming jobs are displayed in a list in the order of execution, and the adjustment jobs are included in the list. To do. Thereby, it is possible to notify the user that the adjustment operation needs to be executed.

Then, on the screen for displaying a list of the image forming jobs and the adjusting jobs in the order of execution, the order of executing the image forming jobs and the adjusting jobs can be changed. With this, the user can manually instruct the timing of executing the adjustment operation by setting the priority of the adjustment job before the predetermined parameter value reaches the forced start level. Therefore, the adjustment operation can be executed at a timing that does not hinder the image forming processing by the image forming apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a timing of performing adjustment of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the outline of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an implementation condition list table.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow of an adjustment execution control unit related to adjustment execution control processing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a job list screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow of an adjustment execution control unit related to job list display processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image forming device 10 Control unit 12 Adjustment execution control unit 20 RAM 22 Print count storage area 24 print queue 30 ROM 40 Operating device 50 display 60 Image reading unit 70 Image forming unit 80 storage 90 storage media 92 Adjustment execution control program 94 Adjustment program 96 job list display program 98 Implementation condition list table 100 bus

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kenji Taki             2970 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica stock             Inside the company F term (reference) 2H027 DA40 DA45 EB04 EE07 EE08                       EF01 EF16 GB13 HA03 HA12                       HB01 HB02

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for forcibly and automatically executing a predetermined adjusting operation when a predetermined parameter value exceeds a forced start level, wherein a midway level which is a threshold value equal to or lower than the forced start level, Setting means for setting the usage status condition at the midway level, first judging means for judging whether or not the predetermined parameter value exceeds the midway level, and the usage status of the image forming apparatus is the usage status condition. A second determining means for determining whether or not the condition is satisfied, the first determining means determines that the predetermined parameter value has exceeded the midway level, and the second determining means determines that the usage state is the use state. An image forming apparatus, wherein the predetermined adjustment operation is automatically executed when it is determined that the state condition is satisfied. 2. The spooling image forming jobs are displayed in a list in the order of execution, and the predetermined adjusting operation is performed when the first determining means determines that the predetermined parameter value exceeds the midway level. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the adjustment job corresponding to the above in the list display. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a replacement unit that switches the execution order of the image forming job and the adjustment job displayed by the display unit in accordance with an operation input from the operation unit.