Image forming apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of image forming, in particular to an image forming device, a control method and a storage medium. The image forming device executes a preheating process when receiving the wake-up signal; the preheating process comprises a first adjusting step of adjusting a paper conveying motor to a first speed; a printing process is executed when a job issuing signal is received; the printing process comprises a second adjusting step of adjusting the paper conveying motor to a second speed; in the embodiment of the invention, after the preheating process executed by the image forming device in response to the wake-up signal is finished, the image forming device continues to maintain the first speed; judging whether the operation issuing signal is received or not; and when the operation issuing signal is received, the speed of the paper conveying motor is continuously adjusted from the first speed to the second speed, and operation of the paper conveying motor is not stopped. According to the scheme, the problem that two sections of obvious noise appear after the image forming device is awakened by the printing job can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of image forming technology, and particularly to an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] When an image forming apparatus is awakened by a print job in the sleep state, there are two distinct noises. The first noise is caused by starting the paper feed motor during the preheating process, and the second noise is caused by restarting the paper feed motor according to the print job after the preheating is completed and the motor is turned off and enters the ready state. The presence of two noises during the execution of a print job by the image forming apparatus will affect the user experience of using the image forming apparatus. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, this application provides an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a storage medium, which can solve the problem of two distinct noises occurring after the image forming apparatus is awakened by a print job.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a control method, which is executed on an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is configured to:

[0005] Execute a preheating process when a wake-up signal is received; the preheating process includes a first adjustment step of adjusting the paper feed motor to a first speed;

[0006] Execute a print process when a job distribution signal is received; the print process includes a second adjustment step of adjusting the paper feed motor to a second speed;

[0007] Characterized in that the method includes:

[0008] After the preheating process executed in response to the wake-up signal ends, continue to maintain the first speed;

[0009] Determine whether the job distribution signal is received;

[0010] When the job distribution signal is received, continuously adjust the speed of the paper feed motor from the first speed to the second speed without stopping the operation of the paper feed motor.

[0011] In some embodiments, the step of continuing to maintain the first speed after the preheating process executed in response to the wake-up signal ends includes:

[0012] In response to the wake-up corresponding to the wake-up signal being a wake-up by a print job, after the execution of the preheating process ends, continue to maintain the first speed.

[0013] In some embodiments, determining that the wake-up corresponding to the wake-up signal is a wake-up by a print job includes:

[0014] The wake-up signal includes first indication information;

[0015] According to the first indication information, it is determined that this wake-up corresponding to the wake-up signal is a print job wake-up.

[0016] In some embodiments, determining that this wake-up corresponding to the wake-up signal is a print job wake-up includes:

[0017] In addition to receiving the wake-up signal, second indication information is also received;

[0018] According to the second indication information, it is determined that this wake-up corresponding to the wake-up signal is a print job wake-up.

[0019] In some embodiments, after the preheating process executed in response to the wake-up signal ends, the method further includes:

[0020] Receiving third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether there is a job to be printed currently;

[0021] If there is, it is judged whether the job distribution signal is received;

[0022] If not, the paper conveying motor is turned off.

[0023] In some embodiments, the wake-up signal is triggered based on multiple print jobs;

[0024] In the process of executing the preheating process in response to the wake-up signal, the method further includes:

[0025] When a job cancellation instruction is received, the first speed is continuously maintained without stopping the operation of the paper conveying motor.

[0026] In some embodiments, when the job distribution signal is received, continuously adjusting the speed of the paper conveying motor from the first speed to the second speed includes:

[0027] Within a first time period after the preheating process ends, when the job distribution signal is received, the job distribution signal includes motor speed parameters;

[0028] According to the motor speed parameters, the speed of the paper conveying motor is continuously adjusted from the first speed to the second speed.

[0029] In some embodiments, in the process of executing the preheating process in response to the wake-up signal, the method further includes:

[0030] After the preheating process adjusts the paper conveying motor to the first speed, timing is performed;

[0031] When the response timing reaches the second duration, determine whether a sheet of paper is detected in the paper path;

[0032] If a sheet of paper is detected, restart the timing;

[0033] In response to the restarted timing reaching the third duration, determine whether a sheet of paper is still detected in the paper path;

[0034] If a sheet of paper is still detected, report a paper jam error, otherwise the preheating process ends.

[0035] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, including:

[0036] Data firmware and engine firmware;

[0037] The data firmware is configured to send a wake-up signal and a job distribution signal to the engine firmware according to data sent by an interaction device;

[0038] The engine firmware is configured to execute a preheating process when receiving the wake-up signal; the preheating process includes a first adjustment step of adjusting a paper feed motor to a first speed; and is further configured to execute a printing process when receiving the job distribution signal; the printing process includes a second adjustment step of adjusting the paper feed motor to a second speed;

[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the engine firmware is specifically configured to:

[0040] After the preheating process executed in response to the wake-up signal ends, continue to maintain the first speed;

[0041] Determine whether the job distribution signal is received;

[0042] When the job distribution signal is received, continuously adjust the speed of the paper feed motor from the first speed to the second speed without stopping the operation of the paper feed motor.

[0043] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, including:

[0044] At least one processor; and at least one memory communicatively connected to the processor, wherein: the memory stores program instructions executable by the processor, and the processor invokes the program instructions to execute the method according to the first aspect or any one of the first aspect.

[0045] Fourthly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium, which includes a stored program. When the program runs, it controls the device where the computer-readable storage medium is located to execute the method described in the first aspect or any item of the first aspect.

[0046] The image forming apparatus, control method, and storage medium according to the embodiments of the present invention at least have the following beneficial effects:

[0047] In the embodiment of the present invention, after starting the paper feed motor in the preheating process, the paper feed motor is continuously maintained to run at a first speed, and after receiving a job distribution signal, the speed of the paper feed motor is continuously adjusted from the first speed to a second speed. It can be understood that during the process from the image forming apparatus being awakened to executing a printing job, the paper feed motor always remains in an operating state and does not stop, avoiding the noise generated by restarting the paper feed motor after it stops, and solving the problem of two-stage noise generated by the paper feed motor starting, stopping, and restarting after being awakened in the related art. Description of the Drawings

[0048] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an image forming apparatus;

[0049] Figure 2 It is a flowchart of a control method executed when the image forming apparatus is awakened from a sleep state;

[0050] Figure 3 It is a flowchart of a control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of a control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 5 It is a flowchart of a control method executed when the engine firmware is awakened provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 6 It is a flowchart of another control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 7 It is a flowchart of still another control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 8 It is a flowchart of yet another control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 9 It is a flowchart of a method for detecting whether there is paper in the paper path during the preheating process of the image forming apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 10A structural schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0058] To better understand the technical solutions of the present application, the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] It should be clear that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0060] The terms used in the embodiments of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present application. The singular forms "a", "said", and "the" used in the embodiments of the present application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0061] It should be understood that the term " / and / " used herein is only a relational expression describing associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, a and / or b may represent: a exists alone, a and b exist simultaneously, and b exists alone. In addition, the character " / " herein generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0062] See Figure 1 , a structural schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present invention. An image forming apparatus is a device that forms an image on an imaging medium based on an imaging principle, including but not limited to printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, multifunctional devices, electrophotographic devices, and other devices that may implement an image forming function. The control method of the embodiment of the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus, and particularly can be applied to an image forming apparatus with a printing function. Figure 1 Only the structure of the image forming apparatus related to the method of the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, and other structures in the image forming apparatus are not drawn. Figure 1 The shown image forming apparatus includes: a paper feeding motor, data firmware, engine firmware, a high voltage module, etc. For ease of understanding, the following first describes some structures in the image forming apparatus.

[0063] Motor: A power device in an image forming apparatus that drives the paper path to transport paper or operates corresponding modules in the image forming apparatus to complete actions such as rotation. Among them, the motor in the image forming apparatus that drives the paper path to transport paper is called the paper transport motor. In addition to the paper transport motor, the image forming apparatus also includes an LSU (Laser Scanning Unit) motor, a scanning drive motor, etc. From the perspective of the current drive method, the motors in the image forming apparatus are further divided into stepping motors and DC motors, etc.

[0064] Data firmware: A program module in an image forming apparatus that receives and parses data transmitted by an interaction device and distributes the parsed data to other programs for processing. Among them, the interaction device is, for example, a mobile phone, a computer, a USB flash drive, etc. For example, the data firmware receives and parses a print job sent by the user's mobile phone and sends a job sending signal to the engine firmware according to the parsing result of the print job, so that the engine firmware executes the printing. The data firmware is also used to manage the relevant states of the image forming apparatus such as sleep, wake-up, ready, and printing.

[0065] Engine firmware: A program in an image forming apparatus that drives modules such as motors, sensors, fusing, and high voltage to operate and controls each module according to corresponding control logic to transfer image data to paper and complete fusing.

[0066] High voltage module: Includes fusing high voltage, developing high voltage, and transfer high voltage.

[0067] When there is no job to be processed in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is in a sleep state. In the sleep state, most of the structures in the image forming apparatus can be powered off and not working, and only a small part of the structures are in the power-on detection state to be able to obtain the data sent by the interaction device in a timely manner, so as to reduce the power consumption of the image forming apparatus in the sleep state. Combined Figure 1 , in the sleep state, the paper transport motor and the high voltage module in the image forming apparatus can be powered off and not working, and the data firmware and the engine firmware can remain in the power-on detection state. When the interaction device sends data, the data firmware can enter the wake-up state from the sleep state and send a wake-up signal to the engine firmware to wake up the image forming apparatus from the sleep state.

[0068] Such as Figure 2As shown, the control method executed when the image forming apparatus is awakened from the sleep state includes: 101. The data firmware receives the data sent by the interaction device in the sleep state and is awakened from the sleep state. 102. The data firmware sends a wake-up signal to the engine firmware, and the engine firmware is awakened and enters the warm-up process. In the warm-up process, the paper feed motor is started. 103. When the warm-up process is completed, the engine firmware turns off the paper feed motor. 104. The image forming apparatus enters the ready state. 105. The engine firmware receives the job distribution signal sent by the data firmware, restarts the paper feed motor and executes printing.

[0069] In Figure 2 In the process shown, when the image forming apparatus is awakened by a print job, there will be two distinct noises. The main reason is that after the warm-up is completed, the engine firmware turns off the paper feed motor and enters the ready state. Then, the engine firmware sends the ready state to the data firmware. After receiving the ready state, the data firmware sends a job distribution signal to the engine firmware. After receiving the job distribution signal, the engine firmware restarts the paper feed motor. The start, shutdown, and subsequent restart of the paper feed motor correspond to two distinct noises, which affect the user experience of the image forming apparatus.

[0070] To solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a control method. As Figure 3 shown, the execution steps of the method include:

[0071] 201. When the image forming apparatus receives a wake-up signal, it executes a warm-up process. The warm-up process includes a first adjustment step of adjusting the paper feed motor to a first speed.

[0072] 202. After the warm-up process executed in response to the wake-up signal ends, the first speed of the paper feed motor is continuously maintained.

[0073] 203. Determine whether a job distribution signal is received. If a job distribution signal is received, execute step 204. If a job distribution signal is not received, execute steps 205 and 206.

[0074] 204. When a job distribution signal is received, execute a printing process. The printing process includes a second adjustment step of continuously adjusting the speed of the paper feed motor from the first speed to a second speed without stopping the operation of the paper feed motor.

[0075] 205. Determine whether the duration after the warm-up process ends is greater than or equal to a first duration. If so, execute step 206 to turn off the paper feed motor. If not, jump back to step 203.

[0076] In the method of the embodiment of the present invention, after starting the paper feed motor in the preheating process, the operating state of the paper feed motor is continuously maintained. When receiving a job dispatch signal, the paper feed motor is continuously adjusted from the first speed to the second speed, rather than restarting from speed zero. Thereby, the noise generated by the restart of the paper feed motor after shutdown is reduced, and the problem of two obvious noises occurring after the image forming apparatus is awakened by a print job is solved.

[0077] In some embodiments, after the preheating process executed by the image forming apparatus in response to a wake-up signal ends, the first speed can be continuously maintained only when certain conditions are met, which can be referred to as the first condition. In some embodiments, the first condition can be: receiving a wake-up signal. It can be understood that when the image forming apparatus receives a wake-up signal, the condition for continuously maintaining the first speed of the paper feed motor after the preheating process ends is satisfied. During this period, the paper feed motor is not shut down, and correspondingly, when receiving a job dispatch signal, there is no need to restart the paper feed motor again, and the speed of the paper feed motor can be directly continuously adjusted from the first speed to the second speed, avoiding the generation of two segments of noise.

[0078] In some embodiments, the above first condition can also be: determining that the wake-up by the wake-up signal this time is a wake-up by a print job. It should be noted that the wake-up of the image forming apparatus can be a wake-up by a print job, or can also be other types of wake-up, such as configuring or testing the image forming apparatus. It can be understood that when it is determined that this wake-up is a wake-up by a print job, the image forming apparatus will probably need to execute a print job subsequently, while for a non-print job type of wake-up, the image forming apparatus may not need to execute a print job subsequently. Therefore, when it is determined that this wake-up is a wake-up by a print job, the paper feed motor is continuously maintained at the first speed after the preheating process ends. Correspondingly, if it is determined that this wake-up is not a wake-up by a print job, the paper feed motor will be shut down after the preheating process ends.

[0079] See Figure 4 , which is a flowchart of a control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 4 the method shown, after the image forming apparatus is awakened, the data firmware first determines whether this wake-up is a wake-up by a print job, and then sends the wake-up signal to the engine firmware. As Figure 4 shown, the processing steps of this method specifically include:

[0080] 301, receiving data transmitted by an interaction device. When the image forming apparatus is in a sleep state, the data firmware can receive data transmitted by the interaction device. The data transmitted by the interaction device can be data related to a print job, or can also be data not related to a print job. For example, the image forming apparatus configuration data issued by the interaction device is data not related to a print job.

[0081] 302, Data stream identification. After the data firmware receives the data transmitted by the interaction device, it identifies whether the data is related to a printing job. If so, it indicates that the current wake-up of the image forming device is a wake-up for a printing job; if not, it indicates that the current wake-up for printing is not a wake-up for a printing job. According to the identification result, the data firmware generates a wake-up signal. Optionally, the wake-up signal includes first indication information, and the first indication information can be used to indicate whether the current wake-up is a wake-up for a printing job.

[0082] 303, Sending the wake-up signal. The data firmware sends the wake-up signal to the engine firmware. After receiving the wake-up signal, the engine firmware executes steps 304 and 305.

[0083] 304, The engine firmware performs engine wake-up. The steps of engine wake-up include a preheating process, and in the preheating process, there is a first adjustment step of adjusting the paper feed motor to a first speed.

[0084] 305, The engine firmware determines that the current wake-up is a wake-up for a printing job according to the first indication information in the wake-up signal. Optionally, when the current wake-up is a wake-up for a printing job, status S1 is set, and status S1 indicates that the current wake-up is a wake-up for a printing job. When the current wake-up is not a wake-up for a printing job, status S1 is not set. Step 305 can be executed before step 304, or can be executed during the execution of step 304. After the engine firmware finishes the preheating process, it judges whether status S1 is set. If status S1 is set, it enters the ready state, and in the ready state, it continues to maintain the paper feed motor running at the first speed, and judges whether a job sending signal is received. The process by which the engine firmware judges whether a job sending signal is received can refer to Figure 4 steps 408 - 411 in

[0085] 306, The data firmware performs data parsing, generates a job sending signal, and the job sending signal can include printing parameters and printing data. After the data firmware sends the wake-up signal to the engine firmware, it can continue to perform data parsing. The process of the data firmware performing data parsing can be synchronized with the steps of the engine firmware performing engine wake-up. When the engine firmware enters the ready state, the data firmware executes step 307.

[0086] 307, The data firmware performs pre-printing and sends the printing parameters to the engine firmware.

[0087] 308, After the engine firmware receives the printing parameters, it adjusts the motor speed according to the printing parameters. Specifically, the printing parameters can include motor speed parameters, such as the second speed. If the current first speed of the image forming device is inconsistent with the second speed, the speed of the paper feed motor is continuously adjusted from the first speed to the second speed.

[0088] 309. The data firmware performs printing and sends the printing data to the engine firmware. The engine firmware executes step 310, performs printing according to the printing data, and notifies the data firmware of the end of printing after printing is completed.

[0089] In one embodiment, pre-printing is not required, that is, it does not go through 307 where the data firmware performs pre-printing and sends the printing parameters to the engine firmware. After the engine firmware is ready, the printing parameters and printing data are directly sent to the engine firmware. Through the method provided in this embodiment, one communication process can be reduced.

[0090] In Figure 4 Based on the method shown, the following will describe the control method flow executed when the engine firmware is awakened in combination with Figure 5 and includes, as shown in Figure 5 :

[0091] 401. The engine firmware checks whether it receives a wake-up signal sent by the data firmware in the sleep state. If so, it executes step 402; if not, it continues to sleep.

[0092] 402. The engine firmware determines that this wake-up is a print job wake-up based on the wake-up signal and completes the sensor self-check. Optionally, the engine firmware can determine that this wake-up is a print job wake-up according to the first indication information in the wake-up signal. When this wake-up is a print job wake-up, the status S1 can be set.

[0093] 403. The engine firmware sends down the preheating target temperature and starts preheating.

[0094] 404. The engine firmware determines whether the preheating temperature reaches the motor start temperature. If so, it executes step 405; if not, it returns to step 404.

[0095] 405. The engine firmware starts the motor, specifically including adjusting the speed of the paper transport motor to the first speed.

[0096] 406. The engine firmware determines whether the preheating target temperature is reached. If so, it executes step 407.

[0097] 407. The engine firmware determines whether this wake-up is a print job wake-up. Optionally, the status S1 can be detected. If the status S1 is detected, it is determined that this wake-up is a print job wake-up. The paper transport motor continues to maintain the first speed and enters the ready state and starts timing, and then executes step 408. If not, the paper transport motor is turned off and enters the ready state.

[0098] 408. The engine firmware determines whether it obtains the printing parameters sent by the data firmware. Optionally, the printing parameters can include motor speed parameters, such as the second speed. If so, it executes step 409. If not, it executes step 411.

[0099] 409. Determine whether the motor needs to change speed according to the printing parameters. If it does, execute step 410; if not, execute printing.

[0100] 410. Adjust the motor speed, specifically including: adjust the paper feed motor from the first speed to the second speed according to the printing parameters, and then receive the printing data sent by the data firmware and execute printing.

[0101] 411. The engine firmware determines whether the timing duration is greater than or equal to the first duration. If so, turn off the paper feed motor; if not, return to step 408 to continue determining whether to receive the printing parameters sent by the data engine.

[0102] Among them, the paper feed motor in the image forming device is divided into a stepper motor and a DC motor.

[0103] In Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the method shown, the processing logic for adjusting the stepper motor speed includes: the paper feed motor maintains the first speed before speed change. The motor speed parameter sent by the data firmware is the second speed. The engine firmware determines whether the second speed is consistent with the first speed. If they are consistent, continue to maintain the first speed for printing; if not, change the speed according to the acceleration / deceleration table based on the first speed. Taking acceleration as an example, assume the first speed is slow, 700 PPS (Pulses Per Second), and the second speed is fast, 1200 PPS. After the engine firmware completes preheating and enters the ready state, the paper feed motor accelerates from 700 PPS to 1200 PPS according to the acceleration table without pausing in the middle.

[0104] PPS is the number of pulses per second, and these pulses are used to drive the paper feed motor to rotate. The higher the PPS value, the more pulses are output per second, and the faster the paper feed motor rotates. Similarly, the lower the PPS, the slower the rotation speed of the paper feed motor.

[0105] In Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the method shown, the logic for adjusting the DC motor speed includes: since the DC motor does not need to rely on the acceleration / deceleration table to change speed step by step during the speed change process, it changes its power during speed change to continuously adjust the first speed to the second speed.

[0106] In Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the method shown, when the image forming device wakes up, the wake-up signal sent by the data firmware to the engine firmware contains the first indication information for indicating whether this wake-up is a wake-up for a printing job. Through one interaction between the data firmware and the engine firmware, the effect of executing the wake-up and determining whether this wake-up is a wake-up for a printing job is achieved.

[0107] In some other embodiments, after the data firmware receives the job data stream sent by the interaction device, it first sends a wake-up signal to the engine firmware. During the process of the engine firmware being woken up, the data firmware identifies the data stream to determine whether this wake-up is a print job wake-up. As Figure 6 shown, the processing steps of this method include:

[0108] 501, the data firmware receives the data transmitted by the interaction device.

[0109] 502, the data firmware sends a wake-up signal to the engine firmware.

[0110] 503, after the engine firmware receives the wake-up signal, it executes the steps of waking up the engine. The steps of waking up the engine include a preheating process, in which, during the preheating process, it includes a first adjustment step of adjusting the speed of the paper feed motor to a first speed.

[0111] 504, the data firmware performs data stream identification to determine whether the data transmitted by the interaction device is data regarding a print job. If so, it indicates that this wake-up of the image forming device is a print job wake-up; if not, it indicates that this wake-up of the printing is not a print job wake-up. According to the identification result, the data firmware generates second indication information, and the second indication information can be used to indicate whether this wake-up of the image forming device is a print job wake-up.

[0112] 505, the data firmware sends the second indication information to the engine firmware.

[0113] 506, the engine firmware receives the second indication information sent by the data firmware and determines that this wake-up is a print job wake-up according to the second indication information. In some embodiments, the engine firmware can receive the second indication information during the preheating process and determine that this wake-up is a print job wake-up. Or, the engine firmware can receive the second indication information during the preheating process, and after the preheating is completed, it parses the second indication information and determines that this wake-up is a print job wake-up according to the second indication information.

[0114] If it is determined according to the second indication information that this wake-up is a print job wake-up, then after the preheating is completed, the first speed of the paper feed motor is continued to be maintained and it enters the ready state, and the operation of the paper feed motor is not turned off in the ready state. If this wake-up is not a print job wake-up, then the paper feed motor is turned off and it enters the ready state.

[0115] 507. The data firmware performs data parsing to generate a job dispatch signal, which may include printing parameters and printing data. After the data firmware sends a wake-up signal to the engine firmware, it can continue to perform data parsing. The process of the data firmware performing data parsing can be synchronized with the steps of the engine firmware performing engine wake-up. When the engine firmware enters the ready state, it starts timing and determines whether it receives the job dispatch signal sent by the data firmware within the first time period. Among them, the process of receiving the job dispatch signal within the first time period is shown in steps 508 - 511. If the job dispatch signal is not received within the first time period, a timeout process is performed.

[0116] 508. The data firmware performs pre-printing and sends the printing parameters to the engine firmware.

[0117] 509. After receiving the printing parameters, the engine firmware adjusts the motor speed according to the printing parameters. Specifically, it adjusts the paper feed motor from the first speed to the second speed according to the printing parameters.

[0118] 510. The data firmware performs printing and sends the printing data to the engine firmware. The engine firmware performs step 511, performs printing according to the printing data, and notifies the data firmware that the printing is completed after the printing is finished.

[0119] Of course, in an embodiment, pre-printing is not required, that is, without going through step 508 where the data firmware performs pre-printing and sends the printing parameters to the engine firmware. After the engine firmware is ready, the printing parameters and printing data are directly sent to the engine firmware. Through the method provided in this embodiment, one communication process can be reduced.

[0120] In Figure 6 the method shown, during the engine wake-up process of the image forming apparatus, the engine firmware determines whether the wake-up is for a printing job by communicating with the data firmware, so as to judge whether the paper feed motor needs to be kept on after the image forming apparatus enters the ready state (if it is a printing job wake-up, keep the paper feed motor rotating and enter the ready state waiting for the job dispatch; otherwise, turn off the paper feed motor before readiness), avoiding the situation where the paper feed motor of the image forming apparatus rotates in the ready state due to a non-printing job wake-up.

[0121] In Figures 4 - 6 the method shown, there is a scenario where after the image forming apparatus is woken up by multiple printing jobs, the user cancels one of the printing jobs during the warm-up process of the image forming apparatus, but there are still printing jobs that have not been cancelled and need to be printed. As Figure 7 shown, when the image forming apparatus is in the sleep state, it is woken up by job 1 and job 2. If job 1 is cancelled, there is still job 2 that needs to be printed.

[0122] In the above scenario, when a certain print job among multiple print jobs is cancelled, the data firmware sends a job cancellation command to the engine firmware. After the engine firmware enters the ready state, it stops the paper feed motor according to the job cancellation command. However, since there are still uncancelled print jobs, the uncancelled print jobs will be sent after the engine firmware is ready, and the engine firmware will restart the paper feed motor again. At this time, there is still the phenomenon of two segments of sounds.

[0123] To avoid this phenomenon, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method, as Figure 7 shown, including: when the data firmware is woken up by multiple jobs such as Job 1 and Job 2, the data firmware wakes up the engine firmware and notifies the engine firmware that this wake-up is a job wake-up. Subsequently, the engine firmware maintains the operating state of the paper feed motor and enters the ready state. The process of the engine firmware maintaining the operation of the paper feed motor and entering the ready state can refer to the description in Figures 4 - 6 and will not be elaborated here. If Job 1 is cancelled during the warm-up process of the engine firmware (Job 2 still needs to be printed), the data firmware will send a job cancellation command to the engine firmware. After receiving the job cancellation command, the engine firmware still maintains the paper feed motor running at the first speed and enters the ready state. After the engine firmware enters the ready state, it notifies the data firmware. After the data firmware obtains that the engine firmware has entered the ready state, it determines whether there are still jobs to be printed currently. If there are no jobs to be printed, it means that the woken print job has been cancelled; if there is a job (Job 2) to be printed, it sends a third indication message to the engine firmware. The third indication message is used to indicate that there is a job to be printed currently. After determining that there is a job to be printed currently, the engine firmware continues to maintain the operating state of the paper feed motor and waits for Job 2 to be sent. If the job is not sent after the timeout, the paper feed motor is turned off.

[0124] In Figure 7 the method shown, the engine firmware can confirm again with the data firmware whether there are jobs to be printed after entering the ready state, so as to avoid the problem of two segments of sounds when the job that wakes up the image forming device is cancelled before the engine firmware is ready but there are still jobs to be printed.

[0125] Refer to Figure 8 which is a flowchart of another control method provided by the embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 8In the method shown, the engine firmware does not consider whether this wake-up is caused by a printing job. Every time the device wakes up from sleep, the operation state of the paper feed motor is maintained in the ready state, and the printing job is parsed during the preheating process. Since the fuser reaches the preheating target temperature and completes preheating during the preheating stage, to prevent the image forming device from entering sleep when the temperature is higher than the preheating target temperature and waking up when the fuser temperature is higher than the preheating target temperature, the preheating stage of the image forming device will be completed immediately in this scenario. For this scenario, the preheating time can be designed to be maintained for at least a certain period for printing job parsing, or the time for the image forming device to maintain the operation state of the paper feed motor after entering the ready state and waiting for the job can be extended.

[0126] As Figure 8 shown, the method includes:

[0127] 601. The engine firmware detects whether a wake-up signal is sent by the data firmware in the sleep state. If so, step 602 is executed; if not, it continues to sleep.

[0128] 602. After receiving the wake-up signal, the engine firmware completes the sensor self-check.

[0129] 603. The engine firmware sends the preheating target temperature and starts preheating.

[0130] 604. The engine firmware determines whether the preheating temperature reaches the motor start temperature. If so, step 605 is executed; if not, it returns to step 604.

[0131] 605. The engine firmware starts the motor, specifically including adjusting the speed of the paper feed motor to the first speed.

[0132] 606. The engine firmware determines whether the preheating target temperature is reached. If so, the paper feed motor continues to maintain the first speed, enters the ready state and starts timing, and step 607 is executed.

[0133] 607. The engine firmware determines whether the printing parameters sent by the data firmware are obtained. If so, step 608 is executed. If not, step 610 is executed.

[0134] 608. Determine whether the motor needs to change speed according to the printing parameters. If it is necessary, step 609 is executed; if not, printing is performed.

[0135] 609. Adjust the motor speed, specifically including: adjusting the paper feed motor from the first speed to the second speed according to the printing parameters, and then receiving the printing data sent by the data firmware to perform printing.

[0136] 610. The engine firmware determines whether the timing duration is greater than or equal to the first duration. If so, the paper feed motor is turned off; if not, it returns to step 607 to continue determining whether the printing parameters sent by the data engine are received.

[0137] In Figure 8 the method shown, regardless of whether there is a job to be printed, each time the engine firmware wakes up, the paper feed motor runs for a certain period of time in the ready state, without communicating with the data firmware whether there is a printing job, avoiding the accidental shutdown of the paper feed motor caused by communication problems, and the effect is more stable.

[0138] Furthermore, due to paper re-feed or due to structural reasons, there may be a problem that the paper is accidentally carried into the paper path of the image forming apparatus after the paper feed motor is started during the warm-up stage. If printing starts without detecting the paper in the paper path during the warm-up process, it will cause abnormal changes in the state of the paper path sensor, thereby affecting the normal printing of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, a method for detecting whether there is paper in the paper path during the warm-up process of the image forming apparatus is provided. As Figure 9 shown, the method includes:

[0139] 701. After adjusting the paper feed motor to the first speed in the warm-up process, start timing. In response to the timing reaching T1 (which can also be referred to as the second period), execute step 702 to determine whether paper is detected in the paper path. The period T1 is used to ensure that the paper can touch the sensor in the paper path. For some small papers such as A6, the period T1 should ensure that it has left the last sensor in the paper path at least and cannot stop between two sensors in the paper path. If a sensor in the paper path is triggered after the timing reaches T1, it indicates that there is paper in the paper path, then execute step 703 to re-start timing, and then continue to execute step 704; if no sensor in the paper path is triggered after the timing reaches T1, it indicates that there is no paper in the paper path. At this time, wait until the image forming apparatus meets the ready condition and then enter the ready state.

[0140] In response to the re-started timing reaching T2 (also referred to as the third period), execute step 704 to determine whether paper is still detected in the paper path. The period T2 is used to ensure that the paper detected in step 702 can be discharged from the paper path under the rotation of the paper feed motor.

[0141] If a sensor in the paper path is triggered again after the re-started timing reaches T2, it indicates that there is still paper in the paper path and the paper discharge fails. Execute step 705 to report a paper jam error. If no paper is detected, it indicates that the paper in the paper path has been discharged. The image forming apparatus enters the ready state and detects the job dispatch signal.

[0142] Among them, a complete process of detecting the paper path during the warm-up process of the image forming apparatus includes:

[0143] (1) The engine firmware receives the wake-up signal from the data firmware.

[0144] (2) After receiving the wake-up signal, the engine firmware executes the self-check process of modules such as sensors.

[0145] (3) After the engine firmware completes self-check, it enters the preheating process.

[0146] (4) Under the preheating process, the engine firmware turns on modules such as the paper transport motor and high voltage in sequence, and the total waiting time of this sequence accumulates to Tmin. Therefore, the engine firmware can enter the ready state only after maintaining at least Tmin time in the preheating process to ensure that all modules are in the ready state. Tmin > T1.

[0147] (5) If paper is detected in the paper path at the T1 time point after the paper transport motor is turned on, the engine firmware will detect the paper path sensor again at the T2 time point to confirm whether the paper is discharged. At this time, the engine firmware is still in the preheating process. The size relationship between T2 and Tmin is uncertain. If the total time sequence of turning on modules such as high voltage is greater than T1 + T2, then Tmin > T2.

[0148] (6) After completing preheating and paper path detection, the engine enters the ready state and then detects the job dispatch signal within the T3 time after entering the ready state.

[0149] In the method of the embodiment of the present invention, after starting the paper transport motor in the preheating process, the sensor status in the paper path is detected at least twice, which is equivalent to detecting the paper path after starting the paper transport motor and before entering the ready state. It can not only detect the newly introduced paper in the paper path, but also detect to a certain extent the paper that was originally stuck between the two sensors and not detected. Moreover, the method of the embodiment of the present invention only extends the preheating time when there is abnormal paper feeding in the paper path, and the preheating duration is not affected when there is no abnormal paper feeding.

[0150] Furthermore, the embodiment of the present invention also provides an image forming apparatus, including a paper transport motor, data firmware, engine firmware, high voltage module, etc.

[0151] Among them, the data firmware is used to send a wake-up signal and a job dispatch signal to the engine firmware according to the data sent by the interaction device;

[0152] The engine firmware is used to execute the preheating process when receiving the wake-up signal; the preheating process includes a first adjustment step of adjusting the paper transport motor to a first speed; it is also used to execute the printing process when receiving the job dispatch signal; the printing process includes a second adjustment step of adjusting the paper transport motor to a second speed; further, the engine firmware is specifically used for:

[0153] After the preheating process executed in response to the wake-up signal ends, continue to maintain the first speed;

[0154] Judge whether the job dispatch signal is received;

[0155] When receiving the job sending signal, continuously adjust the speed of the paper feeding motor from the first speed to the second speed without stopping the operation of the paper feeding motor.

[0156] In the embodiments of the present invention, for the steps and effects executed by the data firmware and the engine firmware, reference may be made to the description of the method embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0157] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention also provide an image forming apparatus. As Figure 10 shown, the image forming apparatus 800 includes: a processor 801, a memory 802, and a communication unit 803. These components communicate through one or more buses. Those skilled in the art can understand that the structure of the image forming apparatus 800 shown in the figure does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. It can be a bus structure, a star structure, and may also include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0158] Among them, the communication unit 803 is used to establish a communication channel so that the printer can communicate with other devices. Receive user data sent by other devices or send user data to other devices.

[0159] The processor 801 is the control center of the printer, connecting various parts of the entire device through various interfaces and lines. By running or executing software programs, instructions, and / or modules stored in the memory 802, and by calling the data stored in the memory, to execute various functions of the printer and / or process data. As Figure 8 shown, the memory 802 includes: programs regarding data firmware and engine firmware. The processor 801 can implement the control method of the embodiments of the present invention by executing the programs regarding data firmware and engine firmware. The processor may be composed of an integrated circuit (IC). For example, it may be composed of a single packaged IC, or may be composed of connecting multiple packaged ICs with the same or different functions. For example, the processor 801 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller unit (MCU), etc.

[0160] In a specific implementation, the present application further provides a computer storage medium. The computer storage medium can store a program which, when executed, can include some or all of the steps of the control method of the printer provided by the present application. The storage medium can be a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or the like.

[0161] In a specific implementation, the present application further provides a computer program product. The computer program product contains executable instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to execute some or all of the steps of the control method provided by the present application.

[0162] The embodiments of the present application further provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions which cause the computer to execute the control method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0163] The above non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be any combination of one or more computer-readable media. The computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination of the above. More specific examples (non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable storage medium include: an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or a flash memory, an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the above. In this document, the computer-readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program which can be used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0164] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the technologies in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by means of software plus a necessary general hardware platform. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product can be stored in a storage medium such as ROM / RAM, a magnetic disk, an optical disc, etc., and includes several instructions for causing a computer device to execute the methods described in various embodiments or some parts of the embodiments of the present application.

[0165] In this specification, for the same or similar parts among various embodiments, reference can be made to each other. In particular, for the apparatus embodiments and the terminal embodiments, since they are basically similar to the method embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and for the relevant parts, reference can be made to the description in the method embodiments.

Claims

1. A control method, executed in an image forming device, wherein the image forming device is configured to: When the wake-up signal is received, a preheating process is executed; the preheating process includes a first adjustment step of adjusting the paper conveying motor to a first speed; When receiving the job issuing signal, the printing process is executed; The printing process includes a second adjustment step of adjusting the paper conveying motor to a second speed; It is characterized in that The method comprises: After the preheating process executed in response to the wake-up signal is completed, continue to maintain the first speed; Determine whether the job issuing signal is received; When the job issuing signal is received, the speed of the paper conveying motor is continuously adjusted from the first speed to the second speed without stopping the operation of the paper conveying motor.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step of continuing to maintain the first speed after the preheating process executed in response to the wake-up signal ends includes: In response to the wake-up signal corresponding to the current wake-up being a print job wake-up, after the preheating process is completed, the first speed is continued to be maintained.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that Determining that the wake-up corresponding to the wake-up signal is a print job wake-up includes: The wake-up signal includes first indication information; According to the first indication information, it is determined that the wake-up corresponding to the wake-up signal is a print job wake-up.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: Determining that the wake-up corresponding to the wake-up signal is a print job wake-up includes: In addition to receiving the wake-up signal, receiving second indication information; According to the second indication information, it is determined that the wake-up corresponding to the wake-up signal is a print job wake-up.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: After the preheating process executed in response to the wake-up signal is completed, the method further includes: receiving third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether there is a job that needs to be printed currently; If so, determining whether the job issuing signal is received; If not present, the paper transport motor is turned off.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The wake-up signal is triggered based on multiple print jobs; In the process of performing the preheating process in response to the wake-up signal, the method further includes: When the job cancel instruction is received, the first speed is maintained without stopping the operation of the paper transport motor.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that When the job sending signal is received, the speed of the paper conveying motor is continuously adjusted from the first speed to the second speed, including: Within a first time period after the preheating process ends, receiving the operation sending signal, wherein the operation sending signal includes a motor speed parameter; The speed of the paper conveying motor is continuously adjusted from the first speed to the second speed according to the motor speed parameter.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that In the process of executing the preheating process in response to the wake-up signal, the method further includes: After the paper conveying motor is adjusted to the first speed in the preheating process, timing is performed; When the response timing reaches the second time length, it is determined whether paper is detected in the paper path; If paper is detected, the timing is reset; In response to the retiming reaching a third time period, determining whether paper is still detected in the paper path; If paper is still detected, a paper jam error is reported, otherwise the preheating process ends.

9. An image forming device, comprising: Data firmware and engine firmware; The data firmware is used to send a wake-up signal and a job issuing signal to the engine firmware according to the data sent by the interactive device; The engine firmware is used to execute a preheating process upon receiving the wake-up signal; the preheating process includes a first adjustment step of adjusting the paper conveying motor to a first speed; and is also used to execute a printing process upon receiving a job sending signal; the printing process includes a second adjustment step of adjusting the paper conveying motor to a second speed; It is characterized in that the engine firmware is specifically used for: After the preheating process executed in response to the wake-up signal is completed, continue to maintain the first speed; Determine whether the job issuing signal is received; When the job issuing signal is received, the speed of the paper conveying motor is continuously adjusted from the first speed to the second speed without stopping the operation of the paper conveying motor.

10. An image forming device, characterized in that: include: at least one processor; and at least one memory communicatively connected to the processor, wherein: the memory stores program instructions executable by the processor, and the processor calls the program instructions to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium includes a stored program, wherein when the program is executed, the device where the computer-readable storage medium is located is controlled to execute any one of the methods of claims 1 to 8.

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