Image forming apparatus and storage method

Abstract

To provide: an image forming apparatus capable of managing ink consumption amounts in units of a page image; and a storage method.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 includes: a sheet conveying unit 2 configured to convey a sheet; an execution processing unit 71 configured to execute an image forming process of forming a page image on each of sheets sequentially conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 2; a second acquisition processing unit 82 configured to acquire an ink consumption amount used for forming the page image for each page image formed in the image forming process; and a storage processing unit 66 configured to store, in a first storage unit 51, the ink consumption amount acquired by the second acquisition processing unit 82.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a storage method.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by an inkjet method is known. Further, the image forming apparatus capable of calculating an ink consumption amount is known as a related art (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the image forming apparatus according to the above-described related art, the ink consumption amount cannot be managed in units of page images formed on a sheet.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a storage method capable of managing an ink consumption amount in units of page images.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a sheet conveyance unit, an execution processing unit, an acquisition processing unit, and a storage processing unit. The sheet conveyance unit conveys a sheet. The execution processing unit executes an image forming process for forming a page image on each of the sheets sequentially conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit. The acquisition processing unit acquires an ink consumption amount used for forming the page image for each of the page images formed by the image forming process. The storage processing unit stores the ink consumption amount acquired by the acquisition processing unit in a predetermined first storage unit.

[0007] The storage method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed in an image forming apparatus including a sheet conveyance unit that conveys a sheet, and includes an execution step, an acquisition step, and a storage step. In the execution step, an image forming process for forming a page image on each of the sheets sequentially conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit is executed. In the acquisition step, the ink consumption amount used for forming the page image is acquired for each of the page images formed in the image forming process. In the storage step, the ink consumption amount acquired in the acquisition step is stored in a predetermined first storage unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to manage the ink consumption amount in units of page images.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of embodying the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 100] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configurations of the image forming unit 3 and the conveyance unit 4. Further, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configurations of the nozzle 30A, the pressure chamber 30B, the piezoelectric element 30C, and the individual flow path 30D. Note that in FIG. 1, the sheet conveyance path R11 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 is a printer capable of forming an image on a sheet by an inkjet method. Note that the present invention may be applied to a facsimile apparatus, a copying machine, a multifunction machine, etc. capable of forming an image on a sheet by an inkjet method.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a housing 1, a sheet conveyance unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a conveyance unit 4, an operation display unit 5, a storage unit 6, a main control unit 7, an engine control unit 8, a video control unit 9, and a head control unit 10.

[0014] The housing 1 houses each component of the image forming apparatus 100. A paper feed cassette 11 (see FIG. 1) is detachably provided on the housing 1. The paper feed cassette 11 houses sheets on which images are to be formed. An ejection tray 12 (an example of the sheet discharge unit of the present invention) (see FIG. 1) is provided on the outer surface of the housing 1. Sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit 3 are ejected onto the ejection tray 12. Inside the housing 1, the sheets housed in the paper feed cassette 11 are conveyed along a sheet conveyance path R11 (see FIG. 1) that passes through the image forming position by the image forming unit 3 and reaches the ejection tray 12.

[0015] The sheet conveyance unit 2 conveys the sheets accommodated in the paper feed cassette 11 along the sheet conveyance path R11 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet conveyance unit 2 includes a pickup roller 21 and a plurality of conveyance rollers 22. The pickup roller 21 takes out the uppermost sheet in the stack of sheets accommodated in the paper feed cassette 11 and sends the sheet out onto the sheet conveyance path R11. The plurality of conveyance rollers 22 are arranged side by side along the sheet conveyance path R11. Each of the conveyance rollers 22 conveys the sheet along the sheet conveyance path R11. Each of the conveyance rollers 22 conveys the sheet in the conveyance direction D11 (see FIG. 1) from the paper feed cassette 11 toward the discharge tray 12.

[0016] The image forming unit 3 forms an ink image on the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 3 includes four line heads 3X (31 to 34) and a head frame 35.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the line heads 3X is long in the width direction D12 orthogonal to the conveyance direction D11. Specifically, each of the line heads 3X has a length corresponding to the width of the largest-size sheet that can be accommodated in the paper feed cassette 11 in the width direction D12. The four line heads 3X are arranged side by side at equal intervals along the conveyance direction D11.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the line heads 3X has a plurality of recording heads 30. Each of the recording heads 30 discharges ink droplets toward the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit 4. Each of the recording heads 30 provided in the line head 31 discharges black ink droplets. Each of the recording heads 30 provided in the line head 32 discharges cyan ink droplets. Each of the recording heads 30 provided in the line head 33 discharges magenta ink droplets. Each of the recording heads 30 provided in the line head 34 discharges yellow ink droplets.

[0019] Each recording head 30 includes a plurality of nozzles 30A (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that eject ink droplets onto the sheet. Each nozzle 30A is provided on the facing surface with the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit 4 in the recording head 30. For example, in the image forming apparatus 100, ink droplets of small size, medium size, or large size are ejected from the nozzles 30A.

[0020] Also, each recording head 30 includes a pressure chamber 30B (see FIG. 3), a piezoelectric element 30C (see FIG. 3), and an individual flow path 30D (see FIG. 3) corresponding to each nozzle 30A. The pressure chamber 30B communicates with the nozzle 30A and stores ink. The piezoelectric element 30C changes the pressure in the pressure chamber 30B in response to the input of a drive signal, thereby ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle 30A. The individual flow path 30D is an ink flow path provided between the pressure chamber 30B and a common flow path (not shown) common to the plurality of nozzles 30A. A plurality of individual flow paths 30D corresponding to the plurality of nozzles 30A are connected to the common flow path. The common flow path is connected to an ink supply unit (not shown) that supplies ink to each pressure chamber 30B.

[0021] In each line head 3X, three recording heads 30 are arranged in a staggered pattern along the width direction D12. Note that the number of recording heads 30 provided in each line head 3X may be any number.

[0022] The head frame 35 supports four line heads 3X. The head frame 35 is supported by the housing 1. Note that the number of line heads 3X included in the image forming unit 3 may be any number including 1.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the conveyance unit 4 is disposed below the four line heads 3X. The conveyance unit 4 conveys the sheet while opposing it to the recording head 30. For example, the conveyance unit 4 conveys the sheet by a predetermined conveyance amount each time ink droplets are ejected by the recording head 30. Also, the conveyance unit 4 stops the conveyance of the sheet while the ink droplets are being ejected by the recording head 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the conveyance unit 4 includes a conveyance belt 41 on which the sheet is placed, a first tension roller 42, a second tension roller 43, and a third tension roller 44 that stretch the conveyance belt 41, and a conveyance frame 45 that supports these. Note that the gap between the conveyance belt 41 and the recording head 30 is adjusted so that the gap between the surface of the sheet and the recording head 30 during image formation becomes a predetermined distance (for example, 1 mm).

[0024] The first tension roller 42 is rotationally driven by a rotational driving force supplied from a motor (not shown). Thereby, the conveyance belt 41 rotates in a direction in which the sheet can be conveyed in the conveyance direction D11 (see FIG. 1). Note that the conveyance unit 4 is also provided with a suction unit (not shown) that sucks air from a large number of through holes formed in the conveyance belt 41 in order to adsorb the sheet to the conveyance belt 41. Also, a pressure roller 46 for pressing the sheet against the conveyance belt 41 and conveying it is provided above the first tension roller 42.

[0025] The operation display unit 5 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays various types of information in response to a control instruction from the main control unit 7, and an operation unit such as an operation key or a touch panel that inputs various types of information to the main control unit 7 in response to a user's operation.

[0026] The storage unit 6 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the storage unit 6 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory.

[0027] The main control unit 7 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the main control unit 7 includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, and a non-volatile memory 64. The CPU 61 is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM 62 is a non-volatile storage device in which information such as control programs for causing the CPU 61 to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM 63 is a volatile or non-volatile storage device used as a temporary storage memory (working area) for various processes executed by the CPU 61. The non-volatile memory 64 is a non-volatile storage device. The CPU 61 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100 by executing various control programs stored in advance in the ROM 62.

[0028] The engine control unit 8 controls each of the sheet conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, the conveyance unit 4, the video control unit 9, and the head control unit 10. For example, the engine control unit 8 is composed of an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC, DSP).

[0029] The video control unit 9 executes image processing on the image data for one page of the document to be printed. For example, the image processing includes a decomposition process of decomposing the image data into color image data corresponding to each of the colors black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Further, the image processing includes a conversion process of converting each of the pixel data included in the color image data into either ejection pixel data used for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle 30A corresponding to the pixel data or non-ejection pixel data used for non-ejection of ink droplets from the nozzle 30A corresponding to the pixel data. For example, the video control unit 9 is composed of an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC, DSP). As shown in FIG. 4, the video control unit 9 includes a non-volatile memory 81. The non-volatile memory 81 is a non-volatile storage device.

[0030] The head control unit 10 is provided corresponding to each line head 3X of the image forming unit 3. Each of the head control units 10 controls the ejection of ink droplets by the line head 3X based on the color image data after the conversion process input from the video control unit 9. For example, the head control unit 10 is composed of an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC, DSP). As shown in FIG. 4, the head control unit 10 includes a non-volatile memory 91. The non-volatile memory 91 is a non-volatile storage device.

[0031] By the way, an image forming apparatus capable of calculating the ink consumption amount is known as a related art.

[0032] However, in the image forming apparatus according to the above-described related art, the ink consumption amount cannot be managed in units of page images formed on a sheet.

[0033] On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as described below, it is possible to manage the ink consumption amount in units of the page images.

[0034] Specifically, the main control unit 7 includes a login processing unit 65 and a storage processing unit 66 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 61 of the main control unit 7 functions as each of the above-described processing units by executing the control program stored in the ROM 62 in advance.

[0035] Further, the engine control unit 8 includes an execution processing unit 71 shown in FIG. 4.

[0036] Further, the video control unit 9 includes a second acquisition processing unit 82 shown in FIG. 4.

[0037] Further, each of the head control units 10 includes a count processing unit 92 and a first acquisition processing unit 93 shown in FIG. 4.

[0038] The login processing unit 65 executes a login process for authenticating a user in response to a predetermined authentication operation.

[0039] For example, the login processing unit 65 causes the operation display unit 5 to display an authentication screen for performing the authentication operation as needed. Then, the login processing unit 65 receives the authentication operation by the user on the authentication screen. For example, the authentication operation is an input operation of a user name and a password. The login processing unit 65 authenticates the user based on the information input by the authentication operation. Specifically, the login processing unit 65 determines that authentication is completed when the input information matches the information corresponding to the user registered in the image forming apparatus 100 in advance, and logs in the user to the image forming apparatus 100. Note that the login processing unit 65 executes a logout process for logging out the currently logged-in user when a logout operation on the operation display unit 5 is performed, when a preset time has elapsed, or when another user is logged in.

[0040] The execution processing unit 71 executes an image forming process for forming the page image on each of the sheets sequentially conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit 2. The page image is an image corresponding to one page of the original to be printed.

[0041] Specifically, in the image forming process, the sheet conveyance unit 2 and the conveyance unit 4 sequentially convey the sheets accommodated in the paper feed cassette 11. Also, in the image forming process, one or a plurality of the image data corresponding to the original to be printed are sequentially input to the video control unit 9, and the video control unit 9 executes the image processing on the input image data. Further, in the image forming process, the color image data after the conversion process is input from the video control unit 9 to each of the head control units 10, and each of the head control units 10 discharges ink from the line head 3X based on the input color image data.

[0042] The count processing unit 92 corresponding to the line head 31 counts the number of discharges of ink droplets of each size for each nozzle 30A included in the line head 31 during the formation period of the page image. The formation period of the page image is the period from the start of the discharge of ink droplets based on the color image data by the line head 31 to the end of the discharge of ink droplets based on the color image data by the line head 34.

[0043] The count processing unit 92 corresponding to the line head 32 counts the number of discharges of ink droplets of each size for each nozzle 30A included in the line head 32 during the formation period of the page image.

[0044] The count processing unit 92 corresponding to the line head 33 counts the number of discharges of ink droplets of each size for each nozzle 30A included in the line head 33 during the formation period of the page image.

[0045] The count processing unit 92 corresponding to the line head 34 counts the number of discharges of ink droplets of each size for each nozzle 30A included in the line head 34 during the formation period of the page image.

[0046] The first acquisition processing unit 93 corresponding to the line head 31 acquires the ink consumption amount of black ink used for forming the page image for each page image formed by the image forming process. Specifically, the first acquisition processing unit 93 corresponding to the line head 31 acquires the ink consumption amount of black ink used for forming the page image based on the count result by the count processing unit 92 corresponding to the line head 31.

[0047] The first acquisition processing unit 93 corresponding to the line head 32 acquires the ink consumption amount of cyan ink used for forming the page image for each of the page images formed by the image forming process. Specifically, the first acquisition processing unit 93 corresponding to the line head 32 acquires the ink consumption amount of cyan ink used for forming the page image based on the count result by the count processing unit 92 corresponding to the line head 32.

[0048] The first acquisition processing unit 93 corresponding to the line head 33 acquires the ink consumption amount of magenta ink used for forming the page image for each of the page images formed by the image forming process. Specifically, the first acquisition processing unit 93 corresponding to the line head 33 acquires the ink consumption amount of magenta ink used for forming the page image based on the count result by the count processing unit 92 corresponding to the line head 33.

[0049] The first acquisition processing unit 93 corresponding to the line head 34 acquires the ink consumption amount of yellow ink used for forming the page image for each of the page images formed by the image forming process. Specifically, the first acquisition processing unit 93 corresponding to the line head 34 acquires the ink consumption amount of yellow ink used for forming the page image based on the count result by the count processing unit 92 corresponding to the line head 34.

[0050] The second acquisition processing unit 82 acquires the ink consumption amount of each of the four-color inks used for forming the page image for each of the page images formed by the image forming process.

[0051] Specifically, the second acquisition processing unit 82 acquires the ink consumption amount of each of the four-color inks used for forming the page image from the four first acquisition processing units 93 corresponding to the four line heads 3X. The four first acquisition processing units 93 and the second acquisition processing unit 82 are an example of the acquisition processing unit of the present invention.

[0052] The storage processing unit 66 stores the ink consumption amount of each of the four colors of ink used for forming the page image acquired by the second acquisition processing unit 82 in the first storage unit 51 (see FIG. 4) of the storage unit 6.

[0053] Further, the storage processing unit 66 stores the ink consumption amount of each of the four colors of ink corresponding to the sheet for which the image formation process was interrupted before being discharged to the paper discharge tray 12 in the second storage unit 52 (see FIG. 4) of the storage unit 6.

[0054] The first storage unit 51 is a storage area preset in the storage unit 6. Also, the second storage unit 52 is a storage area set separately from the first storage unit 51 in the storage unit 6. For example, the first storage unit 51 is provided for each user who can log in to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0055] For example, the storage processing unit 66 stores the ink consumption amount of each of the four colors of ink used for forming the page image acquired by the second acquisition processing unit 82 in the first storage unit 51 corresponding to the currently logged-in user.

[0056] In the image forming apparatus 100, during the execution of the image formation process by the execution processing unit 71, the first acquisition process, the second acquisition process, and the storage process described below are executed. The execution of the image formation process by the execution processing unit 71 is an example of an execution step included in the storage method of the present invention.

[0057] [First Acquisition Process] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of the procedure of the first acquisition process executed by the first acquisition processing unit 93 corresponding to the line head 31 will be described. Here, steps S11, S12,... represent the numbers of the processing procedures (steps) executed by the first acquisition processing unit 93. Note that the first acquisition processing unit 93 corresponding to each of the line heads 32 to 34 also executes the same processing as the processing described below.

[0058] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the first acquisition processing unit 93 determines whether the ejection of ink droplets based on the black color image data by the line head 31 has ended.

[0059] Here, when the first acquisition processing unit 93 determines that the ejection of ink droplets by the line head 31 has ended (on the Yes side of S11), the process proceeds to step S12. Also, if the ejection of ink droplets by the line head 31 has not ended (on the No side of S11), the first acquisition processing unit 93 causes the process to proceed to step S14.

[0060] <Step S12> In step S12, the first acquisition processing unit 93 calculates the ink consumption amount of the black ink used for forming the page image.

[0061] Specifically, the first acquisition processing unit 93 totals the count results of the ejection times of ink droplets of each size of each nozzle 30A included in the line head 31 by the count processing unit 92 corresponding to the line head 31. Then, the first acquisition processing unit 93 calculates the ink consumption amount of the black ink used for forming the page image based on the total result and the ink amount corresponding to each size of the ink droplets.

[0062] <Step S13> In step S13, the first acquisition processing unit 93 transmits the first consumption amount data including the ink consumption amount calculated in the process of step S12 to the video control unit 9. For example, the first consumption amount data includes first identification information such as an identification ID used for identifying the first consumption amount data. For example, the first identification information is generated by the first acquisition processing unit 93.

[0063] <Step S14> In step S14, the first acquisition processing unit 93 determines whether the image formation process has been interrupted during the ejection of ink droplets based on the black color image data by the line head 31.

[0064] For example, in the image forming apparatus 100, when an error such as paper jam is detected, the image forming process is interrupted.

[0065] Here, when the first acquisition processing unit 93 determines that the image forming process has been interrupted during the ejection of ink droplets by the line head 31 (Yes side in S14), the process proceeds to step S15. Also, if the image forming process has not been interrupted during the ejection of ink droplets by the line head 31 (No side in S14), the first acquisition processing unit 93 proceeds the process to step S19.

[0066] <Step S15> In step S15, the first acquisition processing unit 93 saves the count value by the count processing unit 92 corresponding to the line head 31 to the non-volatile memory 91. Thereby, for example, when the image forming process is interrupted due to a power failure, it is possible to avoid loss of data for calculating the ink consumption amount.

[0067] <Step S16> In step S16, the first acquisition processing unit 93 determines whether the image forming process has resumed.

[0068] Here, when the first acquisition processing unit 93 determines that the image forming process has resumed (Yes side in S16), the process proceeds to step S17. Also, if the image forming process has not resumed (No side in S16), the first acquisition processing unit 93 waits for the resumption of the image forming process in step S16.

[0069] <Step S17> In step S17, the first acquisition processing unit 93 calculates the ink consumption amount of the black ink used for forming the page image whose image formation was interrupted, based on the count value saved to the non-volatile memory 91 by the process of step S15.

[0070] <Step S18> In step S18, the first acquisition processing unit 93 transmits the first consumption amount data including the ink consumption amount of the black ink calculated in the process of step S17 to the video control unit 9.

[0071] <Step S19> In step S19, the first acquisition processing unit 93 determines whether or not the image formation process has ended.

[0072] Here, when the first acquisition processing unit 93 determines that the image formation process has ended (on the Yes side of S19), it ends the first acquisition process. Also, if the image formation process has not ended (on the No side of S19), the first acquisition processing unit 93 transfers the process to step S11.

[0073] [Second Acquisition Process] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of the procedure of the second acquisition process executed by the second acquisition processing unit 82 will be described.

[0074] <Step S21> First, in step S21, the second acquisition processing unit 82 determines whether or not it has received the four pieces of first consumption amount data including the ink consumption amount of each of the four colors of ink used for forming the page image.

[0075] Here, when the second acquisition processing unit 82 determines that it has received the four pieces of first consumption amount data (on the Yes side of S21), it transfers the process to step S22. Also, if it has not received the four pieces of first consumption amount data (on the No side of S21), the second acquisition processing unit 82 transfers the process to step S23. The process of the second acquisition processing unit 82 receiving the four pieces of first consumption amount data including the ink consumption amount of each of the four colors of ink used for forming the page image is an example of the acquisition step included in the storage method of the present invention.

[0076] <Step S22> In step S22, the second acquisition processing unit 82 transmits second consumption data including the four pieces of the first consumption data received to the main control unit 7. For example, the second consumption data includes second identification information such as an identification ID used for identifying the second consumption data. For example, the second identification information is generated by the second acquisition processing unit 82.

[0077] <Step S23> In step S23, the second acquisition processing unit 82 determines whether the image formation process was interrupted during the formation period of the page image.

[0078] Here, when the second acquisition processing unit 82 determines that the image formation process was interrupted during the formation period of the page image (on the Yes side of S23), it shifts the process to step S24. Also, if the image formation process was not interrupted during the formation period of the page image (on the No side of S23), the second acquisition processing unit 82 shifts the process to step S28.

[0079] <Step S24> In step S24, the second acquisition processing unit 82 stores the received first consumption data among the four pieces of the first consumption data each including the ink consumption of each of the four colors of ink used for forming the page image in the non-volatile memory 81. Thereby, for example, when the image formation process is interrupted due to a power failure, it is possible to avoid loss of data regarding the ink consumption.

[0080] <Step S25> In step S25, the second acquisition processing unit 82 determines whether the image formation process has resumed.

[0081] Here, when the second acquisition processing unit 82 determines that the image formation process has resumed (on the Yes side of S25), it shifts the process to step S26. Also, if the image formation process has not resumed (on the No side of S25), the second acquisition processing unit 82 waits for the resumption of the image formation process in step S25.

[0082] <Step S26> In step S26, the second acquisition processing unit 82 determines whether all of the first consumption data amounts that are not received among the four first consumption data amounts including the ink consumption amount of each of the four colors of ink used for forming the page image have been received.

[0083] Here, when the second acquisition processing unit 82 determines that all of the first consumption data amounts that are not received have been received (Yes side in S26), the process proceeds to step S27. Also, if all of the first consumption data amounts that are not received have not been received (No side in S26), the second acquisition processing unit 82 waits for reception of all of the first consumption data amounts that are not received in step S26.

[0084] <Step S27> In step S27, the second acquisition processing unit 82 transmits the second consumption data amount including one or more of the first consumption data amounts saved by the process in step S24 and one or more of the first consumption data amounts received after resumption of the image formation process to the main control unit 7.

[0085] <Step S28> In step S28, the second acquisition processing unit 82 determines whether the image formation process has ended.

[0086] Here, when the second acquisition processing unit 82 determines that the image formation process has ended (Yes side in S28), the second acquisition process ends. Also, if the image formation process has not ended (No side in S28), the second acquisition processing unit 82 causes the process to proceed to step S21.

[0087] [Storage Process] Next, an example of the procedure of the storage process executed by the storage processing unit 66 will be described while referring to FIG. 7.

[0088] <Step S31> First, in step S31, the storage processing unit 66 determines whether it has received the second consumption data amount transmitted from the video control unit 9.

[0089] Here, when the storage processing unit 66 determines that the second consumption amount data has been received (Yes side in S31), it causes the process to proceed to step S32. Also, if the second consumption amount data has not been received (No side in S31), the storage processing unit 66 causes the process to proceed to step S33.

[0090] <Step S32> In step S32, the storage processing unit 66 stores the second consumption amount data transmitted from the video control unit 9 in a queue provided in the non-volatile memory 64.

[0091] <Step S33> In step S33, the storage processing unit 66 determines whether or not the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit 2 has been discharged to the paper discharge tray 12.

[0092] Specifically, the storage processing unit 66 uses a discharge sensor (not shown) capable of detecting the discharge of the sheet to the paper discharge tray 12 to determine whether or not the sheet has been discharged to the paper discharge tray 12.

[0093] Here, when the storage processing unit 66 determines that the sheet has been discharged to the paper discharge tray 12 (Yes side in S33), it causes the process to proceed to step S34. Also, if the sheet has not been discharged to the paper discharge tray 12 (No side in S33), the storage processing unit 66 causes the process to proceed to step S35.

[0094] <Step S34> In step S34, the storage processing unit 66 stores the first stored second consumption amount data among the one or more second consumption amount data stored in the queue in the first storage unit 51 corresponding to the currently logged-in user. The process of step S34 is an example of the storage step included in the storage method of the present invention.

[0095] <Step S35> In step S35, the storage processing unit 66 determines whether or not the image forming process has been interrupted.

[0096] Here, when the storage processing unit 66 determines that the image forming process has been interrupted (Yes side in S35), it causes the process to proceed to step S36. Also, if the image forming process has not been interrupted (No side in S35), the storage processing unit 66 causes the process to proceed to step S38.

[0097] <Step S36> In step S36, the storage processing unit 66 determines whether the image forming process has resumed.

[0098] Here, when the storage processing unit 66 determines that the image forming process has resumed (Yes side in S36), it causes the process to proceed to step S37. Also, if the image forming process has not resumed (No side in S36), the storage processing unit 66 waits for the resumption of the image forming process in step S36.

[0099] <Step S37> In step S37, the storage processing unit 66 stores all the second consumption amount data stored in the queue in the second storage unit 52. Also, when the image forming process is interrupted during the formation period of the page image, the storage processing unit 66 stores the second consumption amount data that is first transmitted after the resumption of the image forming process in the second storage unit 52. Thereby, it is possible to distinguish and manage the consumption amount of ink used for forming the page image that has been normally printed and the consumption amount of ink used for forming the page image that has not been normally printed.

[0100] <Step S38> In step S38, the storage processing unit 66 determines whether the image forming process has ended.

[0101] Here, when the storage processing unit 66 determines that the image forming process has ended (Yes side in S38), it ends the storage process. Also, if the image forming process has not ended (No side in S38), the storage processing unit 66 causes the process to proceed to step S31.

[0102] Thus, in the image forming apparatus 100, the ink consumption amount used for forming the page image is acquired for each page image, and the acquired ink consumption amount is stored in the first storage unit 51. Thereby, it is possible to manage the ink consumption amount in units of the page image.

[0103] Further, in the image forming apparatus 100, based on the count result of the number of discharges of ink droplets of each size of each nozzle 30A during the formation period of the page image, the ink consumption amount of the ink used for forming the page image is acquired. Thereby, when the image forming process is interrupted during the formation period of the page image, it is possible to acquire the ink consumption amount up to the interruption time.

[0104] Note that the first acquisition processing unit 93 may acquire the ink consumption amount of the ink used for purposes other than printing. For example, when a purge process for discharging ink from the nozzles 30A is executed, the first acquisition processing unit 93 may acquire the ink consumption amount of the ink discharged in the purge process. Further, the first acquisition processing unit 93 may transmit third consumption amount data including the ink consumption amount of the ink used for purposes other than printing to the main control unit 7. For example, the third consumption amount data includes third identification information such as an identification ID used for identifying the third consumption amount data. For example, the third identification information is generated by the first acquisition processing unit 93. Further, when the storage processing unit 66 receives the third consumption amount data transmitted from the head control unit 10, the received third consumption amount data may be stored in a third storage unit different from the first storage unit 51 and the second storage unit 52 in the storage unit 6.

[0105] Further, the second acquisition processing unit 82 may acquire the ink consumption amount of each of the four colors of ink used for forming the page image based on the four color image data used for forming the page image.

[0106] Further, the functions of the engine control unit 8 and the video control unit 9 may be realized by the CPU 61 of the main control unit 7. In this case, the CPU 61 may function as the execution processing unit 71 and the second acquisition processing unit 82 by executing the control program.

[0107] [Supplementary Note of the Invention] Hereinafter, the outline of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments will be appended. Note that each configuration and each processing function described in the following supplementary notes can be arbitrarily combined by making selections.

[0108] <Supplementary Note 1> An image forming apparatus including: a sheet conveyance unit that conveys a sheet; an execution processing unit that executes an image forming process for forming a page image on each of the sheets sequentially conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit; an acquisition processing unit that acquires an ink consumption amount used for forming the page image for each of the page images formed by the image forming process; and a storage processing unit that stores the ink consumption amount acquired by the acquisition processing unit in a predetermined first storage unit.

[0109] <Supplementary Note 2> The image forming apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, further including: a plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets onto the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit; and a count processing unit that counts the number of discharges of the ink droplets from each of the nozzles during a period in which the page image is formed, wherein the acquisition processing unit acquires the ink consumption amount based on a count result by the count processing unit.

[0110] <Supplementary Note 3> The image forming apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, further including a sheet discharge unit that discharges the sheet on which the page image is formed, wherein the storage processing unit stores the ink consumption amount corresponding to the sheet for which the image forming process has been interrupted before being discharged by the sheet discharge unit in a second storage unit different from the first storage unit.

[0111] <Supplementary Note 4> An image forming apparatus comprising a login processing unit for logging in a user, wherein the first storage unit is provided for each user who can log in to the image forming apparatus, and the storage processing unit stores the ink consumption amount acquired by the acquisition processing unit in the first storage unit corresponding to the user who is logged in, according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3.

[0112] <Appendix 5> A storage method executed in an image forming apparatus including a sheet conveyance unit for conveying a sheet, the method comprising: an execution step of executing an image forming process for forming a page image on each of the sheets sequentially conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit; an acquisition step of acquiring an ink consumption amount used for forming the page image for each of the page images formed in the image forming process; and a storage step of storing the ink consumption amount acquired in the acquisition step in a predetermined first storage unit.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0113] 1 Housing 2 Sheet Conveyance Unit 3 Image Forming Unit 3X Line Head 4 Conveyance Unit 5 Operation Display Unit 6 Storage Unit 7 Main Control Unit 8 Engine Control Unit [[ID=3l]]9 Video Control Unit 10 Head Control Unit 12 Paper Output Tray 30 Recording Head 30A Nozzle 51 First Storage Unit 52 Second Storage Unit 65 Login Processing Unit 66 Storage Processing Unit 71 Execution Processing Unit 82 Second Acquisition Processing Unit 92 Counting Processing Unit 93 First Acquisition Processing Unit 100 Image Forming Apparatus

Claims

1. A sheet conveyance unit that conveys a sheet, An execution processing unit that executes an image forming process for forming a page image on each of the sheets sequentially conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit, An acquisition processing unit that acquires the ink consumption amount used for forming the page image for each of the page images formed by the image forming process, A storage processing unit that stores the ink consumption amount acquired by the acquisition processing unit in a predetermined first storage unit, An image forming apparatus comprising the same.

2. A plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets onto the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit, A count processing unit that counts the number of discharges of the ink droplets of each of the nozzles during the formation period of the page image, Comprising, The acquisition processing unit acquires the ink consumption amount based on the count result by the count processing unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. A sheet discharge unit for discharging the sheet on which the page image is formed, The storage processing unit stores the ink consumption amount corresponding to the sheet for which the image forming process was interrupted before being discharged to the sheet discharge unit in a second storage unit different from the first storage unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A login processing unit for logging in a user, The first storage unit is provided for each user who can log in to the image forming apparatus, The storage processing unit stores the ink consumption amount acquired by the acquisition processing unit in the first storage unit corresponding to the logged-in user, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A storage method executed in an image forming apparatus comprising a sheet conveyance unit that conveys a sheet, An execution step of executing an image forming process for forming a page image on each of the sheets sequentially conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit, An acquisition step of acquiring the ink consumption amount used for forming the page image for each of the page images formed by the image forming process, A storage step of storing the ink consumption amount acquired by the acquisition step in a predetermined first storage unit, A storage method including the same.

Images