Image forming system, waste reduction method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming system capable of suitably reading an image while reducing waste, and to provide a waste reduction method and a program.SOLUTION: An image forming system 1 includes an image forming unit 21, a fixing unit 22, and an image reading unit 31 in the order from the upstream side in a conveying direction. A control unit 50 performs image forming processing and automatic adjustment processing to automatically adjust the image forming unit 21 on the basis of a content read by the image reading unit 31, and when terminating the automatic adjustment processing, controls a conveying unit 23 so that a trailing edge of a final image on a continuous recording medium S is located at a first stop position P1 downstream of the image reading unit 31 in the conveying direction or a second stop position P2 upstream of the first stop position P1 in the conveying direction, and when terminating the image forming processing, controls the conveying unit 23 so that the trailing end of the final image is positioned at a third stop position P3 upstream of the image reading unit 31 in the conveying direction and downstream of the fixing unit 22 in the conveying direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system, a waste reduction method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming system for forming an image on a continuous recording medium such as roll paper has been known. The image forming system includes, in order from the upstream side in the conveying direction, a paper feeder that supplies the continuous recording medium, an image forming device that forms an image on the continuous recording medium, and a winding device that winds up the continuous recording medium on which the image has been formed.

[0003] Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which, when set to reduce the occurrence of waste (blank spaces), the continuous recording medium is transported so that the trailing end of the final image is positioned between the winding device and the image forming device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-049429 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when an image reading device that reads the image and automatically adjusts the image quality is provided between the winding device and the image forming device, more waste occurs than before if the trailing edge of the final image is located between the paper discharge device and the image reading device.On the other hand, if the trailing edge of the final image is located between the image reading device and the image forming device, the image cannot be read by the image reading device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, a method for reducing waste, and a program for reducing waste that are capable of suitable image reading. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 is an image forming system, a conveying unit that conveys the continuous recording medium in a conveying direction; an image forming unit for forming an image on the continuous recording medium; a fixing unit that fixes the image formed by the image forming unit onto the continuous recording medium; an image reading unit that reads the image fixed by the fixing unit; a control unit that controls the transport unit, The control unit When an image is read by the image reading unit, the conveying unit is controlled so that the trailing edge of the last image on the continuous recording medium is positioned at a first stop position downstream of the image reading unit in the conveying direction or at a second stop position upstream of the first stop position in the conveying direction, When an image is not read by the image reading unit, the conveying unit is controlled so that the trailing end of the final image is positioned at a third stop position that is upstream of the image reading unit in the conveying direction and downstream of the fixing unit in the conveying direction.

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is the image forming system described in claim 1, the transport unit includes a reversing mechanism that transports the continuous recording medium in a direction opposite to the transport direction, When the control unit stops the conveyance so that the trailing end of the final image is located at the first stop position or the second stop position, the control unit controls the reversing mechanism so that the trailing end of the final image is located at the third stop position.

[0009] The invention described in claim 3 is the image forming system described in claim 1, the transport unit includes a reversing mechanism that transports the continuous recording medium in a direction opposite to the transport direction, the control unit performs a preliminary transport of transporting the continuous recording medium up to a predetermined distance without forming an image thereon; The reverse mechanism is controlled so that the rear end of the final image is positioned upstream of the third stop position in the transport direction by the distance of the pre-transport.

[0010] The invention described in claim 4 is the image forming system described in claim 1, the transport unit includes a reversing mechanism that transports the continuous recording medium in a direction opposite to the transport direction, the control unit controls the conveying unit to perform low-speed conveyance of the continuous recording medium in the conveying direction at a speed slower than that during image formation so that the same portion of the continuous recording medium on which an image has not been formed does not remain in the fixing unit for a predetermined time; The reverse mechanism is controlled so that the rear end of the final image is located upstream of the third stop position in the transport direction by the distance of the low-speed transport.

[0011] The invention described in claim 5 is the image forming system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, the fixing portion includes a pair of members that can be pressed into and separated from each other, In an automatic adjustment process that automatically adjusts the image forming unit based on the reading contents of the image reading unit, the control unit separates the pair of members of the fixing unit after the trailing end of the final image on the continuous recording medium being transported in the transport direction passes the third stop position.

[0012] The invention described in claim 6 is the image forming system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The control unit acquires information about the continuous recording medium and / or information about the image formed by the image forming unit, and determines whether or not the continuous recording medium needs to be transported by the reversing mechanism based on the acquired information, and sets the position of the rear end of the final image after the continuous recording medium has been transported by the reversing mechanism.

[0013] The invention described in claim 7 is the image forming system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, In an automatic adjustment process that automatically adjusts the image forming unit based on the reading contents of the image reading unit, the control unit controls the image forming unit to form a first adjustment image for an adjustment item that is not affected by heat at a predetermined position on the continuous recording medium, and to form a second adjustment image for an adjustment item that is affected by heat relatively upstream in the transport direction from the predetermined position.

[0014] The invention described in claim 8 is the image forming system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, Either the wear reduction mode or the normal mode can be selectively set, When the normal mode is set, the control unit controls the conveying unit so that the trailing end of the final image is positioned at the first stop position, and controls the reversing mechanism so that the continuous recording medium is not conveyed in the opposite direction to the conveying direction.

[0015] The invention described in claim 9 is a conveying unit that conveys the continuous recording medium in a conveying direction; an image forming unit for forming an image on the continuous recording medium; a fixing unit that fixes the image formed by the image forming unit onto the continuous recording medium; an image reading unit that reads the image fixed by the fixing unit; a control unit that controls the conveying unit, when reading an image with the image reading unit, the control unit controls the conveying unit so that a trailing edge of a final image on the continuous recording medium is positioned at a first stop position downstream of the image reading unit in the conveying direction or at a second stop position upstream of the first stop position in the conveying direction, When an image is not read by the image reading unit, a transport control step is provided for controlling the transport unit so that the trailing end of the final image is positioned at a third stop position upstream of the image reading unit in the transport direction and downstream of the fixing unit in the transport direction.

[0016] The invention described in claim 10 is a conveying unit that conveys the continuous recording medium in a conveying direction; an image forming unit for forming an image on the continuous recording medium; a fixing unit that fixes the image formed by the image forming unit onto the continuous recording medium; an image reading unit that reads an image fixed by the fixing unit; and a program that causes a computer of an image forming system to function as a control unit that controls the conveying unit, when reading an image with the image reading unit, the control unit controls the conveying unit so that a trailing edge of a final image on the continuous recording medium is positioned at a first stop position downstream of the image reading unit in the conveying direction or at a second stop position upstream of the first stop position in the conveying direction, When an image is not read by the image reading unit, the conveying unit is controlled so that the trailing end of the final image is positioned at a third stop position that is upstream of the image reading unit in the conveying direction and downstream of the fixing unit in the conveying direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to perform suitable image reading while reducing wear. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an image forming system. [Figure 2] 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of a stop position determination process in the image forming system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of an image forming system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of a stop position determination process in an image forming system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the breakdown of a continuous recording medium. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example. In the following description, components having the same functions and configurations will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0020] [First embodiment] [Overall configuration of image formation system] The image forming system 1 is a system that forms an image on a continuous recording medium S, which may be continuous paper such as roll paper or continuous film. FIG. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the control configuration of the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming system 1 includes a paper feeder 10, an image forming device 20, an image reading device 30, a paper discharge device 40, and a control unit 50 (see FIG. 2).

[0021] (Paper feeder) The paper feeder 10 stores continuous recording medium S before image formation. The paper feeder 10 includes a support shaft 11. Inside the paper feeder 10, the continuous recording medium S is wound around the support shaft 11 and rotatably held. The paper feeder 10 transports the continuous recording medium S to the image forming device 20 under the control of the control unit 50.

[0022] 1 illustrates an example in which only one continuous recording medium S is stored in the sheet feeder 10, but this is not limiting. For example, the sheet feeder 10 may be provided with a plurality of continuous recording media S, and the user may select one continuous recording medium S.

[0023] (Image forming device) The image forming apparatus 20 records an image on the continuous recording medium S conveyed from the paper feeder 10 under the control of the control unit 50. The image forming apparatus 20 includes an image forming unit 21, a fixing unit 22, a conveying unit 23, and an operation display unit 24.

[0024] {Image forming section} The image forming unit 21 forms a toner image by an electrophotographic process and transfers it to the continuous recording medium S. For example, the image forming unit 21 uses photosensitive drums (Y, M, C, K) and an intermediate transfer belt B as image carriers. The intermediate transfer belt B is an endless belt that is wound around multiple rollers and supported so that it can run. The toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drums (Y, M, C, K) are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B. A toner image (color image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt B, with layers of each color (Y, M, C, K) superimposed. Then, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred onto the continuous recording medium S by applying a bias voltage of the opposite polarity to the toner by the transfer roller T. The transfer roller T is pressed against or separated from the intermediate transfer belt B at predetermined timing under the control of the control unit 50.

[0025] {Fixing part} The fixing unit 22 fixes the toner image transferred onto the continuous recording medium S. For example, the fixing unit 22 includes a pair of rollers consisting of a heating roller 221 and a pressure roller 222 for sandwiching the continuous recording medium S. The heating roller 221 is heated to a predetermined temperature by a heater serving as a heat source. The pressure roller 222 is pressed against or separated from the heating roller 221 at predetermined timing under the control of the control unit 50. The continuous recording medium S is subjected to heat and pressure as it passes through the nip between the heating roller 221 and the pressure roller 222. As a result, the transferred toner image is fused and fixed to the continuous recording medium S. In addition, a temperature sensor (not shown) is provided near the outer circumferential surface of the pressure roller 222, and the temperature near the outer circumferential surface of the pressure roller 222 can be measured as the temperature of the fixing unit 22.

[0026] {Transportation section} The conveying unit 23 is a conveying mechanism within the image forming device 20. The conveying unit 23 includes, for example, a plurality of rollers. The conveying unit 23 conveys the continuous recording medium S conveyed from the paper feeder 10 to the image forming unit 21. The conveying unit 23 also conveys the continuous recording medium S that has passed through the image forming unit 21 and the fixing unit 22 to the image reading device 30.

[0027] {Operation display section} The operation display unit 24 includes a display unit having a display screen for displaying various information and an operation unit used by the user to enter various instructions. In the present invention, the operation display unit 24 is used to set a transport mode, which will be described later.

[0028] (Image reader) The image reading device 30 reads an image for automatic adjustment formed on the continuous recording medium S, and transmits the read result to the control unit 50. The image reading device 30 includes an image reading unit 31.

[0029] {Image reading unit} The image reading unit 31 is configured with a CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, a spectrophotometer, etc. The image reading unit 31 can read the image for automatic adjustment formed on the continuous recording medium S over the entire width direction intersecting with the transport direction.

[0030] (Paper output device) The continuous recording medium S transported from the image forming apparatus 20 via the image reading apparatus 30 is discharged to the paper discharge device 40. The paper discharge device 40 includes a support shaft 41 and a cutting unit 42. In the paper discharge device 40, the continuous recording medium S is wound around the support shaft 41 and rotatably held. The cutting unit 42 is movable in the vertical direction and has a cutting blade that is long in the width direction of the continuous recording medium S. The cutting unit 42 can cut the continuous recording medium S at a predetermined position.

[0031] (Control unit) The control unit 50 controls the entire image forming system 1. The control unit 50 is configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory). The CPU of the control unit 50 reads out various programs such as system programs and processing programs stored in the ROM, expands them in the RAM, and executes various processes according to the expanded programs.

[0032] {Image formation processing} For example, the control unit 50 executes an image forming process, which is a process of forming an image on the continuous recording medium S by controlling the image forming apparatus 20 based on image data received from an external device (not shown), for example.

[0033] {Automatic adjustment process} The control unit 50 also executes an automatic adjustment process. In the automatic adjustment process, an image for the automatic adjustment process is formed on the continuous recording medium S and read by the image reading unit 31. The control unit 50 then compares the read data acquired from the image reading unit 31 with the data of the original image, and adjusts the color tone, color misalignment, and the like.

[0034] During the image forming process and the automatic adjustment process, the control unit 50 controls the conveying unit 23 to convey the continuous recording medium S in either the normal mode or the waste reduction mode.

[0035] <Normal mode> In the normal mode, the control unit 50 executes a meandering stabilization waiting process and a fixing cooling process. The meandering stabilization waiting process is a process in which, before forming an image, the heating roller 221 and the pressure roller 222 are pressed together and then the continuous recording medium S is conveyed a predetermined distance to stabilize the behavior of the continuous recording medium S. By executing the meandering stabilization waiting process, an image can be formed after the behavior of the continuous recording medium S has stabilized.

[0036] The fixing and cooling process is a process in which, after an image is formed, the heating roller 221 and the pressure roller 222 are separated and then re-pressed together, and the continuous recording medium S is transported a predetermined distance. When the fixing and cooling process is performed, heat is absorbed from the fixing unit 22 by the transported continuous recording medium S. Therefore, the fixing unit 22 can be cooled effectively.

[0037] Furthermore, in the normal mode, the control unit 50 transports the continuous recording medium S after image formation until the trailing end of the final image is positioned at the first stop position P1, which is the winding completion position where the trailing end of the final image is wound onto the support shaft 41. By transporting the continuous recording medium S until the trailing end of the final image is positioned at the first stop position P1, the effect of the fixing cooling process can be fully obtained.

[0038] <Weather reduction mode> On the other hand, in the waste reduction mode, the control unit 50 does not execute the meandering stabilization waiting process or the fixing cooling process. When executing the automatic adjustment process, the control unit 50 conveys the continuous recording medium S so that the trailing edge of the final image is located at the second stop position P2 between the paper discharge device 40 and the image reading unit 31. When executing the image formation process, the control unit 50 conveys the continuous recording medium S so that the trailing edge of the final image is located at the third stop position P3 between the image reading unit 31 and the fixing unit 22.

[0039] {Stop position determination process} Furthermore, the control unit 50 executes a stop position determination process prior to the image formation process and the automatic adjustment process. The stop position determination process is a process for determining the stop position of the rear end of the final image formed on the continuous recording medium S in the image formation process or the automatic adjustment process.

[0040] [Stop position determination process flow] The stop position determination process in the image forming system 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0041] The control unit 50 determines whether the transport mode is set to the waste reduction mode (step S101). If the transport mode is not set to the waste reduction mode (step S101; No), that is, if the transport mode is set to the normal mode, it determines that the trailing edge of the final image should be stopped at the first stop position P1 (step S102), and ends the stop position determination process. At this time, it does not matter whether the subsequent process is an automatic adjustment process or an image formation process.

[0042] If the mode is the waste reduction mode (step S101; Yes), the control unit 50 determines whether the subsequent process is an automatic adjustment process (step S103).

[0043] If the subsequent process is an automatic adjustment process (step S103; Yes), as described above, it is necessary to read an image for automatic adjustment by the image reading unit 31. Therefore, the control unit 50 determines that the trailing end of the final image should be stopped at the second stop position P2, which is downstream in the transport direction from the image reading unit 31 (step S104), and ends the stop position determination process.

[0044] If the subsequent process is not an automatic adjustment process (step S103; No), in other words, if the subsequent process is an image formation process, the trailing edge of the final image does not need to pass through the image reading unit 31. Therefore, the control unit 50 determines that the trailing edge of the final image should be stopped at the third stop position P3, which is upstream of the image reading unit 31 in the transport direction (step S105), and ends the stop position determination process.

[0045] [Effects of the first embodiment] As described above, the control unit 50 of the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment controls the conveying unit 23 so that the trailing edge of the final image is located at the first stop position P1 or the second stop position P2 when the automatic adjustment process is completed. Furthermore, the control unit 50 controls the conveying unit 23 so that the trailing edge of the final image is located at the third stop position P3 when the image forming process is completed. This configuration allows the image forming system 1 including the image reading device 30 to perform suitable image reading while reducing waste.

[0046] [Second embodiment] Next, an image forming system 1 according to a second embodiment will be described. Components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming system 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the conveying unit 23 includes a reversing mechanism R that conveys the continuous recording medium S in the direction opposite to the conveying direction.

[0047] Specifically, when the control unit 50 is in the waste reduction mode and has stopped the continuous recording medium S so that the trailing edge of the final image is located at the second stop position P2 in order to perform the automatic adjustment process, the control unit 50 executes the reverse conveyance process. Then, the control unit 50 causes the reversing mechanism R to convey the continuous recording medium S in the reverse direction so that the trailing edge of the final image is located at the third stop position P3. This configuration further reduces waste by the distance from the second stop position P2 to the third stop position P3.

[0048] [Stop position determination process] The stop position determination process in the image forming system 1 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. Note that steps S201 to S203 and step S205 are substantially the same as steps S101 to S103 and step S105 in the first embodiment described above, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0049] In step S204 of this embodiment, after the trailing edge of the final image passes through the third stop position P3, the control unit 50 releases the pressure applied by the fixing unit 22. Then, the control unit 50 stops the fixing unit 22 so that the trailing edge of the final image is positioned at the second stop position P2 (step S204).

[0050] With this configuration, the blank portion of the continuous recording medium M upstream of the trailing edge of the final image in the transport direction is not affected by the heat from the fixing unit 22. Therefore, during the subsequent automatic adjustment process or image formation process, the blank portion can be prevented from experiencing changes in vertical magnification, deformation, or damage due to thermal shrinkage, as well as changes in physical properties (such as moisture content), which could result in a decrease in image quality.

[0051] Following step S204, the control unit 50 determines whether or not thermal influence on print quality is acceptable for the image formed by the automatic adjustment process (step S206). Examples of thermal influence on print quality include color variations, uneven gloss, and changes in vertical magnification. Specific examples of images for which thermal influence on print quality is acceptable include test print images and characters.

[0052] If the thermal effect on print quality is not acceptable (step S206; No), the control unit 50 executes reverse conveying processing from the second stop position P2 so that the trailing edge of the final image is positioned at the third stop position P3 (step S208). On the other hand, if the thermal effect on print quality is acceptable (step S206; Yes), the control unit 50 executes reverse conveying processing from the second stop position P2 so that the trailing edge of the final image is positioned further upstream in the conveying direction from the third stop position P3 by the pre-conveyance distance (step S209).

[0053] The pre-conveyance is a conveyance operation in the conveying direction that is performed before the automatic adjustment process or the image forming process. By performing the pre-conveyance, an image can be formed with a gap (so-called pre-waste) between it and the image formed in the preceding process. In this configuration, the pre-conveyance is performed by additionally conveying the image in the reverse direction, which further reduces the waste.

[0054] However, in this configuration, there is a possibility that heat is applied twice to the formed image in the fixing unit 22. Therefore, reverse conveyance is performed only when the thermal influence on the print quality of the formed image is acceptable.

[0055] Similarly, in the case of image formation processing, it is determined whether or not the thermal influence on print quality of the image to be formed is acceptable (step S207). If the thermal influence on print quality is not acceptable (step S207; No), the control unit 50 ends the stop position determination processing without executing the reverse conveying processing. On the other hand, if the thermal influence on print quality is acceptable (step S207; Yes), the control unit 50 executes the reverse conveying processing from the third stop position P3 so that the trailing edge of the final image is positioned upstream in the conveying direction by the pre-conveyance distance (step S210).

[0056] [Effects of the second embodiment] As described above, the image forming system 1 according to the second embodiment includes a reversing mechanism R that transports the continuous recording medium S in the direction opposite to the transport direction. When the reversing mechanism R stops transport so that the trailing edge of the last image is located at the second stop position P2, it executes a reverse transport process so that the trailing edge of the last image is located at the third stop position P3. This configuration further reduces waste by the distance from the second stop position P2 to the third stop position P3.

[0057] In the second embodiment, when multiple automatic adjustment processes are performed, it is preferable to first form a first adjustment image related to alignment and other aspects that are not affected by heat. Then, it is preferable to form a second adjustment image related to color and other aspects that are affected by heat upstream of the first adjustment image in the transport direction. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, the first adjustment image can be formed in the rear wear area that is heated twice by the fixing unit 22, and the second adjustment image can be formed in other areas. As a result, it is possible to prevent errors from occurring in the automatic adjustment.

[0058] Furthermore, the continuous recording medium S may expand or contract when it is subjected to heat by the fixing unit 22. Therefore, for the same reason as above, it is preferable to form the image for automatically adjusting the size on the upstream side in the transport direction.

[0059] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, when low-speed conveyance is performed after image formation, it is preferable that the control unit 50 additionally reverse conveyance the amount of low-speed conveyance. Low-speed conveyance is an operation in which, after image formation, the heating roller 221 and the pressure roller 222 are separated and the continuous recording medium S is conveyed in the conveyance direction at a speed slower than that during image formation for a predetermined time. By performing low-speed conveyance, it is possible to prevent local thermal deterioration of the continuous recording medium S due to the heat of the heating roller 221 and the pressure roller 222. Furthermore, by additionally reverse conveyance the amount of low-speed conveyance, it is possible to further reduce wear due to the low-speed conveyance.

[0060] [Modifications, etc.] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Of course, the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0061] For example, although the above example illustrates a configuration in which an automatic adjustment process for automatically adjusting the image forming unit 21 is performed separately from the image forming process, the present invention is not limited to this. The control unit 50 may perform real-time adjustment process in which, in parallel with the image forming process, an edge patch formed outside the image is read by the image reading unit 31, thereby automatically executing adjustment related to the image forming process.

[0062] However, in real-time adjustment processing, even if the reading result is obtained immediately before the end of the image formation processing, the effect of reflecting the reading result in the image formation is small. Therefore, even when performing real-time adjustment processing during the image formation processing, it is sufficient to stop the continuous recording medium S so that the trailing edge of the final image is located at the third stop position P3, as in step S105 (or step S205) above.

[0063] In step S204, the continuous recording medium S is stopped so that the trailing edge of the last image stops at the second stop position P2, but this is not limited to this. That is, if the conveying unit 23 is equipped with the reversing mechanism R, the continuous recording medium S may be stopped so that the trailing edge of the last image is located at the first stop position P1, and then the reversing mechanism R may perform a reverse conveying process so that the trailing edge of the last image is located at the third stop position P3. However, as described above, the second stop position P2 is located upstream of the first stop position P1 in the conveying direction. Therefore, reversing from the second stop position P2 to the third stop position P3 requires a smaller amount of reversal, allowing the operation to be completed in a shorter time and reducing the area affected by heat.

[0064] In addition, in steps S206 and S207, it is determined whether or not to reverse convey the image by the pre-conveyance distance depending on whether or not the print quality of the image to be formed is acceptable for thermal influence, but this is not limiting. For example, it is also possible to add a step of determining whether or not to increase or decrease the reverse conveyance distance or to perform reverse conveyance processing depending on information about the continuous recording medium S and information about the image to be formed.

[0065] Specifically, if the continuous recording medium S is a heat-sensitive medium, it is preferable to control the continuous recording medium S so that the reverse conveyance process is not performed. This is because there is a risk of deformation or damage to the continuous recording medium S if the continuous recording medium S is reversed and passed through a heated fixing unit twice. Specifically, this is the case when the continuous recording medium S is a film medium made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or the like.

[0066] Furthermore, when forming an image with high gloss or color in the image forming unit 21, it is preferable to control the reverse conveying process not to perform in order to suppress the influence of heat. Specifically, this applies to images with high gloss (solid images) that are subject to large changes due to heat, and images that are easily visible as unevenness in halftones, etc. On the other hand, when forming an image centered on characters or lines in the subsequent image forming process, the influence of heat is small. Therefore, the reverse conveying process may be performed up to the upstream side in the conveying direction of the third stop position P3.

[0067] Furthermore, the influence of heat also changes depending on the thickness of the continuous recording medium S. Therefore, the control unit 50 may be configured to acquire the thickness of the continuous recording medium S as information and change the control accordingly.

[0068] 1 illustrates a configuration in which the paper feeder 10 and the paper discharger 40 are provided with support shafts 11 and 41, and the continuous recording medium S is in a roll shape, but this is not limiting. The first stop position P1 is also described above as the "winding completion position where the trailing end of the final image is wound onto the support shaft 41," but this is not limiting, and it is sufficient that the trailing end of the final image is positioned at the paper discharger 40.

[0069] 1 illustrates a configuration in which the image forming device 20 and the image reading device 30 are continuous with no gap between them, but the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming device 20 and the image reading device 30 may be spaced apart. In this configuration, when the rear end of the final image is located at the third stop position P3, the user can visually check the image.

[0070] 2 illustrates a configuration in which the image forming apparatus 20 includes the control unit 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the paper feeder 10, the image reading device 30, and the paper discharge device 40 may each include a control unit 50 that controls the entire image forming system 1. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may be included in a device separate from the paper feeder 10, the image forming apparatus 20, the image reading device 30, and the paper discharge device 40.

[0071] In the above description, the user switches the transport mode between the normal mode and the waste reduction mode using the operation display unit 24, but this is not limiting. For example, the control unit 50 may be configured to automatically switch the transport mode when a predetermined condition is met.

[0072] In the above description, it has been stated that fixing unit 22 can be cooled and conveyed when the trailing edge of the final image is stopped so as to be located at first stop position P1, but the method of cooling fixing unit 22 is not limited to this. For example, a separate cooling device such as a fan may be provided that is driven to cool fixing unit 22 only when the sheet is stopped so that the trailing edge of the final image is located at third stop position P3.

[0073] In the above description, the stop position determination process is executed before the automatic adjustment process or the image formation process, but this is not limiting. That is, the stop position determination process may be executed in parallel with the execution of the automatic adjustment process or the image formation process.

[0074] In the above description, the image reader 31 reads an image during the automatic adjustment process, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0075] Although the above describes an example in which a hard disk or a semiconductor nonvolatile memory is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this example. Other computer-readable media include portable recording media such as CD-ROMs. Furthermore, a carrier wave can also be used as a medium for providing the program data according to the present invention via a communication line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1. Image forming system 21 Image forming unit 22 Fixing section 221 Heating roller (pair of members) 222 Pressure roller (pair of members) 23 Conveyor 31 Image reading unit 50 control section P1 1st stop position P2 2nd stop position P3 3rd stop position R Reverse mechanism S Continuous recording medium

Claims

1. a conveying unit that conveys the continuous recording medium in a conveying direction; an image forming unit for forming an image on the continuous recording medium; a fixing unit that fixes the image formed by the image forming unit onto the continuous recording medium; an image reading unit that reads the image fixed by the fixing unit; a control unit that controls the transport unit, The control unit When an image is read by the image reading unit, the conveying unit is controlled so that the trailing edge of the last image on the continuous recording medium is positioned at a first stop position downstream of the image reading unit in the conveying direction or at a second stop position upstream of the first stop position in the conveying direction, When an image is not read by the image reading unit, the image forming system controls the conveying unit so that the trailing end of the final image is positioned at a third stop position upstream of the image reading unit in the conveying direction and downstream of the fixing unit in the conveying direction.

2. the transport unit includes a reversing mechanism that transports the continuous recording medium in a direction opposite to the transport direction, 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the reversing mechanism so that the trailing end of the final image is positioned at the third stop position when the conveying is stopped so that the trailing end of the final image is positioned at the first stop position or the second stop position.

3. the transport unit includes a reversing mechanism that transports the continuous recording medium in a direction opposite to the transport direction, the control unit performs a preliminary transport of transporting the continuous recording medium up to a predetermined distance without forming an image thereon; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the reversing mechanism is controlled so that the trailing edge of the final image is positioned upstream of the third stop position in the transport direction by a distance of the pre-transport.

4. the transport unit includes a reversing mechanism that transports the continuous recording medium in a direction opposite to the transport direction, the control unit controls the conveying unit to perform low-speed conveyance of the continuous recording medium in the conveying direction at a speed slower than that during image formation so that the same portion of the continuous recording medium on which an image has not been formed does not remain in the fixing unit for a predetermined time; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the reverse mechanism is controlled so that the trailing edge of the final image is positioned upstream of the third stop position in the conveying direction by a distance corresponding to the low-speed conveyance.

5. the fixing portion includes a pair of members that can be pressed into and separated from each other, An image forming system as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the control unit, during an automatic adjustment process that automatically adjusts the image forming unit based on the reading contents of the image reading unit, separates the pair of members of the fixing unit after the trailing end of the final image of the continuous recording medium being transported in the transport direction passes the third stop position.

6. The control unit acquires information about the continuous recording medium and / or information about the image formed by the image forming unit, and determines whether or not the continuous recording medium needs to be transported by the reversing mechanism based on the acquired information, and sets the position of the trailing end of the final image after the continuous recording medium is transported by the reversing mechanism.

7. 5. An image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the image forming unit to form a first adjustment image for an adjustment item that is not affected by heat at a predetermined position on the continuous recording medium, and to form a second adjustment image for an adjustment item that is affected by heat relatively upstream of the predetermined position in the transport direction, during an automatic adjustment process that automatically adjusts the image forming unit based on the reading contents of the image reading unit.

8. Either the wear reduction mode or the normal mode can be selectively set, An image forming system as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when the normal mode is set, the control unit controls the conveying unit so that the trailing end of the final image is positioned at the first stop position, and controls the reversing mechanism so that the continuous recording medium is not conveyed in the opposite direction to the conveying direction.

9. a conveying unit that conveys the continuous recording medium in a conveying direction; an image forming unit for forming an image on the continuous recording medium; a fixing unit that fixes the image formed by the image forming unit onto the continuous recording medium; an image reading unit that reads the image fixed by the fixing unit; a control unit that controls the conveying unit, when reading an image with the image reading unit, the control unit controls the conveying unit so that a trailing edge of a final image on the continuous recording medium is positioned at a first stop position downstream of the image reading unit in the conveying direction or at a second stop position upstream of the first stop position in the conveying direction, A waste reduction method including a transport control step of controlling the transport unit so that, when an image is not read by the image reading unit, the trailing end of the final image is positioned at a third stop position upstream of the image reading unit in the transport direction and downstream of the fixing unit in the transport direction.

10. a conveying unit that conveys the continuous recording medium in a conveying direction; an image forming unit for forming an image on the continuous recording medium; a fixing unit that fixes the image formed by the image forming unit onto the continuous recording medium; an image reading unit that reads an image fixed by the fixing unit; and a program that causes a computer of an image forming system to function as a control unit that controls the conveying unit, when reading an image with the image reading unit, the control unit controls the conveying unit so that a trailing edge of a final image on the continuous recording medium is positioned at a first stop position downstream of the image reading unit in the conveying direction or at a second stop position upstream of the first stop position in the conveying direction, A program that controls the conveying unit so that, when an image is not read by the image reading unit, the trailing end of the final image is positioned at a third stop position that is upstream of the image reading unit in the conveying direction and downstream of the fixing unit in the conveying direction.

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