Image forming system and program

Abstract

To extend the service life of a rotating member in an image forming mechanism without decreasing productivity of image formation, in comparison with a case where the rotating member of the image forming mechanism is continuously rotated when post-processing of a recording medium on which an image is formed is executed in a post-processing apparatus.SOLUTION: A print controller 30 stops rotation of a rotating member such as a photoreceptor drum in an image forming mechanism 37 when time calculated by subtracting time required for image quality adjustment of an image to be formed from time required for post-processing of a recording medium 12 on which an image is formed in a post-processing apparatus 20 is longer than set threshold time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that reduces declines in productivity by instructing an image quality adjustment execution means to perform image quality adjustment so that the time when post-processing is performed by a post-processing unit on a recording medium on which an image has been formed and the time when image quality adjustment is performed to stabilize the image quality are synchronized.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus that reduces downtime by controlling the image forming unit to perform adjustment processing to maintain image quality in parallel with performing post-processing related to a recording medium in the post-processing unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-033829 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-050545 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When performing bookbinding or other tasks using an image forming system, it is necessary to stop the supply of the next set of paper until post-processing, such as stapling and cutting, performed by a downstream post-processing device is completed. However, if the rotation of rotating components in the image forming mechanism, such as the photosensitive drum and intermediate transfer belt, is constantly stopped until post-processing is completed, image formation cannot be resumed immediately even if an attempt is made to execute it again, resulting in a decrease in productivity. Therefore, to prevent a decrease in productivity, it is necessary to keep the rotating components rotating until post-processing is completed. Therefore, productivity can be improved by adjusting the image quality of the image forming device during this waiting time until post-processing is completed. However, image quality adjustment is not performed every time post-processing is completed, and the rotating components in the image forming mechanism continue to rotate idly when image quality adjustment is not required. Furthermore, idling of the rotating components occurs even when image quality adjustment is completed quickly. The longer the rotating components rotate idly, the shorter their lifespan becomes.

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming system and program that can extend the life of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism without deteriorating the productivity of image formation, compared to when the rotating members of the image forming mechanism are continuously rotated while post-processing of a recording medium on which an image has been formed in a post-processing device is being performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image forming system of the first aspect of the present disclosure includes an image forming mechanism that forms an image on a recording medium, and a processor, The processor: If the time calculated by subtracting the time required to adjust the image quality of the image formed from the time required to post-process the recording medium on which the image is formed in the post-processing device is longer than a set threshold time, the rotation of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism is stopped.

[0008] In a second aspect of the image forming system of the present disclosure, in the image forming system of the first aspect, the processor does not stop the rotation of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism if the time calculated by subtracting the time required for adjusting the image quality of the image to be formed from the time required for post-processing of the recording medium on which the image has been formed in the post-processing device is less than or equal to a set threshold time.

[0009] An image forming system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming system according to the first aspect, wherein the threshold time is calculated based on an image forming speed when an image is formed in an image forming mechanism.

[0010] In a fourth aspect of the image forming system of the present disclosure, in the image forming system of the third aspect, the threshold time calculated based on the image forming speed is the sum of the time required to stop the rotating member at a certain image forming speed, the minimum time required to maintain the stopped state of the rotating member, and the time required to restart the stopped rotating member up to a steady speed.

[0011] In the image forming system of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the image forming system of the first aspect, the time required for adjusting the image quality of the image to be formed is calculated based on the image formation speed when the image is formed in the image forming mechanism.

[0012] In the image forming system of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in the image forming system of the fifth aspect, the time required for adjusting the image quality of the image to be formed is calculated by dividing the image quality adjustment distance required depending on the type of image quality adjustment to be performed by the image formation speed.

[0013] An image forming system according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the image forming system according to the first aspect, wherein the processor receives a selection result of whether to select a productivity priority mode or a life priority mode; When the productivity priority mode is selected, if the time calculated by subtracting the time required for adjusting the image quality of the image formed from the time required for post-processing of the recording medium on which the image is formed in the post-processing device is longer than a set threshold time, the rotation of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism is stopped; When the life priority mode is selected, the rotation of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism is stopped even if the time calculated by subtracting the time required for adjusting the image quality of the formed image from the time required for post-processing of the recording medium on which the image is formed in the post-processing device is less than a set threshold time.

[0014] The program according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure includes a step of acquiring a time required for post-processing of a recording medium on which an image has been formed in a post-processing device; If the time calculated by subtracting the time required for adjusting the image quality of the image to be formed from the time required for the acquired post-processing is longer than a set threshold time, the computer executes a step of stopping the rotation of a rotating member in an image forming mechanism that forms an image on a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the image forming system of the first aspect of the present disclosure, when post-processing of a recording medium on which an image has been formed in a post-processing device is being performed, the life of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism can be extended without deteriorating the productivity of image formation, compared to when the rotating members of the image forming mechanism are allowed to continue rotating.

[0016] According to the image forming system of the second aspect of the present disclosure, when post-processing of a recording medium on which an image has been formed in a post-processing device is being performed, the life of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism can be extended without deteriorating the productivity of image formation, compared to when the rotating members of the image forming mechanism are allowed to continue rotating.

[0017] According to the image forming system of the third aspect of the present disclosure, even when the image forming speed changes, it is possible to calculate the threshold time according to the image forming speed.

[0018] According to the image forming system of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the time required to stop and restart a rotating member can be set as the threshold time.

[0019] According to the image forming system of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, even when the image forming speed changes, it is possible to calculate the image quality adjustment time according to the image forming speed.

[0020] According to the image forming system of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to calculate the image quality adjustment time according to the type of image quality adjustment to be performed.

[0021] According to the image forming system of the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the user can select whether to prioritize productivity or extending the life of the rotating members.

[0022] According to the program of the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, when post-processing of a recording medium on which an image has been formed in a post-processing device is being performed, the life of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism can be extended without deteriorating the productivity of image formation, compared to when the rotating members of the image forming mechanism are allowed to continue rotating. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 and a post-processing apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image quality adjustment time calculation table. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a calculation table for the fall time, stop time, and rise time of a rotating member. [Figure 6]10 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the print control unit 30 to determine whether or not to stop the rotation members. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining timing when the rotating member is stopped. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining timing when the rotating member is not stopped. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing the operation timing of the image forming apparatus 10 during post-processing time when the life priority mode is selected. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system of this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a post-processing apparatus 20.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a recording medium such as printing paper. The post-processing apparatus 20 performs post-processing such as stapling, cutting, binding, and folding on the recording medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 10.

[0028] The image forming apparatus 10 has four image forming units 14K, 14Y, 14M, and 14C, an intermediate transfer belt 16, a paper tray 17, a paper transport path 18, a fuser 19, and a print control unit 30. The image forming apparatus 10 has a printer function that prints image data received from a personal computer (not shown) or the like.

[0029] The print control unit 30 performs image processing such as tone correction and resolution correction on image data input from an external terminal device (not shown) via a network line such as a LAN, and controls the operation of the image forming unit 14 to generate an image based on the image data.

[0030] Four image forming units 14K, 14Y, 14M, and 14C are provided corresponding to the colors that make up a color image. In this embodiment, the four image forming units 14K, 14Y, 14M, and 14C, corresponding to the colors of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), are arranged horizontally at regular intervals along intermediate transfer belt 16. Intermediate transfer belt 16 rotates as an intermediate transfer body in the direction of arrow A in the figure, and these four image forming units 14K, 14Y, 14M, and 14C sequentially form toner images of each color based on image data input from print control unit 30, and transfer these multiple toner images (primary transfer) to intermediate transfer belt 16 at a timing when they are superimposed on each other. The order of the colors of each image forming unit 14K, 14Y, 14M, and 14C is not limited to black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), but can be any order, such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

[0031] A paper transport path 18 is disposed below the intermediate transfer belt 16. The recording medium 12 supplied from the paper tray 17 is transported on this paper transport path 18, and the toner images of each color transferred in multiple layers onto the intermediate transfer belt 16 are transferred together (secondary transfer). The transferred toner images are fixed by a fixing device 19 and then discharged to the outside along the arrow B.

[0032] Next, each component of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described in more detail.

[0033] Image forming units 14K, 14Y, 14M, and 14C (image forming means) are arranged in parallel at regular intervals in the horizontal direction and are configured almost identically except for the colors of the images they form. Therefore, the following will describe image forming unit 14K. The configuration of each image forming unit 14 will be distinguished by adding K, Y, M, or C.

[0034] The image forming unit 14K has an exposure device 140K that forms an electrostatic latent image by performing exposure processing according to image data input from the print control unit 30, and an image forming device 150K in which the electrostatic latent image is formed by this exposure device 140K.

[0035] The exposure device 140K exposes the photosensitive drum 152K of the image forming device 150K by irradiating the photosensitive drum 152K with laser light controlled based on image data from the print control unit 30.

[0036] The image forming device 150K is composed of a photosensitive drum 152K as an image carrier that rotates at a predetermined rotational speed in the direction of arrow A, a charging device 154K that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 152K, a developing device 156K that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 152K after exposure by an exposure device, and a cleaning device 158K. The photosensitive drum 152K is uniformly charged by the charging device 154K, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 152K by light irradiated by the exposure device 140K. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 152K is developed with black (K) toner by the developing device 156K and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16. After the toner image transfer process, residual toner, paper dust, etc. remaining on the photosensitive drum 152K are removed by the cleaning device 158K.

[0037] The other image forming units 14Y, 14M, and 14C also form toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) in the same manner as above, and transfer the formed toner images of each color to the intermediate transfer belt 16.

[0038] Primary transfer rolls 162K, 162Y, 162M, and 162C are disposed on the intermediate transfer belt 16 at positions facing the image forming units 14K, 14Y, 14M, and 14C, respectively, and the toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drums 152K, 152Y, 152M, and 152C are transferred in multiple layers onto the intermediate transfer belt 16 by these primary transfer rolls 162. Note that residual toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 16 is removed by a cleaning blade or brush of a belt cleaning device 189 provided downstream of the secondary transfer position.

[0039] A secondary transfer roll 186 is disposed at the secondary transfer position on the paper transport path 18, in pressure contact with the backup roll 168, and the toner images of each color transferred in multiple layers onto the intermediate transfer belt 16 are secondarily transferred onto the recording medium 12 by the pressure and electrostatic force of this secondary transfer roll 186. The recording medium 12 onto which the toner images of each color have been transferred is transported to the fixing device 19 by transport belts 187 and 188.

[0040] The fixing device 19 applies heat and pressure to the recording medium 12 onto which the toner images of each color have been transferred, thereby melting and fixing the toner to the recording medium 12. After the image has been formed in this way, the recording medium 12 is transferred from the image forming apparatus 10 to a post-processing apparatus 20.

[0041] 1, the post-processing device 20 includes a post-processing control unit 40, a post-processing mechanism 21, and a discharge tray 22. The recording medium 12 on which an image has been formed in the image forming device 10 is subjected to post-processing in the post-processing mechanism 21 of the post-processing device 20 and then discharged to the discharge tray 22.

[0042] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in the image forming system of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0043] 2, the image forming apparatus 10 has a CPU 31, a memory 32, a storage device 33 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 34 that transmits and receives data to and from external devices via a network, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 35 that includes a touch panel or liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a sensor 36, and an image forming mechanism 37. These components are connected to one another via a control bus 38.

[0044] The sensor 36 includes various sensors such as a sensor that detects the density of the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16 or the position of the toner image, and a sensor that detects the temperature or humidity inside the image forming apparatus 10.

[0045] The image forming mechanism 37 includes all components for forming an image on the recording medium 12. Specifically, the image forming mechanism 37 includes various mechanisms for forming an image on the recording medium 12, such as the image forming units 14K, 14Y, 14M, and 14C described above, and the intermediate transfer belt 16.

[0046] The CPU 31 is a processor that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 by executing predetermined processes based on a control program stored in the memory 32 or the storage device 33. In the present embodiment, the CPU 31 is described as reading and executing the control program stored in the memory 32 or the storage device 33, but this is not limiting. The control program may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the program may be provided in a form recorded on an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or in a form recorded on a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. The control program may also be acquired from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication interface 34. The control program may be provided as standalone application software, or may be incorporated into the software of each device of the image forming apparatus 10 as a function of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 and post-processing apparatus 20 that are realized by executing the above control program.

[0048] 3, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a paper feeder 41, an operation panel 42, a data storage unit 43, an image forming mechanism 37, a sensor 36, and a print control unit 30. The post-processing device 20 includes a post-processing mechanism 21, a post-processing control unit 40, and a discharge tray 22.

[0049] The print control unit 30 controls the operations of the image forming mechanism 37, paper feeder 41, etc. based on information from the sensor 36. The image forming mechanism 37 executes a process of forming an image on a recording medium 12, such as printing paper, fed from the paper feeder 41, based on control by the print control unit 30. The print control unit 30 also receives user input via an operation panel 42 and displays various information on the operation panel 42. The data storage unit 43 also stores various data used by the print control unit 30 when controlling the image forming mechanism 37.

[0050] After the image is formed by the image forming mechanism 37, the recording medium 12 is subjected to post-processing by the post-processing mechanism 21 of the post-processing device 20 and discharged to the discharge tray 22. The post-processing control unit 40 controls the operation of the post-processing mechanism 21 and transmits and receives information to and from the print control unit 30.

[0051] When performing bookbinding or the like using the image forming system of this embodiment, post-processing such as stapling and cutting is performed in the post-processing device 20 connected at the downstream stage. However, this post-processing such as stapling and cutting takes time. Therefore, it is necessary to stop the supply of the next set of paper in the image forming device 10 until the post-processing in the post-processing device 20 is completed.

[0052] Here, rotating components such as the photosensitive drums 152K, 152Y, 152M, and 152C and the intermediate transfer belt 16 have a lifespan determined by wear due to rotation, and rotating them unnecessarily shortens their lifespan. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10, the rotation of the rotating components such as the photosensitive drums 152K, 152Y, 152M, and 152C and the intermediate transfer belt 16 in the image forming mechanism 37 can be stopped until post-processing is completed in the post-processing device 20, thereby preventing the lifespan of the rotating components from being shortened. However, once the rotating components are stopped, it takes some time for them to restart and return to a steady speed. Therefore, if the rotating components are constantly stopped until post-processing is completed, image formation cannot be resumed immediately even if an attempt is made to perform it again, resulting in a decrease in productivity.

[0053] Therefore, to prevent a decline in productivity, it is necessary to keep the rotating members rotating until the post-processing is completed. Therefore, productivity can sometimes be improved by adjusting the image quality of the image forming device during this waiting time until the post-processing is completed. However, image quality adjustment is not always performed during the waiting time until the post-processing is completed. Furthermore, when image quality adjustment is not required, the rotating members in the image forming mechanism continue to rotate idly. Furthermore, even when image quality adjustment is completed quickly, the rotating members continue to rotate idly. As a result, the longer the rotating members rotate idly, the shorter the lifespan of the rotating members becomes, as described above.

[0054] Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, by performing the control described below, when post-processing of a recording medium on which an image has been formed in the post-processing device 20 is being performed, the life of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism 37 is extended without deteriorating the productivity of image formation, compared to when the rotating members of the image forming mechanism 37 are allowed to continue rotating.

[0055] In this embodiment, the print control unit 30 stops the rotation of rotating members such as photosensitive drums 152K, 152Y, 152M, and 152C in the image forming mechanism 37 if the time calculated by subtracting the time required for adjusting the image quality of the image to be formed from the time required for post-processing of the recording medium 12 on which an image has been formed in the post-processing device 20 is longer than a set threshold time.

[0056] In addition, the print control unit 30 does not stop the rotation of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism 37 if the time calculated by subtracting the time required for adjusting the image quality of the image to be formed from the time required for post-processing of the recording medium 12 on which the image has been formed in the post-processing device 20 is less than or equal to a set threshold time.

[0057] Here, the threshold time is calculated based on the process speed, which is the image formation speed when an image is formed in the image forming mechanism 37. Specifically, the threshold time calculated based on the process speed is the sum of the time required to stop the rotating members at a certain process speed, the minimum time required to maintain the stopped state of the rotating members, and the time required to restart the stopped rotating members up to a steady speed. Details of the method for calculating the threshold time based on the process speed will be described later.

[0058] Furthermore, the time required for the image quality adjustment of the image to be formed, as explained above, is also calculated based on the process speed when the image is formed in the image forming mechanism 37. Specifically, the time required for the image quality adjustment of the image to be formed is calculated by dividing the image quality adjustment distance required depending on the type of image quality adjustment to be performed by the process speed.

[0059] Here, image quality adjustment means adjusting the density, formation position, etc. of each color of the image formed on the recording medium 12. For example, image quality adjustment involves forming a band image of uniform density formed only with toner on the intermediate transfer belt 16, reading the density of this band image with the sensor 36, and correcting the read density value to a preset value. Image quality adjustment also includes forming a toner image of a specific pattern on the intermediate transfer belt 16, reading this toner image with the sensor 36, and aligning the position where the toner image of each color is formed.

[0060] A specific example of calculating the time required for such image quality adjustment will be described. For example, the print control unit 30 defines the distance for N revolutions as the rotational distance PI (mm) using the circumferential length of the photosensitive drum 152 as a reference. Then, this rotational distance PI (mm) is defined as one surface, and the number of times the photosensitive drum 152 rotates N times is defined as the number of surfaces Pc (surfaces). By defining it in this way, the time required for a certain image quality adjustment can be calculated using the following formula.

[0061] Rotation direction distance PI (mm) × number of faces Pc (faces) ÷ process speed (mm / sec)

[0062] In this way, the time required for image quality adjustment is calculated by dividing the image quality adjustment distance required for image quality adjustment by the process speed.

[0063] Then, by creating in advance an image quality adjustment time calculation table such as that shown in Fig. 4 in which the rotational direction distance PI and the number of surfaces Pc are set for each type of image quality adjustment, it becomes possible to calculate the time for image quality adjustment corresponding to the type of image quality adjustment to be performed. This image quality adjustment time calculation table is created in advance and stored in the data storage unit 43. Referring to the example image quality adjustment time calculation table shown in Fig. 4, it can be seen that when the type of image quality adjustment is image quality adjustment A, the rotational direction distance PI is 1476 (mm) and the number of surfaces Pc is 1 (surface).

[0064] Furthermore, the print control unit 30 acquires from the post-processing control unit 40 information on the time required for post-processing of the recording medium 12 on which an image has been formed in the post-processing device 20.

[0065] Next, a method for calculating the time required to temporarily stop the rotation of the rotating members such as the photosensitive drum 152 and the intermediate transfer belt 16 and then resume the rotation up to a steady speed will be described in detail.

[0066] The print control unit 30 calculates the time required to temporarily stop the rotation of the rotating members and then resume rotation up to a steady speed using a calculation table for the ramp-down time, stop time, and ramp-up time of the rotating members, as shown in Fig. 5. This calculation table for the ramp-down time, stop time, and ramp-up time of the rotating members is stored in the data storage unit 43.

[0067] First, the print control unit 30 obtains information on the component shutdown time, stop time, and component startup time corresponding to the current process speed from the calculation table shown in Fig. 5. Then, by calculating the total value of these times, the print control unit 30 calculates the time required to temporarily suspend the rotation of the rotating components and then resume rotation up to the steady speed at the current process speed.

[0068] (1) The fall time of the member is calculated as the sum of the time until the trailing edge of the final image passes the primary transfer position and the fall time of the potential system. (2) The stopping time is calculated based on the time it takes for the drive system, such as rollers, to stop. This time for the drive system to stop includes the minimum time required to stop the drive system. (3) The start-up time of a component is calculated as the sum of the start-up time of the drive system and the start-up time of the potential system.

[0069] In the calculation table of FIG. 5, for items where the time is calculated based on the distance, the time converted based on the process speed is set.

[0070] Furthermore, the time information in the calculation table shown in Fig. 5 differs depending on whether the printing is color or black and white, so calculation tables such as those shown in Fig. 5 are generated in advance for each of color printing and black and white printing and stored in the data storage unit 43. The calculation table shown in Fig. 5 is for color printing.

[0071] For example, when the process speed is speed 1, the component ramp-down time is 4055 (mm / sec), the stop time is 1300 (mm / sec), and the component ramp-up time is 1083 (mm / sec), for a total of 6738 (mm / sec). Therefore, when the process speed is speed 1, the print control unit 30 calculates that the time required to temporarily stop the rotation of the rotating components and then resume rotation up to the steady speed is 6738 (mm / sec), sets the calculated time as the threshold time, and determines whether to stop the rotating components.

[0072] Next, the above-described process of determining whether or not to stop the rotation members in the print control unit 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0073] First, in step S101, the print control unit 30 sets N to 1. Then, in step S102, the print control unit 30 controls the paper feed device 41 and the image forming mechanism 37 so that image formation processing for paper sheet N is performed.

[0074] Next, in step S103, the print control unit 30 acquires the post-processing time To (ms), which is the time required to post-process paper N, from the post-processing device 20. The post-processing device 20 calculates the post-processing time required for post-processing for each paper sheet based on the job information of the print job. Note that the post-processing time is generally long when post-processing is performed on a set basis, such as stapling or binding. Furthermore, if the image forming device 10 is capable of calculating the post-processing time, the image forming device 10 may calculate the post-processing time.

[0075] Next, in step S104, the print control unit 30 calculates the time Tdwu (ms) required for the rotation of the photosensitive drum 152, intermediate transfer belt 16, and other rotating members to start up, stop, and then resume rotation.

[0076] Specifically, the print control unit 30 calculates the following times Td, Tw, and Tu, and calculates the sum of the calculated times as Tdwu (ms).

[0077] Td: Time required for the rotating member to stop Tw: Time required to stop the rotating member Tu: Time required to start up the rotating parts Tdwu=Td+Tw+Tu(ms)

[0078] As mentioned above, the times Td, Tw, and Tu vary depending on the process speed, and therefore must be calculated for each sheet using a calculation table such as that shown in FIG.

[0079] Then, in step S105, the print control unit 30 determines whether or not to perform image quality adjustment. Specifically, the print control unit 30 determines whether or not to perform image quality adjustment to maintain image quality based on information such as temperature, humidity, the time elapsed since the previous image quality adjustment, and the number of prints. Note that image quality adjustment may be performed before or after the start of a print job, but may also be performed during the execution of a print job.

[0080] If it is determined in step S105 that image quality adjustment is to be performed, the print control unit 30 calculates the image quality adjustment time Ts (ms) required depending on the type of image quality adjustment in step S106. Specifically, the print control unit 30 calculates the image quality adjustment time Ts based on an image quality adjustment time calculation table such as that shown in Fig. 4. Note that when multiple types of image quality adjustment are performed simultaneously, the total value of the image quality adjustment times for each type of image quality adjustment is calculated as the image quality adjustment time Ts.

[0081] Next, in step S107, the print control unit 30 determines whether the post-processing time To is equal to or greater than the image quality adjustment time Ts. If the print control unit 30 determines that the post-processing time To is not equal to or greater than the image quality adjustment time Ts, that is, that the post-processing time To is shorter than the image quality adjustment time Ts, the print control unit 30 does not perform image quality adjustment because it would reduce productivity of the printing process. In this case, the print control unit 30 performs image quality adjustment at a different time.

[0082] If it is determined in step S107 that the post-processing time To is equal to or greater than the image quality adjustment time Ts, the print control unit 30 performs image quality adjustment in step S108. In this case, image quality adjustment is performed in the image forming apparatus 10 in parallel with post-processing in the post-processing device 20.

[0083] After performing the image quality adjustment, the print control unit 30 updates the post-processing time To by subtracting the image quality adjustment time Ts from the post-processing time To in step S109.

[0084] Next, if the print control unit 30 determines in step S105 that image quality adjustment will not be performed, if it determines in step S107 that the post-processing time To is not longer than the image quality adjustment time Ts, or after completing the processing of step S109, it determines in step S110 whether the post-processing time To is longer than the time Tdwu required to lower, stop, and start up the rotating member.

[0085] If it is determined in step S110 that the post-processing time To is equal to or less than Tdwu, the print control unit 30 does not stop the rotating members, but keeps them running idly until the post-processing is completed.

[0086] If it is determined in step S110 that the post-processing time To is longer than Tdwu, the print control unit 30 performs steps S111 to S113, in which the rotating members are stopped, maintained in a stopped state, and then started up. By performing these processes, the rotation of the rotating members is temporarily stopped after image quality adjustment during the period in which post-processing is being performed in the post-processing device 20, and the rotation of the rotating members is restored to a normal operating state before the next printing process is resumed.

[0087] Then, the print control unit 30 adds 1 to the value of N in step S114. If it is determined in step S110 that the post-processing time To is equal to or less than Tdwu, the print control unit 30 proceeds directly to step S114 and adds 1 to the value of N. Next, the print control unit 30 determines in step S115 whether the sheet currently being processed is the last sheet. If it is determined in step S115 that it is the last sheet, the print control unit 30 ends the processing. If it is determined in step S115 that it is not the last sheet, the print control unit 30 returns to the processing of step S102.

[0088] Next, the cases where the rotating members are stopped during the post-processing period due to the above-described processing and where they are not stopped will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining the timing when the rotating members are stopped, and Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the timing when the rotating members are not stopped.

[0089] 7, the time obtained by subtracting the image quality adjustment time Ts from the post-processing time To is longer than the time Tdwu required to shut down, stop, and start up the rotating members. Therefore, it can be seen that image quality adjustment is performed simultaneously with the start of post-processing at time T1, and then the rotating members are shut down, maintained in a stopped state, and started up again until the post-processing ends at time T2.

[0090] 8, the time obtained by subtracting the image quality adjustment time Ts from the post-processing time To is less than the time Tdwu required to shut down, stop, and start up the rotating members. Therefore, it can be seen that image quality adjustment is performed simultaneously with the start of post-processing at time T1, but the rotating members remain in operation and idle until the end of post-processing at time T2.

[0091] The print control unit 30 may receive a selection result from the user as to whether to select the productivity priority mode or the lifespan priority mode via the operation panel 42. When the productivity priority mode is selected, the print control unit 30 stops the rotation of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism 37 if the time calculated by subtracting the time required for adjusting the image quality of the formed image from the time required for post-processing of the recording medium 12 on which the image has been formed in the post-processing device 20 is longer than a set threshold time.

[0092] Furthermore, when the productivity priority mode is selected, if the time calculated by subtracting the time required to adjust the image quality of the image formed from the time required to post-process the recording medium 12 on which the image is formed in the post-processing device 20 is equal to or less than a set threshold time, the print control unit 30 will not stop the rotation of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism 37. In other words, when the productivity priority mode is selected, based on the criteria described above, it is switched between stopping the rotating members during the post-processing period or allowing them to continue rotating and idling.

[0093] When the life priority mode is selected, the print control unit 30 stops the rotation of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism 37 even if the time calculated by subtracting the time required to adjust the image quality of the image formed from the time required for post-processing of the recording medium 12 on which the image has been formed in the post-processing device 20 is less than or equal to a set threshold time. In other words, when the life priority mode is selected, the print control unit 30 stops the rotation of the rotating members once the image quality adjustment process is completed during the post-processing period, regardless of the remaining time. Furthermore, when the life priority mode is selected, if image quality adjustment is not performed during the post-processing period, the rotation of the rotating members will always be stopped once post-processing is started.

[0094] When the life priority mode is selected, the rotating members do not spin freely during post-processing, which may result in a decrease in productivity, but the life of the rotating members can be extended. When the productivity priority mode is selected, the rotating members may spin freely during post-processing more than when the life priority mode is selected, but image formation can be started immediately after post-processing, which improves productivity.

[0095] FIG. 9 shows the operation timing of the image forming apparatus 10 during post-processing time when the life priority mode is selected in this way.

[0096] Referring to Figure 9, image quality adjustment is performed simultaneously with the start of post-processing at time T1. However, in Figure 9, the time obtained by subtracting image quality adjustment time Ts from post-processing time To is longer than the time Tdwu required to shut down, stop, and start up the rotating members, yet the rotating members are stopped. As a result, the rotating members cannot be restarted in time for the end of post-processing at time T2, and the printing process for the next sheet is delayed.

[0097] In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0098] Furthermore, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by a single processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments and may be changed as appropriate.

[0099] In this embodiment, the term "system" includes both a system made up of multiple devices and a system made up of a single device.

[0100] The present disclosure is also applicable to programs and program products.

[0101] [Note] (((1))) an image forming mechanism for forming an image on a recording medium; a processor; The processor: When a time calculated by subtracting a time required for adjusting the image quality of the image formed from a time required for post-processing of the recording medium on which the image is formed in the post-processing device is longer than a set threshold time, the rotation of the rotary members in the image forming mechanism is stopped. Imaging system. (((2))) the processor does not stop rotation of the rotary members in the image forming mechanism when a time calculated by subtracting a time required for image quality adjustment of the formed image from a time required for post-processing of the recording medium on which the image is formed in the post-processing device is equal to or less than a set threshold time; The image forming system according to (((1))). (((3))) the threshold time is calculated based on an image formation speed when an image is formed in an image forming mechanism; The image forming system according to (((1))) or (((2))). (((4))) the threshold time calculated based on the image formation speed is the sum of the time required to stop the rotating member at a certain image formation speed, the minimum time required to maintain the stopped state of the rotating member, and the time required to restart the stopped rotating member up to a steady speed. The image forming system according to (((3))). (((5))) The time required for adjusting the image quality of the image to be formed is calculated based on the image forming speed when the image is formed in the image forming mechanism. An image forming system according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))). (((6))) The time required for image quality adjustment of the formed image is calculated by dividing the image quality adjustment distance required depending on the type of image quality adjustment to be performed by the image formation speed. The image forming system according to (((5))). (((7))) the processor accepts a selection result of whether to select a productivity priority mode or a life priority mode; When the productivity priority mode is selected, if the time calculated by subtracting the time required for adjusting the image quality of the image formed from the time required for post-processing of the recording medium on which the image is formed in the post-processing device is longer than a set threshold time, the rotation of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism is stopped; When the life priority mode is selected, the rotation of the rotary members in the image forming mechanism is stopped even if the time calculated by subtracting the time required for adjusting the image quality of the formed image from the time required for post-processing of the recording medium on which the image is formed in the post-processing device is equal to or less than a set threshold time. An image forming system according to any one of (((1))) to (((6))). (((8))) acquiring a time required for post-processing of a recording medium on which an image has been formed in a post-processing device; a step of stopping rotation of a rotary member in an image forming mechanism that forms an image on a recording medium when a time calculated by subtracting a time required for image quality adjustment of the formed image from the acquired time required for post-processing is longer than a set threshold time; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0102] According to the image forming system (((1))), when post-processing of a recording medium on which an image has been formed in a post-processing device is being performed, the life of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism can be extended without deteriorating the productivity of image formation, compared to when the rotating members of the image forming mechanism are kept rotating. According to the image forming system (((2))), when post-processing of a recording medium on which an image has been formed in a post-processing device is being performed, the life of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism can be extended without deteriorating the productivity of image formation, compared to when the rotating members of the image forming mechanism are kept rotating. According to the image forming system of (((3))), even when the image forming speed changes, it is possible to calculate the threshold time according to the image forming speed. According to the image forming system of (((4))), the time required to stop and restart a rotating member can be set as a threshold time. According to the image forming system of (((5))), even when the image forming speed changes, it is possible to calculate the image quality adjustment time according to the image forming speed. According to the image forming system (((6))), it is possible to calculate the image quality adjustment time according to the type of image quality adjustment to be performed. According to the image forming system (((7))), the user can select whether to give priority to productivity or to extending the life of the rotating members. According to the program (((8))), when post-processing of a recording medium on which an image has been formed in a post-processing device is being performed, the life of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism can be extended without deteriorating the productivity of image formation, compared to when the rotating members of the image forming mechanism are kept rotating. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10 Image forming device 12 Recording Media 14K, 14Y, 14M, 14C image forming units 16 Intermediate transfer belt 17 Paper Tray 18 Paper transport path 19 Fixing unit 20 Aftertreatment device 21 Aftertreatment mechanism 22 Output tray 30 Printing control unit 31 CPU 32 memory 33 Storage device 34 Communication Interface 35 UI device 36 sensors 37 Image formation mechanism 38 Control Bus 40 Aftertreatment control section 41 Paper feeder 42 Operation Panel 43 Data storage unit 140K exposure equipment 150K image forming device 152K, 152Y, 152M, 152C photoconductor drum 154K charging device 156K developer 158K Cleaning Device 162K, 162Y, 162M, 162C Primary transfer roll 168 Backup Roll 186 Secondary transfer roll 187, 188 Conveyor belt 189 Belt cleaning device

Claims

1. an image forming mechanism for forming an image on a recording medium; a processor; The processor: When a time calculated by subtracting a time required for adjusting the image quality of the image formed from a time required for post-processing of the recording medium on which the image is formed in the post-processing device is longer than a set threshold time, the rotation of the rotary members in the image forming mechanism is stopped. Imaging system.

2. the processor does not stop rotation of the rotary members in the image forming mechanism when a time calculated by subtracting a time required for image quality adjustment of the formed image from a time required for post-processing of the recording medium on which the image is formed in the post-processing device is equal to or less than a set threshold time; The image forming system according to claim 1 .

3. the threshold time is calculated based on an image formation speed when an image is formed in an image forming mechanism; The image forming system according to claim 1 .

4. the threshold time calculated based on the image formation speed is the sum of the time required to stop the rotating member at a certain image formation speed, the minimum time required to maintain the stopped state of the rotating member, and the time required to restart the stopped rotating member up to a steady speed. The image forming system according to claim 3 .

5. The time required for adjusting the image quality of the image to be formed is calculated based on the image forming speed when the image is formed in the image forming mechanism. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

6. The time required for image quality adjustment of the formed image is calculated by dividing the image quality adjustment distance required depending on the type of image quality adjustment to be performed by the image formation speed. The image forming system according to claim 5 .

7. the processor accepts a selection result of whether to select a productivity priority mode or a life priority mode; When the productivity priority mode is selected, if the time calculated by subtracting the time required for adjusting the image quality of the image formed from the time required for post-processing of the recording medium on which the image is formed in the post-processing device is longer than a set threshold time, the rotation of the rotating members in the image forming mechanism is stopped; When the life priority mode is selected, the rotation of the rotary members in the image forming mechanism is stopped even if the time calculated by subtracting the time required for adjusting the image quality of the formed image from the time required for post-processing of the recording medium on which the image is formed in the post-processing device is equal to or less than a set threshold time. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

8. acquiring a time required for post-processing of a recording medium on which an image has been formed in a post-processing device; a step of stopping rotation of a rotary member in an image forming mechanism that forms an image on a recording medium when a time calculated by subtracting a time required for image quality adjustment of the formed image from the acquired time required for post-processing is longer than a set threshold time; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images