Image forming apparatus, recovery printing method, and recovery printing program

Abstract

This invention provides an image forming apparatus, a recovery printing method, and a recovery printing program that enable the recovery process to be performed at an accurate position after the image forming process has been interrupted in continuous paper printing. [Solution] The image forming apparatus comprises an image forming unit that forms an image on a continuous sheet of paper being transported, and a control unit that controls the image forming unit to perform a recovery process to resume the image forming process after the image forming process by the image forming unit has been interrupted. The control unit controls the image forming unit to form identification information corresponding to the image position formed on the continuous sheet of paper together with the image, and performs a recovery process based on the identification information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a recovery printing method, and a recovery printing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on continuous paper such as roll paper is known. In the image forming apparatus, when a jam or the like occurs during printing and the image forming process is interrupted, after performing a process to eliminate the jam, a recovery process of resuming printing from the subsequent page before the interruption is performed. At that time, it is necessary to accurately select the page for which the recovery process is performed so that there is no shortage or duplication in the pages printed before and after the interruption.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which when the image forming process is interrupted due to a jam or the like, an image that has been completed in image formation and an unfinished image are identified, and the image forming process is resumed from the unfinished image. In this configuration, the page to be resumed is identified based on whether or not it has passed through a specified position (for example, a fixing unit).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when a jam occurs on the downstream side of the specified position, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the image printed on the jam occurrence portion is not printed in the recovery process, so there is a possibility of image shortage.

[0006] Furthermore, while it is conceivable to perform recovery processing from pages after the page that has been fully wound at the downstream end of the continuous paper, pages printed in the jammed area would also be subject to recovery processing, resulting in page duplication. In other words, in a configuration that forms images on continuous paper, the pages to be recovered will change depending on the location of the jam, so a configuration that accurately selects the location for recovery processing is desirable.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a recovery printing method, and a recovery printing program that can perform recovery processing at an accurate position after the image forming process has been interrupted in continuous paper printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is An image forming unit that forms an image on a continuous sheet of paper being transported, A control unit controls the image forming unit to perform a recovery process to resume the image forming process after the image forming process by the image forming unit has been interrupted, Equipped with, The control unit, The image forming unit is controlled to form identification information corresponding to the image position formed on the continuous paper together with the image on the continuous paper. The recovery process is executed based on the aforementioned identification information.

[0009] The recovery printing method according to the present invention is A recovery printing method for an image forming apparatus, which includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a continuous sheet of paper being transported, The image forming unit is controlled to form identification information corresponding to the image position formed on the continuous paper together with the image on the continuous paper, The image forming unit is controlled to perform a recovery process to resume the image forming process based on the identification information after the image forming process by the image forming unit has been interrupted. It holds.

[0010] The recovery printing program according to the present invention is a recovery printing program for an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a continuous paper to be conveyed, which causes a computer to control the image forming unit to form, on the continuous paper, identification information corresponding to the image position formed on the continuous paper together with the image; and control the image forming unit to execute a recovery process for resuming the image forming process based on the identification information after the image forming process by the image forming unit is interrupted. The computer is caused to execute the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to perform a recovery process after an image forming process is interrupted in continuous paper printing at an accurate position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. schematically shows an overall configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. shows an example of printing on a continuous paper. [Figure 3] FIG. shows an example of a continuous paper in which a jam has occurred. [Figure 4] FIG. shows an example of a continuous paper after jam processing. [Figure 5] FIG. shows an example of image formation in a recovery process. [Figure 6] FIG. shows an example of a continuous paper after jam processing. [Figure 7] FIG. shows an example of image formation in a recovery process. [Figure 8] FIG. is a flowchart showing an operation example of image formation control in an image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] FIG. shows a display example of setting of identification information. [Figure 10] FIG. shows a display example of setting of identification information. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example display of setting the type of identification information. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing an example of printing on continuous paper.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of an image forming system 1 including an image reading device 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 is a system for forming an image on a recording medium (recording medium including continuous paper P shown by a thick line in FIG. 1, etc.). Here, the continuous paper P is a continuous medium having a length exceeding the main body width of the image forming apparatus 20, for example, in its conveyance direction, and is, for example, roll paper. The image forming system 1 includes a paper feeding device 10, an image forming device 20, a winding device 30, and an image reading device 40.

[0015] The paper feeding device 10 is a device for feeding the continuous paper P to the image forming device 20. Inside the housing of the paper feeding device 10, the continuous paper P is held in a state of being wound around a support shaft in a roll shape. The paper feeding device 10 feeds the continuous paper P wound around the support shaft to the image forming device 20 at a constant speed via a plurality of conveyance roller pairs such as a feeding roller and a paper feeding roller. The paper feeding operation of the paper feeding device 10 is controlled by a control unit 24 provided in the image forming device 20.

[0016] The image forming device 20 is, for example, an intermediate transfer type color image forming device using electrophotographic process technology. Specifically, the image forming device 20 primarily transfers the Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) toner images formed on the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt, overlaps the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt, and then secondarily transfers them to the recording medium sent out from the paper feeding tray unit to form an image. Note that the image forming device 20 may be an image forming device other than the intermediate transfer type.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 20 includes an image forming unit 21, a fixing unit 22, a transport unit 23, a control unit 24, and the like.

[0018] The control unit 24 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU reads a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM, loads it into the RAM, and works in cooperation with the loaded program to centrally control the operation of each block of the image forming apparatus 20.

[0019] The image forming unit 21 forms an image (toner image) on the recording medium fed from the paper feeding device 10. The image forming unit 21 includes an image forming unit, an intermediate transfer unit, etc., for forming an image using colored toners of Y, M, C, and K components.

[0020] The fixing unit 22 fixes the toner image onto the recording medium by heating and pressurizing the recording medium that has been transferred and transported using a fixing nip.

[0021] The transport unit 23 includes a transport path section and a paper discharge section, etc. The transport path section has a plurality of transport roller pairs, a normal transport path that passes the recording medium through the image forming unit 21 and the fixing unit 22 and discharges it outside the image forming apparatus 20. Note that the continuous paper P transported by the transport unit 23 in Figure 1 is not shown.

[0022] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 20 is provided with an operation display unit 25. The operation display unit 25 has an operation unit that the user can operate and a display unit that allows the user to configure the settings of the image forming apparatus 20. By operating this operation display unit 25, the user can configure the settings of the image forming apparatus 20. In addition, by displaying, for example, instruction information described later on the operation display unit 25, the user can perform tasks such as jamming.

[0023] The continuous paper P fed from the paper feeder 10 to the image forming apparatus 20 is transported to the image forming unit 21 by the transport unit 23. In the image forming unit 21, the toner images from the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit are transferred collectively to one side of the continuous paper P, and a fixing process is performed in the fixing unit 22.

[0024] The continuous paper P with the image formed on it is transported by the transport unit 23 to the winding device 30 via the image reading device 40.

[0025] The winding device 30 is a device that winds up the continuous paper P that has been transported from the image forming apparatus 20. Inside the housing of the winding device 30, for example, the continuous paper P is wound around a winding shaft and held in a roll shape. To this end, the winding device 30 winds the continuous paper P that has been transported from the image forming apparatus 20 onto the winding shaft at a constant speed. The winding operation of the winding device 30 is controlled by the control unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 20.

[0026] The image reading device 40 is a device for reading images formed on a recording medium transported from the image forming apparatus 20, and is installed between the image forming apparatus 20 and the winding device 30. The image reading device 40 is provided with a transport path 40A connected to the paper output port of the image forming apparatus 20. The transport path 40A is provided with a reading unit 41 and a jam detection sensor 42. Note that the continuous paper P transported along the transport path 40A in Figure 1 is not shown.

[0027] The reading unit 41 is composed of in-line sensors, such as optical sensors and colorimeters, arranged in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the continuous paper P. The reading unit 41 reads, for example, an adjustment chart formed on the continuous paper P and feeds back the read image information to the image forming apparatus 20 via a communication unit (not shown).

[0028] As a result, the control unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 20 corrects the image forming conditions in the image forming unit 21 according to the information read from the recording medium. The method of image correction may be, for example, a known technique.

[0029] The jam detection sensor 42 is a known sensor capable of detecting jams in the continuous paper P, and is provided, for example, downstream of the reading unit 41 in the transport path 40A. The jam detection sensor 42 detects damaged areas such as tears or wrinkles in the continuous paper P. The jam detection sensor 42 may also be provided in the paper feeder 10, the image forming apparatus 20, and the winding apparatus 30.

[0030] The jam information detected by the jam detection sensor 42 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 via a communication unit (not shown). When the control unit 24 receives jam information, it interrupts the image forming process on the continuous paper P. The control unit 24 notifies the user to perform the jam processing, for example, via a notification medium such as an operation display unit 25 provided in the image forming apparatus 20.

[0031] Jam processing is a process to resolve jams, for example, by removing the jamming portion (the damaged portion mentioned above) in the continuous paper P and splicing together the portions before and after the removed portion. Jam processing is performed manually by the user. In jam processing, the area from the location where the jam occurred (the location of the jam detection sensor 42) to the location where the image was formed by the image forming unit 21 in the continuous paper P is removed.

[0032] The control unit 24 controls the image forming unit 21 to perform a recovery process to resume image forming after the jam has been cleared by a process to clear the jam.

[0033] The recovery process is a process for resuming the image formation process after it has been interrupted, and includes, for example, a process for reprinting the image formed in the area that was removed by the jamming process. In the recovery process, the image is reprinted from the position where the jam occurred (the position where the jam was detected), that is, the position that caused the interruption of the image formation process, up to the position where the image was formed by the image formation unit 21 at the time the jam was detected.

[0034] Therefore, when performing a recovery process, it is necessary to accurately select the starting position of the recovery process. In this embodiment, identification information is formed on the continuous paper P to identify the starting position of the recovery process.

[0035] Specifically, the control unit 24 controls the image forming unit 21 to form identification information corresponding to the image position formed on the continuous paper P together with the image.

[0036] The identification information is information for identifying images formed at each position in the transport direction of the continuous paper P, and includes, for example, page number information indicating the page of the image.

[0037] For example, as shown in Figure 2, an example is shown where images are arranged in page order on a continuous sheet of paper P extending in the transport direction (X direction). In the example shown in Figure 2, two images are arranged side by side in the width direction (Y direction) of the continuous sheet of paper P within the area of ​​one page.

[0038] In this case, for example, numbers indicating the page number (20-30 in Figure 2) are formed as identification information at the + side of the Y direction for each image. This makes it easy to associate each image position with the identification information. The part of the continuous paper P where the identification information is formed is, for example, the margin area at the + or - side of the Y direction edge of the continuous paper P.

[0039] Here, for example, let's assume that a jam J occurs in the portion of the continuous paper P corresponding to pages 23 and 24, as shown in Figure 3. In this case, let's assume that the portion corresponding to pages 23 and 24 is located near the jam detection sensor 42, and that the image has been formed up to page 30.

[0040] In this case, for example, the user's settings may specify that a range including at least pages 23 and 24 will be removed by jamming. The range of the area removed by jamming will vary depending on the type of print.

[0041] For example, if the image formation process is a process that forms different images sequentially on continuous paper P (variable printing), the images need to be arranged in page order. Therefore, in this case, the area from the position specified by the user to the position where the last image was formed after the interruption will be the part that is removed by the jamming process.

[0042] For example, as shown in Figure 3, suppose the first image in the jammed area is on page 23, and the last image formed after the area that caused the interruption is on page 30. In the example in Figure 3, the range from page 22 to page 30, which is the page before the jammed page, is the range specified by the user.

[0043] In this case, the image forming apparatus 20 is notified of guidance to remove the jammed page and the entire area of ​​the image-formed pages from that page onward (the area from page 22 to page 30 in Figure 3). The guidance can be, for example, information indicating "remove the jammed area and all subsequent printed areas." In other words, the control unit 24 outputs instruction information to remove the area of ​​the continuous paper P related to the interruption of the image forming process and the image-formed area on the continuous paper P from that area onward. This instruction information may be in the form of text or audio. If the instruction information is in the form of text, it is displayed, for example, on the operation display unit 25 of the image forming apparatus 20.

[0044] This type of instruction information makes it easier for users to resolve jams.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, after jamming, the continuous paper P has the image-formed area from page 22 onwards removed, and the parts before and after that area are joined together. C1 in Figure 4 is the joint area in the continuous paper P.

[0046] Then, after the jamming process by the user, the control unit 24 performs a recovery process based on the identification information. In the case of Figure 4, since pages 22 and beyond have been removed, the control unit 24 resumes image formation from the image corresponding to page 22. In this case, along with the image of page 22, the number 22 is formed as identification information, and identification information is similarly formed for images from page 22 onwards.

[0047] In this way, as shown in Figure 5, images of pages 22 and beyond are formed at the seam C1 on the continuous paper P.

[0048] In other words, in the case of variable printing, the control unit 24 controls the image forming unit 21 to form identification information corresponding to a position related to the interruption factor of the image forming process at the position where image formation starts during the recovery process on the continuous paper P.

[0049] Furthermore, if the image formation process is a process that repeatedly forms the same image on continuous paper P (repeat printing), the image removed by jamming is the same as the image that was not removed, so it is considered unnecessary to remove more continuous paper P than necessary.

[0050] Therefore, in this case, the user's settings specify that the area related to the interruption factor and the area where the image has already been formed but has not passed through the fixing unit 22 are to be removed by jamming.

[0051] For example, in the example shown in Figure 3, the jam occurred on pages 23 and 24, so the user-specified range is from page 22 to page 25, including the pages before and after those pages. Additionally, pages 29 and 30 are examples of areas where the image has been formed but has not passed through the fixing unit 22.

[0052] Note that the above guidance is not required for repeat printing orders.

[0053] In this case, as shown in Figure 6, the continuous paper P after jamming has pages 22 to 25 and pages 29 and 30 removed, and the leading edge of the section from pages 26 to 28 is joined to the section up to page 21 (see C2). Then, the trailing edge of the section from pages 26 to 28 is joined to the section from page 30 onwards (see C3). C2 and C3 in Figure 6 are the joints in the continuous paper P.

[0054] Then, after the jamming process by the user, the control unit 24 performs a recovery process based on the identification information. In the case of Figure 6, since pages 22 to 25 and pages 29 and 30 were removed, in the state before the recovery process, pages 26 to 28 are located after page 21. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, after page 28, along with the images of pages 22 to 25, 29 and 30, the numbered information of 22 to 25, 29 and 30 is formed as identification information.

[0055] In other words, in the case of repeat printing, the control unit 24 controls the image forming unit 21 to sequentially form identification information corresponding to the images removed from the continuous paper P, starting from the position where image formation of the recovery process on the continuous paper P begins.

[0056] Furthermore, the identification information corresponding to the portion removed by the jamming process may be recognized by a reading unit, for example, in addition to the information specified by the user. In other words, the control unit 24 may determine the identification information of the starting position of the recovery process based on the reading result of the reading unit. Also, a reading unit for reading the identification information may be provided separately from the reading unit 41 described above. This reading unit may be provided at any position downstream of the fixing unit 22, for example, in the winding device 30.

[0057] An example of the operation of the image forming control in the image forming apparatus 20 configured as described above will now be explained. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming control in the image forming apparatus 20. This control is executed as appropriate when the control unit 24 receives an instruction to execute an image forming process job on continuous paper P.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8, the control unit 24 determines whether or not the jam detection sensor 42 has detected jam formation (step S101). If the determination is that no jam formation has been detected (step S101, NO), the process proceeds to step S105.

[0059] On the other hand, if jamming is detected (step S101, YES), the control unit 24 interrupts the image formation process and determines whether or not the user has completed the jamming process (step S102).

[0060] If the determination shows that the jamming process is not complete (step S102, NO), the process in step S102 is repeated. On the other hand, if the jamming process is complete (step S102, YES), the control unit 24 acquires identification information corresponding to the jam occurrence location (step S103). The identification information corresponding to the jam occurrence location is user-specified information. Note that a process to notify the user of the jam occurrence may be executed between step S102 and step S103.

[0061] After step S103, the control unit 24 performs a recovery process (step S104). After step S104, the control unit 24 determines whether or not the image forming process has been completed (step S105).

[0062] If the result of the determination is that the image formation process is not yet complete (step S105, NO), the process returns to step S101. On the other hand, if the image formation process is complete (step S105, YES), this control terminates.

[0063] According to this embodiment configured as described above, identification information corresponding to the image position is formed on the continuous paper together with the image, and recovery processing is performed based on the identification information. As a result, recovery processing after the image formation process is interrupted in continuous paper printing can be performed at the correct position.

[0064] This helps to prevent images from being missing or duplicated during the recovery process.

[0065] Next, we will explain how to set identification information according to user specifications.

[0066] In this embodiment, the user can set the pages to be removed by jamming based on instruction information via the operation display unit 25. In other words, the operation display unit 25 sets the identification information of the starting position of the recovery process based on the user's specification.

[0067] For example, in the case of variable data printing, as shown in Figure 9, only the setting section for the start position of the recovery process may be displayed on the operation display unit 25, and the system may be configured to allow the user to input a number into that setting section.

[0068] Furthermore, in the case of repeat printing, as shown in Figure 10, the area removed by the jamming process is divided into multiple ranges, so the settings for these multiple ranges may be displayed on the operation display unit 25, and the user may be able to input numbers into the settings for each range. Also, in the case of repeat printing, since the image on each page is the same, the configuration may be such that the user inputs the total number of pages removed.

[0069] Furthermore, although the identification information in the above embodiment was page number information, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the identification information may be image number information. Image number information is, for example, information assigned to each image that is positioned differently in the X direction when two or more images are arranged in the X direction within the space of one page.

[0070] Furthermore, the identification information may also be information about the printing distance. The printing distance information is distance information that is assigned each time a predetermined distance (e.g., 1m) is printed on continuous paper P. For example, suppose a print job with a total printing distance of 4m is performed, and an interruption occurs in the range from 2m to 3m. In this case, in the case of repeat printing, the range from the position where the 2m distance information is assigned to the position where the 3m distance information is assigned becomes the jam processing area and is the range that will be reprinted in the recovery processing. In the case of variable printing, the remaining range from the position where the 2m distance information is assigned (the ranges where the 3m distance information and the 4m distance information are assigned, respectively) becomes the range that will be reprinted in the recovery processing.

[0071] Furthermore, the user may be able to specify the type of identification information. In other words, the control unit 24 may set the identification information based on the user's specification via the operation display unit 25.

[0072] For example, as shown in Figure 11, multiple types of identification information are displayed on the operation display unit 25, and the user can select one of the displayed types of identification information to set that information. The multiple types of identification information include the page number, image number, and print distance information mentioned above. In addition, the multiple types of identification information may include information other than the page number, image number, and print distance, as long as the position of the image can be identified. In the example shown in Figure 11, the page number is set as the identification information.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, only numbers indicating page numbers or the like, which represent identification information, were formed on the continuous paper P. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other information may be formed on the continuous paper P in addition to the identification information.

[0074] Specifically, the control unit 24 may add information indicating the type of identification information in addition to the identification information. For example, Figure 12 shows an example of information in which the letter "P" indicating page is added to the number indicating the page number. Examples of letters added to the image number include "I", and examples of letters added to the print distance include "cm".

[0075] Furthermore, the above embodiments are merely examples of how the present invention may be implemented, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from its gist or its main features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1. Image forming system 10 Paper feeder 20 Image forming apparatus 21 Image forming unit 22 Fixing section 23 Conveying section 24 Control Unit 25 Operation display section 30 Winding device 40 Image reading device 40A Conveyor Route 41 Reading section 42 Jam detection sensor

Claims

1. An image forming unit that forms an image on a continuous sheet of paper being transported, A control unit controls the image forming unit to perform a recovery process to resume the image forming process after the image forming process by the image forming unit has been interrupted, Equipped with, The control unit, The image forming unit is controlled to form identification information corresponding to the image position formed on the continuous paper together with the image on the continuous paper. The recovery process is executed based on the aforementioned identification information. Image forming apparatus.

2. The aforementioned identification information includes page number information, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned identification information includes image number information, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned identification information includes information on the printing distance. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The system further includes a setting unit that sets the aforementioned identification information based on user specifications. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The control unit adds information indicating the type of the identification information in addition to the identification information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

7. If the image forming process is a process of sequentially forming different images on the continuous paper, the control unit controls the image forming unit to form identification information corresponding to a position related to the interruption factor of the image forming process at the position where image formation of the recovery process begins on the continuous paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The control unit outputs instruction information to remove the range of the continuous paper related to the interruption factor of the image forming process, and the image-formed area on the continuous paper beyond that range. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

9. If the image forming process is a process of repeatedly forming the same image on the continuous paper, the control unit controls the image forming unit to sequentially form identification information corresponding to the image removed from the continuous paper, starting from the position where image formation of the recovery process on the continuous paper begins. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

10. The system further includes an identification setting unit that sets identification information for the starting position of the recovery process based on user specifications. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

11. The system further comprises an identification reading unit capable of reading the aforementioned identification information, The control unit determines the identification information of the starting position of the recovery process based on the reading result of the identification reading unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

12. A recovery printing method for an image forming apparatus, which includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a continuous sheet of paper being transported, The image forming unit is controlled to form identification information corresponding to the image position formed on the continuous paper together with the image on the continuous paper, The image forming unit is controlled to perform a recovery process to resume the image forming process based on the identification information after the image forming process by the image forming unit has been interrupted. Having, Recovery printing method.

13. A recovery printing program for an image forming apparatus, which includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a continuous sheet of paper being transported, On the computer, A process to control the image forming unit so that identification information corresponding to the image position formed on the continuous paper is formed on the continuous paper together with the image, A process to control the image forming unit to perform a recovery process to resume the image forming process based on the identification information after the image forming process by the image forming unit has been interrupted, To execute Recovery print program.

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