Image forming apparatus, control method for image forming apparatus, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem in that: if a user cuts off power after the generation of dew condensation is detected, it is difficult to appropriately detect the generation of dew condensation when the power is turned on next.SOLUTION: To solve the problem, the image processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus having image forming means that forms an image on a sheet, and has: dew condensation removal means that executes a dew condensation removal operation to remove dew condensation generated inside the image forming apparatus; storage means that stores dew condensation generation information indicating that the generation of dew condensation inside the image forming apparatus is detected; and restriction means that restricts execution of image formation based on a job during the execution of the dew condensation removal operation performed by the dew condensation removal means. Even if execution of the job is instructed when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on, when the dew condensation generation information is stored in the storage means, the image forming apparatus prioritizes execution of the dew condensation removal operation performed by the dew condensation removal means on the basis of the dew condensation generation information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides picture image forming device , image forming apparatus control method, and program - Patents.com Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, if the environment in which the apparatus is installed, such as the temperature around the apparatus, fluctuates, condensation may occur inside the apparatus, which may cause errors during image formation or deterioration in the quality of the formed images.

[0003] If image formation is performed under such circumstances, the quality of the output image cannot be maintained.

[0004] To address this issue, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a user sets a condensation prevention mode, the temperature inside the device is automatically measured periodically and any changes in temperature are detected. If a temperature change is detected, it is determined that condensation prevention processing is necessary, and the fan is rotated as condensation prevention processing, with image formation being restricted while the fan is rotating. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-23081 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the method of Patent Document 1, if the image forming apparatus is turned off without taking any anti-condensation measures after detecting that the temperature inside the apparatus has reached the condensation conditions, the temperature inside the apparatus cannot be measured. Therefore, it is difficult to properly detect whether condensation has occurred the next time the power is turned on. Therefore, if image formation is performed immediately after turning on the image forming apparatus, while the condensation may not have been eliminated, the quality of the formed image may not be maintained.

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of a Beam Detect error is stored in a nonvolatile memory of the image forming apparatus in response to detection of the Beam Detect error; a message is displayed on the display unit urging the user to turn off the power of the image forming apparatus and then turn it on again; Image forming device but boot do At this time, the dew condensation removal process is not executed when a predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of a Beam Detect error is not stored in the nonvolatile memory, the dew condensation removal process is executed when a predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of a Beam Detect error is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of a Beam Detect error is invalidated when the execution of the dew condensation removal process is completed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a first execution means for executing a dew condensation removal process in response to the detection of a Beam Detect error, a second execution means for executing a dew condensation removal process in response to the detection of a temperature change, a nonvolatile memory, and a predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error stored in the nonvolatile memory in response to the detection of the Beam Detect error. and displaying a message on the display unit to prompt the user to turn off the power of the image forming apparatus and then turn it on again. a storage control means for The image forming apparatus is turned off and then turned on again. the image forming apparatus but boot doand a control means for not executing the condensation removal process when the predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error is not stored in the nonvolatile memory, for executing the condensation removal process when the predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and for invalidating the predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error when execution of the condensation removal process is completed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, in response to detection of a Beam Detect error, a predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error is stored in a non-volatile memory of the image forming apparatus; a message is displayed on the display unit urging the user to turn off the power of the image forming apparatus and then turn it on again; Image forming device but boot do At this time, the condensation removal process is not executed when a predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of a Beam Detect error is not stored in the nonvolatile memory, the condensation removal process is executed when a predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of a Beam Detect error is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of a Beam Detect error is invalidated when the execution of the condensation removal process is completed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an optical scanning system in an image forming unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of an MFP according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a condensation determination process and a condensation countermeasure process in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a printing operation of a received print job in the first embodiment. [Figure 6]5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when power is turned on in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when power is turned on in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when power is turned on in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0012] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) according to the first embodiment.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 10 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a display controller 104, a display unit 105, an operation controller 106, and an operation unit 107.

[0015] The MFP 10 also includes an eMMC host controller 108, an eMMC 109, a reading controller 110, a reading unit 111, a recording controller 112, and a recording unit 113. The MFP 10 also includes a USB (Universal Serial Bus) host controller 114, a modem 115, a network control unit (NCU) 116, and a network interface card (NIC) 117.

[0016] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 controls each device connected to a system bus 118. When power is supplied to the CPU 101, it executes a boot program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102. The CPU 101 executes the boot program and loads a main program stored in an eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard) 109, which serves as storage, into a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103. The program then jumps to the beginning of the loaded main program. The RAM 103 not only functions as a loading location for the main program, but also as a work area for the main program.

[0017] Display controller 104 controls drawing on display unit 105. Display unit 105 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) capable of displaying a character string of 28 characters by 7 lines, ruled lines, and a scroll bar. On the other hand, operation controller 106 accepts operation input from operation unit 107 equipped on the MFP. Operation unit 107 includes a numeric keypad, cursor keys, one-touch keys, and the like.

[0018] The reading unit 111 reads an original. The reading unit 111 may be equipped with an original feeder. The reading unit 111 equipped with an original feeder can automatically read multiple pages of an original. The reading unit 111 is connected to a reading controller 110, and the CPU 101 transmits and receives data to and from the reading unit 111 via the reading controller 110.

[0019] The recording unit 113 performs printing (image formation) on a sheet by electrophotography. The recording unit 113 is connected to a recording controller 112, and the CPU 101 transmits and receives data to and from the recording unit 113 via the recording controller 112.

[0020] The USB host controller 114 is responsible for USB protocol control and mediates access to USB devices such as USB memory (not shown).

[0021] The modem 115 modulates and demodulates signals required for facsimile communication. The modem 115 is also connected to the NCU 116. The signals modulated by the modem 115 are sent via the NCU 116 to the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

[0022] The NIC 117 transmits and receives data to and from a mail server, a file server, a client terminal, etc. via a LAN (Local Area Network). The LAN in this embodiment may be constructed using Ethernet (registered trademark), or may be a wireless network conforming to IEEE802.11.

[0023] The MFP 10 of this embodiment includes an eMMC 109 as storage. The CPU 101 accesses the eMMC 109 via an eMMC host controller 108. Note that the eMMC 109 may be replaced with a hard disk or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0024] The recording unit 113 includes a CPU 200, a ROM 201, a RAM 202, and a serial interface 203. The recording unit 113 also includes an I / O 204, an image forming unit 205, a paper transport unit 206, and a temperature sensor 207.

[0025] When power is supplied, the CPU 200 executes a recording unit control program stored in the ROM 201. The RAM 202 functions as a work area for the recording unit control program. The CPU 200 also receives various commands issued by the main program of the MFP 10 via a serial interface 203. Then, in accordance with the various received commands, the CPU 200 controls the image forming unit 205 and the paper transport unit 206 via an I / O 204 connected to a system bus 208. The CPU 200 can also acquire the temperature measurement results from a temperature sensor 207 via the I / O 204.

[0026] Image forming unit 205 forms an image on a sheet conveyed by paper conveyance unit 206 using an electrophotographic method. Temperature sensor 207 is disposed within MFP 10, for example, near image forming unit 205, and measures the temperature near image forming unit 205 as the internal temperature of MFP 10. Fan 209 exhausts air from within MFP 10. This creates an air flow within MFP 10, making it possible to reduce the temperature difference between the inside and outside of MFP 10.

[0027] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of an optical scanning system in the image forming unit 205. A laser drive system circuit 226 is a circuit for supplying a drive current to a semiconductor laser 214, which is a light-emitting element, and the semiconductor laser 214 emits laser light at an emission amount corresponding to the drive current. The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 214 is shaped into a parallel beam by a collimator lens 216 and then scanned by an fθ lens 220 via a rotating polygon mirror 218. The scanned laser light is then focused by the fθ lens 220 onto the surface of a photosensitive drum 210, which is rotated about its axis, and is scanned in the horizontal direction of the photosensitive drum 210.

[0028] On the other hand, a reflecting mirror 222 is provided corresponding to the scanning position on one end side of the photosensitive drum 210, and reflects the laser light projected at the scanning start position toward a BD (Beam Detect) detection element (synchronization signal detection element) 224. Then, the output of this BD detection element 224 determines the start timing of the laser light scanning.

[0029] Here, if condensation occurs on the photosensitive drum 210, it may interfere with electrophotographic image formation, making it impossible to form the image accurately. In this case, it becomes impossible to maintain the quality of the image formed on the sheet. Furthermore, if condensation occurs on the BD detection element 224, the BD detection element 224 may be unable to detect the laser light. In this case, the timing to start scanning the laser light cannot be determined, and the MFP 10 enters an error state. Hereinafter, an error state in which condensation occurs on the BD detection element 224 and the BD detection element 224 is unable to properly detect the laser light is referred to as a BD error.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of MFP 10 in this embodiment. Each unit indicated by a solid line in Fig. 3 is a software module realized when CPU 101 executes a main program loaded into RAM 103 by the above-mentioned boot program.

[0031] The execution of each module of the main program, which will be described later, is managed and controlled by an OS (Operating System) 301. The OS 301 is combined with a device driver 308. The device driver 308 mediates communication with hardware devices such as the recording controller 112 and modem 115.

[0032] A UI (User Interface) unit 302 provides various information to the user via the display unit 105 and the operation unit 107, and also receives various instructions from the user.

[0033] For example, a user operation is accepted from the UI unit 302, and an ON / OFF setting indicating whether or not to execute the condensation countermeasure processing is set, and the setting content is stored in the eMMC 109 or the like.

[0034] A job controller 303 accepts jobs such as copying, printing, and faxing, and controls the execution of the accepted jobs.

[0035] The storage unit 306 is a software module that physically stores and manages data such as images and user settings that are sent or received by facsimile in the eMMC 109 .

[0036] For example, when the job controller 303 accepts a fax job, the scanner 307 receives the job request and controls the reading unit 111 to scan the document. The scanned facsimile image data is then stored in the storage unit 306. The facsimile image data stored in the storage unit 306 is read by the fax unit 304 and transmitted by facsimile to the other party via the modem 115 and NCU 116. Alternatively, image data received by facsimile from the other party via the modem 115 and NCU 116 is captured by the fax unit 304 and stored in the storage unit 306.

[0037] The print 305 sends various predetermined commands to the recording unit 113 via the recording controller 112, receives the status of the recording unit 113, and controls the operation of the recording unit 113. For example, when printing an image received by facsimile, the print 305 sends a print command to the recording unit 113, reads out an image file stored in the storage unit 306, and transfers the image data included in the image file to the recording unit 113.

[0038] Furthermore, if the anti-condensation processing is set to ON and the recording unit 113 notifies the user that the anti-condensation processing is being executed, the print 305 causes the recording unit 113 to wait for a print command.

[0039] The MFP 10 includes a VM (Virtual Machine) / FW (Framework) unit 309. An extended application unit 310 is configured from any program written in a script language.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the condensation determination process and the condensation countermeasure process of the recording unit 113 in this embodiment. The process in Fig. 4 is executed when, for example, the user sets the MFP 10 to operate in the condensation countermeasure mode (a mode in which the condensation countermeasure process is automatically executed when condensation is detected). This setting is accepted, for example, when the user sets the condensation countermeasure mode to ON via the operation unit 107. The setting content accepted from the user is stored in the eMMC 109 or the like. The flowchart shown in Fig. 4 is executed when the condensation countermeasure mode is set to ON.

[0041] The condensation determination process from steps (hereinafter, steps are abbreviated as S) S4-001 to S4-009 is part of the recording unit control program mentioned in Fig. 2, and is automatically executed when power is supplied to the CPU 200 of the recording unit 113. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may execute a program to cause the CPU 200 to execute the condensation determination process from S4-001 to S4-009.

[0042] First, in S4-001, the detection result of a BD error due to condensation is obtained, and it is determined whether or not a BD error has occurred. If it is determined that a BD error has occurred, the process proceeds to executing condensation countermeasure processing. If it is determined that a BD error has not occurred, the process proceeds to S4-002. Next, in S4-002, the measurement result t(i) of the internal temperature of the MFP 10 is obtained from the temperature sensor 207 shown in FIG. 2. Next, in S4-003, it is determined whether or not condensation countermeasure processing is being executed. If condensation countermeasure processing, which will be described later, is not being executed, the process proceeds to S4-004. If condensation countermeasure processing is being executed, the process proceeds to S4-007.

[0043] In S4-004, it is determined whether the internal temperature t(i-1) measured a predetermined time S1 before (described later) is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature T1. The internal temperature t(i-1) obtained using the temperature sensor is stored in RAM 202, and in S4-004 the internal temperature t(i-1) is read from RAM 202. If the read internal temperature is equal to or lower than T1, the process proceeds to S4-005, and if not, the process proceeds to S4-007.

[0044] In S4-005, it is determined whether the difference between the environmental temperature t(i) acquired in S4-002 and the environmental temperature t(i-1) measured a predetermined time S1 before is greater than a predetermined value D. If it is determined to be greater than D, the process proceeds to D4-006, and if it is determined to be less than D, the process proceeds to S4-007.

[0045] In S4-006, if it is determined in S4-004 that t(i-1) is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T1, and if it is determined in S4-005 that t(i)-t(i-1) is greater than the predetermined value D, then condensation prevention processing is initiated. This means that there is a possibility of condensation occurring due to a rise in temperature inside the MFP 10 (amount of temperature change within a specified time) at a relatively low temperature where condensation is likely to occur. In S4-006, condensation prevention processing is initiated, and the process proceeds to S4-007.

[0046] In S4-007, the environmental temperature t(i) measured in S4-002 is stored in RAM 202. Then, in S4-008, the process waits for a predetermined time S1 to elapse. Once the predetermined time has elapsed, in S4-009 i is incremented by one and the process returns to S4-001. In other words, the environmental temperature t(i) is measured periodically at a cycle of the predetermined time S1.

[0047] The processing from S4-010 to S4-014 is the anti-condensation processing, which is started when it is determined in S4-001 that a BD error has occurred or when the anti-condensation processing is started in S4-006.

[0048] First, in S4-010, the CPU 101 is notified via the serial interface 203 that condensation countermeasure processing has started (i.e., that condensation may have occurred inside the MFP 10) (hereinafter, this notification will be referred to as condensation removal operation notification).

[0049] The CPU 101 is executing a main program, and when the main program recognizes that it has received this condensation removal operation notification, it sets on a condensation prevention processing flag in the RAM 103. The condensation prevention processing flag is a flag that is turned on when condensation prevention processing is being executed in the recording unit 113.

[0050] Next, in S4-011, the fan 209 provided in the image forming unit 205 is rotated at full speed. This is an operation to promote the temperature inside the MFP 10 to follow the temperature outside the MFP 10, remove condensation that has formed inside the MFP 10, and recover from a state in which condensation is likely to occur.

[0051] In this embodiment, the fan 209 is rotated at full speed as a dew condensation prevention process, but it may be rotated at a rotation speed other than full speed as long as it is effective in removing dew condensation.

[0052] In S4-012, the fan 209 is kept rotating until a predetermined time S2 has elapsed.

[0053] The predetermined time S2 is a predetermined time during which it is expected that condensation inside the MFP 10 will disappear if the fan 209 is rotated at full speed.

[0054] After the predetermined time S2 has elapsed, the process proceeds to S4-013, where the fan is stopped. If the fan 209 was rotating at the predetermined rotation speed before S4-011 was executed, the fan is not stopped in S4-013, but is returned to the predetermined rotation speed.

[0055] Then, in step S4-014, the CPU 101 is notified that the condensation countermeasure process has ended (that is, that there is a high possibility that the condensation inside the MFP 10 has been eliminated), as in step S4-010, and the condensation countermeasure process ends.

[0056] Upon receiving the notification that the condensation countermeasure processing has been completed, the CPU 101 sets the condensation countermeasure processing flag to OFF.

[0057] By performing each process in this flow, when it is determined that the condensation countermeasure process needs to be performed, the condensation countermeasure process can be automatically performed.

[0058] It should be noted that, since the image quality of the formed image may be degraded while the condensation prevention process is being performed, it is preferable to restrict image formation associated with job execution so that it is not performed.

[0059] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed when performing print processing for a PC print job in this embodiment. Each step shown in the flowchart in Fig. 5 is realized by CPU 101 executing a main program loaded in RAM 103. Specifically, this flowchart is executed by part of the program that constitutes print 305.

[0060] A PC print job refers to receiving print data sent from a PC (Personal Computer), which is an example of an information processing apparatus external to the MFP 10, via the NIC 117 and executing printing based on the received print data.

[0061] In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, it is possible to set in advance whether or not to permit execution of printing based on a PC print job while the recording unit 113 is executing condensation prevention processing.

[0062] This setting is called a print priority setting. The print priority setting is set by an instruction from a user or administrator of the MFP 10 via the operation unit 107, and the setting contents are stored in the eMMC 109. Note that even if the print priority setting is set to ON, printing of image data received by facsimile is not permitted during condensation prevention processing.

[0063] First, in S5-001, the setting content of the print priority setting is confirmed. If the print priority setting is set to off, the process proceeds to S5-002. If the print priority setting is set to on, the process skips S5-002 and proceeds to S5-003. In other words, if the print priority setting is set to on, the PC print job executes printing even if the condensation prevention processing flag is on. Normally, when the condensation prevention processing flag is on, the recording unit 113 executes condensation prevention processing and restricts image formation from being executed. However, when the condensation prevention processing flag is on, this indicates that condensation may have occurred, and does not necessarily mean that condensation has actually occurred inside the MFP 10.

[0064] Furthermore, if the image quality of the image obtained by printing out a PC print job is poor due to condensation on the MFP 10, the user can issue a print instruction from the PC again. Therefore, if a user wants to avoid the execution of a PC print job that they have instructed to print being suspended because the image processing device detected condensation and temporarily suspended printing, they can simply turn on the print priority setting.

[0065] In S5-002, it is determined whether the condensation prevention processing flag is set to ON.

[0066] If it is determined that the condensation prevention processing flag is not set to ON, the process proceeds to S5-003, whereas if it is determined that the condensation prevention processing flag is set to ON, the process proceeds to S5-009.

[0067] In S5-003, it is determined whether the recording unit 113 is in a state where printing can be performed. If it is determined that printing is possible because there is no paper left, the door is open, a jam, etc., the process proceeds to S5-004. On the other hand, if it is determined that printing is not possible because there is no paper left, the door is open, a jam, etc., the process proceeds to S5-009.

[0068] In S5-004, the image data for one page to be printed is printed. Next, in S5-005, it is determined whether the printing was successful. If it is determined to be successful, the process proceeds to S5-006. On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing failed due to a jam or a misprint caused by a paper size mismatch, the process proceeds to S5-010.

[0069] In S5-006, the image data that has been determined to have been successfully printed is erased from the eMMC 109.

[0070] In S5-007, it is determined whether or not there is image data for the next page to be printed. If it is determined that there is image data for the next page to be printed, the process returns to S5-001 and prints the image data for the next page. If it is determined that there is not image data for the next page to be printed, the process proceeds to S5-008.

[0071] In S5-008, the management information for the print job for which printing of image data corresponding to all pages has been completed is erased from the eMMC 109, and the printing process for the print job is completed.

[0072] On the other hand, in S5-009, a request is made to the UI unit 302 to display on the display unit 105 a message indicating that the print processing by the execution of the print job has been put on hold due to the detection of condensation or a factor that makes recording impossible.

[0073] In S5-010, it is determined whether a BD error occurred as the cause of the printing failure. If it is determined that a BD error occurred, the process proceeds to S5-011. If it is determined that a BD error did not occur, the process returns to S5-001.

[0074] In S5-011, the UI unit 302 is requested to display a message on the display unit 105 indicating that the execution of the PC print job may have resulted in an error due to the detection of condensation, and urging the user to turn on the condensation removal mode.

[0075] In S5-012, a flag indicating the occurrence of a BD error (condensation occurrence information) is stored in the eMMC 109.

[0076] Furthermore, after a BD error occurs, the power must be turned off and then on again to restore the MFP 10 to normal operation. Therefore, the UI unit 302 is requested to display a message on the display unit 105 that prompts the user to turn the power back on. Note that restoring to normal operation means that the power is turned on, the device starts up, the main program is executed again, and the device transitions to a standby state.

[0077] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an initial operation executed by recording unit 113 when power is applied (power on) to MFP 10 in this embodiment. Each step shown in the flowchart in FIG. 6 is realized by CPU 101 executing a main program loaded in RAM 103.

[0078] In S6-001, it is determined whether or not the BD error occurrence flag stored in the eMMC 109 is set to ON (whether or not condensation occurrence information is stored in the storage unit).

[0079] If it is determined that the BD error occurrence flag is not set to ON, the process proceeds to S6-002. On the other hand, if it is determined that the BD error occurrence flag is set to ON, it is determined that the occurrence of a BD error was detected before the current power-on, i.e., before the previous power-off, and the process proceeds to the recording unit condensation determination process (S4-001) to execute condensation countermeasure processing.

[0080] In S6-002, when the power is turned on, it is determined whether a job execution request has been notified. An example of a job that is requested to be executed here is a calibration job that corrects deviations in the density of a formed image or deviations in the position of a formed image in the sub-scanning direction due to environmental fluctuations or the passage of a predetermined time. However, this is not limiting, and the job that is requested to be executed may also be a print job or a fax job. If a calibration job execution request has been notified, the process proceeds to S6-003; if not, the process proceeds to S6-007.

[0081] In S6-003, it is determined whether the engine is in a state where it can execute a calibration job. If it is determined that the engine is unable to operate due to a jam or the like and is in a state where it cannot execute a calibration job, the process proceeds to S6-007. On the other hand, if it is determined that the calibration job can be executed, the process proceeds to S6-004.

[0082] In S6-004, the engine runs a calibration job.

[0083] In S6-005, it is determined whether the calibration job was successful. If it is determined to be successful, the process proceeds to S6-006, and if it is determined to have failed because the patch data for correction could not be read, the process proceeds to S6-008.

[0084] In S6-006, the correction results obtained by executing the calibration job are reflected in the eMMC 109. This process is necessary when the job to be executed is a calibration job; if the job to be executed is a print job, S-006 does not need to be executed.

[0085] In S6-007, the engine's initial operation is completed and it transitions to standby mode.

[0086] In S6-008, it is determined whether the failure of the calibration job was due to a BD error. If it is determined that the failure of the calibration job was due to a BD error, the process proceeds to S6-009. If it is determined that the failure of the calibration job was due to something other than a BD error, the process proceeds to S6-004 again, and the calibration job is executed again.

[0087] In S6-009, the UI unit 302 is requested to display a message on the display unit 105 indicating that the execution of the PC print job may have resulted in an error due to the detection of condensation, and urging the user to turn on the condensation removal mode.

[0088] In S6-010, a flag indicating the occurrence of a BD error is stored in the eMMC 109.

[0089] According to the present invention, even if the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off without performing condensation prevention processing for condensation that has formed inside the apparatus, it is possible to maintain a state in which information that condensation has been detected in advance inside the apparatus is stored. Therefore, the occurrence of condensation detected inside the apparatus before power-on can be detected even after power-on. This makes it possible to start image formation after power-on and performing condensation removal processing. Therefore, the quality of the formed image can be maintained.

[0090] <Second embodiment> In the first embodiment, a message urging the user to set the condensation removal mode immediately after the occurrence of a BD error is displayed on the display unit 105. However, when the power is turned off and then turned on (i.e., turned back on) after the occurrence of a BD error, a message may be displayed informing the user that an error may have occurred due to condensation and urging the user to turn on the condensation removal mode.

[0091] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the initial operation executed by the recording unit 113 when the power of the MFP 10 is turned on (power on) in this embodiment. In S7-001, it is determined whether the BD error occurrence flag stored in the eMMC 109 is set to ON.

[0092] If it is determined that the BD error occurrence flag is not set to ON, the process proceeds to S7-005, and if it is determined that the BD error occurrence flag is set to ON, the process proceeds to S7-002.

[0093] In S7-002, the UI unit 302 is requested to display a message on the display unit 105 informing the user that an error due to condensation may have occurred the previous time the power was turned off, and urging the user to turn on the condensation removal mode.

[0094] In S7-003, it is determined whether the user has set the condensation removal mode in accordance with the message in S7-002. If it is determined that the condensation removal mode has been set, the process proceeds to S7-004, and if it is determined that the condensation removal mode has not been set, the process proceeds to S7-005.

[0095] In S7-004, the condensation prevention processing flag in the RAM 103 is set to ON.

[0096] The processing from S7-005 onwards is the same as the processing from S6-002 onwards shown in FIG.

[0097] According to this embodiment, after power-on, the user is prompted to perform the condensation removal process, and it is possible to set the condensation removal mode.

[0098] <Third embodiment> In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which the process to be performed when the power is turned on is changed depending on the length of time that the power has been off after the occurrence of a BD error.

[0099] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an initial operation executed by recording unit 113 when MFP 10 in this embodiment is powered on (powered on). Each step shown in the flowchart in FIG. 8 is realized by CPU 101 executing a main program loaded in RAM 103.

[0100] In S8-001, the current time is acquired and stored in the RAM 103.

[0101] In S8-002, the time that the power has been off is calculated from the time stored in eMMC 109 when the power was turned off and the time stored in RAM 103 in S8-001, and it is determined whether the time that the power has been off has exceeded a predetermined time S3. The predetermined time S3 refers to the time required for the temperature inside the main unit to naturally follow the ambient temperature after condensation has occurred and for the condensation to disappear. If it is determined that the power-off time has exceeded the predetermined time S3, the process proceeds to S8-003, and if it is determined that this has not occurred, the process proceeds to S8-004.

[0102] In S8-003, it is determined that the condensation has disappeared naturally, and the BD error occurrence flag of the eMMC 109 is cleared.

[0103] The processing from S8-004 onwards is the same as the processing from S6-002 onwards shown in FIG.

[0104] According to this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not condensation that has occurred is likely to have disappeared depending on the time from when the power is turned off until the power is turned on again.

[0105] This makes it possible to more accurately notify the user whether or not condensation has occurred within the device when the power is turned on.

[0106] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, a first execution means for executing a condensation removal process in response to detection of a Beam Detect error; a second execution means for executing a dew condensation removal process in response to the detection of a change in temperature; a non-volatile memory; a storage control means for storing a predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error in the nonvolatile memory in response to the detection of the Beam Detect error, and for displaying a message on a display unit urging a user to turn off the power of the image forming apparatus and then turn it on again; and a control means for, when the image forming apparatus is started up by turning the power of the image forming apparatus off and then on again, not executing the condensation removal process if the predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error is not stored in the nonvolatile memory, executing the condensation removal process if the predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and invalidating the predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error if execution of the condensation removal process is completed.

2. a sensor for detecting temperature; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a detecting means for detecting a change in the temperature based on the temperature obtained from the sensor.

3. The apparatus further includes a setting unit for setting whether or not the condensation removal process is to be executed, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the condensation removal process when the predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error is stored in the nonvolatile memory at the time of startup of the image forming apparatus and the setting unit has set that the condensation removal process should be executed.

4. The image forming apparatus further includes a fan for discharging air from inside the image forming apparatus, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condensation removal process is a process for removing condensation formed inside the image forming apparatus by rotating the fan at a predetermined rotation speed.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a restriction unit that restricts the image forming apparatus from forming an image while the condensation removal process is being performed.

6. A photoreceptor; a detecting means for detecting a laser beam that forms an image on the photosensitive member; 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the beam detect error is an error caused by the detection unit being unable to detect the laser beam.

7. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first execution step of executing a condensation removal process in response to detection of a Beam Detect error; a second execution step of executing a condensation removal process according to a change in temperature; a storage control step of storing a predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error in a nonvolatile memory of the image forming apparatus in response to the detection of the Beam Detect error, and displaying a message on a display unit to prompt a user to turn off the power of the image forming apparatus and then turn it on again; and a control step of not executing the condensation removal process if the predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error is not stored in the nonvolatile memory when the image forming apparatus is started up by powering the image forming apparatus off and then on again, executing the condensation removal process if the predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and invalidating the predetermined flag indicating the occurrence of the Beam Detect error if execution of the condensation removal process is completed.

8. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 7.

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