JP2016126180A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a medium from falling from a storage unit in a state with usability enhanced.SOLUTION: According to a digital copying device 1, a document read unit 201 is configured to read an image of a document G as conveying the document G to output data on the image, in which the document G is stored in a document storage unit 202, and an image recording unit 203 is configured to record the image as conveying a roll sheet P on the basis of the data on the image read by the document read unit 201, and discharge the roll sheet P having the image recorded to a medium storage unit 204 which is configured to store the roll sheet P having the image recorded. A control unit 205 is configured to: determine whether a length of the roll sheet P on which the image is recorded is the length able to be stored in the medium storage unit 204 on the basis of a result of reading the image of the document G by the document read unit 201; when the length of the roll sheet P exceeds the length able to be stored in the medium storage unit 204, obtain a late recording start time later by a prescribed standby time than a normal recording start time of the image by the image recording unit 203 when the length thereof is the length able to be stored therein on the basis of the read result; and cause the image recording by the image recording unit 203 to be started.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program for recording an image on a long recording medium.

  In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a long recording medium (wide roll paper or the like) exceeding the A0 standard size, generally, a temporary storage is provided in a medium storage unit such as a document storage unit attached to a discharge unit. In addition, there are many image forming apparatuses that discharge a recorded recording medium.

  However, in general, the medium storage unit has a limit in the length of the recordable recording medium, and when the recorded recording medium exceeds the length that can be stored, the recorded recording medium is It overflows from the storage section and falls to the floor where the image forming apparatus is installed.

  Conventionally, a reading unit that reads image data of a document image, a storage unit that stores image data read by the reading unit, and a recording sheet on which a document image is recorded based on the image data stored in the storage unit Has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). The image forming apparatus includes an image output unit that outputs image data and an interval designating unit that designates an interval at which the image output unit outputs the recording paper.

  In this conventional technique, when a long document is read by the image reading unit, the long document is temporarily stored in the storage unit, and then the user specifies the interval at which the image output unit outputs the recording paper. It is intended to give a time allowance so that the recording paper discharged from the discharge unit can be wound after the winding of the original is completed.

  However, in the above prior art, both a document and a recording sheet are given to the user with a time delay for winding a recording sheet (hereinafter also referred to as a recording medium) discharged from the discharging unit. It is possible to prevent the floor surface and the like from becoming dirty or blocking the discharge portion to cause a paper jam.

  However, it is necessary to operate the procedure for reading the image of the document and the procedure for outputting the read image separately, which complicates the operation of copying a long document and has a problem of poor usability. .

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to prevent spillage from a storage unit of a medium in a state where usability is improved.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a document reading unit that reads an image of a document and outputs image data, and the image is transferred while conveying a recording medium based on the image data. The image recording means for recording on the recording medium, the medium storing means for storing the recording medium on which the image is recorded and discharged, and the image recording based on the reading result of the original image by the original reading means. It is determined whether the length of the recording medium recorded by the means is a length that can be stored in the medium storage means, and the length of the recording medium exceeds the length that can be stored in the medium storage means. If the recording medium is long enough to be stored in the medium storing means, the image recording means delays a predetermined waiting time from the normal recording start time of the image on the recording medium. The delay recording start time is Seeking based on the results is characterized by comprising a control means for starting the image recording by said image recording means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent spillage from the storage unit of the medium in a state where the usability is improved.

1 is a schematic side view of a digital copying apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 1 is a block diagram of a digital copying apparatus. 1 is a functional block diagram of a digital copying apparatus. 5 is a flowchart showing image forming processing. The flowchart which shows waiting time arithmetic processing. The figure which shows an example of a warm-up time calculation table. The flowchart which shows waiting time display processing. Explanatory drawing of waiting time display and extension processing. The figure which shows an example of a setting waiting time change screen. The flowchart which shows a setting waiting time change process.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 10 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of a configuration of a digital copying apparatus 1 to which an embodiment is applied.

  In FIG. 1, a digital copying apparatus 1 as an image forming apparatus includes a paper feed unit 3, a transport unit 4, an image forming unit 5, a fixing unit 6, a paper discharge unit 7, a document reading unit 8, and the like in a main body housing 2. Is stored. The digital copying apparatus 1 is provided with a manual feed tray 10, a paper discharge tray 11, a paper discharge stacker 12, a document table 13, a long document discharge tray 14, a document discharge tray 15, an operation display unit 16, and the like.

  A plurality of roll papers Lp are set as recording media in the paper feed unit 3, and each roll paper Lp is sent out to the transport unit 4 by the feed roller 21. The transport unit 4 includes a plurality of transport rollers 22, a registration roller 23, and the like, and the roll paper Lp sent from an appropriate paper feed unit 3 is cut into an appropriate length by a cutter (not shown) and transported. It is conveyed to the registration roller 23 by the roller 22. The registration roller 23 adjusts the conveyance timing to the image transfer timing in the image forming unit 5 and then conveys the conveyed roll paper to the image forming unit 5. The transport unit 4 also transports the paper set on the manual feed tray 10 to the image forming unit 5 after adjusting the timing with the registration rollers 23.

  In this embodiment, the image forming unit 5 uses an electrophotographic image forming unit. However, the image forming unit 5 may be an image forming unit using another image forming method such as an ink forming image forming unit. In the case of the electrophotographic system, the image forming unit 5 is centered on the photosensitive member 31 that is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. A cleaning unit, a transfer tank 36, and the like are provided. For example, a scorotron charger with a grid is used as the charging unit, and the photosensitive member 31 is uniformly charged. In the image forming unit 5, the optical writing unit 32 irradiates the photoconductor 31 uniformly charged by the charging unit with light whose lighting is controlled based on image data such as the original G read by the original reading unit 8. The electrostatic latent image is formed by causing the charge on the surface of the photoreceptor 31 irradiated with light to flow to the ground by a photoconductive phenomenon. The optical writing unit 32 uses, for example, an SLA (Selfoc (registered trademark) lens array) in which LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged in an array. The image forming unit 5 forms a toner image (developer image) by causing the developing unit 33 to attach toner (developer) to the photoreceptor 31 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. That is, the toner in the developing unit 33 is negatively charged by stirring, the bias is applied to −700 V, and the toner adheres only to the light irradiated portion of the photoreceptor 31. The image forming unit 5 transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor 31 to the roll paper Lp conveyed from the paper supply unit 3 by the conveyance unit 4 or the sheet from the hand tray by the transfer unit 34, and transfers the toner image. The completed roll paper Lp or paper is conveyed to the fixing unit 6. Further, the image forming unit 5 cleans the residual toner on the photoconductor 31 that has been transferred by the cleaning unit, and after removing the statically cleaned photoconductor 31 by a neutralizing unit (not shown), uniformly by the charging unit. It is charged and used again for image formation. The separation unit 35 applies a separation voltage to separate the roll paper Lp or paper (hereinafter referred to as paper P as appropriate) from the photoreceptor 31, and the transport tank 36 fixes the separated paper P. Transport to unit 6.

  The fixing unit (fixing means) 6 includes a fixing roller (fixing member) 6a that is heated to a predetermined fixing temperature, and a pressure roller 6b that is in pressure contact with the fixing roller 6a. The fixing unit 6 heats and presses the paper P on which the toner image transferred from the image forming unit 5 is transferred, and fixes the toner image on the paper P, thereby fixing the fixed paper P. The paper is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 7.

  The paper discharge unit 7 includes paper discharge rollers 41 and 42, and the paper P that has been fixed is discharged to the paper discharge tray 11 or the paper discharge stacker 12 by these paper discharge rollers 41 and 42. The discharge direction of the paper discharge unit 7 is determined by the separation claw 43. The separation claw 43 discharges the long paper P longer than a predetermined length to the paper discharge stacker 12, and is shorter than the roll paper Lp. The paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 11.

  The document reading unit 8 includes a document insertion sensor (not shown), a document roller 51, a contact sensor 52, a white reference member 53 disposed at a position facing the contact sensor 52, a document delivery roller 54, a separation claw 55, and a document discharge. Rollers 56 and 57 are provided. When the original insertion sensor is placed on the original table 13 and detects the leading edge of the original G inserted from the original insertion port, the original reading unit 8 controls the original under the control of a system control unit 100a (see FIG. 2) described later. The roller 51 is rotated in the forward rotation direction (the rotation direction in which the document G is sent to the contact sensor 52). The document reading unit 8 starts the rotation of the document roller 51 when the start key of the operation display unit 16 is operated or a predetermined time elapses after the document roller 51 picks up the document G. Is conveyed between the contact sensor 52 and the white reference member 53. The document reading unit 8 conveys the document G conveyed between the contact sensor 52 and the white reference member 53 by the white reference member 53, the document roller 51, and the document delivery roller 54 to the contact sensor 52. To read the image. That is, for example, a contact image sensor (CIS) or the like is used as the contact sensor 52, and the original G is irradiated with reading light from the light source (for example, LED). The contact sensor 52 photoelectrically converts reflected light including image information reflected by the document G by a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and outputs an analog image signal. The document reading unit 8 sends the document G that has been read to the separation claw 55 by the document delivery roller 54, and the separation claw 55 determines the discharge destination of the document G. The document reading unit 8 sends out a long document in the direction of the long document discharge tray 14 by the separation claw 55 and discharges it to the long document discharge tray 14 by the document discharge roller 56. The image forming unit 5 feeds normal documents other than long documents to the document discharge tray 15 by the separation claw 55 and discharges them on the document discharge tray 15 by the document discharge roller 57. The white reference member 53 is used for shading correction for correcting variations caused by illumination unevenness and sensitivity unevenness for each pixel of the contact sensor 52, and the digital copying apparatus 1 reads the white reference member 53. Is used as shading data (white reference data) to perform shading correction.

  The digital copying apparatus 1 has a configuration in which the document reading unit 8 is wide such as A0 and can read a long document G, and a document insertion port of the document reading unit 8 can insert a wide document G. The contact sensor 52 has a width that allows the wide document G to be read.

  Although not shown, the operation display unit 16 includes a plurality of physical keys such as a numeric keypad, a start key, a stop key, and an original document emergency stop key, and a display 16a (see FIG. 8). The display 16a is composed of a liquid crystal display and a touch panel overlaid on the liquid crystal display, and is a display with a touch panel that can be operated by touching function keys displayed on the liquid crystal display.

  The operation display unit 16 uses a physical key or a function key to input various commands to the digital copying apparatus 1 and displays the input commands and various information notified from the digital copying apparatus 1 to the user. Display output (notification output).

  In particular, as will be described later, the operation display unit 16 is used to appropriately set a waiting time and functions as a setting unit. In the operation display unit 16, the display 16a outputs information, particularly information in an image forming process described later, and functions as a notification unit. Further, the operation display unit 16 is used to instruct an extension of the delay recording start time in an image forming process described later, and functions as an extension instruction unit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital copying apparatus 1 has a block configuration, and roughly includes the image forming unit 5, the fixing unit 6, the document reading unit 8, and the operation display unit 16, and engine control. Unit 100, fixing power source control unit 101, memory unit 102, and the like.

  The engine control unit 100 includes a system control unit 100a and the like, and the system control unit 100a includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.

  The ROM stores a basic program of the digital copying apparatus 1, a program such as the image forming program of the present invention, and necessary system data. Based on the program in the ROM, the CPU controls each part of the digital copying apparatus 1 while using the RAM as a work memory, executes basic processing as the digital copying apparatus, and performs the image forming process of the present invention. Run. Therefore, the system control unit 100a executes control of each unit of the digital copying apparatus 1 and image forming processing of the present invention.

  In addition to the contact sensor 52, the document reading unit 8 includes an image amplification circuit 8a, an AD (Analog Digital) conversion circuit 8b, a shading correction circuit 8c, an image processing circuit 8d, a synchronization control circuit 8e, a reading control circuit 8f, and a scanner drive. 8g etc. are provided.

  Under the control of the engine control unit 100, the document reading unit 8 controls the synchronization, reading operation, and scan driving operation of the document reading unit 8 by the synchronization control circuit 8e, the reading control circuit 8f, and the scanner driving unit 8g.

  The contact sensor 52 photoelectrically changes reflected light including image information reflected by the original G, and outputs an analog image signal to the image amplification circuit 8a.

  The image amplification circuit 8a amplifies analog R (red), G (green), and B (blue) image signals from the contact sensor 52 and outputs the amplified signals to the AD conversion circuit 8b.

  The AD conversion circuit 8b converts the analog image signal from the image amplification circuit 8a into a multi-value digital image signal for each pixel, and outputs it to the shading correction circuit 8c.

  The shading correction circuit 8c corrects distortion caused by unevenness of light amount, contact glass contamination, sensor sensitivity unevenness, etc. with respect to the digital image signal from the AD conversion circuit 8b in synchronization with the clock input from the synchronization control circuit 8e. Then, the data is output to the image processing circuit 8d.

  The image processing circuit 8d can process the shading-corrected digital image signal in an image format that can be processed by the image forming unit 5, for example, C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), K (black) image data. And output to the memory unit 102.

  The reading control circuit 8f controls the reading operation such as the reading speed of the image of the document G in the document reading unit 8 under the control of the system control unit 100a.

  The synchronization control circuit 8e mainly outputs a clock for controlling the operation timing of the document reading unit 8 to the shading correction circuit 8c and the image processing circuit 8d under the control of the system control unit 100a.

  The scanner driving unit 8g includes a driving mechanism of the document reading unit 8, such as a motor that operates the document roller 51, the document delivery roller 54, the separation claw 55, and the document discharge rollers 56 and 57, under the control of the system control unit 100a. Drive.

  The memory unit 102 is configured by an image memory 102a such as a RAM or a hard disk, and stores the image data processed by the image processing circuit 8d in the image memory 102a under the control of the system control unit 100a. In the memory unit 102, the image data in the image memory 102 a is read by the system control unit 100 a and is output to the optical writing unit 32 of the image forming unit 5.

  The image forming unit 5 includes an optical writing unit 32, a printer driving unit 5a, and the like. The optical writing unit 32 includes an LED writing control circuit 32a and three LPHs (LED Print Heads) 32b and 32c. , 32d, etc.

  The printer driving unit 5a includes a driving mechanism unit of the image forming unit 5, such as a photosensitive member 31, a charging unit, an optical writing unit 32, a developing unit 33, a transfer unit 34, a separation unit 35, a cleaning unit, and a transport tank 36. Driving is performed under the control of the engine control unit 100.

  The LED writing control circuit 32a divides the image data sent from the image memory 102a of the memory unit 102 into three under the control of the system control unit 100a, and transfers it to the LPHs 32b, 32c, and 32d. More specifically, the LED writing control circuit 32a sends 1-pixel binary image data from the image memory unit 102a at a pixel density of 600 dpi simultaneously in parallel by the transfer reference clock. The LED writing control circuit 32a temporarily synthesizes image data sent in parallel with two pixels into one line, and multi-values one pixel of 600 dpi into four pixels of 1200 dpi image data. . The LED write control circuit 32a divides 1200 dpi four-pixel image data into three, assigns them to the LPHs 32b, 32c, and 32d, and simultaneously transfers the four pixels to the LPHs 32b, 32c, and 32d.

  In each LPH 32b, 32c, 32d, for example, 192 LED elements are arranged in a row in the main scanning direction, and a total of 7680 (192 × 40 = 7680) LED elements are arranged. A driver is connected to each LED element for each LPH 32b, 32c, 32d, and an LED write control circuit 32a is connected to each driver.

  The LED write control circuit 32a selects a strobe signal for causing each driver of each LPH 32b, 32c, and 32d to light its LED element for that time, a clock for data transfer, a reset signal for starting data transfer, and data. A load signal for switching the signal, light amount correction and normal image data is output.

  The LED writing control circuit 32a transfers the image data to each driver of each LPH 32b, 32c, 32d, and each driver latches the image data transferred inside, and turns on / off each LED element. I do.

  The fixing power source control unit 101 includes a fixing control unit 101a and a zero cross circuit 101b. The fixing unit 6 includes a fixing heater 6c and a thermistor 6d in addition to the fixing roller 6a and the pressure roller 6b.

  The thermistor 6d detects the surface temperature of the fixing roller 6a and outputs a detected temperature signal to the engine control unit 100.

  The zero-cross circuit 101b is connected to an AC power source supplied to the digital copying apparatus 1, detects a zero-cross point of the AC power source, generates a zero-cross signal used for fixing temperature control, and interrupts the system control unit 100a. Output a zero cross signal to the input.

  For example, the system control unit 100a controls the temperature of the fixing heater 6c, that is, the fixing roller 6a, through the fixing control unit 101a as follows. That is, when a zero-cross signal is input from the zero-cross detection circuit 101b, the system control unit 100a turns on the triac of the fixing control unit 101a and energizes the fixing heater 6c after a predetermined time has elapsed from the zero-cross point of the AC power supply. Make it. Thereafter, when the polarity is reversed due to the characteristics of the triac, the system control unit 100a controls the temperature of the fixing heater 6c by controlling the time (phase angle) from when the triac is turned off to when the triac is turned on. Perform phase control.

  The operation display unit 16 includes a display 16a, an operation panel 16b, an operation control circuit 16c, and the like. The display 16a is a display with a touch panel as described above. The operation panel 16b is a general term for the physical keys and the function keys displayed on the display 16a, and various commands for the digital copying apparatus 1 are input and operated. The operation control circuit 16c exchanges signals and information with the system control unit 100a. Specifically, the operation control circuit 16c passes operation information on the operation panel 16b to the system control unit 100a, and causes the display 16a to display display information from the system control unit 100a.

  The digital copying apparatus 1 includes a ROM, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM, a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), and a DVD. The image forming method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as (Digital Versatile Disk), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, SD (Secure Digital) card, MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) is executed. By reading the image forming program to be read and introducing it into the ROM or hard disk of the system control unit 100a, the medium (document, roll paper Lp) storage unit (long document discharge tray 14, discharge stacker 12) described later is used. For executing an image forming method for preventing the spilling of the ink in a state where the usability is improved It is constructed as formed device. This image forming program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as an assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark) or an object-oriented programming language, and is stored in the recording medium. Can be distributed.

  In the digital copying apparatus 1, the functional blocks shown in FIG. 3 are constructed by introducing the image forming program.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the digital copying apparatus 1 is configured with a document reading unit 201, a document storage unit 202, an image recording unit 203, a medium storage unit 204, and a control unit 205 by introducing an image forming program. .

  The document reading unit 201 is constructed by the document table 13, the document reading unit 8, and the like, and as a whole functions as a document reading unit that reads an image of the document G and outputs image data while conveying the document G.

  The document storage unit 202 is mainly configured by the long document discharge tray 14 and functions as a document storage unit that stores the document G read by the document reading unit 201 as a whole.

  The image recording unit 203 is constructed by the paper feeding unit 3, the conveyance unit 4, the image forming unit 5, the fixing unit 6, the paper discharge unit 7, and the like, while conveying the roll paper Lp as a recording medium based on the image data. It functions as an image recording means for recording an image on the roll paper Lp.

  The medium storage unit 204 is mainly configured by the paper discharge stacker 12 and functions as a medium storage unit that stores roll paper Lp, which is a recording medium on which an image is recorded and discharged.

  The control unit 205 is constructed by the system control unit 100a, and the length of the roll paper Lp that is a recording medium to be recorded by the image recording unit 203 is based on the result of reading the image of the document G by the document reading unit 201. When the length of the roll paper Lp exceeds the length that can be stored in the medium storage unit 204 by determining whether the length can be stored in the section 204, the length of the roll paper Lp is the medium. The document reading unit 201 reads a delayed recording start time that is a predetermined waiting time later than the normal recording start time of the image on the roll paper Lp by the image recording unit 203 when the image recording unit 203 has a length that can be stored in the storage unit 204. It functions as a control unit that obtains based on the result and starts image recording by the image recording unit 203.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The digital copying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment prevents spillage from the paper stacker 12 and the long document discharge tray 14 which are storage units for the paper P and the document G, which are media, with improved usability. To do.

  The digital copying apparatus 1 reads the document G set on the document table 13 by the reading unit 8, and distributes the read document G to the long document discharge tray 14 and the document discharge tray 15 by the separation claw 55. To discharge. When the original G is a long original G, the digital copying apparatus 1 discharges the original G to the long original discharge tray 14. In the following description, it is assumed that a long original G is read as the original G.

  When the reading of the original G by the reading unit 8 is started, the digital copying apparatus 1 can perform necessary signal processing on the image signal of the read original as described above and can be processed by the image forming unit 5. The image data is stored in the image memory 102a of the memory unit 102 as CMYK image data.

  When the reading of all the originals G is completed, the digital copying apparatus 1 obtains a predetermined waiting time from the length of the roll paper Lp calculated based on the image data of the original G, as will be described later. When elapses, image formation in the image forming unit 5 is started. By providing this waiting time, the digital copying apparatus 1 allows the user to take up the long document G even when the long document G overflows from the long document discharge tray 14. Further, the digital copying apparatus 1 enables the user to take up the roll paper Lp on which the image has been formed even if the roll paper Lp overflows from the paper discharge stacker 12. The length of the document G that can be stored in the long document discharge tray 14 (hereinafter referred to as the limit document length) is determined in advance from its physical configuration, and is a non-volatile memory in the system control unit 100a. (For example, ROM). Further, the length of the roll paper Lp that can be stored in the paper discharge stacker 12 (hereinafter referred to as the limit paper length) is determined in advance from its physical configuration, and is a non-volatile memory (for example, in the system control unit 100a). , ROM, etc.).

  That is, the digital copying apparatus 1 executes the copy mode image forming process shown in FIG. 4 under the control of the system control unit 100a.

  When the document G (long document G) is set on the document table 13 and the document reading is started on the operation panel 16b of the operation display unit 16, the system control unit 100a reads the long document G by the document reading unit 8. Reading is started (step S101).

  The document reading unit 8 reads an image of the document G by the contact sensor 52 while conveying the long document G between the contact sensor 52 and the white reference member 53 by the document roller 51 and the document delivery roller 54 and amplifies the image. The analog RGB image signal of the circuit 8a is output. The document reading unit 8 performs AD conversion on the analog image signal by the AD conversion circuit 8b, and performs shading correction by the shading correction circuit 8c. The document reading unit 8 converts the image data after shading correction into an image format (CMYK) that can be processed by the image forming unit 5 in the image processing circuit 8d, and the memory unit 102 under the control of the system control unit 100a. Is stored in the image memory 102a (step S102).

  The system control unit 100a checks whether all the images of the original G have been read by the original reading unit 8 (step S103). If the reading has not been completed (NO in step S103), the image of the original G is checked. Is continued (steps S102 and S103).

  When reading of all the images of the original G is completed in step S103 (YES in step S103), the system control unit 100a detects the length of the read original G and sets it to the original length variable P. (Step S104).

  Further, the system control unit 100a calculates the length (paper length) of the roll paper Lp necessary for recording the image of the original from the detected length of the original G, and sets it to the paper length variable A. (Step S105).

  First, the system controller 100a determines whether the paper length of the paper length variable A is longer than the stock limit length which is the limit paper length, that is, the paper length exceeds the length that can be stored in the paper discharge stacker 12. Is checked (step S106).

  If the sheet length of the sheet length variable A exceeds the limit sheet length (stock limit length) in step S106 (YES in step S106), the system control unit 100a determines the document length variable. It is checked whether the document length of P is longer than the limit document length (stock limit length) (step S107). That is, the system control unit 100 a checks whether the length of the document G exceeds the length that can be stored in the long document discharge tray 14.

  In step S107, if the document length of document length variable P exceeds the limit document length (stock limit length) (YES in step S107), system control unit 100a sets variable PMAX to “ 1 "is set (step S108). The variable PMAX is a variable that indicates whether both the roll paper Lp and the original G exceed the limit length and both overflow from the paper discharge stacker 12 and the long original paper discharge tray 14. When the variable PMAX is “1”, both indicate overflow, and when “0”, only the roll paper Lp overflows.

  In step S107, if the document length of document length variable P is less than the limit document length (stock limit length) (NO in step S107), system control unit 100a sets variable PMAX. Is set to "0" (step S109).

  Next, the system control unit 100a performs a waiting time calculation process (step S110). When the waiting time elapses, the system control unit 100a reads the image data from the image memory 102a and passes it to the LED writing control circuit 32a of the image forming unit 5. Printing is started (step S111).

  When the system control unit 100a causes the image forming unit 5 to start printing, the system control unit 100a waits for the printing to end and ends the image forming process (step S112).

  If the sheet length of the sheet length variable A is less than the limit sheet length (stock limit length) in step S106 (NO in step S106), the system control unit 100a immediately starts printing. (Step S111). That is, in this case, the system control unit 100a determines that it is not necessary for the user to wind up the roll paper Lp that overflows, and starts printing immediately. However, even in this case, as will be described later, there may be a waiting time from when the instruction to start printing is issued until the fixing unit 6 is warmed up.

  When the system control unit 100a starts printing, the system control unit 100a waits for the printing to end and ends the image forming process (step S112).

  Then, the system control unit 100a executes the waiting time calculation process in step S110 as shown in FIG.

  When the system control unit 100a shifts to the waiting time calculation process, the system control unit 100a first checks whether the variable PMAX is “0”, that is, whether only the roll paper Lp overflows (step S201).

  If the variable PMAX is “0” in step S201 (YES in step S201), the system control unit 100a determines that only the roll paper Lp overflows, and sets a preset setting value (waiting for setting). The printing start time shortening process for shortening (time) is performed (step S202). This set value (set waiting time) is a waiting time until the normal recording start time, and is set in advance. In this print start time shortening process, the system control unit 100a, for example, multiplies a preset setting value (set waiting time) by a shortening coefficient (set value × waiting time shortening coefficient), thereby waiting time T1. Is calculated. That is, the setting value is stored in an internal memory such as a ROM, assuming that both the original G and the roll paper Lp overflow. Therefore, when only the roll paper Lp overflows and the original G does not overflow, the system control unit 100a determines that the user can quickly move to the paper discharge stacker 12 and take up and arrange the overflow original G. Thus, the printing start time shortening process is performed to shorten the waiting time T1 from the set value (setting waiting time). The waiting time reduction coefficient in this case is set in advance, but may be set and changed as appropriate by operating the operation display unit 16. For example, if the waiting time reduction number is “0.5”, the system control unit 100a calculates a half of the set waiting time as the waiting time T1.

  If the variable PMAX is “1” in step S201 (NO in step S201), the system control unit 100a sets a set value (set waiting time) as the waiting time T1 (step S203).

  When determining the waiting time T1, the system control unit 100a performs a magnification process for the printing start time, that is, the waiting time T1 (step S204). The system control unit 100a calculates the post-magnification waiting time T2 (T2 = T1 / reading magnification) by dividing the obtained waiting time T1 by the reading magnification in the print start time magnification process.

  That is, for example, if the magnification ratio is an enlargement magnification ratio, the document conveyance speed is slowed down, so that the user can take up and arrange the document G with more margin than when the enlargement magnification process is not performed. . On the other hand, when the scaling factor is the reduction scaling factor, the document conveyance speed increases, so that the user has less room for winding and organizing the document G.

  Therefore, the system control unit 100a subtracts or increases the waiting time in accordance with the reading magnification on the basis of the waiting time T1, and obtains the post-magnification waiting time T2 [seconds]. For example, when the reading magnification is reduced to 50%, the system control unit 100a changes the document conveyance speed twice, and the time for the user to take up and arrange the document G is doubled. The double waiting time T2 is changed to twice the waiting time T1. That is, the system control unit 100a calculates as T2 = T1 / 0.5 = 2T1.

  Next, the system control unit 100a calculates the warm-up time W required for warm-up based on the current temperature from the thermistor 6d of the fixing unit 6 and the target fixing temperature (step S205). The system control unit 100a obtains the warm-up time W by using, for example, a warm-up time calculation table H1 as shown in FIG. In the warm-up time calculation table H1 of FIG. 7, the horizontal axis indicates the target fixing temperature X, and the vertical axis indicates the current temperature (current temperature of the fixing roller 6a) Y. In the warm-up time calculation table H1, a warm-up time W for raising the fixing roller 6a at the current temperature Y to the target fixing temperature X is registered at each intersection of the target fixing temperature X and the current temperature Y. In general, there is a correlation that the warm-up time W increases as the target fixing temperature X increases, and the warm-up time W decreases as the current temperature Y increases. In FIG. 7, diagonal lines are drawn from the current temperature Y and the target fixing temperature X both about 150 degrees to the items where the current temperature Y and the target fixing temperature X are both 200 degrees. In the warm-up time calculation table H1, the item portions below the diagonal lines are hatched, indicating that there is no warm-up time W in this item portion.

  The system control unit 100a then calculates the warm-up time calculation table H1 from the current temperature Y of the fixing roller 6a and the target fixing temperature X of the fixing roller 6a determined by the printing conditions such as the type and thickness of the roll paper Lp to be printed. The warm-up time W is obtained with reference to FIG. For example, when the current temperature Y is 100 ° C. and the target fixing temperature X is 175 ° C., the system controller 100a uses the time value of [X6, Y7] in the warm-up time calculation table H1 as a warm-up time [second] as a variable. Store in W [seconds].

  When determining the warm-up time W, the system control unit 100a checks whether the post-magnification waiting time T2 is shorter than the warm-up time W (step S206).

  If the waiting time T2 after magnification is shorter than the warm-up time W in step S206 (YES in step S206), the system control unit 100a immediately starts the timer for waiting time T2 after magnification (step S207). . That is, in this case, since the waiting time T2 after magnification is shorter than the warm-up time W that is the time required for warm-up, the system control unit 100a can start when the waiting time T2 after magnification has elapsed immediately after starting warm-up. As long as you can start printing as soon as possible.

  When starting the timer (T2), the system control unit 100a checks whether it is in the energy saving state (energy saving state) (step S208).

  If it is determined in step S208 that the energy is saved (YES in step S208), the system control unit 100a starts energizing the fixing heater 6c and starts warming up the fixing roller 6a (step S208). S209).

  When the warm-up is started, the system control unit 100a checks whether the waiting time T2 after magnification has elapsed, that is, checks whether the timer for the waiting time T2 after magnification has timed out (step S210).

  If the post-magnification waiting time T2 has not elapsed in step S210 (NO in step S210), the system control unit 100a performs a waiting time display process (step S211). The system control unit 100a performs a waiting time display process by displaying the remaining time that is the elapsed time (timer count time) from the waiting time T2 after magnification as a waiting time on the display 16a of the operation display unit 16. Do.

  When the waiting time display process is performed, the system control unit 100a repeats the check whether the waiting time T2 after magnification has elapsed and the waiting time display process again (steps S210 and S211).

  When the post-magnification waiting time T2 elapses in step S210 (YES in step S210), the system control unit 100a waits for the warm-up to be completed, finishes the waiting time calculation process, Shift to print start processing.

  If the waiting time T2 after magnification is longer than the warm-up time W in step S206 (when NO in step S206), the system control unit 100a first determines the difference time between the warm-up time W and the waiting time T2 after magnification. Ts is obtained (step S212). That is, the system control unit 100a subtracts the warm-up time W from the post-magnification waiting time T2 to obtain a difference time Ts (Ts = T2-W) until the warm-up is started. The system control unit 100a combines the print start time and the warm-up end time to suppress wasteful power consumption between the completion of the warm-up and the start of printing.

  When the system control unit 100a obtains the difference time Ts, the system control unit 100a starts the timer of the difference time Ts and the timer of the waiting time T2 after magnification (step S213), whether the timer of the difference time Ts has timed out, that is, the difference time Ts. It is checked whether or not elapses (step S214).

  If the difference time Ts has not elapsed in step S214 (NO in step S214), the system control unit 100a performs a waiting time display process (step S215), and checks again whether the difference time Ts has elapsed. (Step S214).

  In this waiting time display process, the system control unit 100a displays the remaining time obtained by subtracting the elapsed time from the start of the timer of the difference time Ts from the difference time Ts on the display 16a of the operation display unit 16 as a waiting time. Output. Even in this case, the system control unit 100a sets the reference time to the waiting time T2 after magnification, and displays the remaining time obtained by subtracting the elapsed time from the waiting time T2 after magnification on the display 16a as the waiting time. Also good.

  In step S214, when the timer of the difference time Ts times out and the difference time Ts elapses (YES in step S214), the system control unit 100a checks whether the energy saving state has been established (step S208).

  If the energy saving state is determined in step S208, the system control unit 100a starts energizing the fixing heater 6c and starts warming up the fixing roller 6a (step S209).

  When the warm-up is started, the system control unit 100a checks whether the post-magnification waiting time T2 has elapsed (step S210).

  If the post-magnification waiting time T2 has not elapsed in step S210, the system control unit 100a performs a waiting time display process in the same manner as described above (step S211). When the waiting time display process is performed, the system control unit 100a repeats the check whether the waiting time T2 after magnification has elapsed and the waiting time display process again (steps S210 and S211).

  When the post-magnification waiting time T2 elapses in step S210, the system control unit 100a ends the waiting time calculation process and proceeds to the print start process of FIG. In this case, since the warm-up end time and the printing start time (elapsed time of the post-magnification waiting time T2) are matched, the system control unit 100a immediately performs the printing process when the post-magnification waiting time T2 elapses. Can start.

  And in the said waiting time display process, as shown in FIG. 7, the system control part 100a may accept the extension instruction | indication by a user, and may extend.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the system control unit 100a subtracts the elapsed time (seconds) from the start of the timer from the post-magnification waiting time T2 in the waiting time display process to obtain the actual waiting time Tm. Calculation (Tm = T2−elapsed time) is performed (step S301).

  When the system control unit 100a calculates the actual waiting time Tm, the system control unit 100a checks whether an extension instruction has been issued on the operation display unit 16 (step S302).

  In determining whether or not there is an extension instruction, the system control unit 100a displays the actual waiting time Tm on the display 16a as shown in FIG. 8A, for example, “60 seconds until printing starts”. At the same time, the “extension” function key 16c is displayed. The system control unit 100a determines whether or not there is an extension instruction depending on whether or not the “extension” function key 16c is operated.

  If there is an extension instruction in step S202 (YES in step S302), the system control unit 100a adds a preset extension time, for example, 10 seconds, to the post-magnification waiting time T2, and after the magnification A waiting time T2 is set (step S303).

  Further, the system control unit 100a calculates the actual waiting time Tm by adding the extended time to the actual waiting time Tm (step S304), and the calculated actual waiting time Tm is shown in FIG. As shown, it is displayed on the display 16a (step S305).

  If there is no extension instruction in step S302 (NO in step S302), the system control unit 100a does not add the extension time to the waiting time T2 after magnification and the actual waiting time Tm. Then, the calculated actual waiting time Tm is displayed on the display 16a (step S305).

  In this way, the user can perform processing such as winding the roll paper Lp on which the image has been formed so that the roll paper Lp on which the image has been formed does not spill out of the paper discharge stacker 12 even when the work is troublesome.

  In the above description, the setting value that is the setting waiting time has been described as a fixed value. However, the setting value is not limited to a fixed value. For example, a setting waiting time change screen G1 as shown in FIG. The set waiting time may be changed by operating the waiting time change screen G1. In the set waiting time change screen G1 in FIG. 9, various function keys such as cancel, set, clear, and time setting, a set wait time display window, and the like are displayed.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the system control unit 100a performs the set waiting time changing process as shown in FIG.

  That is, when the setting waiting time change request operation is performed on the operation display unit 16, the system control unit 100a displays the setting waiting time change screen G1 as shown in FIG. 9 on the display 16a. The system control unit 100a checks whether or not a change operation has been performed by the user on the setting wait time change screen G1, and the setting key has been operated (step S401).

  When a setting change is instructed in step S401 (YES in step S401), the system control unit 100a sets a setting waiting time T1 stored in an internal memory, for example, a ROM or the like according to the changed content. The time is changed and the process is terminated (step S402).

  When setting change is not instructed in step S401 (NO in step S401), the system control unit 100a ends the waiting time changing process without changing the setting waiting time T1.

  In the above description, the warm-up time W of the fixing unit 6 is described as the case where the warm-up time W is required before the start of printing. However, the form-up is not limited to the fixing unit 6. Absent. The digital copying apparatus 1 processes a process that requires a preparation process, not only a warm-up period from when a print request is generated until the start of printing, as a preparation time, similar to the warm-up process.

  In this embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus is applied to the electrophotographic digital copying apparatus 1 as the fixing unit 6 that requires warm-up processing has been described. However, the image forming apparatus is limited to the electrophotographic digital copying apparatus 1. It is not a thing. For example, in the case of a high-speed ink jet image forming apparatus, the same image forming process in consideration of the warm-up time as described above is applied in order to fix the ink on the recording medium with a fixing unit that requires a warm-up process. be able to.

  Further, in this embodiment, the case of performing warm-up has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to an image forming apparatus that does not perform warm-up that affects waiting time.

  In this embodiment, image formation is started by the image forming unit 5 after all reading of the document G by the document reading unit 8 is completed. However, when the document G does not overflow, the document G is read. The same can be applied to the case where image formation in the image forming unit 5 is started before all the processes are completed.

  As described above, the digital copying apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a document reading unit (document reading unit) 201 that reads an image of a document G and outputs image data, and roll paper (recording medium) based on the image data. An image recording unit (image recording unit) 203 that records an image on the roll paper Lp while conveying Lp, and a medium storage unit (medium storage unit) 204 that stores the roll paper Lp on which an image is recorded and discharged Based on the result of reading the image of the original G by the original reading unit 201, it is determined whether the length of the roll paper Lp recorded by the image recording unit 203 is a length that can be stored in the medium storage unit 203. When the length of the roll paper Lp exceeds the length that can be stored in the medium storage unit 203, the length of the roll paper Lp is the length that can be stored in the medium storage unit 203. The image recording unit 2 3 is a control unit that starts the image recording by the image recording unit 203 by obtaining a delayed recording start time that is a predetermined waiting time later than the normal recording start time of the image on the roll paper Lp by 3 based on the read result. Control means) 205.

  Therefore, when the roll paper Lp, which is a recording medium, cannot be stored in the medium storage unit 204, a sufficient waiting time is opened to allow the user to take up and organize the roll paper Lp that cannot be stored. Image recording by the image recording unit 203 can be started from the delayed recording start time. As a result, it is possible to prevent the roll paper (medium) Lp from dropping from the medium storage unit (storage unit) 204 in a state where the usability of the digital copying apparatus 1 which is an image forming apparatus is improved.

  That is, when copying a long document, the digital copying apparatus 1 starts printing output at the same time when the document reading unit 201 reads a certain amount of document G, and roll paper Lp printed by the image recording unit 203. Is discharged to the medium storage unit 204. However, when the document cannot be stored in the document storage unit 202 of the document reading unit 201 and the roll paper Lp cannot be stored in the medium storage unit 204, the user is discharged from the document reading unit 201 to the document storage unit 204. It is also necessary to wind up the long original G and the recorded roll paper Lp discharged to the medium storage unit 204. Therefore, the user cannot perform both the winding of the original G and the winding of the roll paper Lp unless the operation display unit 16 performs an operation for adjusting the timing of image recording in the image recording unit 203. As a result, either the document G or the roll paper Lp overflows from the document storage unit 201 or the medium storage unit 204 and falls on the floor.

  However, the digital copying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to allow the user to roll up and organize the roll paper Lp that cannot be stored when the roll paper Lp that is a recording medium cannot be stored in the medium storage unit 204. The image recording by the image recording unit 203 can be started from the delayed recording start time with a sufficient waiting time to be taken. Therefore, even when both the original G and the roll paper Lp cannot be stored in the original storage unit 202 and the medium storage unit 204, the user does not perform a complicated copy operation on the operation display unit 16 and the original G and the roll paper. Both Lp can be appropriately wound. As a result, it is possible to prevent the roll paper Lp from falling from the medium storage unit 204 in a state where the usability of the digital copying apparatus 1 is improved.

  Further, the digital copying apparatus 1 of this embodiment reads an image of a document G and outputs image data, and reads an image while conveying a roll paper (recording medium) Lp based on the image data. In the image recording processing step for recording on the roll paper Lp, the medium storage processing step for storing the roll paper Lp on which the image is recorded and discharged in the medium storage portion (medium storage means) 204, and the document reading processing step. Based on the reading result of the image of the original G, it is determined whether the length of the roll paper Lp recorded in the image recording processing step is a length that can be stored in the medium storage unit 204. When the length of Lp exceeds the length that can be stored in the medium storage section 204, the image recording when the length of the roll paper Lp is the length that can be stored in the medium storage section 204 Control for starting the image recording by the image recording processing step by obtaining a delayed recording start time that is later than the normal recording start time of the image on the roll paper Lp in the physical step by a predetermined waiting time based on the read result And an image forming method having processing steps.

  Therefore, when the roll paper Lp, which is a recording medium, cannot be stored in the medium storage unit 204, a sufficient waiting time is opened to allow the user to take up and organize the roll paper Lp that cannot be stored. Image recording by the image recording unit 203 can be started from the delayed recording start time. As a result, it is possible to prevent the roll paper (medium) P from falling off from the medium storage unit (storage unit) 204 while improving the usability of the digital copying apparatus 1 as an image forming apparatus.

  Further, in the digital copying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the control processor such as the CPU of the system control unit 100a reads the image of the document G and outputs the image data, and roll paper (based on the image data). (Recording medium) Image recording processing for recording an image on the roll paper Lp while conveying Lp, and medium storage for storing the roll paper Lp on which the image is recorded and discharged in a medium storage section (medium storage means) 204 Whether the length of the roll paper Lp recorded by the image recording process is a length that can be stored in the medium storage unit 204 based on the processing and the reading result of the image of the original G in the original reading process. If the length of the roll paper Lp exceeds the length that can be stored in the medium storage unit 204, the length of the roll paper Lp is the length that can be stored in the medium storage unit 204. When A delay recording start time that is a predetermined waiting time later than the normal recording start time of the image on the roll paper Lp in the image recording process is obtained based on the read result, and image recording by the image recording process is started. And an image forming program for executing the control processing.

  Therefore, when the roll paper Lp, which is a recording medium, cannot be stored in the medium storage unit 204, a sufficient waiting time is opened to allow the user to take up and organize the roll paper Lp that cannot be stored. Image recording by the image recording unit 203 can be started from the delayed recording start time. As a result, it is possible to prevent the roll paper (medium) P from falling off from the medium storage unit (storage unit) 204 while improving the usability of the digital copying apparatus 1 as an image forming apparatus.

  The digital copying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a document storage unit 202 that stores the document G read by the document reading unit 201, and the document reading unit 201 reads an image while conveying the document G. The control unit 205 determines whether the length of the document G read by the document reading unit 201 is long enough to be stored in the document storage unit 202, and the length of the document G is stored in the document storage unit. If the length can be stored in the unit 202, the waiting time is shortened by a predetermined time, and the delayed recording start time is obtained as a time close to the normal recording start time.

  Therefore, when the document G does not spill from the document storage unit 202, the delay recording starts with the waiting time shortened while opening a waiting time sufficient for the user to take up and arrange the roll paper Lp that cannot be stored. Image recording by the image recording unit 203 can be started from time. As a result, it is possible to prevent the roll paper (medium) P from falling from the medium storage unit (storage unit) 204 in a state where the usability of the digital copying apparatus 1 is further improved.

  Further, in the digital copying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the document reading unit 201 reads an image while conveying the document G, and the control unit 205 reads the magnification of the document G by the document reading unit 201 and the document. Based on the conveyance speed of G, the waiting time is set, and the delayed recording start time is obtained.

  Therefore, the waiting time required can be appropriately set according to the reading magnification of the document G and the conveyance speed to obtain the delayed recording start time, and the user is ready to wind up and organize the roll paper Lp that cannot be stored. The image recording by the image recording unit 203 can be started from the delay recording start time which is sufficient for taking the image and having an appropriate waiting time. As a result, it is possible to appropriately prevent the roll paper (medium) P from falling from the medium storage unit (storage unit) 204 in a state where the usability of the digital copying apparatus 1 is further improved.

  Further, in the digital copying apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 205 needs a warm-up time until the image recording unit 203 shifts from a standby state to a printable state, and the warm-up time is the waiting time. If it is shorter than the time, the timing of the delay recording start time is started, and the warming-up waiting time is adjusted to match the end of the warming-up time with the end time of the delay recording start time. Then, the image recording unit 203 is started to warm up.

  Therefore, even in the image forming apparatus including the image recording unit 203 that requires a warm-up time from the standby state to the printable state, the roll paper Lp, which is a recording medium, can be stored in the medium storage unit 204. If there is not, the image recording unit 203 can start recording an image from the delay recording start time with a sufficient waiting time for the user to take up the roll paper Lp that can not be stored. . As a result, it is possible to prevent the roll paper (medium) P from falling off from the medium storage unit (storage unit) 204 while improving the usability of the digital copying apparatus 1 as an image forming apparatus.

  Further, in the digital copying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the image recording unit 203 records an image by placing a recording material (toner, ink, etc.) on the roll paper Lp, and the recording material is predetermined on the roll paper Lp. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit (fixing unit) 6 that is fixed using a fixing roller (fixing member) 6a heated to a fixing temperature of 5 ° C., and that can be lowered to a predetermined standby temperature lower than the fixing temperature when image recording is completed. The control unit 205 obtains the warm-up time based on the time required for the fixing unit 6 to be heated from the standby temperature to the fixing temperature.

  Therefore, even when the fixing unit 6 that requires warm-up time is provided, when the roll paper Lp that is a recording medium cannot be stored in the medium storage unit 204, the user can select the roll paper Lp that cannot be stored. The image recording by the image recording unit 203 can be started from the delayed recording start time with a sufficient waiting time to take up the arrangement for winding and organizing. As a result, it is possible to prevent the roll paper (medium) P from falling off from the medium storage unit (storage unit) 204 while improving the usability of the digital copying apparatus 1 as an image forming apparatus.

  The digital copying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment further includes an operation display unit (setting unit) 16 for appropriately setting the waiting time, and the control unit 205 sets the waiting time set by the operation display unit 16. Based on the above, the delayed recording start time is obtained.

  Accordingly, the standby time can be set as appropriate according to the usage environment of the digital copying apparatus 1 and the user's response status to the roll paper Lp, and the user can take up and organize roll paper Lp that cannot be stored. The image recording by the image recording unit 203 can be started from the delayed recording start time with a sufficient and appropriate waiting time. As a result, it is possible to prevent the roll paper (medium) P from falling from the medium storage unit (storage unit) 204 in a state where the usability of the digital copying apparatus 1 which is an image forming apparatus is further improved.

  Further, the digital copying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment further includes an operation display unit 16 that notifies and outputs information, in particular, a display (notification unit) 16a, and the control unit 205 performs the following based on the delay recording start time. The recording start waiting time until the image recording unit 203 starts image recording is obtained, and the display 16a is notified of the recording start waiting time.

  Therefore, the user can know the time required to prepare the posture for preventing the roll paper Lp from falling out. As a result, it is possible to prevent the roll paper (medium) P from falling from the medium storage unit (storage unit) 204 in a state where the usability of the digital copying apparatus 1 which is an image forming apparatus is further improved.

  The digital copying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment further includes an operation display unit (extension instruction unit) 16 that instructs extension of the delayed recording start time, and the control unit 205 uses the operation display unit 16 to extend the extension. When there is an instruction to extend the recording start time, the delayed recording start time is extended according to the instruction.

  Therefore, the user can appropriately extend the recording start time when there is not enough time to prepare the posture for preventing the roll paper Lp from falling out. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent spilling of the roll paper (medium) P from the medium storage unit (storage unit) 204 in a state where the usability of the digital copying apparatus 1 which is an image forming apparatus is further improved. it can.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital copying apparatus 2 Main body housing | casing 3 Paper feed part 4 Conveyance part 5 Image formation part 6 Fixing part 6a Fixing roller 6b Pressure roller 6c Fixing heater 6d Thermistor 7 Paper discharge part 8 Original reading part 8a Image amplification circuit 8b AD conversion circuit 8c Shading correction circuit 8d Image processing circuit 8e Synchronization control circuit 8f Reading control circuit 8g Scanner drive unit 10 Manual feed tray 11 Paper discharge tray 12 Paper output stacker 13 Document base 14 Long document output tray 15 Document output tray 16 Operation display unit 16a Display 16b Operation panel 16c Extension key 21 Sending roller 22 Conveying roller 23 Registration roller 31 Photoreceptor 32 Optical writing unit 32a LED writing control circuit 32b, 32c, 32d LPH
33 Developing section 34 Transfer section 35 Separating section 36 Transport tank 41, 42 Paper discharge roller 51 Document roller 52 Contact sensor 53 White reference member 54 Document feed roller 55 Separation claw 56, 57 Document discharge roller 100 Engine control section 100a System control section 101 Fixing power control unit 101a Fixing control unit 101b Zero cross circuit 102 Memory unit 102a Image memory 201 Document reading unit 202 Document storage unit 203 Image recording unit 204 Medium storage unit 205 Control unit Lp Roll paper G Document H1 Warm-up time calculation table G1 Waiting for setting Time change screen

JP 11-292368 A

Claims (10)

An original reading means for reading an image of an original and outputting image data;
Image recording means for recording an image on the recording medium while conveying the recording medium based on the image data;
Medium storage means for storing the recording medium on which an image is recorded and discharged;
Based on the result of reading the image of the original by the original reading means, it is determined whether the length of the recording medium recorded by the image recording means is a length that can be stored in the medium storage means. When the length of the recording medium exceeds the length that can be stored in the medium storage means, the length of the recording medium is the length that can be stored in the medium storage means. Control means for obtaining a delayed recording start time that is delayed by a predetermined waiting time from the normal recording start time of the image on the recording medium based on the read result, and starting image recording by the image recording means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus includes:
Document storage means for storing a document read by the document reading means,
In addition,
The document reading means includes:
Read the image while transporting the document,
The control means includes
It is determined whether the length of the document read by the document reading unit is a length that can be stored in the document storage unit, and the length of the document is a length that can be stored in the document storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waiting time is shortened by a predetermined time, and the delayed recording start time is obtained as a time close to the normal recording start time. The document reading means includes:
Read the image while transporting the document,
The control means includes
3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the delay recording start time is obtained by setting the waiting time based on a reading magnification of the document by the document reading unit and a conveyance speed of the document. Forming equipment. The control means includes
When the image recording means needs a warm-up time until the image recording means shifts from a standby state to a printable state, and the warm-up time is shorter than the waiting time, the time measurement of the delayed recording start time is started, and 2. A warm-up waiting time that matches the end of the warm-up time with the end time of the delayed recording start time is obtained, and when the warm-up waiting time has elapsed, the image recording means starts warm-up. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The image recording means includes
An image is recorded by placing a recording material on the recording medium, the recording material is fixed to the recording medium using a fixing member heated to a predetermined fixing temperature, and when image recording is completed, It has fixing means that can be lowered to a predetermined standby temperature lower than the fixing temperature,
The control means includes
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the warm-up time is obtained based on a time required for the fixing unit to be heated from the standby temperature to the fixing temperature. The image forming apparatus includes:
Setting means for appropriately setting the waiting time,
In addition,
The control means includes
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the delay recording start time is obtained based on the waiting time set by the setting unit. The image forming apparatus includes:
An informing means for informing and outputting information,
In addition,
The control means includes
2. The recording start waiting time until the image recording start by the image recording unit is obtained based on the delayed recording start time, and the notification starting unit is notified of the recording start waiting time. Item 7. The image forming apparatus according to Item 6. The image forming apparatus includes:
Extension instruction means for instructing extension of the delayed recording start time,
In addition,
The control means includes
8. The delay recording start time is extended in accordance with the instruction when the extension instruction means instructs to extend the extension recording start time. Image forming apparatus. A document reading process step of reading an image of the document and outputting image data;
An image recording processing step of recording an image on the recording medium while conveying the recording medium based on the image data;
A medium storage processing step of storing the recording medium on which an image is recorded and discharged into a medium storage means;
Based on the reading result of the original image in the original reading processing step, it is determined whether the length of the recording medium recorded in the image recording processing step is a length that can be stored in the medium storing means. When the length of the recording medium exceeds the length that can be stored in the medium storage means, the image recording when the length of the recording medium is the length that can be stored in the medium storage means Control for starting image recording in the image recording processing step by obtaining a delayed recording start time that is delayed by a predetermined waiting time from the normal recording start time of the image on the recording medium in the processing step based on the read result Processing steps;
An image forming method characterized by comprising: To the control processor,
A document reading process of reading an image of a document and outputting image data;
An image recording process for recording an image on the recording medium while conveying the recording medium based on the image data;
A medium storing process for storing the recording medium on which an image is recorded and discharged into a medium storing means;
Based on the result of reading the image of the document in the document reading process, it is determined whether the length of the recording medium recorded by the image recording process is a length that can be stored in the medium storing means, When the length of the recording medium exceeds the length that can be stored in the medium storage means, the image recording processing when the length of the recording medium is the length that can be stored in the medium storage means A delay recording start time that is later than the normal recording start time of the image on the recording medium by a predetermined waiting time based on the reading result, and a control process for starting image recording by the image recording process;
An image forming program for executing

Images