JP2017187668A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The waiting time until printing is possible is further reduced. When a system control unit 193 is activated upon power-on or when returning from an energy saving mode, prediction information related to fixing control is acquired from information on a usage status managed by a usage status management unit 190, and heating and pressurization are performed. To notify the fixing control unit 188 for fixing the toner image on the sheet. Accordingly, the fixing control unit 188 can perform fixing control of the fixing unit 130 in accordance with the usage status of the user. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus suitable for shortening a printing process at the time of startup upon power-on or when returning from an energy saving mode such as sleep.

  For example, in an image forming apparatus that is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) such as a printer, a multifunction printer, or a multifunction peripheral, a toner image is fixed on a sheet by pressurization and heating in a fixing unit. The temperature at the fixing unit is controlled by the fixing control unit according to the paper size and the like.

  By the way, the fixing control unit executes the fixing control such as heating after receiving an instruction from the system control unit that is responsible for the overall control. The instruction from the system control unit is an operation check of each unit according to the control program. Issued after preparation. For this reason, a waiting time occurs in the fixing control of the fixing unit by the fixing control unit, and rapid image formation may not be performed.

  In order to solve such a problem, in Patent Document 1, the communication control unit and the engine control unit are connected by a dedicated line, and the communication control unit is activated when the power is turned on or when returning from an energy saving mode such as sleep. When the user operation signal indicating that the operation of the image forming apparatus is detected is sent to the engine control unit, the engine control unit heats the fixing unit based on the setting value of the fixing temperature stored in the memory. is suggesting.

JP 2009-037208 A

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, a user indicating that the engine control unit has detected an operation of the image forming apparatus from the communication control unit at the time of startup upon power-on or when returning from an energy saving mode such as sleep. When the operation signal is received, the fixing unit is heated based on the set value of the fixing temperature stored in the memory, so that the waiting time until printing is possible can be shortened.

  By the way, the temperature of the fixing unit needs to be controlled in accordance with the print setting contents such as the paper size, monochrome printing, and color printing in order to satisfactorily fix the toner image on the paper.

  However, the setting value of the fixing temperature when the engine control unit of Patent Document 1 controls is a predetermined fixed value. In this case, since the usage situation differs for each user who uses the image forming apparatus, the setting value of the fixing temperature is significantly different from that according to the setting contents of the user's printing.

  For this reason, the fixing control of the fixing unit according to the printing setting contents cannot be performed until the user's printing setting contents are known, and the waiting time until printing becomes possible cannot be further reduced. There is.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of solving the above problems.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a fixing control unit that fixes a toner image on a sheet, a usage status management unit that manages information about usage status, and the usage status when the power is turned on or when returning from the energy saving mode. And a system control unit that obtains prediction information related to fixing control from the information related to the fixing control unit and notifies the fixing control unit.
In addition, a plurality of paper feed stages are provided, and the usage status information includes priority paper feed stage settings, usage time and print history related usage data, and paper feed stages related to the paper stored in each of the paper feed stages. It includes storage data, usage history data relating to the number of sheets used, the number of sheets used in monochrome printing, the number of sheets used in color printing, and the number of function settings.
In addition, a panel unit is provided, and the system control unit accumulates each setting content in the information on the usage status each time an operation is performed through the panel unit.
The system control unit may notify the fixing control unit of information indicating the difference when there is a difference between the setting content via the panel unit and the prediction information.
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the system control unit is started by turning on the power or when returning from the energy saving mode, prediction information related to fixing control is acquired from information on the usage status managed by the usage status management unit, and heating and The fixing control unit that fixes the toner image on the sheet by pressurization is notified. As a result, the fixing control unit can perform fixing control in accordance with the usage status of the user.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the fixing control unit can perform fixing control in accordance with the usage status of the user, the waiting time until printing is possible can be further shortened.

1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the control system of the MFP. It is a figure for demonstrating the utilization relevant information which the utilization condition management part of FIG. 2 manages. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of acquisition of the prediction information by the system control part of FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining processing by the MFP of FIG. 1.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As an example of the image forming apparatus in the following description, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) which is a composite peripheral device equipped with a print function, a copy function, a FAX (Facsimile) function, a data transmission / reception function via a network, and the like. ).

  First, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a sheet feeding unit 110, a printer unit 120, a fixing unit 130, a conveyance unit 150, and the like are mounted inside a main body 101 of the MFP 100. Reference numeral 160 denotes a paper feeding unit, and reference numeral 161 denotes a paper discharge tray.

  The paper feeding unit 110 accommodates a plurality of paper feeding cassettes 112 that can accommodate various papers 111 having different paper sizes and paper types. Each paper feed cassette 112 is provided with a paper feed roller 113. The paper feed roller 113 sends out the paper 111 from the paper feed cassette 112 to the shared transport path 110 a provided in each paper feed cassette 112.

  The printer unit 120 includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a charging device, and an exposure device (not shown), and includes an image forming unit (M) 121, an image forming unit (C) 122, an image forming unit (Y) 123, and an image forming unit. (B) 124 is provided. The image forming unit (M) 121 is for magenta, the image forming unit (C) 122 is for cyan, the image forming unit (Y) 123 is for yellow, and the image forming unit (B) 124 is for black. is there.

  The printer unit 120 includes primary transfer rollers 125 a to 125 d, a drive roller 126, a driven roller 127, an intermediate transfer belt 128, and a secondary transfer roller 129. The image forming unit (M) 121, the image forming unit (C) 122, the image forming unit (Y) 123, and the image forming unit (B) 124 are based on print data and are not shown in the drawing by charging, exposing, and developing processes. A toner image is formed on the drum. The primary transfer rollers 125 a to 125 d transfer a toner image on a photosensitive drum (not shown) onto an intermediate transfer belt 128 that is stretched around a driving roller 126 and a driven roller 127. The secondary transfer roller 129 is pressed from the back side of the paper 111 and transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 128 to the front side of the paper 111.

  The fixing unit 130 includes a heating roller 131, a pressure roller 132, a heater 133, and a pressure adjustment mechanism unit 134. The heating roller 131 gives heat from the heater 133 to the paper 111. The pressure roller 132 presses the paper 111 against the heating roller 131 side. The pressure applied by the pressure roller 132 is adjusted by the pressure adjustment mechanism unit 134. Then, the fixing unit 130 applies pressure by the pressure roller 132 and heat by the heating roller 131 to the paper 111 on which the toner image is transferred by the driving roller 126 and the secondary transfer roller 129. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper 111. The pressure adjusting mechanism unit 134 includes a pressing member that presses the pressing roller 132 in the direction of the heating roller 131, a spring, and a driving unit such as a stepping motor, and moves the pressing member by operating the driving unit. As a result, the pressure of the pressure roller 132 is adjusted.

  The conveyance unit 150 includes conveyance roller units 151 to 154. In addition, each conveyance roller part 151-154 has a drive roller and a driven roller. The conveyance roller units 151 to 154 are disposed on a conveyance path 150 a extending from the common conveyance path 110 a to the paper discharge tray 161. Note that the secondary transfer roller 129 and the fixing unit 130 of the printer unit 120 described above are arranged between the transport roller units 151 to 152. For example, when printing is set, the conveyance rollers 151 to 154 convey the paper 111 from the shared conveyance path 110a along the conveyance path 150a in the direction of arrow a and discharge it to the paper discharge tray 161. In addition, the toner image is fixed by the heating roller 131 and the pressure roller 132 of the fixing unit 130 to the paper 111 on which the toner image is transferred by the secondary transfer roller 129 of the printer unit 120 between the transport roller units 151 to 152. Let

  Next, an example of the configuration of the control system of the MFP 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The MFP 100 includes a scanner unit 170, a printer unit 120, a FAX unit 171, an I / F (interface) 172, a fixing unit 130, a panel unit 173, and a control unit 180 that controls the HDD 174.

  The scanner unit 170 is a device that converts an image of a document (not shown) read by an image sensor (not shown) into digital image data and inputs the digital image data to the control unit 180. The printer unit 120 is a device that prints an image on the paper 111 based on print data output from the control unit 180. The FAX unit 171 is a device that transmits the data output from the control unit 180 to the counterpart facsimile via the telephone line, and receives the data from the counterpart facsimile and inputs the data to the control unit 180.

  The I / F 172 is a device such as a network interface card that handles communication with other user terminals, content servers, web servers, etc. via a network such as an in-house LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The panel unit 173 is a device such as a touch panel that performs a display for various functions such as a print function, a copy function, a FAX function, a data transmission / reception function via a network, and the MFP 100. The HDD 174 is a storage device that stores application programs for providing various functions of the MFP 100.

  Control unit 180 is a processor that controls the overall operation of MFP 100 by executing an image forming program, a control program, and the like. The control unit 180 includes a scanner control unit 181, a printer control unit 182, a FAX control unit 183, a communication control unit 184, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 185, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 186, an image processing unit 187, a fixing control unit. 188, a transport roller control unit 189, a usage status management unit 190, a panel operation control unit 191, an HDD control unit 192, and a system control unit 193. These are connected to the data bus 194.

  The scanner control unit 181 controls the reading operation of the scanner unit 170. The printer control unit 182 controls the printing operation of the printer unit 120. The FAX control unit 183 controls data transmission / reception operations by the FAX unit 171. The communication control unit 184 controls transmission / reception of data or the like via a network (not shown) via the I / F 172.

  The RAM 185 is a work memory for executing a program. The RAM 185 stores print data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 187. The ROM 186 stores a control program for performing an operation check of each unit. The image processing unit 187 performs image processing (rasterization) on image data read by the scanner unit 170, for example.

  Although the details will be described later, the fixing control unit 188 receives prediction information related to fixing control from the system control unit 193, and controls the fixing unit 130 based on the prediction information when receiving a processing start instruction from the system control unit 193. To do. In this case, the fixing control unit 188 controls the temperature of the heater 133 based on the prediction information. Further, the fixing control unit 188 controls the pressure applied by the pressure roller 132 by the pressure adjustment mechanism unit 134 based on the prediction information. For example, when printing is set, the transport roller control unit 189 drives the transport roller units 151 to 154 in the forward direction (the direction in which the paper 111 is transported in the direction of arrow a along the transport path 150a).

  The usage status management unit 190 manages information related to the usage status of the MFP 100. The usage status management unit 190 manages usage related data 190a, cassette accommodation data 190b, and usage history data 190c, which will be described later.

  The panel operation control unit 191 controls the display operation of the panel unit 173. Further, the panel operation control unit 191 receives the start of printing, copying, FAX, data transmission / reception via a network, and the like via the panel unit 173. Further, the panel operation control unit 191 receives settings such as paper size, monochrome printing, and color printing via the panel unit 173 and notifies the system control unit 193 of the settings. The HDD control unit 192 controls reading and writing of data with respect to the HDD 174.

  The system control unit 193 controls the cooperative operation of each unit. As will be described in detail later, the system control unit 193 acquires prediction information related to the fixing control at the time of start-up upon power-on or when returning from an energy saving mode such as sleep, and the acquired information is acquired by the fixing control unit 188. Notify prediction information. Further, after the notification of the obtained prediction information, the system control unit 193 checks whether there is a difference between the setting content and the prediction information when the print setting is performed via the panel unit 173, for example. If there is, information indicating the difference is notified to the fixing control unit 188 again. Further, the system control unit 193 displays the setting contents for the usage related data 190a and the cassette storage data 190b each time any of the FAX setting, print job print setting, and copy setting is performed via the panel unit 173. And accumulated in the usage history data 190c.

  Next, usage related information managed by the usage status management unit 190 will be described with reference to FIG. The usage status management unit 190 manages usage related data 190a, cassette accommodation data 190b, and usage history data 190c. The usage-related data 190a, cassette accommodation data 190b, and usage history data 190c are stored in a storage device such as the HDD 174 or an SSD (Solid State Drive) not shown. The usage-related data 190a, the cassette storage data 190b, and the usage history data 190c are set every time any of the FAX setting, print job print setting, and copy setting is performed via the panel unit 173. Are cumulative.

  The usage related data 190a includes usage related information related to priority paper feed stage settings, usage time, printing history, and the like. Note that the priority paper feed stage setting may be the paper feed cassette 112 set by the user, or the paper feed cassette 112 with the highest feed priority set in the MFP 100 in advance. . In any case, information indicating the paper feed cassette 112 fed when the user uses the MFP 100 is included. Further, the print history includes paper information indicating the paper size, paper weight, paper type, and the like of the paper 111 used according to user settings, and print information indicating monochrome printing or color printing. .

  The cassette storage data 190b includes paper storage information indicating the paper size, paper weight, paper type, number of sheets, and the like of the paper 111 stored in each paper feed cassette 112. Note that the paper storage information includes information indicating that the paper 111 is not stored in the paper feed cassette 112.

  The usage history data 190 c includes sheet count information indicating how many sheets are used for each sheet size of the sheet 111. The paper size is counted separately for each paper weight and paper type. The usage history data 190c also includes count information for each color indicating the number of sheets used in monochrome printing and the number of sheets used in color printing. The usage history data 190c also includes function setting count information indicating the number of times each of FAX setting, print setting, and copy setting.

  Then, the system control unit 193 fixes from the usage related data 190a, the cassette accommodation data 190b, and the usage history data 190c managed by the usage status management unit 190 at the time of start-up upon power-on or when returning from the energy saving mode such as sleep. Predictive information related to the control is acquired and notified to the fixing control unit 188. Note that the prediction information is acquired based on most information related to user usage, such as usage-related data 190a, cassette accommodation data 190b, and usage history data 190c managed by the usage status management unit 190. It will be in accordance with the usage situation.

  The temperature at the fixing unit 130 is appropriately controlled according to monochrome printing or color printing in addition to the paper size, paper weight, and paper type, but is also appropriately controlled depending on the position of the paper feed stage. . That is, if the paper feed cassettes 112 that are paper feed stages are arranged vertically as shown in FIG. 1, the distances from the respective paper feed cassettes 112 to the fixing unit 130 are different. In this case, when the paper is fed from the upper paper cassette 112, the temperature of the fixing unit 130 is set to an appropriate temperature earlier than when the paper is fed from the lower paper cassette 112. Is controlled.

  Next, an example of obtaining prediction information by the system control unit 193 will be described with reference to FIG. The following procedure is performed every time when the power is turned on or when returning from an energy saving mode such as sleep.

(Step S101)
The system control unit 193 acquires the usage related data 190 a managed by the usage status management unit 190.

(Step S102)
The system control unit 193 acquires the cassette storage data 190b managed by the usage status management unit 190.

(Step S103)
The system control unit 193 acquires the usage history data 190c managed by the usage status management unit 190.

(Step S104)
The system control unit 193 aggregates the acquired usage related data 190a, cassette accommodation data 190b, and usage history data 190c.

(Step S105)
The system control unit 193 determines color settings.
In this case, the system control unit 193 refers to the aggregated usage related data 190a, cassette accommodation data 190b, and usage history data 190c to determine whether there are many color settings or monochrome settings. That is, the system control unit 193 refers to the count information for each color indicating the number of sheets used in monochrome printing or the number of sheets used in color printing, which is included in the use history data 190c. If the number is larger than the number of sheets used, it is determined that the color setting is made. On the other hand, when the number of sheets used in monochrome printing is larger than the number of sheets used in color printing, it is determined that the setting is monochrome.

(Step S106)
The system control unit 193 determines color information.
In this case, the system control unit 193 determines the color information as the color setting when it is determined as the color setting. On the other hand, when the system control unit 193 determines that the monochrome setting is selected, the system control unit 193 determines the color information to be the monochrome setting.

(Step S107)
The system control unit 193 determines the print type.
In this case, the system control unit 193 refers to the function setting count information indicating the number of times each of the FAX setting, the print setting, and the copy setting included in the usage history data 190c, and the FAX setting is based on the print setting and the copy setting. If so, it is determined that the fax setting is set.
In contrast, if the print setting is greater than the FAX setting and the copy setting, the system control unit 193 determines that the print setting is set.
Further, the system control unit 193 determines that the copy setting is made when the copy setting is larger than the FAX setting and the print setting.

(Step S108)
The system control unit 193 determines the print type.
In this case, when it is determined as the FAX setting, the printing type is determined to be the FAX setting. When the system control unit 193 determines that the print setting is set, the system control unit 193 determines the print type as the print setting. When the system control unit 193 determines that the copy setting is set, the system control unit 193 determines the print type as the copy setting.

(Step S109)
The system control unit 193 determines the paper feed stage setting.
In this case, the system control unit 193 refers to the sheet count information indicating how many sheets have been used for each sheet size of the sheet 111 included in the usage history data 190c, and determines the most frequently used sheet 111. Determine the paper size. Since the paper size is counted separately for each paper weight and paper type, it is necessary to consider the paper weight and paper type when determining the paper size of the paper 111. That is, among the most frequently used papers 111, the paper 111 corresponding to the most paper weight and paper type is determined as the paper size of the most frequently used paper 111. However, in the following, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that when determining the paper size of the most frequently used paper 111, the weight of the paper and the paper type are taken into account.
In addition, the system control unit 193 refers to the usage related information included in the usage related data 190a and determines the most frequently set priority paper feed stage setting. Further, the system control unit 193 refers to the sheet accommodation information indicating the sheet size, the sheet weight, the sheet type, the number of sheets, and the like of the sheets 111 stored in the respective sheet cassettes 112 included in the cassette storage data 190b. The cassette setting is determined.
Here, if the paper 111 of the most frequently used paper size is stored in the paper feeding cassette 112 corresponding to the priority paper feeding stage that is set most frequently, the system control unit 193 performs priority feeding. The paper feed cassette 112 corresponding to the paper stage is determined to be the priority paper feed stage setting.
On the other hand, the system control unit 193 determines that the most frequently used paper size 111 is not stored in the paper feeding cassette 112 corresponding to the most frequently set priority paper feeding stage. The other paper feed cassette 112 in which the paper 111 of the most frequently used paper size is stored is determined as the cassette setting.

(Step S110)
The system control unit 193 determines a paper feed stage. When the paper feed stage is determined, the paper size, paper weight, and paper type are also determined.
In this case, when the system control unit 193 determines that the priority paper feed stage is set, the system control unit 193 determines the paper feed stage as the priority paper feed stage.
Further, when the system control unit 193 determines that the other paper feed cassette 112 is set as a cassette, the system control unit 193 determines the paper feed stage as the other paper feed cassette 112.

(Step S111)
The system control unit 193 aggregates the color information determined in step S106, the print type determined in step S108, and the paper feed stage (including paper size, paper weight, and paper type) determined in step S110, Prediction information related to fixing control is generated.
Here, the prediction information indicates either color setting or monochrome setting, one of FAX setting, print setting, copy setting, and a paper feed stage (including paper size, paper weight, and paper type). It becomes.

(Step S112)
The system control unit 193 notifies the fixing control unit 188 of the prediction information.

  Next, processing performed by the MFP 100 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, for convenience of explanation, processing at the time of return from an energy saving mode such as sleep will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that print settings are made via the panel unit 173 after returning from an energy saving mode such as sleep.

(Step S201)
The system control unit 193 determines whether or not the system has returned from an energy saving mode such as sleep.
In this case, if there is no notification from the panel operation control unit 191 indicating that the panel unit 173 has been operated, the system control unit 193 determines that it has not returned from the energy saving mode such as sleep (step S201: No). On the other hand, if there is a notification from the panel operation control unit 191 indicating that the panel unit 173 has been operated, the system control unit 193 determines that the operation has returned from the energy saving mode such as sleep (step S201: Yes), the process proceeds to step S202.

(Step S202)
The system control unit 193 acquires prediction information.
In this case, the system control unit 193 acquires usage-related data 190a, cassette accommodation data 190b, and usage history data 190c managed by the usage status management unit 190 according to the procedure described in FIG.

(Step S203)
The system control unit 193 notifies the fixing control unit 188 of the prediction information.

(Step S204)
The system control unit 193 determines whether print settings have been made.
In this case, the system control unit 193 determines that the print setting is not performed if there is no notification from the panel operation control unit 191 that the print setting has been performed via the panel unit 173 (step S204: No). ). On the other hand, if there is a notification from the panel operation control unit 191 indicating that the print setting has been performed via the panel unit 173, the system control unit 193 determines that the print setting has been performed (step S204: Yes), the process proceeds to step S205.
Note that the print settings include paper information indicating the paper size, paper weight, paper type, and the like, and print information indicating monochrome printing or color printing. Further, when the user designates the paper feed cassette 112 via the panel unit 173, information indicating the designated paper feed cassette 112 is also included.

(Step S205)
The system control unit 193 determines whether there is a difference between the print setting contents and the prediction information.
In this case, when the system control unit 193 determines that there is a difference between the print setting content and the prediction information (step S205: Yes), the system control unit 193 proceeds to step S208.
On the other hand, when the system control unit 193 determines that there is no difference between the print setting content and the prediction information (step S205: No), the system control unit 193 proceeds to step S206.
That is, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a difference by comparing the sheet information and the print information by the print setting via the panel unit 173 with the print information indicating the designated paper feed cassette 112 and the prediction information.

(Step S206)
The system control unit 193 instructs to start processing.
In this case, the system control unit 193 instructs the printer control unit 182, the image processing unit 187, the fixing control unit 188, the transport roller control unit 189, and the like related to printing to start processing.
Here, when it is determined that there is no difference between the print setting contents and the prediction information (step S205: No), the fixing control unit 188 controls the fixing unit 130 based on the prediction information received in advance. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a difference between the print setting content and the prediction information (step S205: Yes), the fixing control unit 188 controls the fixing unit 130 based on the prediction information and difference information described later. The fixing control unit 188 controls the temperature of the heater 133 based on the prediction information or the prediction information and the difference information. Further, the fixing control unit 188 controls the pressure applied by the pressure roller 132 by the pressure adjustment mechanism unit 134 based on the prediction information.
Further, the image processing unit 187 stores print data obtained by performing image processing on the print job in the RAM 185. Further, the transport roller control unit 189 drives the transport roller units 151 to 154 in the forward direction (the direction in which the paper 111 is transported in the direction of the arrow a along the transport path 150a), and the paper feed instructed by the system control unit 193. The paper 111 from the cassette 112 is conveyed to the printer unit 120 side. Further, the printer control unit 182 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 128 to the paper 111 based on the print data stored in the RAM 185. In addition, the fixing unit 130 applies pressure by the pressure roller 132 and heat by the heating roller 131 to the paper 111 on which the toner image is transferred by the driving roller 126 and the secondary transfer roller 129. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper 111.

(Step S207)
The system control unit 193 determines whether printing has been completed.
In this case, the system control unit 193 determines that the printing is not completed if there is no notification from the printer control unit 182 indicating that the printing has been completed (step S207: No).
On the other hand, the system control unit 193 determines that the printing is completed when there is a notification indicating the completion of printing from the printer control unit 182 (step S207: Yes).

(Step S208)
If there is a difference between the print setting content and the prediction information, the system control unit 193 notifies the difference information indicating the difference between the print setting content and the prediction information, and the process proceeds to step S206.
In this case, for example, if the paper size set via the panel unit 173 is A5 and the paper size of the prediction information is A4, the system control unit 193 performs fixing control of difference information indicating that the paper size is A5. Notification to the unit 188.
For example, if the color setting set via the panel unit 173 is color printing and the color setting of the prediction information is monochrome printing, the fixing control unit 188 is notified of difference information indicating color printing.
Further, for example, if the paper feed cassette 112 designated via the panel unit 173 is other than the priority paper feed stage and the paper feed stage of the prediction information is the priority paper feed stage, the difference information indicating the designated paper feed cassette 112 is obtained. Is notified to the fixing control unit 188.

  As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, when the system control unit 193 is activated by power-on or when returning from an energy saving mode such as sleep, prediction information related to fixing control is obtained from information on the usage status managed by the usage status management unit 190. Is acquired and notified to the fixing control unit 188 for fixing the toner image on the sheet by heating and pressing. As a result, the fixing control unit 188 can perform fixing control of the fixing unit 130 in accordance with the usage status of the user, so that the waiting time until printing is possible can be further reduced.

100 MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Main body 110 Paper feed part 110a Shared conveyance path 111 Paper 112 Paper feed cassette 113 Paper feed roller 120 Printer part 121 Image forming unit (M)
122 Image forming unit (C)
123 Image forming unit (Y)
124 Image forming unit (B)
125a to 125d Primary transfer roller 126 Driving roller 127 Driven roller 128 Intermediate transfer belt 129 Secondary transfer roller 130 Fixing unit 131 Heating roller 132 Pressure roller 133 Heater 134 Pressure adjusting mechanism unit 150 Conveying unit 150a Conveying paths 151 to 154 Conveying Roller unit 160 Paper feed unit 161 Paper discharge tray 170 Scanner unit 171 FAX unit 172 I / F
173 Panel unit 174 HDD
180 Control Unit 181 Scanner Control Unit 182 Printer Control Unit 183 FAX Control Unit 184 Communication Control Unit 185 RAM
186 ROM
187 Image processing unit 188 Fixing control unit 189 Transport roller control unit 190 Usage status management unit 190a Usage related data 190b Cassette storage data 190c Usage history data 191 Panel operation control unit 192 HDD control unit 193 System control unit 194 Data bus

Claims (4)

A fixing control unit for fixing the toner image on the paper;
A usage status management unit for managing information on usage status;
An image forming system comprising: a system control unit that obtains prediction information related to fixing control from the information related to the usage status upon startup upon power-on or when returning from the energy saving mode, and notifies the fixing control unit apparatus. With multiple paper feeders,
Information on the usage status is as follows:
Use-related data regarding priority paper feed setting, use time and print history,
Paper feed stage accommodation data relating to the paper contained in each of the paper feed stages;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: usage history data relating to the number of sheets used, the number of sheets used in monochrome printing, the number of sheets used in color printing, and the number of function settings. It has a panel part,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the system control unit accumulates each setting content in the information on the usage status each time an operation is performed through the panel unit.   The system control unit according to claim 3, wherein when there is a difference between the setting content via the panel unit and the prediction information, the system control unit notifies the fixing control unit of information indicating the difference. Image forming apparatus.

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