JPH08224946A - Compound image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] To provide a composite image forming apparatus which can be smoothly restored without waste even if the composite image forming apparatus becomes inoperable. Further, the present invention provides a composite image forming apparatus that can appropriately and smoothly respond to a user even when the composite image forming apparatus becomes inoperable. Further, even if an error is confirmed in any one of the plurality of image forming means and the image formation becomes impossible, a composite image that enables image formation by substituting the other image forming means A forming apparatus is provided. A composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means is provided with a display section capable of displaying at least the operating conditions of the plurality of image forming means. Further, when one of the image forming units becomes inoperable, the other image forming unit is kept in an operable state. Furthermore, when one of the image forming means becomes incapable of image forming operation. An image is formed by substituting the image forming operation of this image forming means by another image forming means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means of different image forming systems.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers are frequently used in offices and the like, and image quality and recording speed have been conventionally improved. In recent years, the introduction of color technology has increased the demand for color copying machines, printers, and the like. However, color recording is more expensive and recording speed is slower than monochromatic recording.

Therefore, recently, a color copying machine or a printer in which different image forming means are combined has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-332666). As an example of the structure of an image forming apparatus in which different image forming units are combined,
As shown in FIG. 19, a plurality of inkjet heads 56.
The image forming means C by an ink jet recording system for performing color recording by means of a recording device, and a charger 5 around the photosensitive drum 50.
1, an exposure device 52, a developing device 53, a transfer device 54, a cleaning device 60, etc. are arranged, and an image is formed in combination with an image forming device D by an electrophotographic system in which the toner transferred to the recording medium 59 is fixed by a heat fixing device 55. There is an apparatus in which a recording medium is conveyed from the forming unit C to the image forming unit D, the image is formed by the image forming unit D, and then the sheet is discharged by the discharging unit 58.

In the above apparatus, in the case of color recording, the image forming means C is used to obtain an inexpensive color image which is an advantage of the ink jet recording system. On the other hand, in the case of monochrome recording, the image forming means D is used to obtain high-speed and high-quality images, which are advantages of the electrophotographic method. By doing so, color recording can be performed at a lower price than electrophotographic color image forming apparatuses, and black-and-white recording can be performed at higher quality and at higher speed than inkjet recording image forming apparatuses. Equipment will be provided.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since there are two image forming means, a device having only one image forming means (for example, trade name BJ-10V).
Inkjet printers, etc., product name Laser Shot L
LBP such as BP-B406GII, and further GP
The image forming apparatus is more likely to be unusable for some reason than a copier such as -55. This is because even if one image forming unit can be used, if the other image forming unit cannot be used, the operation as the image forming apparatus becomes impossible.

Further, the reason why the above-mentioned image forming apparatus becomes unusable is considered as follows. (1) When the image forming apparatus causes a paper jam (so-called jam), in the conventional example, when a jam occurs in either the image forming unit C or D, the operation as the image forming apparatus becomes impossible. (2) The developer of the image forming apparatus (in the above-mentioned conventional example, the ink used in the image forming unit C and the image forming unit D
(Toner used in) is no longer consumed,
In the conventional example, when either the ink of the image forming unit C or the toner of the image forming unit D runs out, the image forming operation of the entire apparatus becomes impossible. (3) When the components of the image forming apparatus reach the end of their lives, in the conventional example, when one of the components of the image forming means (for example, the ink jet head 56 or the like) reaches the end of its life and becomes unusable, the entire apparatus becomes unusable. The image forming operation becomes impossible. (4) Image data output by either the image forming means C or D due to inconvenience in a controller system of the image forming apparatus or an external device (for example, a computer, a scanner, etc.) that outputs image data to the image forming apparatus. Is not normally input, in the conventional example, if the image data output by the image forming unit D is normally input, but the image data output by the image forming unit C is inconvenient, The image forming operation as a whole becomes impossible. If the image forming apparatus becomes unusable due to these reasons, the following inconvenience will occur.

(1) When returning the image forming apparatus to the operable state, in the conventional example, it is necessary to restart both the image forming means C and D. So, for example,
When a jam, no ink, or the like occurs in the image forming unit C, it is necessary to restart the image forming unit D even if the image forming apparatus D is in an operable state. In the case where the image forming means D is an image forming means having the thermal fixing device 55 as shown in the conventional example, when the operation of the entire apparatus becomes impossible, energization to the thermal fixing device 55 is cut off, and the image is formed. Since the forming means D is also in an unusable state, unnecessary power is consumed when it is restarted.

Further, it is necessary to initialize not only the image forming means C but also the memory relation of D. Due to this extra operation (that is, the operation of reactivating and initializing the operable image forming unit), extra power and time are required to restore the entire apparatus. This impairs ease of use as compared with LBPs, inkjet printers, and the like, and cannot provide a comfortable environment for use to the user.

(2) When the entire apparatus becomes inoperable due to the above-mentioned reasons 1 to 4, etc., in the conventional example, the location and contents of the inconvenience in the apparatus are caused only by the inoperable operation of the apparatus. Becomes unknown. Therefore, the user needs to inspect the entire device. As a result, in addition to the inconvenient image forming means, the image forming means that can operate normally is inspected, which is very inconvenient.
It is troublesome.

The above-described inconvenience is that in the composite image forming apparatus, when one of the image forming means becomes inoperable for some reason as described above in Reasons 1 to 4, the entire apparatus operates. It is caused by an impossible state or because the location or content of the inconvenience remains unknown. As a result, even if a composite image forming apparatus capable of color output at low cost and high-speed monochrome output at high quality is provided as shown in the conventional example,
The user cannot use it in a comfortable environment due to the inconveniences 1 and 2 described above.

Further, according to the configuration of the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, one of the image forming means has a paper jam (hereinafter also referred to as a jam), a communication error of image data, a life of a component (for example, an inkjet). When an error such as a recording head of a system, a life of a process cartridge of an electrophotographic system, or the like occurs, the image forming operation of the apparatus becomes impossible. Particularly, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional example, there are two means for outputting a black image and an electrophotographic image forming means for outputting a black and white image, Bk ink of an ink jet type image forming means for outputting a color image. Nevertheless, if an error is confirmed in either one of the image forming means, it has become impossible to output a monochrome image.

In other words, when an error is confirmed in the electrophotographic image forming means, black and white image output becomes impossible even though there is Bk ink in the ink jet type image forming means, and the user is inconvenient to use. Will be forced.

Further, according to the structure of the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, even if the above-mentioned inconvenience does not occur in each image forming means, the developer of one of the image forming means (that is, the electrophotographic method is used). Toner of the image forming unit, Y (yellow) of the image forming unit using an inkjet method,
When M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black) ink are consumed and the remaining amount is other than the predetermined remaining amount, the image forming operation becomes impossible. Particularly, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional example, there is a unit capable of outputting two black images of Bk ink of an electrophotographic image forming unit for outputting a monochrome image and an inkjet image forming unit for outputting a color image. Nevertheless, if the electrophotographic image forming means runs out of toner, it becomes impossible to output a monochrome image.

That is, as in the case of the above-described error occurrence, when the toner of the electrophotographic image forming means runs out, the black-and-white image forming output is produced despite the Bk ink of the ink jet type image forming means. It becomes impossible, and the user is forced to use it inconveniently in this case as well.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience and to enable smooth recovery without waste even if the composite image forming apparatus becomes inoperable. To provide.

Further, a second object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience and provide a composite image forming apparatus capable of appropriately and smoothly responding to a user even when the composite image forming apparatus becomes inoperable. To do.

A third object of the present invention is to substitute another image forming means even if an image formation is impossible due to an error in any one of the plurality of image forming means. By doing so, it is to provide a composite image forming apparatus capable of forming an image.

Further, a fourth object of the present invention is to display the information when an error is confirmed in the image forming means by the display means, and whether another image forming means is substituted for this reason. Another object of the present invention is to provide a composite image forming apparatus in which the user can appropriately treat the contents by displaying the contents when the situation is being substituted.

Further, a fifth object of the present invention is to form another image even if the remaining amount of the developer of any one of the plurality of image forming means is reduced to an unimageable amount. An object of the present invention is to provide a composite image forming apparatus that enables image formation by substituting the means.

Further, a sixth object of the present invention is to display the information by the display means when the developer of the image forming means is insufficient, and for that reason, another image forming means is substituted. , Or when the situation is being substituted,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite image forming apparatus that allows a user to appropriately perform treatment by displaying the contents.

[0021]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means with a display section capable of displaying at least operation states of the plurality of image forming means. It is characterized by having.

With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the operating status of each image forming means through the display section, and when a problem such as a jam, running out of ink, running out of toner, etc. occurs, the user can Can be treated accurately. The display unit can display at least the operation content of the composite image forming apparatus and the operation content of each image forming unit.

Further, according to the present invention, in a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means, when one of the image forming means becomes inoperable, the other image forming means is made operable. Characterized by keeping.

Further, according to the present invention, in a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means, there is provided a display section capable of displaying operation status of at least the plurality of image forming means, and one of the image forming means operates. When it becomes impossible, the other image forming means is kept operable, and the status of the inoperable image forming means is displayed on the display section.

Further, the present invention operates in a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means when one of the image forming means becomes inoperable and the composite image forming apparatus becomes inoperable. It is characterized by having a return mode for returning the composite image forming means by returning only the impossible image forming means.

With this structure, the disadvantages 1 and 2 shown in the conventional example can be solved, and when the disadvantage occurs in the composite image forming apparatus, the user can take corrective action and at the same time, the power consumption and the power consumption are required. Can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional one.

Further, in the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means, the plurality of image forming means are a plurality of image forming means of different image forming systems,
One of the plurality of image forming units is an electrophotographic image forming unit, and the electrophotographic image forming unit heats a toner image formed on a recording material to permanently fix the toner image. A temperature adjusting unit having a fixing unit and capable of adjusting the temperature to a plurality of set temperatures having at least a first set temperature at which the heat fixing unit can perform a fixing operation and a second set temperature lower than the first set temperature. In addition, when the image formation other than the electrophotographic method becomes inoperable, the set temperature of the heat fixing unit is set to the set temperature equal to or lower than the second set temperature.

With such a configuration, it is possible to provide a color printer which can promote the achievement of the above-mentioned object and which is inexpensive and has high cost performance.

Further, when the electrophotographic image forming means becomes inoperative, the object of the present invention can be predominantly achieved by stopping the energization of the heat fixing means.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means,
When one of the image forming means becomes unable to perform an image forming operation, the image forming operation of this image forming means is substituted by another image forming means to form an image.

Further, according to the present invention, in a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means, an error confirming means for confirming an error of the image forming means and a driving result of the image forming means according to a confirmation result of the error confirming means. It is characterized by having a control means for controlling.

The control means has a control mode in which, when one of the error confirming means confirms an error, the image forming operation of the image forming means having the error confirming means is operated by another image forming means. Characterize.

In the above arrangement, the control means forms the image when the error is confirmed in one image forming means based on the confirmation result of the error confirming means of each image forming means and the image formation is impossible. The other image forming means is operated in place of the means to enable the composite image forming operation.

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized by having a display section for displaying the confirmation result of the error confirmation means and the operation status of the control mode.

In the above structure, the display section displays information about the error of each image forming means, and informs the user of the content when the error occurs. Further, by this, the content of the fact that the above-mentioned control mode is in operation is also displayed, and the user is informed of the operation status of the composite image forming apparatus at that time.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the error confirmation means for confirming an error of the image forming means is a detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the developer of the image forming means.
Here, the control means has a control mode in which when one of the detection means detects a predetermined remaining amount, the image forming operation of the image forming means having this detection means is operated by another image forming means. Characterize.

In the above arrangement, the control means sets 1 based on the detection output of the detection means of the remaining amount of the developer of each image forming means.
When the developer in one of the image forming units is insufficient and it becomes impossible to form an image, another image forming unit is operated in place of this image forming unit to enable the image forming operation of the composite image forming apparatus.

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized by having a display section for displaying the detection result of the detection means and the operation status of the control mode.

In the above structure, the display section displays information about the error of each image forming means, and informs the user of the content when the error occurs. Further, by this, the content of the fact that the above-mentioned control mode is in operation is also displayed, and the user is informed of the operation status of the composite image forming apparatus at that time.

The plurality of image forming means are image forming means of different image forming systems, one of the image forming means is an electrophotographic image forming means, and one of the image forming means is one of the image forming means. One is an ink jet system in which the recording unit ejects ink to perform recording, the recording unit includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink, and the recording unit is The present invention is characterized in that the ink is ejected from the ejection port by utilizing the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter, which enables the object of the present invention to be achieved predominantly. .

[0041]

EXAMPLES Next, examples of the present invention will be described.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a composite image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining image formation of an ink jet recording system. 3 is a circuit block diagram of the controller of the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a display unit used in the composite image forming apparatus, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the first embodiment. Yes, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another part of the operation of the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing yet another part of the operation of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, A of the composite image forming apparatus 1 is shown.
Is a first image forming means other than electrophotography, and B is a second image forming means.
It is an image forming means. In the first embodiment, the first image forming means is an inkjet image forming apparatus capable of outputting an inexpensive color image, and the second image forming means is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of outputting a monochrome image at high speed. is there.

Structure of First Image Forming Means A: Next, the first image forming means A is mainly for performing color recording, and its structure is as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. P
From the paper feed cassette 27 to the pickup roller 19, the transport rollers 20, 21, 22 and the transport roller pair 23, 24.
The recording medium P after being recorded is conveyed to the second image forming unit B by the discharge rollers 26a and 26b.

Here, an ink jet recording system is used in which ink is ejected from the recording means and the recording head 25 for recording. That is, the recording head 25 has a fine liquid discharge port (orifice), a liquid passage and an energy acting portion provided in a part of the liquid passage, and energy for generating a droplet forming energy that acts on the liquid in the acting portion. Equipped with generating means.

As the energy generating means for generating energy, a recording method using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, an energy generating means for irradiating electromagnetic waves such as a laser to generate heat and ejecting droplets by the action of heat generation There is a recording method used, or a recording method using an energy generating means for heating a liquid by an electrothermal converter such as a heating element having a heating resistor to eject the liquid.

Among them, in a recording head used in an ink jet recording method for ejecting a liquid by thermal energy, liquid ejection ports (orifices) for ejecting recording liquid droplets to form ejection liquid droplets are arranged at high density. Therefore, it is possible to record at high resolution. Among them, the recording head using the electrothermal converter as an energy generating means can easily be made compact, and has the advantages of the IC technology and the microfabrication technology, which have been remarkably improved in technology and reliability in the recent semiconductor field. It is advantageous because it can be fully utilized, high-density mounting is easy, and the manufacturing cost is low.

In the recording means, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 25 has a plurality of ejection openings arranged in the direction of arrow a, and cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y and black Bk.
Of each color ink head. Each ink is supplied to each recording head 25 from the ink tank 25b via the ink supply tube 25a. The recording head 25 is mounted on a carriage 25C, and the carriage 25C is fixed to a part of a belt 25f stretched between a drive pulley 25d and a driven pulley 25e,
It is driven with high precision in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 2 along a guide (not shown). The ink tank 25b is the drive pulley 25
It is fixed to a part of a belt 25i stretched between g and a driven pulley 25h, and while moving along a guide (not shown) along the guide (not shown) in the direction of arrow b by 25.4 mm, as in the recording head 25, 1 One liquid ejection port can eject ink 300 times. By eliminating the stress applied to the ink supply tube 25a and driving the ink supply tube 25a separately from the carriage 25c, the propagation path to the recording head 25 side such as vibrations generated by moving the ink tank 25b, which is a relatively heavy body, is cut off. ing.

The recording medium P is sandwiched between the pair of conveying rollers 23 and 24 and the pair of discharging rollers 26a and 26b.
Recording is performed by the recording head between 3, 24, 26a, and 26b. The conveying speed of the discharge roller pair 26a, 26b is set to be slightly higher than the conveying speed of the conveying roller pair 23, 24.
The recording medium P is configured to maintain a flat surface between 26a and 26b. In order to keep the recording medium P flat, the recording medium P may be electrostatically attracted or sucked and attracted by air to the platen 25j having a flat portion.

Then, the recording head 25 starts recording from the left end side of the recording medium P on the recording medium P which is stopped according to the image signal, and is performed like a recording line L to reach the right end. When the recording for one line is completed, the carriage 25c and the ink tank 25b return to the left end. In the meantime, the recording medium P is fed by a length l (ell) for one line in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 2 by the pair of conveying rollers 23 and 24 and the pair of discharging rollers 26a and 26b, and then stopped again. By repeating such an operation, color recording is performed on the recording medium P.

Structure of Second Image Forming Means B: In FIG. 1, the second image forming means B is mainly for black and white recording, and an optical image based on image information is formed by the recording means described later. Irradiation forms an image of a developer (hereinafter referred to as “toner”) on the photosensitive drum 2 which is an image carrier. Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium P on which the image is formed by the first image forming unit A is conveyed by a conveying unit including a guide member 17, conveying roller pairs 18a, 18b and 15a, 16b, and a guide member 16. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred to the recording medium P by being applied with voltage to the transfer roller 5 serving as a transfer unit, and the recording medium P is fixed by the guide member 10 by the guide member 10. Transport to 11. The fixing means 11 comprises a fixing roller 11c having a pressure roller 11a and a heater 11b built therein and driven by a driving means (not shown), and applies heat and pressure to the recording medium P passing therethrough to transfer a toner image. Is configured to be fixed. Then, the recording medium P is configured to be ejected to the paper ejection unit 145 by the paper ejection roller pairs 12a and 12b and the curl removing roller 13.

Here, in the second image forming means B, as shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive drum 2 having a photosensitive layer is rotated, and its surface is uniformly applied by applying a voltage to a charging roller 3 which is a charging means. Get charged. Then, the photosensitive drum 2 is exposed by the exposure units 8 and 9 to form a latent image, and the formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 4. The developing unit 4 transfers the toner to the photosensitive drum 2 according to the latent image to make the electrostatic latent image visible.
Then, after a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 5 to transfer the toner image to the recording medium P, the cleaning unit 6 is configured to remove the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 2. ing.

As described above, inexpensive color recording can be performed by the first image forming means A, and the recording medium P can be conveyed to the second image forming means to perform clear black and white recording.

Controller 29 of Composite Image Forming Apparatus 1 and Description of Operation: A schematic explanatory view of the controller 29 of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 3, and below, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 showing an operation flowchart of the first embodiment. The operating principle of the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, when the power is input, the low voltage power supply 2
8, the driving power is supplied to the CPU 37 of the controller 29, and the controller 29 becomes operable. When the operation of the CPU 37 is started, first, the contents of the ROM1, ROM2, and ROM3 are read into the RAM6, and the composite image forming apparatus 1 is set to a ready state in which printing operation is possible. In this startup process, an error check 1 which is one of the features of the present invention described later is performed.

Here, the error check 1 is stored in the ROM 1.
The operation contents of error check 2 and error check 3, which will be described later, part of the operation sequence of the composite image forming apparatus 1, and the operation sequence of the display unit 34 are stored. The ROM 2 stores the operation sequence of the image forming means A, and the ROM 3 stores the operation sequence of the image forming means B. RAM6 is ROM1, ROM
2. It is provided to read the contents of the ROM 3 and use it as a work area for the CPU 37.

The composite image forming apparatus 1 is turned on and the CPU
When the reading operation of ROM1, ROM2, and ROM3 (S1 in FIG. 5) is completed by 37, the display unit 34
Performs an error check 1 (described later) with all items turned off (S2) (S3). When the error check 1 is completed, the CPU 37 starts the image forming units A and B based on the startup sequence read in the RAM 6, and A Ready (A ready) and B Ready (B ready) on the display unit 34. Blinking (S
4) Notify the outside (user or the like) that the composite image forming apparatus 1 is in a wait state (standby). During this wait, the CPU 37 causes the image forming means A to be controlled by the image forming means A control circuit 31 and the image forming means A power supply circuit 33 shown in FIG. The image forming means B is started up by 32 (S5, S6).

When the start-up of the image forming means A and B is completed, the CPU 37 displays the display section 34 in the following four patterns according to the result of the error check 1. Here, while explaining the contents of error check 1,
The display of four patterns will be described.

In the error check 1 (S3) step,
First, the CPU 37 inspects whether the image forming means A has any inconvenience (S3-1). The inspection items in the process of S3-1 are the presence or absence of paper jam (jam), the ink tank 25
The remaining amount of ink is detected and the life of the recording head 25 is detected. Of course, in addition to this, other items such as life detection of components of the image forming unit A may be added. When a problem occurs in the above three inspection items, the CPU 37 causes the display unit 3
The A Ready part of No. 4 is turned off, the message part is blinked, and the error content is displayed in the message display space 48 of the display part 34 (S3-1-1). Then, the CPU 37
Causes the RAM 6 to store that the image forming means A is in the NotReady state (S3-1).
2). Next, similarly, the CPU 37 also performs an error check on the image forming unit (S3-2).

The inspection items in the step S3-2 are presence / absence of jam and presence / absence of toner in the developing device 4. Of course, other items may be added, for example, the charging roller 3,
Developing device 4, cleaning device 6 and photoconductor drum 2
If the process cartridge is configured as an integrated process cartridge, the presence or absence of this process cartridge is also an inspection item. If a problem occurs in the above two items, the CPU 37
Turns off the B Ready section of the display section 34, blinks the message section, and displays the error content in the message display space 48 (S3-2-1). Then, the CPU 37
The image forming means B in the RAM 6 is Not Ready.
The fact that it is in the (not ready) state is stored (S3-
2-2).

Finally, the result of the error check 1 is judged (S3-3), and if any one of the image forming means A and B is error OK, the process proceeds to step S4. , The CPU 37 proceeds to step S7 to put the composite image forming apparatus 1 in the Not Ready state, turn off the printable portion, the A Ready portion, and the B Ready portion (FIG. 4) of the display portion 34, while blinking the message portion. Then, the error content is displayed in the message display space 48.

Next, a case will be described in which the process proceeds to step S4 while an error occurs in either the image forming means A or B.

When the image forming means A has an error: Only the image forming means B is started up, that is, only the steps S4 to S6 are performed. When the image forming means B starts up, the CPU
37 proceeds to step S8 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, sets the composite image forming apparatus 1 to the Not Ready state, turns off the printable section and the A Ready section of the display section 34, and turns on the B Ready section. Let On the other hand, the error content is displayed in the message display space 48 by blinking the message part.

When the image forming means B has an error: The process proceeds from step S4 to step S5 only, and the image forming means A is started up. When the image forming unit A starts up, the CPU 37
5 proceeds to step S9 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, sets the composite image forming apparatus 1 to the Not Ready state, turns off the printable portion and the B Ready portion of the display unit 34, and turns on the A Ready portion. Let On the other hand, the error content is displayed in the message display space 48 by blinking the message part.

If no error has occurred in the image forming means A and B, the process proceeds from step S4 to both steps S5 and S6, and both image forming means A and B are started up. When the startup is completed, S10 is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Proceed to the process, and put the composite image forming apparatus 1 in the Ready state,
Printable portion of display portion 34, A Ready portion, B Rea
Turn on the dy section.

With this structure, the disadvantages 1 and 2 shown in the conventional example can be solved. That is, even if one of the image forming units A and B is in the Not Ready state for some reason, the composite image forming apparatus 1 is set to the Not Ready state with one operable image forming unit being activated. Therefore, when the returning operation is performed, it is sufficient to start up the image forming unit in which the inconvenience has occurred. As a result, the time required for recovery is shorter than when both conventional means are restarted,
In particular, when the electrophotographic image forming unit including the heat fixing unit 11 has no inconvenience and the other units have inconveniences, the recovery time can be significantly shortened and the extra energy consumption can be reduced, which is effective. is there. Further, in the first embodiment, since the display unit 34 shows the image forming means and the error content in which the inconvenience has occurred, the user can appropriately deal with the inconvenience unlike the conventional example. Becomes

The operation and effects of the first embodiment of the present invention during the startup process of the composite image forming apparatus 1 have been described above. The print operation after the start-up of the composite image forming apparatus 1 is completed will be described below with reference to the operation flowchart shown in FIG.

When the composite image forming apparatus 1 is in the Ready state and the print signal is input from the external device 36 such as a computer (S11), the CPU 37 sends the image data to the RAM1, RAM2, RAM via the image separating circuit 41.
3, RAM4, RAM5. In the process, CP
U37 blinks the data section of the display section 34 (S1
2) Notify the external environment such as the user that data is being input. The image separation circuit 41 separates the input image data into two systems, that is, a text monochrome image, a graphic monochrome image, and a color image (S13). CPU37
Of the separated image data, the text black and white image data is input to the RAM 1, while the graphic black and white and color image data is input to the RAM 2 to RAM 5.
Specifically, yellow (Y) color data is stored in the RAM 2.
The magenta (M) color data is stored in the RAM 3, the cyan (C) color data is stored in the RAM 4, and the plaque (B) is stored in the RAM 5.
k) Input color data. In the process of inputting this image data to the RAM, the error checks 2 and 3 which are the features of the first embodiment of the present invention are performed.

After the step S13, the CPU 37 checks the presence / absence of graphic black-and-white and color image data (S14), and if there is graphic black-and-white and color image data, the process proceeds to an image data input step (S15).
If there is no graphic black and white and color image data,
The process proceeds to the text monochrome image data input step (S17).
When proceeding to step S15, the CPU 37 blinks the A data on the display unit 34 to notify the user or the like that graphic black and white and color image data are being input. When the data input is completed, the CPU 37 causes the error check 2
(S16) is performed and it is checked whether or not there is any inconvenience in data input. In this case, inconvenience means that the transfer of the image data is stopped due to the external device 36 side such as a computer or the composite image forming apparatus 1 side, or the input is incorrect. There is.

In the conventional device, when the above-mentioned inconvenience occurs, the main device causes an error and Not Re
In the ady state, it becomes necessary to input the image data again. On the other hand, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the error checks 2 and 3 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 are performed, so that even if an error occurs, the time required for recovery is greatly shortened. If an error is found in the input image data (or if an error occurs during image data input) in error check 2 (S16), the CPU
37 turns off the data part and the A data part of the display part 34, makes the B data part blink, makes the message part blink, displays the error content in the message display space 48, and proceeds to the step S17. In other words, even if an error occurs during the input of the graphic black and white and color image data, the entire composite image forming apparatus 1 is operated as in the conventional apparatus with Not Rea.
A step of displaying only the image forming means A in an error state without entering the dy state and inputting text black and white image data (S17)
Go to.

With this structure, the time required for restoration can be greatly shortened as compared with the conventional case.
The reason for this is that, in the past, it was necessary to return the image forming means B again, but in the first embodiment, this is no longer necessary, and the time required for text / black-and-white image data input and the heat fixing device 11 are restarted. This is because the time etc. required for

When the process proceeds to step S17 and the text monochrome image data is input to the RAM 1 (S18), the CPU 37
An error check 3 (S19) is performed to confirm whether or not there is an error in all image data. At this point in time, if an error has occurred in the image data, the CPU 37 displays three kinds of displays of a, b, and c in FIG. 6 depending on the content of the error condition.
Display in 4. As a result, the user can accurately understand the situation under which the composite image forming apparatus 1 is placed when the composite image forming apparatus 1 has made an error during data input, and in the shortest time. Composite image forming apparatus 1
Can be restored.

Next, the case where no error occurs in the error check 3 (S19) will be described. When it is determined that there is no error in the step S19, the CPU 37 temperature-controls the thermal fixing device 11 of the image forming means B from the standby temperature T ₁ to the fixing temperature T _2, and at the same time, when the input of all image data is completed. Then, all the data part, the A data part, and the B data part of the display part 34 are turned on (S20).

When the input of all the image data is completed and the thermal fixing device 11 of the image forming means B is in the T ₂ temperature control, the CPU 37
Performs the image forming operation of feeding the transfer material P from the paper feed cassette 27 and operating the image forming means A and B to record a predetermined image on the transfer material P (S21). In this process as well, the error checks 4 and 5 (S22 and S23), which are the features of the first embodiment of the present invention, are performed, and even if an error such as a jam, an ink shortage, or a toner shortage occurs during the image forming operation, the error check is properly performed. Can handle.

For example, a case where a jam occurs in the image forming means A will be described. If an error occurs in the error check 4 of S22, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Check the error details. If there is a jam, CPU
37 displays the contents shown in d on the display unit 34,
Only the image forming unit A is set to Not Ready, and the image forming unit B is kept in the Ready state. In this case, in the first embodiment, the temperature control temperature of the heat fixing means 11 is kept at T ₂ temperature, but of course, it may be changed to T ₁ or lower than T ₂ , and the reason for the error can be quickly understood. Moreover, by canceling the jam of the image forming means A, the composite image forming apparatus 1 can be restored in the shortest time. That is, conventionally, it was necessary to return both the image forming means A and B, but in the first embodiment, the image forming means B is
Since it is in the dy state, only the image forming means A needs to be restored, and the time required for restoration can be greatly shortened. Further, an error other than a jam can be appropriately dealt with according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Such an error checking process is performed at S23.
The process is similarly performed, and even when an error occurs in the image forming unit B, it can be appropriately dealt with.

When the image forming operation is completed without any error, the transfer material P is discharged to the paper discharge section 14. When the print signal is continuously input, the above steps are repeated. On the other hand, if there is no print signal input, the composite image forming apparatus 1 returns to the Ready state (S10).

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to solve the inconvenience 1 and the inconvenience 2 shown in the conventional example, and it is possible to provide a favorable operating environment of the composite image forming apparatus.

(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, when an error occurs in the image forming means A and no error occurs in the image forming means B, the composite image forming apparatus is kept while keeping the image forming means B in the Ready state. No. 1 was set to Not Ready state. In the second embodiment, in such a case, the temperature control of the heat fixing device 11 of the image forming unit B is stopped and the heater 1
The power supply to 1b was turned off, and the image forming means B was kept in the sleep mode in which only the image data was held. As described above, by setting the image forming unit B in the sleep mode, the energy consumed by the thermal fixing device 11 can be saved while the composite image forming apparatus 1 is in the Not Ready state. Further, since the image data is held, the time required for restoration is only the startup time of the image forming means A and the heat fixing device 11, and as compared with the conventional case, the image data is not re-input and the restoration is performed in a short time. It will be possible.

(Embodiment 3) In the composite image forming apparatus 1 of Embodiments 1 and 2, the ink jet type image forming means A is used.
And a plurality of image forming means having different image forming methods such as the electrophotographic image forming means B, but of course, a plurality of image forming means having the same image forming method may be used. , The same effect can be obtained. For example, the image forming unit B may be an inkjet type image forming unit dedicated to black ink.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a composite image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the structure of a second image forming means, and FIG. 11 is a circuit block diagram of the controller 150 of FIG.
9 is an operation flowchart of the fourth embodiment.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 8 has a plurality of image forming means of different image forming systems, and an image is formed on a recording material (recording medium) P1 by a series of image forming steps of these image forming means. To form. The image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment can perform both ink jet recording and electrophotographic recording, that is, “composite” or “multiplex” recording on the same recording material. Here, the recording in which the ink image area of the inkjet recording and the toner image area of the electrophotographic recording do not overlap on the same recording material surface is referred to as “composite”, and the overlapping recording is referred to as “multiplex”.

First, the overall structure of the image forming apparatus will be described. In this composite image forming apparatus, the first image forming means I (the portion surrounded by the dotted line on the right side in FIG. 8) is arranged on the upstream side of the apparatus main body M. ) As an electrophotographic image forming means I, an inkjet image forming means II (a portion surrounded by a dotted line on the left side of FIG. 8) as a second image forming means arranged downstream, and a first error checking means. 170, a second error confirmation unit 171, and an image forming process control unit 151.

The upstream side and the downstream side of the apparatus main body M are as follows.
In a series of image forming processes, the recording material P is conveyed in the direction (arrow K direction). In FIG. 8, the right side is the upstream side and the left side is the downstream side.

The general operation of the composite image forming apparatus having the above-described structure is generally as follows. In the normal case, the developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) is applied to the recording material P1 by the image forming means (electrophotographic system) I on the upstream side. To form a black-and-white toner image (first image formation), and then a second image forming means (inkjet system) II on the same recording material P1 to form color inks with developers of respective colors (hereinafter referred to as inks). An image is formed (second image formation).

On the other hand, as a feature of the fourth embodiment, a case where an error occurs in either the image forming means 1 or the image forming means II will be described. Here, the error means the phenomenon described in relation to the conventional example. Error confirmation means 1
70 and the error confirmation unit 171 confirm the error of each image forming unit, and the image forming process control unit 151 controls the operation of each image forming unit based on the confirmation result. In the fourth embodiment, presence / absence of jam, presence / absence of image data communication error, and lifespan of component parts are used as inspection items. For example, if the error confirmation unit 170 confirms that a jam has occurred in the image forming unit I, the image forming process control unit 151 replaces the image forming unit I with the image forming unit I to form a monochrome image.
The Bk ink of I is used as a substitute to control the image formation.

Below, the image forming means I and the image forming means I
These configurations will be described in the order of I and the controller 150.

The image forming means I is provided with a photosensitive drum 101 which is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R1 as an image bearing member. Around the photosensitive drum 101, the charging means 10 is arranged substantially in order along the rotation direction (direction of arrow R1).
2, exposure means 102, developing means 104, transfer means 10
5, a charge removing unit 106, and a cleaning unit 107 are provided. Each of these means, for example,
A primary charger 102 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 to a predetermined negative polarity potential, the charged photosensitive drum 101
Laser exposure device 103 that forms an electrostatic latent image by image-exposing the surface of the toner, a developing device 104 that reverses and develops toner by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image, and a toner image on the photosensitive drum 101 is transferred onto the recording material P A transfer charger 105, a charge eliminating needle 106 for removing the charge of the recording material P1 after the transfer, and a cleaner 107 for removing the transfer residual toner on the photosensitive drum 101 after the transfer.

Here, the developing device 104 attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101 by, for example, jumping development, and the toner used at this time is mainly a styrene-acrylic copolymer. The binder resin as a component contains 60 wt% of magnetite and 1 wt% of a metal complex salt of a monoazo dye as a negative charge control agent, and the total volume resistance is about 10 ¹³ Ω · cm. Toner was used.

Below the photosensitive drum 101, the recording material P1
Is provided. The transport unit sequentially stores the recording material P1 from the upstream side, and also feeds the recording material P1 from the paper feeding cassette 108-1 and the paper feeding cassette 108-1 which are detachably attached to the apparatus main body M. For supplying the recording material P to the photosensitive drum 101 at a predetermined timing.
0, a conveyance guide 111 for guiding the recording material P1 after the toner image transfer is arranged. Further, a thermal fixing device 112 as a thermal fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred from the photosensitive drum 101 by the transfer charging device 105 onto the recording material P1 is arranged on the most downstream side of the conveying section. The heat fixing device 112 is provided with an upper heating roller 112a and a pressure roller 112b contacting the heating roller 112a from below, and a heater for heating the heating roller 112a and the pressure roller 112b inside the heating roller 112a. 112a1 is arranged.

The image forming means II includes the recording material P2 of the second paper feed port 108-2 and the paper feed port 108-2 in order from the upstream side.
A paper feed roller 120 for feeding paper, a feed roller 121, a conveyance guide 122, a paper feed roller 123, a platen 124, and an inkjet recording unit 125 are provided. The feed roller 121 is used for the recording material P discharged from the heat fixing device 112.
1 is continuously fed toward the paper feed roller 123 (direction of arrow K) along the conveyance guide 122, and the paper feed roller 123
Is configured to intermittently convey the recording material P1 between the platen 124 and the inkjet recording unit 125 by a stepping motor (not shown).

The ink jet recording section has a recording head (recording means) 125a, as shown in a perspective view of FIG. 9 (a perspective view of FIG. 8 viewed from substantially above). The recording head 125a is composed of cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, and black Bk ink heads arranged in the left-right direction (arrow K125 direction). The recording head 125a is mounted on a carriage 125b, and the carriage 125b is a part of an inner belt 125e stretched between a drive pulley 125c on the right side and a driven pulley 125d on the left inner side in FIG. It is fixed to the section and is driven with high precision in the left-right direction (arrow K125 direction) along a guide (not shown). The recording head 125a is connected with four tubes 125f corresponding to the ink heads of the respective colors, and is configured so that the inks of the respective colors are supplied from the ink tanks 125g of the respective colors via these tubes 125f. There is. The ink tank 125g is fixed to a part of an outer belt 125j stretched between a drive pulley 125h on the right outer side and a driven pulley 125j on the left outer side.
Similarly to 5a, an arrow K125 is provided along a guide (not shown).
It is configured to be movable in any direction. As described above, by moving the ink tank 125g in the left-right direction as the ink head 125a moves in the left-right direction, stress applied to the tube 125f is reduced, and the recording head 125a and the ink tank 125g are separated from each other. By individually driving as a body, it is possible to prevent the vibration or the like generated when the ink tank 125g, which is heavier than the recording head 125a, from being transmitted to the recording head 125a. A more specific structure of the recording head 125a will be described after the seventh embodiment.

Here, regarding the second image forming means II,
When the structure of the color device shown in FIG. 9 is compared with the structure of the monochromatic device (not shown), the major difference is that the color device (4
In the case of a color device, four ink heads and four color ink tanks 125g are required, whereas a single color device requires one color each. By the way, these four ink heads and ink tanks 125g for four colors in the case of a color device are arranged in the moving space of the carriage 125b and the ink tank 125g, and the size of this moving space is the same as that of the monochromatic device. The case is almost the same. Therefore, it is possible to almost avoid increasing the size of the device due to colorization.

Next, the error checking means 170 and 171 will be described. The error checking unit 170 is the image forming unit I.
, And inspects for an error in the image forming means I. The error confirmation items of the error confirmation unit 170 are presence / absence of jam, presence / absence of communication error of image data, presence / absence of failure in the drive system and control system of the image forming unit I. Although not carried out in Embodiment 4, the electrophotographic process elements (photosensitive drum 101, primary charger 102,
When the developing device 104 and the transfer charger 107) are integrated or have a multi-body type cartridge configuration, the presence or absence of the cartridge, the life, etc. may be added to the error confirmation item.

On the other hand, similarly, the error checking means 171 is arranged in the image forming means II and inspects the error in the image forming means II. The error confirmation items of the error confirmation means 171 include presence / absence of jam, presence / absence of communication error of image data, presence / absence and life of the recording head 125, and image forming means I.
It is the presence or absence of failure in the drive system and control system of I.

Next, the configuration of the controller 150 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. Controller 150
Is a ROM 1 in which an operation sequence relating to the entire composite image forming apparatus M is stored, a ROM 2 in which an operation sequence of the image forming means I is stored, a ROM 3 in which an operation sequence of the image forming means II is stored, a computer, etc. Image separation circuit 17 for separating the image data input from the external device 189 into a text black-and-white image and a color image.
3, the image forming process control means 151 and the CPU 172 for controlling all of these drives, the RAM 6 which is the work area of the CPU 172, and R for storing text monochrome image data
An AM1, a RAM2 (for Y color data) that stores color image data, a RAM3 (for M color data), a RAM4 (for C color data), and a RAM (for Bk color data). Further, the CPU 172 is provided with a low voltage power supply 182 that supplies a low voltage for driving, and the control circuit 1 of the image forming unit I.
83, power supply circuit 184 of image forming means I, control circuit 186 of image forming means II, power supply circuit 1 of image forming means II
87 is connected.

The components of the fourth embodiment have been described above. Next, the image forming process control means 1 which is a feature of the present invention
The control operation of 51 will be described with reference to the operation flowchart shown in FIG.

The feature of the present invention resides in the operation when an error is confirmed in any one of the image forming means, and the normal operation is the same as the conventional example, and therefore the description thereof is omitted. The case where an error is confirmed in any one of the image forming units will be described below.

When the composite image forming apparatus M is turned on, the CPU 172 causes the contents of the ROMs 1, 2, and 3 to be stored in the RAM.
Read in 6. Next, the CPU 172 inspects the error confirmation item of each image forming unit based on the read operation sequence, and performs an error check (S31). CPU17
2 drives the error confirmation means 170, 171 to inspect the error confirmation items of each image forming means, and sends the confirmation result from the error confirmation means 170, 171 to the image forming process control means 151. The image forming process control unit 151 determines whether or not there is an error in each image forming unit based on the confirmation results from the error confirmation units 170 and 171 (S32). If there is no error, the normal start-up operation is performed as usual (S33), but if there is an error, the control mode, which is a feature of the present invention, is entered (S34). When it is determined that there is an error, and the content of the error indicates that the image forming unit I has an error, the image forming process control unit 151 controls the composite image forming apparatus M in two control modes according to the result of the error confirmation unit 171. To do. If an error is also confirmed in the image forming means II, the composite image forming apparatus M is set to Not Ready,
The operation is disabled (S35).

On the other hand, if the image forming means II has no error, the control mode, which is a feature of the present invention, is entered (S36).
In the control mode shown in S36, even if the image forming means I becomes inoperative due to an error and the image forming means II is operable, text black and white image formation, that is, the original image forming means I should be used for image formation. In this mode, an image is formed by the image forming means II instead.

When proceeding to S36, the CPU 172 activates only the image forming means II to bring the composite forming apparatus M into an operable ready state and waits for input of image data from the external apparatus 189 (S37). Next, when a print signal is input from the external device 189, the image forming process control unit 1
The image forming unit I 51 is instructed by the CPU 172.
I only (in this case, the recording paper is the second paper feed port 108).
The recording black and white image formation and the color image formation are performed (S38).

The image input operation at this time is normally performed by R
This is performed using AM1-5 and the image separation circuit 173. That is, in the fourth embodiment, even if an error occurs in the image forming means I, the image forming means II can be used in place of the image forming means to form an image. Conventionally, the image forming means I
Even if I is operable, if the image forming means I is inoperable, the image forming operation is impossible.
The present invention enables the image forming operation by using the image forming means II instead of the image forming means I. Here, the image forming order is not limited to the above. That is, the ink type image forming means II may be arranged upstream of the electrophotographic image forming means I.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a composite image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment, FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the structure of a second image forming means, and FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of a controller 150 ′ of No. 5, and FIG. 15 is an operation flowchart of Example 5.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 12 has a plurality of image forming means of different image forming systems, and an image is formed on a recording material (recording medium) P by a series of image forming steps of these image forming means. To form.

First, the overall structure of the image forming apparatus will be described. In this composite image forming apparatus, the first image forming means I'arranged on the upstream side of the apparatus main body M '(enclosed by the dotted line on the right side of FIG. 12). Image forming means I ′ of an electrophotographic system as a portion), an image forming means II ′ of an inkjet system as a second image forming means arranged downstream (a portion surrounded by a dotted line on the left side of FIG. 12), 1 developer remaining amount detecting means 17
0 ', a second developer remaining amount detecting means 171', and an image forming process control means 151 '.

The upstream side and the downstream side of the apparatus main body M ′ are in the conveying direction (arrow K direction) of the recording material P in a series of image forming steps. In FIG. 12, the right side is the upstream side. The left side is the downstream side.

The general operation of the composite image forming apparatus having the above-described structure is as follows. In the normal case, a black and white toner image is formed by the developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) by the image forming means (electrophotographic system) I ′. (First image formation), and then a developer of each color (hereinafter referred to as ink) on the same recording material P by the second image forming means (inkjet system) II ′.
To form a color ink image (second image formation).

On the other hand, as a feature of the fifth embodiment, a case where the toner or the ink is insufficient will be described. The residual developer amount detecting means 170 'and the residual developer amount detecting means 171' detect the residual amounts of toner and ink, respectively, and based on the detected values, the image forming process control means 151 'detects each of the image forming means. Control movements. In the fifth embodiment, as an example, if the remaining amount of Bk ink is detected and the developer remaining amount detecting unit 170 ′ detects a toner shortage, the image forming process control unit 151 ′ forms a black and white image. , Bk ink of the image forming means II ′ is used in place of the image forming means I ′ to perform image formation.

Below, these components will be described in the order of the image forming means I ′, the image forming means II ′ and the controller 150 ′.

The image forming means I'includes a photosensitive drum 101 which is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R1 as an image bearing member. Around the photosensitive drum 101, the charging means 10 is arranged substantially in order along the rotation direction (direction of arrow R1).
2, exposure means 102, developing means 104, transfer means 10
5, a charge removing unit 106, and a cleaning unit 107 are provided. Each of these means, for example,
A primary charger 102 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 to a predetermined negative polarity potential, the charged photosensitive drum 101
Developing device 1 which incorporates a laser exposure device 103 for forming an electrostatic latent image by image-exposing the surface of the sheet and a developer remaining amount detecting means 170 ', and which causes toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image to perform reversal development
04, a transfer charger 105 that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 101 onto the recording material P, a charge eliminating needle 106 that removes the charge of the recording material P1 after the transfer, and the transfer residual toner on the photosensitive drum 101 after the transfer Is a cleaner 107 or the like for removing. Here, the developing device 104 is similar to that of the fourth embodiment.
For example, toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101 by jumping development.

Below the photosensitive drum 101, the recording material P1
Is provided. The transport unit sequentially stores the recording material P1 from the upstream side, and also feeds the recording material P1 from the paper feeding cassette 108-1 and the paper feeding cassette 108-1 which are detachably attached to the apparatus main body M ′. For supplying the recording material P to the photosensitive drum 101 at a predetermined timing.
0, a conveyance guide 111 for guiding the recording material P1 after the toner image transfer is arranged. Further, a thermal fixing device 112 as a thermal fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred from the photosensitive drum 101 by the transfer charging device 105 onto the recording material P1 is arranged on the most downstream side of the conveying section. The heat fixing device 112 is provided with an upper heating roller 112a and a pressure roller 112b contacting the heating roller 112a from below, and a heater for heating the heating roller 112a and the pressure roller 112b inside the heating roller 112a. 112a1 is arranged.

The image forming means II 'comprises, in order from the upstream side,
Recording material P of the second paper feed port 108-2 and the paper feed port 108-2
Paper feed roller 120 for feeding 2, feed roller 121, conveyance guide 122, paper feed roller 123, platen 124,
The inkjet recording unit 125 is provided. The feed roller 121 continuously feeds the recording material P1 discharged from the heat fixing device 112 toward the paper feed roller 123 (direction of arrow K) along the conveyance guide 122, and also feeds the paper feed roller 12
3 is a stepping motor (not shown), the recording material P1 to the platen 124 and the inkjet recording unit 125.
It is configured to be intermittently conveyed between and.

As in the fourth embodiment, the ink jet recording section has a recording head (recording means) 125a, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 13 (perspective view of FIG. 12 viewed from above). The recording head 125a moves in the left-right direction (arrow K
It is composed of ink heads of cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, and black Bk, which are arranged in 125 directions). The recording head 125a is mounted on a carriage 125b, and the carriage 125b is
The inner belt 125 stretched between the drive pulley 125c on the right side and the driven pulley 125d on the left inner side in FIG.
It is fixed to a part of e and is driven with high precision in the left-right direction (direction of arrow K125) along a guide (not shown). The recording head 125a is connected with four tubes 125f corresponding to the ink heads of the respective colors, and is configured so that the inks of the respective colors are supplied from the ink tanks 125g of the respective colors via these tubes 125f. There is. The ink tank 125g is fixed to a part of an outer belt 125j stretched between a drive pulley 125h on the outer right side and a driven pulley 125j on the left outer side, and is a guide (not shown) like the recording head 125a. No)
Is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow K125. As described above, by moving the ink tank 125g in the left-right direction as the ink head 125a moves in the left-right direction, stress applied to the tube 125f is reduced, and the recording head 125a and the ink tank 125g are separated from each other. By driving individually as the body,
Vibrations and the like that occur when the ink tank 125g that is heavier than the recording head 125a is moved are prevented from being transmitted to the recording head 125a. In addition, the ink tank 12
At 5 g, a developer remaining amount detecting means 171 ′ is arranged for the Bk ink tank to detect the remaining amount of Bk ink.

Next, the structure of the developer remaining amount detecting means 170 'and 171' used in the fifth embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 16, the developer remaining amount detecting means 170 ′ is a light transmission type remaining amount detecting means, and is a light emitting section 17.
0'a, a light receiving section 170'b, and these light emitting sections 170 '
The main body 170 'of the detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the developer by controlling a and the light receiving section 170'b and comparing the amount of transmitted light with a predetermined value.
and c. Light emitting unit 170'a and light receiving unit 1
70'b is arranged on the outer wall surface of the hopper 104a (which is built in the developing device 104) for containing the toner, and the transparent window 104 provided on the wall of the hopper 104a.
The remaining amount of toner is detected by light via b and 104c. When there is toner, the light is cut by the toner and the light receiving unit 107′b cannot detect the light. That is, the toner is present. The main body 107'c is the image forming process control means 1
It is connected to 51 'and sends a detection signal indicating the presence or absence of remaining toner.

The construction of the remaining developer remaining amount detecting means 171 'is basically the same as that of the developer remaining amount detecting means 170', so that the description thereof is omitted here. Further, these developer remaining amount detecting means may have a configuration other than that described above.

Next, the configuration of the controller 150 'will be described mainly with reference to FIG. Controller 15
0'is a ROM 1 in which an operation sequence relating to the entire composite image forming apparatus M'is stored, a ROM 2 in which an operation sequence of the image forming means I'is stored, and an operation sequence of the image forming means II 'is stored. ROM3,
An image separation circuit 173 for separating image data input from an external device 189 such as a computer into a text black-and-white image and a color image, an image forming process control means 151 ', and a CPU 172, a CPU 172 for controlling all driving of these.
6 which is a work area of the RAM, RAM 1 for storing text black and white image data, and RA for storing color image data.
M2 (for Y color data), RAM3 (for M color data), R
It is composed of AM4 (for C color data) and RAM (for Bk color data). Further, the CPU 172 has a low-voltage power supply 182 that supplies a low voltage for driving, a control circuit 183 of the image forming unit I ′, and a power supply circuit 1 of the image forming unit I ′.
84, the control circuit 186 of the image forming means II ′ and the power supply circuit 187 of the image forming means II ′ are connected.

The components of the fifth embodiment have been described above. Next, the image forming process control means 1 which is a feature of the present invention
The control operation of 51 'will be described with reference to the operation flowchart shown in FIG.

The feature of the present invention is the operation when the developer is insufficient, and the normal operation is the same as the conventional one, so the description thereof will be omitted. The case where the remaining amount of the developer is insufficient will be described below.

When the composite image forming apparatus M'is powered on, the CPU 172 causes the contents of the ROMs 1, 2, and 3 to be stored in the RAM.
Read in 6. Next, the CPU 172 detects the remaining amount of the developer of each image forming unit based on the read operation sequence (S31 '). The CPU 172 drives the developer remaining amount detecting means 170 'and 171' to drive the toner and Bk.
The amount of ink is detected, and the detection signal is sent to the developer remaining amount detecting means 1
70 'and 171' are sent to the image forming process control means 151 '. The detection signal is H (1) if the developer is present,
If none, it is set to L (0). Image forming process control means 1
51 'determines the presence or absence of the developer based on the detection signals from the remaining developer amount detecting means 170' and 171 '(S3).
2 '). If the developer is present, the normal start-up operation is performed as usual (S33 '), but if the toner is not present, the control mode, which is a feature of the present invention, is entered (S34'). When it is determined that there is no developer, and there is no developer, the image forming process control unit 151 ′ controls the composite image forming apparatus M ′ in two control modes according to the result of the detection unit 171 ′. If there is no Bk ink, the composite image forming apparatus M'is not
It is set to Ready and inoperable (S3)
5 ').

On the other hand, if Bk ink is present, the control mode, which is a feature of the present invention, is entered (S36 '). The control mode shown in S36 'is a mode for forming a text black-and-white image if there is no toner but Bk ink, that is, by substituting the image originally to be formed by toner with Bk ink.

When proceeding to S36 ', the CPU 172 activates only the image forming means II', puts the composite forming apparatus M'in an operable ready state, and waits for the input of image data from the external apparatus 189 (S37 '). . Next, the external device 1
When the print signal is input from 89, the image forming process control unit 151 ′ performs text black and white image formation and color image formation using only the image forming unit II ′ according to the instruction of the CPU 172 (S 38 ′).

The image input operation at this time is normally performed by R
This is performed using AM1-5 and the image separation circuit 173. That is, in the fifth embodiment, even if the toner is insufficient, the image can be formed by substituting the Bk ink. In the past, if the amount of Bk ink was sufficient, but the toner was insufficient, the image forming operation was impossible. However, the present invention uses Bk ink instead of toner, Enables image forming operation.

When the image forming operation is completed by substituting the Bk ink, in the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the composite image forming apparatus M'is returned to the Not Ready state and is in the toner supply waiting state (S39 '). ), Ready state may be maintained. Further, the image forming order is not limited to the above, and the inkjet image forming means II ′ may be arranged upstream of the electrophotographic image forming means I ′.

(Embodiment 6) Embodiment 6 of the present invention is shown in FIG. The sixth embodiment is configured to display the presence / absence of the developer and the operation status of the control mode described in the fifth embodiment. The third embodiment is the same as the fifth embodiment except for the display unit 191, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

The third embodiment is provided with the display unit 191 shown in FIG. The display unit 191 is controlled by the CPU 172 and can display the control contents of the image forming process control unit 151 ′. In FIG. 18, the toner and the ink are turned on to execute the normal operation mode (at this time, the substitute mode is turned on and the message display area 19 is displayed).
2 is not displayed). Toner “none”, which is a feature of the present invention, B
When replacing the Bk ink when the k ink is “present”, the Rea
The dy, ink, and substitution modes are turned on, the toner is extinguished, "Bk ink substitution output is possible because there is no toner" is displayed in the message display area 192, and operation modes that the main body apparatus can execute are displayed. When both the toner and the ink are “none”, Ready, the toner, the ink, and the substitute mode are all turned off, and the message display area 19 is displayed.
2 displays toner replenishment and ink replenishment.

With this configuration, the user can know under what conditions the main body apparatus can execute the image forming process. As a result, the user can appropriately perform processing such as toner replenishment without stopping the image forming operation. Further, in the sixth embodiment, the presence or absence of the developer and the operation status of the control mode as described above are displayed on the display unit 191. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in the conventional example, an error such as a jam may occur. May be displayed, or the operation status of the control mode which is operated due to this error.

(Embodiment 7) In Embodiments 5 and 6, Bk ink was used instead of text black-and-white image output. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and Y, M, and C inks may be used to form black. . In this case, it is desirable to arrange the remaining developer amount detecting means in the Y, M and C inks in the same manner as in the Bk ink.

Further, in order to make it clear that the output is a substitute, a monochrome output may be performed by using an ink other than the Bk ink. Also in this case, it is desirable to dispose the developer remaining amount detecting means in the ink used as a substitute.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the text black and white image output is replaced with ink instead of toner has been described, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, when ink is insufficient for graphic black-and-white and color image output, toner may be used instead of ink to output the entire image by electrophotographic method. In this case, of course, the color output becomes the monochrome output.

Further, although the above embodiment has been described by taking the composite image forming apparatus using the image forming method different from the electrophotographic method and the ink jet method as an example, the same image forming method, for example, the black ink jet method ( Bk ink only) and color-only inkjet system (Y, M, C)
Ink) may be used.

(Other Embodiments) In the embodiments described above,
Although the inkjet method is used as the recording means, the inkjet recording method is more preferably configured as follows.

That is, the electrothermal converter is energized according to a recording signal, and the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter causes the film boiling generated in the ink to grow and shrink the bubbles generated in the ink. It is more preferable that the ink is ejected from the ejection port to perform recording.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 47407.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in the '96 patent is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but in the case of the on-demand type in particular, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal converter, and This is effective because film boiling is caused on the heat-acting surface, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid that correspond one-to-one to this drive signal can be formed. Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is pulsed, appropriate growth and contraction of the bubbles are immediately performed, so that particularly excellent liquid ejection can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable.

If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124, which is an invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface, are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the structure of the recording head, other than the combination structure (straight liquid flow path or right angle liquid flow path) of the ejection port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,558,333 and 4,445 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of No. 9600 is also included in the present invention.

Further, JP-A-59-123670, which discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy are disclosed. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the structure is based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a structure in which the holes correspond to the ejection portions. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be surely and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Furthermore, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium which can be recorded by the image forming apparatus. As such a recording head, a structure in which a plurality of recording heads are combined to satisfy the length, or an integrally formed 1
Any of the configurations as one recording head may be used.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type described above, when it is mounted on the recording head fixed to the carriage or the carriage, it is possible to electrically connect to the apparatus main body and supply ink from the apparatus main body. A replaceable chip type recording head or a cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself may be used.

Further, as the ink jet recording system used in the image forming apparatus of the above-mentioned embodiment, it is preferable to add a recovering means for the recording head, a preliminary auxiliary means, etc. because the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. Is. Specific examples of these are a camping means, a cleaning means, a pressure or suction means for the recording head,
It is also effective to perform stable recording by performing a preliminary heating means using an electrothermal conversion type or a heating element other than these or a combination thereof, and a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection different from recording.

Regarding the type and number of recording heads mounted on the carriage, for example, only one is provided corresponding to a single color ink, and a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities are supported. Alternatively, a plurality of them may be provided. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be any combination of a plurality of recording heads integrally formed, but different colors of multiple colors or mixed colors. It is also applicable to a device with at least one of the full colors according to

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens or liquefies at room temperature, or ink in the ink jet recording system. In general, the temperature is controlled within a range of 30 ° or more and 70 ° or less to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. I wish I had it. In addition, whether the temperature rise due to energy is positively used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, and whether the ink is solidified in the standing state for the purpose of preventing the evaporation of the ink is used. In any case, the ink is liquefied by applying heat energy according to the recording signal,
The present invention is also applicable to the case of using an ink which has a property of being liquefied by thermal energy, such as a liquid ink ejected or a liquid ink which has already started to solidify when it reaches a recording sheet.

The ink in such a case is described in JP-A-54-54.
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, a mode in which it is opposed to an electrothermal converter in a state of being held as a liquid or a solid in a recess or through hole of a porous sheet. Also good. The most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

As the form of the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, other than the one used as an image output terminal device of information processing equipment such as a computer, a form of a copying machine combined with a reader or the like, and a form of a facsimile machine having a transmitting / receiving function. It may be something that takes.

[0145]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Inconveniences 1 and 2 described above can be solved, and even if the composite image forming apparatus becomes inoperable, it is possible to restore smoothly without waste. Furthermore, it has become possible to provide a device environment in which the user can appropriately and smoothly respond.

Further, in a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means, even if one of the image forming means cannot form an image, the other image forming means is used as a substitute to form the composite image forming apparatus. The image forming operation can be performed. Further, by displaying error information, developer remaining amount information, control information during operation, etc., the user can be informed of the operation state of the composite image forming apparatus at that time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a composite image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one image forming unit used in the composite image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a composite image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a display unit used in the composite image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a part of a flowchart of the overall operation.

FIG. 6 is a part of a flowchart of the overall operation.

FIG. 7 is a part of a flowchart of the overall operation.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a composite image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing one image forming unit used in the composite image forming apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a circuit block diagram of a composite image forming apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a part of a flowchart of the overall operation of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a composite image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing one image forming unit used in the composite image forming apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a circuit block diagram of a composite image forming apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a part of a flowchart of the overall operation.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a developer remaining amount detecting means.

FIG. 17 is a part of a flowchart of the overall operation.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a display unit used in the composite image forming apparatus.

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a conventional composite image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Composite image forming apparatus 2 Photoconductor drum 3 Charging roller 4 Developing device 5 Transfer roller 6 Cleaning device 7 Static eliminator needle 8 Exposure part 9 Exposure part 10 Guide member 11 Fixing means 12 Paper discharge roller pair 13 Curl removal roller 14 Paper discharge part 15 Conveying roller pair 16 Guide member 17 Guide member 18 Conveying roller pair 19 Pickup roller 20 Conveying roller 21 Conveying roller 22 Conveying roller 23 Conveying roller pair 24 Conveying roller pair 25 Recording head 26 Discharging roller pair 27 Paper feed cassette 28 Low voltage power supply 29 Controller 30 Image forming means B control circuit 31 Image forming means A control circuit 32 Image forming means B power supply circuit 33 Image forming means A power supply circuit 34 Display unit 36 External device 37 CPU 38-40 ROM 42-47 RAM 48 Message display unit 101 Photosensitive drum 102 primary charger 103 exposure unit 104 developing device 105 transfer charger 106 static eliminator 107 cleaning device 108 paper feed cassette 109 pickup roller 110 registration roller 111 transport guide 112 fixing device 121 transport roller 122 transport guide 123 feed roller 124 platen 125 recording Head 160 Paper ejection roller 161 Paper ejection tray 150 Controller 150 'Controller 151 Image forming process control means 151' Image forming process control means 170 Error confirmation means 171 Error confirmation means 170 'Developer residual amount detection means 171' Developer residual amount detection Means 131 Conveying Roller 132 Conveying Roller 172 CPU 173 Image Separation Circuit 174-176 ROM 177-181 RAM 182 Low Power Supply 183 Image Forming Means I Control Circuit 84 The image forming unit I power supply circuit 185 the image forming unit I 186 image forming unit II control circuit 187 the image forming unit II power supply circuit 188 the image forming unit II 189 external device 190 RAM 191 display unit 192 a message display area

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasunori Kono 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means, the composite image forming apparatus having a display section capable of displaying at least operation states of the plurality of image forming means. 2. In a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means, when one of the image forming means becomes inoperable, the other image forming means is kept operable. A characteristic composite image forming apparatus. 3. A composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means, which has a display capable of displaying operation statuses of at least a plurality of image forming means, and is one of the image forming means.
When one of the image forming means becomes inoperable, the other image forming means is kept operable and the status of the inoperable image forming means is displayed on the display section. apparatus. 4. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the image forming units becomes inoperable and the composite image forming apparatus becomes inoperable. In this case, the composite image forming apparatus has a return mode for returning the composite image forming means by returning only the inoperable image forming means. 5. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image forming units are a plurality of image forming units having different image forming systems. Forming equipment. 6. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of image forming units is an electrophotographic image forming unit. A characteristic composite image forming apparatus. 7. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the electrophotographic image forming means has a heat fixing means for permanently fixing the toner image formed on the recording material by heating. Image forming apparatus. 8. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a first set temperature at which the heat fixing unit can perform a fixing operation,
The image forming means other than the electrophotographic image forming means has an inoperable state, which has a temperature adjusting means capable of adjusting the temperature to a set temperature having at least a second set temperature lower than the first set temperature. In this case, the set temperature of the heat fixing unit is set to the set temperature equal to or lower than the second set temperature. 9. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the image forming means other than the electrophotographic image forming means becomes inoperable, power supply to the heat fixing means is stopped. A composite image forming apparatus characterized by: 10. In a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means, when one of the image forming means is incapable of image forming operation, the image forming operation of this image forming means is changed to another image forming operation. A composite image forming apparatus characterized in that an image is formed by substituting by means. 11. A composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means, an error confirming means for confirming an error of the image forming means, and a control means for controlling driving of the image forming means according to a confirmation result of the error confirming means. A composite image forming apparatus having: 12. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when one of the error confirming means confirms an error, the control means causes the image forming operation of the image forming means having the error confirming means to execute another image. A composite image forming apparatus having a control mode to be operated by a forming unit. 13. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a display unit that displays a confirmation result of the error confirmation unit and an operation status of the control mode. Composite image forming apparatus. 14. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the error confirmation unit confirms a cause when the image forming unit cannot operate for image formation. A composite image forming apparatus characterized in that it is a possible means. 15. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the error confirmation unit for confirming an error of the image forming unit determines a remaining amount of the developer of the image forming unit. A composite image forming apparatus, which is a detecting unit for detecting. 16. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the confirmation result by the confirmation unit is a detection output of the detection unit. 17. The method according to claim 11, 15, or 16.
In the composite image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the control unit operates the image forming operation of the image forming unit having the detecting unit by another image forming unit when one of the detecting units detects a predetermined remaining amount. A composite image forming apparatus characterized by having a control mode for controlling. 18. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a display unit that displays a detection result of the detection unit and an operation status of the control mode. A characteristic composite image forming apparatus. 19. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of image forming units are image forming units having different image forming systems. apparatus. 20. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein one of the image forming units is an electrophotographic image forming unit. 21. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the image forming units is an inkjet system in which a recording unit ejects ink to perform recording. And a composite image forming apparatus. 22. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the recording unit includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink. 23. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the ink is ejected by utilizing the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. apparatus.