Abstract:
An image forming apparatus includes an input portion to input data, an image forming portion to form a latent image on an image carrying member by irradiating a laser beam onto a reflecting member rotatably driven by a motor and irradiating light reflected by the reflecting member onto the image carrying member, and to enable a pre-rotation of the reflecting member by driving the motor prior to irradiation of the laser beam, and a control portion to cause a pre-rotation of the reflecting member when a first function using the image forming portion for the data inputted from the input portion is selected, and to prohibit the pre-rotation of the reflecting member when a second function to store the data inputted from the input portion in a storing medium or to transmit the data to an external terminal apparatus without using the image forming portion is selected.

Description:
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. P2003-139408 filed on May 16, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that can be applied to MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) having several functions, such as a copy function, a scan function, a facsimile (hereinafter referred to as “FAX”) function and a print function, and perform an image forming (hereinafter may also referred to as “printing”) operation by exposing a photoreceptor based on data inputted via an input portion. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   The following description sets forth the inventor&#39;s knowledge of related art and problems therein and should not be construed as an admission of knowledge in the prior art. 
   Generally speaking, this kind of image forming apparatus, such as a MFP, is provided with an image forming portion for printing image data read by an image reading portion from a document placed on a document placing portion or printing print data sent from an external computer. 
   In the image forming portion, a reflecting member constituted by a polyangular mirror such as a polygon mirror or a galvanometer mirror is rotatably driven by a motor, and a laser beam modulated in response to data to be printed is reflected by the reflecting member toward a photoreceptor as an image carrying member, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor. 
   In such image forming portion, in general, the reflecting member normally is in a non-rotating state, and starts to rotate upon a print instruction caused by an operation of a copy start button for activating a motor. In this case, however, the print operation cannot be executed until the motor reaches the steady rotating status, resulting in a long first print time which is a time period required to initiate the first print operation from the operation of the copy start button. 
   In order to shorten the first print time, it is conventionally known to equip a pre-rotation function of activating the driving motor of the reflecting member when the opening/closing operation of the document cover is made or a document is disposed on the document placing portion prior to the operation of the copy start button (e.g., see Japanese Unexamined Laid-open Patent Publication No. H09-251228). 
   Another technique has also been proposed. In this technique, the reflecting member is shifted from a low speed rotating state to a high speed rotating state upon an operation of inputting a copy mode or a completion of setting a document onto the document placing portion (e.g., see Japanese Unexamined Laid-open Patent Publication No. H07-273951). 
   In the aforementioned conventional publicly known techniques, however, there is a drawback that the opening/closing operation of the document cover or the setting operation of the document onto the document placing portion causes the reflecting member to be shifted from the non-rotating state to a pre-rotating state even if the required operation is a non-image-forming operation not requiring the image forming portion to perform an image forming operation, e.g., an operation using a FAX transmission function of transmitting image data read by the image reading portion to an external terminal apparatus, an internet FAX transmission function of transmitting image data read by the image reading portion to a server as an attachment of an email, or a scan function of storing read image data into a storing medium such as a hard disk. This results in a useless rotation of the reflecting member to shorten the life of the reflecting member. 
   The description herein of advantages and disadvantages of various features, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed in other publications is in no way intended to limit the present invention. Indeed, certain features of the invention may be capable of overcoming certain disadvantages, while still retaining some or all of the features, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed therein. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been developed in view of the above-mentioned and/or other problems in the related art. The preferred embodiments of the present invention can significantly improve upon existing methods and/or apparatuses. 
   Among other potential advantages, some embodiments can provide an image forming apparatus capable of shortening a processing time for forming an image from data in an image forming portion while extending a life of a reflecting member by prohibiting a pre-rotation of the reflecting member when the image forming portion is in a non-use state. 
   Among other potential advantages, some embodiments can provide an image forming method capable of shortening a processing time for forming an image from data in an image forming portion while extending a life of a reflecting member by prohibiting a pre-rotation of the reflecting member when the image forming portion is not to be used. 
   According to a first aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an image forming apparatus, includes: 
   an input portion which inputs data; 
   an image forming portion capable of forming a latent image on an image carrying member by irradiating a laser beam corresponding to the data inputted via the input portion onto a reflecting member rotatably driven by a motor and irradiating light reflected by the reflecting member onto the image carrying member, and also capable of enabling a pre-rotation of the reflecting member by driving the motor prior to irradiation of the laser beam; and 
   a control portion which causes a pre-rotation of the reflecting member when a first function of using the image forming portion for the data inputted from the input portion is selected, and prohibits the pre-rotation of the reflecting member when a second function of storing the data inputted from the input portion in a storing medium or transmitting the data to an external terminal apparatus without using the image forming portion is selected. 
   According to a second aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an image forming method to be executed by an image forming apparatus including an input portion which inputs data, and an image forming portion capable of forming a latent image on an image carrying member by irradiating a laser beam corresponding to the data inputted via the input portion onto a reflecting member rotatably driven by a motor and irradiating light reflected by the reflecting member onto the image carrying member, and also capable of enabling a pre-rotation of the reflecting member by driving the motor prior to irradiation of the laser beam, 
   the method, includes the steps of: 
   an input step of inputting the data via the input portion; and 
   a control step of causing a pre-rotation of the reflecting member prior to forming the latent image by irradiating light reflected by the reflecting member when a first function of forming the latent image by irradiating the laser beam corresponding to the data inputted from the input portion onto the reflecting member rotatably driven by the motor and irradiating light reflected by the reflecting member onto the image carrying member is selected, and prohibiting the pre-rotation of the reflecting member when a second function of storing the data inputted from the input portion in a storing medium or transmitting the data to an external terminal apparatus without using the image forming portion is selected. 
   The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of various embodiments will be further appreciated in view of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Various embodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, features and/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments can combine one or more aspect or feature of other embodiments where applicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages of particular embodiments should not be construed as limiting other embodiments or the claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of example, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a structural view showing an image forming system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic structural view showing the image forming apparatus; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an electric structure of the image forming apparatus; 
       FIG. 4  is an explanatory view of an operation panel portion employed in the image forming apparatus; 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the contents of a rotation control of a polygon mirror employed in the image forming apparatus; 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the pre-rotation discrimination processing  1  (S 104  in  FIG. 5 ) of the polygon mirror; and 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the pre-rotation discrimination processing  2  (S 105  in  FIG. 5 ) of the polygon mirror. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In the following paragraphs, some preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example and not limitation. It should be understood based on this disclosure that various other modifications can be made by those in the art based on these illustrated embodiments. 
     FIG. 1  is a structural view showing an image forming system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 
   In  FIG. 1 , this image forming system A is provided with a MFP  1  as an image forming apparatus, a personal computer (PC)  2  as an external terminal apparatus, a server  3 , and a FAX  4 . The personal computer (PC)  2  and the server  3  are connected to the MFP  1  via a network NW such as a LAN. Furthermore, the FAX  4  is connected to the MFP  1  via a phone line W. 
     FIG. 2  is a structural view showing the principal portions of the MFP  1  regarding the copy function. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the main body  1 A of the MFP  1  is provided with an image reading portion  11  for reading a document image at the upper portion of the main body  1 A, an operation panel portion  15  at the right upper surface of the main body  1 A, and a paper discharging tray  42  at the left side portion of the main body  1 A. Furthermore, an image forming portion  12  is provided in the main body  1 A, and a paper feeding portion  43  accommodating papers M is disposed in the inner bottom portion of the main body  1 A. 
   The image reading portion  11  is equipped with a light source  40  for irradiating light to the image of the document placed on the document placing portion  39 , a CCD  41 , and an optical system  44  for guiding the reflected light from the document image toward the CCD  41 . The document placing portion  39  is covered with an openable and closable document cover  45 , and provided with an opening/closing operation detecting sensor  18  (see  FIG. 3 ) for detecting the opening/closing operation of the cover  45 . 
   The image data received by the CCD  41  is electrically converted by the CCD  41  and then subjected to necessary image processing in the image forming processing portion (not shown), and thereafter converted into a laser driving signal to be outputted to the semiconductor laser device  37  of the image forming portion  12 . 
   The image forming portion  12  is provided with the aforementioned semiconductor laser device  37  that outputs a laser beam L corresponding to the image data, and a photosensitive drum  31  as an image carrier on which latent images are to be formed by the laser beam L. The drum  31  is configured to be rotated in a predetermined direction, e.g., in the direction shown by the arrow “a.” Around the photosensitive drum  31 , an electrostatic charger  32 , an exposing optical system  33 , a developing device  34 , a transfer portion  35 , and a cleaner  36  are provided. Provided at the vicinity of the paper discharging tray  42  are fixing rollers  37 A and  37 B for fixing the image transferred on the paper M by a well-known operation. 
   The optical system  33  includes a polyangular mirror, such as a polygon mirror  38 , for forming an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the laser beam L from the semiconductor apparatus  37  onto the surface of the photosensitive drum  31 . This polygon mirror  38  is configured to be rotatably driven by a motor  13 . 
     FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the electric structure of the aforementioned MFP  1 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the MFP  1  is provided with the aforementioned opening/closing operation detecting sensor  18 , the aforementioned image reading portion  11 , the aforementioned image forming portion  12 , an interface (I/F) portion  14 , the aforementioned operation panel portion  15 , a controller portion  16 , and a hard disk device (HDD)  17 . 
   The opening/closing operation detecting sensor  18  can be constituted by, for example, an optical type switch or a mechanical type switch. 
   The image reading portion  11  functions as a data input means, and reads an image of a document placed on the document placing portion  39  as mentioned above. The image forming portion  12  executes the print operation of the image data read by the image reading portion  11  or the data from the personal computer (PC)  2 , the server  3  or the FAX  4  onto the paper M, and is provided with the polygon mirror  38  and its driving motor  13 . 
   The I/F portion  14  functions as a communication means for exchanging data between the MFP  1  and the personal computer (PC)  2 , the server  3  or the FAX  4 . It also functions as an input means for inputting the data from the personal computer (PC)  2 , the server  3  or the FAX  4 . Needless to say, the personal computer (PC)  2 , the server  3  and the FAX  4  are also provided with a similar I/F portion, respectively (though not shown in figures). 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the operation panel portion  15  is provided with a display portion  21  such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an operation portion  22  including various keys, a copy start button  23 , a FAX selection button  24 , a copy selection button  25 , an Internet FAX (abbreviated as “I-FAX” in  FIG. 4 ) selection button  26 , and a scan selection button  27 . 
   The FAX selection button  24  is a button for instructing the MFP  1  to execute the FAX transmission function of transmitting the image data read by the image reading portion  11  to the FAX  4 , etc. via a phone line W. The copy selection button  25  is a button for instructing the image forming portion  12  to execute the print operation for printing the image data read by the image reading portion  11  onto a paper. 
   The Internet FAX selection button  26  is a button for instructing the MFP  1  to execute the Internet FAX transmission function of emailing the image data read by the image reading portion  11  to the server  3 , etc. via the Internet. The scan selection button  27  is a button for instructing the MFP  1  to execute the scan function of storing the image date read by the image reading portion  11  in the HDD  17  as a storing medium. 
   The MFP  1  is configured to execute, other than the aforementioned functions, a print function of printing the print data received from the personal computer (PC)  2 , etc., the data attached to an email read from the server  3  or the data transmitted from the FAX  4  onto a paper by the image forming portion  12 . 
   Among these functions, the copy function and the print function are designated as a function (first function) of executing image forming (printing) by utilizing the image forming portion  12 , respectively. On the other hand, the FAX transmission function, the Internet FAX transmission function and the scan function are designated as a function (second function) not utilizing the image forming portion  12 , respectively, since these functions do not require the execution of image forming. 
   The controller portion  16  is equipped with a CPU (not shown), and totally controls the entire MFP 1 . In this embodiment, for example, in a state in which the MFP  1  is in a standby mode, i.e., the apparatus is in a non-working state, when the first function, such as a print function of forming an image using the image forming portion  12 , is selected prior to the image forming, the motor  13  is activated so as to establish a pre-rotating state of the polygon mirror  38  for the purpose of shortening the print time. On the other hand, when the second function which does not utilize the image forming portion  12  is selected when the MFP  1  is in a standby mode, it is controlled so as not to establish the pre-rotating state of the polygon mirror  38  since no image is to be formed. This control will be detailed later. 
   The HDD  17  stores the image data read by the image reading portion  11  and/or another data. 
   Next, the contents of the pre-rotation control of the polygon mirror  38  by the controller portion  16  will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 . The following explanation will be directed to the cases in which a copy function is selected as the first function of the MFP  1  and a FAX function is selected as the second function of the MFP  1 . In the following explanation and figures, “Step” will be abbreviated as “S”. 
   In  FIG. 5 , the controller portion  16  discriminates whether one of the function switch buttons (selection buttons)  24 ,  25 ,  26  or  27  is pressed at S 101  when the MFP  1  is in a standby mode or when the polygon mirror  38  is in a pre-rotating mode. If it is discriminated that one of the selection buttons  24 – 27  is pressed (Yes at S 101 ), the routine proceeds to S 102 . 
   To the contrary, if it is discriminated that none of the selection buttons  24 – 27  is pressed (No at S 101 ), at S 103 , it is discriminated whether an opening/closing operation of the document cover  45  is made, based on the signal from the opening/closing operation detecting sensor  18 . If it is discriminated that an opening/closing operation of the document cover  45  is made (Yes at S 103 ), it is discriminated that the operation of setting a document onto the document placing portion  39  is completed, and the routine proceeds to S 102 . If it is discriminated that no opening/closing operation of the document cover  45  is made (No at S 103 ), the routine terminates. 
   At S 102 , it is discriminated whether the state immediately before the pressing operation of any one of the selection buttons  24 – 27  was the copy function selected state. If it is discriminated that it was in the copy function selected state (Yes at S 102 ), the pre-rotation discrimination processing  1  is executed at S 104 , and then the routine terminates. To the contrary, if it is discriminated that it was not in the copy function selected state (i.e., in the FAX function selected state) (No at S 102 ), the pre-rotation discrimination processing  2  is executed at S 105 , and then the routine terminates. 
   In the case where the opening/closing operation of the document cover  45  is made when the MFP  1  is in a standby mode (No at S 101 , and Yes at S 103 ) in  FIG. 5 , for the purpose of discriminating whether the copy function is in a selected state at S 102 , a default which preferentially sets any one of functions in an initial state (in a standby state, i.e., in a non-working state of the apparatus) is required. 
   For example, in the case where a copy mode is set in the initial state, the default is a copy mode. 
   In this embodiment, when the opening/closing operation of the document cover  45  is detected, it is discriminated that the operation of setting a document onto the document placing portion  39  is completed as mentioned above. However, such a discrimination can be made by detecting the setting of a document by a document detecting sensor equipped to a known automatic document feeder (ADF). 
   Next, the contents of the subroutine of the aforementioned pre-rotation discrimination processing  1  (S 104  in  FIG. 5 ) will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   In  FIG. 6 , at S 201 , it is discriminated whether the selected button  24 ,  25 ,  26  or  27  is a copy selection button  25  or whether the opening/closing operation of the document cover  45  is made. 
   When the copy selection button  25  is pressed or the opening/closing operation of the document cover  45  is made (Yes at S 201 ), at S 202 , it is discriminated whether the polygon mirror  38  is in a pre-rotating state. If it is discriminated that the polygon mirror  38  is in a pre-rotating state (Yes at S 202 ), the routine returns as it is. To the contrary, if it is discriminated that the polygon mirror  38  is not in a pre-rotating state (No at S 202 ), since a function using the image forming portion  12  is selected, the pre-rotation of the polygon mirror  38  is initiated at  203 , and then the routine returns. This pre-rotation enables the shortening of a time for the image forming. 
   On the other hand, when the pressed button is not the copy selection button  25  or the opening/closing operation of the document cover  45  is not made (No at S 201 ), at S 204 , it is discriminated whether the polygon mirror  38  is in a pre-rotating state. If it is discriminated that the polygon mirror  38  is in a pre-rotating state (Yes at S 204 ), the pre-rotation is interrupted at S 205 , and then the routine returns. To the contrary, if it is discriminated that the polygon mirror  38  is not in a pre-rotating state (No at S 204 ), the routine returns as it is. 
   Next, the contents of the subroutine of the aforementioned pre-rotation discrimination processing  2  (S 105  in  FIG. 5 ) will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   In  FIG. 7 , at S 301 , it is discriminated whether the FAX selection button  24  is pressed. If it is discriminated that the FAX selection button  24  is pressed (Yes at S 301 ), the routine returns as it is. To the contrary, if it is discriminated that the FAX selection button  24  is not pressed (No at S 301 ), at S 302 , the pre-rotation of the polygon mirror  38  is initiated at  302 , and then the routine returns. 
   For example, in the case where the copy function button  25  is pressed in a FAX function selected state, the discrimination becomes “Yes” at S 101  and “No” at S 102 . The routine proceeds to the pre-rotation discrimination processing  2  shown as S 105 . Then, at S 301  in  FIG. 7 , the discrimination becomes “No,” and therefore the pre-rotation of the polygon mirror  38  is initiated at S 302 . Thus, the polygon mirror  38  in a non-rotating state will be brought into a pre-rotating state. 
   On the other hand, in the case where the opening/closing operation of the document cover  45  is made and the pressing operation of the FAX selection button  24  is made in a copy function selected state, the opening/closing operation of the document cover  45  in the copy function selected state causes the discrimination to become “No” at S 101 , “Yes” at S 103  and “Yes” at S 102  in  FIG. 5 . Then, the routine proceeds to the pre-rotation discrimination processing  1  shown as S 104 . Then, in  FIG. 6 , the discrimination becomes “Yes” at S 201 , and therefore the pre-rotation of the polygon mirror  38  is initiated via S 202 . 
   When the FAX selection button  24  is operated, the discrimination becomes “Yes” at S 101  in  FIG. 5 , and “Yes” at S 102 , and therefore the routine proceeds to the pre-rotation discrimination processing  1  shown as S 104 . At S 201  in  FIG. 6 , the discrimination becomes “No,” and the routine proceeds to S 204 . At S 204 , the polygon mirror  38  is in a pre-rotating state and therefore the discrimination becomes “Yes.” At S 205 , the pre-rotating state of the polygon mirror  38  is interrupted. In other words, the polygon mirror  38  in a pre-rotating state is brought into a pre-rotation prevention state when the FAX selection button is selected. This prevents a wasteful rotation of the polygon mirror  38 . 
   In the aforementioned embodiment, although the explanation is directed to the case in which the first function is a copy function, the first function can be a print function. In this case, the discrimination of the opening/closing operation of the document cover  43  in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is no longer required. In the case of the print function, when a print job is inputted or when it is discriminated by the controller portion  16  that a job is a print job, it is enough to discriminate that a print function is selected. In this case, the controller portion  16  becomes a selecting means. 
   Furthermore, although the aforementioned explanation is directed to the case in which the second function is a FAX transmission function, the second function can be an Internet FAX transmission function or a Scan function. 
   Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiment, although the explanation is directed to the case in which the polyangular mirror is a polygon mirror  38 , the polyangular mirror is not limited to a polygon mirror, but can be a galvanometer mirror or the like. 
   While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, a number of illustrative embodiments are described herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as providing examples of the principles of the invention and such examples are not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein. 
   While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limited to.” In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are not recited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “present invention” or “invention” may be used as a reference to one or more aspect within the present disclosure. The language present invention or invention should not be improperly interpreted as an identification of criticality, should not be improperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments (i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a number of aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted as limiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “embodiment” can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments may include overlapping features. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this case, the following abbreviated terminology may be employed: “e.g.” which means “for example;” and “NB” which means “note well.”