JP2006259591A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress damage applied on an image forming apparatus due to initialization processing performed at restart-up to the minimum, in the case of restarting and recovering the image forming apparatus after the occurrence of an error in the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: Whether or not power supply to an IOT is for restart-up is determined (step 120), and when the power supply is for restart-up, whether or not the initialization processing is inhibited is determined (step 122), and when it is determined that the processing is not inhibited, whether or not the error occurs before the restart-up is determined (step 124), and when it is determined that the error occurs, whether or not all the initialization processing is feasible is determined (step 126), and when it is determined that the processing is not feasible, feasible initialization processing is selected (step 128), and the selected initialization processing is performed (step 130). When the power supply is performed not for the restart-up, and with no error before the restart-up, and when it is determined that all the initialization processing is feasible, all the initialization processing is performed (step 132). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image according to image data on a recording sheet, and a print controller that controls the image forming unit, and the power of the image forming unit shifts from an off state to an on state. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs initialization processing for a plurality of predetermined items.

  In general, an image forming apparatus performs image forming processing and detects whether or not there is an error in each function of the hardware resources and software resources of the apparatus. Examples of the error include a recording sheet conveyance abnormality and a formed image density abnormality.

  Regardless of whether an error is detected, if the subsequent processing continues, troubles such as ejection of abnormal images and damage to hardware resources may occur. Therefore, when the occurrence of an error is detected, the subsequent image forming process is often prohibited.

  However, error detection may be a false detection, and in practice both hardware and software resources may be available.

  As a technique for determining whether or not an error is due to erroneous detection as described above, when an error is detected in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus restarts once, and if the error is still not resolved, the image forming apparatus A proposal has been made to make it impossible to use the image forming apparatus for failure (see Patent Document 1).

By the way, the initialization process performed is often the same regardless of the situation. On the other hand, a technique for switching the mode between the normal initialization operation process when the power is turned on and the initialization operation process when returning from the energy saving mode has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-105167 JP 2000-196789 A

  However, when the image forming apparatus is restarted because an error in the image forming apparatus is detected as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the image forming apparatus is further damaged by the initialization process at the time of restarting. There was a case.

  In recent years, multi-function machines having FAX, copiers, scanners, and printer functions, which have become mainstream in recent years, send and receive data between an image forming unit that forms images on recording paper and the outside, and print data. It consists of a controller. In such a multifunction device, when an error is detected in the image forming unit and the use of the image forming unit must be disabled, the image including the print controller can be used regardless of whether the function of the print controller can be used. All functions of the forming device have been disabled.

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention minimizes the damage to the image forming apparatus due to the initialization process at the time of restart when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus and the recovery is measured by restarting. An object of the present invention is to obtain an image forming apparatus capable of extending the lifetime and reducing so-called downtime such as interruption of processing.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image forming unit that forms an image according to the image data on a recording sheet, and image data is generated based on the input image information, and the image forming unit is controlled and generated. In an image forming apparatus comprising a print controller for forming the image data on a recording sheet, the image forming unit includes storage means for storing information on errors that occur during activation or operation of the image forming unit. When restarting in response to the occurrence of the error, initialization is performed by excluding processing related to the error information from preset initialization processing.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the print controller unit generates image data based on the input image information and controls the image forming unit to respond to the generated image data. An image is formed on a recording sheet.

  On the other hand, the storage unit stores information on errors that occur during activation or operation of the image forming unit.

  When the image forming unit performs a restart in response to the error that has occurred, the image forming unit is selected based on the error information stored in the storage unit from the initialization process that is normally performed. The initialization process is executed except for the initialization process.

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the restart is performed, the initialization process to be executed is selected according to the error that has occurred in the image forming unit that occurred before the restart. Depending on the error that has occurred, the image forming apparatus may be damaged by the execution of the initialization process of a specific item, but by not selecting the initialization process of a specific item as in the present invention, Damage to the image forming apparatus can be minimized.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the print controller unit receives a notification of the occurrence of the error from the image forming unit, the print controller unit instructs the image forming unit to restart, and The image forming unit performs initialization in response to a restart instruction from the print controller unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the print controller receives a notification of the occurrence of the error from the image forming unit, the print controller instructs the image forming unit to restart, and the image forming unit Initialization is performed in response to a restart instruction from the print controller unit.

  In this way, the print controller unit instructs the image forming unit to restart in response to an error that prevents the image forming unit from performing image forming processing. In such a case, the initialization process is executed except for the specific initialization process selected from the initialization processes to be executed based on the type of the error information stored in the storage means.

  In addition, when an abnormality occurs in the image forming unit, only the image forming unit is controlled and the print controller unit is not controlled. Therefore, even if the image forming unit becomes unusable, Use is possible.

  Thus, according to the second aspect of the present invention, damage to the image forming apparatus due to the initialization process at the time of restart can be minimized, the life of the apparatus can be extended, and so-called downtime such as interruption of the process can be reduced.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the process relating to the error information includes an initialization process relating to input / output control between the print controller unit and the image forming unit. And

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the processing relating to the storage means executes a restart in the image forming unit or an initialization process after the restart. It is characterized by including.

  Some errors occurring in the image forming unit may not be recovered even after restarting and initialization after restarting, such as damage to parts. When such an error occurs, by not restarting or performing initialization processing after restarting, for example, until the part causing the error is replaced, Can be disabled.

  Thus, by not performing the initialization process after restarting the image forming unit and disabling the use of the image forming unit, it is possible to minimize damage to the image forming apparatus and Troubles such as discharge can be avoided.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the print controller unit includes an identification unit for identifying whether the activation of the image forming unit is a restart or a normal power-on. And notifying the image forming unit.

  According to the invention of claim 5, when the image forming unit is activated, the identifying means identifies whether the activation is a restart or a normal power-on. The identification result is notified to the image forming unit.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the identification unit identifies whether the power supply switch provided in the image forming unit is restarted or normal power-on.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, for example, it is determined that the power on / off by an instruction to the power switch by the operator is not a restart but a normal power on / off.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 6, the identification means identifies a restart when the time between the off operation and the on operation to the power switch is within a predetermined time. .

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, for example, even if the power is turned on / off by the operation of the power switch by the operator, the restart is identified if the operation interval is within a predetermined time.

  In other words, even in the case of restarting by the print controller unit, for example, when restarting is performed by the operator's judgment, it is recognized that the restarting is equivalent.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus and recovery is measured by restarting, the damage to the image forming apparatus due to initialization processing at the time of restarting is minimized, and It has an excellent effect of obtaining an image forming apparatus that can extend the life and reduce so-called downtime such as interruption of processing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to an external apparatus such as a client PC 90 that transmits an image forming job.

  The image forming apparatus 10 records an image corresponding to the input image data, and a print controller 12 that instructs execution of the printing process by using image data that has undergone various processes such as image processing based on image information such as a print job. It consists of an IOT 14 that prints on paper.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the print controller 12 and the IOT 14 are integrated. However, the print controller 12 and the IOT 14 may be physically independent.

  FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the IOT 14. In the IOT 14, photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K that rotate in the direction of arrow A for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are arranged in parallel facing the intermediate transfer belt 30, and the intermediate transfer belt 30 makes one round. This is a so-called tandem full color IOT in which toner images of four colors are superimposed. Note that when distinguishing each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, Y, M, C, and K are added after the code. However, if there is no need to distinguish each color, Y, M, C, and K are omitted.

  A charging roll 22 that uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor 20 is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 20. A laser exposure device 24 for irradiating a light beam for writing an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 20 is disposed on the downstream side of the charging roller 22 in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20. Further, a developing device 26 for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image is in contact with the downstream side of the laser exposure device 24.

  An intermediate transfer belt 30 is in contact with the developing device 26 on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20.

  The intermediate transfer belt 30 is wound around belt conveyance rolls 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D so as to come into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 20, and is rotated in the arrow B direction. A primary transfer roll 28 is disposed at a portion where the intermediate transfer belt 30 and the photoconductor 20 abut. The primary transfer roll 28 has a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner image formed on the photoconductor 20. A voltage is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 30, and a toner image is electrostatically attracted from the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer belt 30 for primary transfer.

  The IOT 14 includes a paper feed tray 34 at the bottom. The recording paper P set in the paper feed tray 34 is fed one by one from the paper feed tray 34 to the downstream side in the transport direction in the direction of arrow C and transported to the transfer unit 36.

  The transfer unit 36 is provided with a belt conveyance roll 32B around which the intermediate transfer belt 30 is wound, and a secondary transfer roll 36B pressed against the belt conveyance roll 32B. The secondary transfer roll 36B rotates in the arrow D direction. The intermediate transfer belt 30 is sandwiched between the nip portion of the belt conveyance roll 32B and the secondary transfer roll 36B, and the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 30 when the recording paper P passes through the nip portion. It is like that.

  A fixing unit 38 is disposed downstream of the transfer unit 36 in the transport direction. The fixing unit 38 is provided with a heat roll 38A that becomes high temperature and a backup roll 38B that is pressed against the heat roll 38A, and the recording paper P has a nip portion between the heat roll 38A and the backup roll 38B. When passing, the toner is melted and solidified to be fixed on the recording paper P. The recording paper P is discharged by a paper discharge roll (not shown) disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the fixing unit 38.

  A density sensor 42 for detecting the density of the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 and a color register for each color toner image are provided on the downstream side of the photoconductor 20K and the upstream side of the transfer unit 36. A color registration detection sensor 40 for detection is provided.

  Further, the IOT 14 includes a toner tank 44 that stores toner of each color used by the developing device 26 of each color. The toner tank 44 for each color and the developing device 22 for each color corresponding to the toner tank 44 are connected by a toner feeding pipe (not shown). The toner tank 44 for each color supplies the toner for each color to the developing device 22 for each color. It is supposed to be.

  By the way, when the power of the IOT 14 is turned on, the above-described initialization processing of each device included in the IOT 14 is performed.

  The initialization processing includes a plurality of processing items such as determination of whether or not toner is supplied to the toner tank 44, color registration adjustment processing, and density adjustment processing. By such initialization processing, each function related to image formation is prepared to function normally.

  Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The print controller 12 is provided with a main power switch 50 for the user to instruct the power on or off of the image forming apparatus 10. The main power switch 50 is connected to a controller power on / off control unit 52. The controller power on / off control unit 52 receives a power on instruction or a power off instruction from the main power switch 50, and The power supply is turned on and off.

  The controller power on / off controller 52 is connected to a controller initialization controller 54. The controller power on / off controller 52 first transmits a start signal to the controller initialization controller 54 when the print controller 12 is turned on. When the controller initialization control unit 54 receives the start signal, the controller initialization control unit 54 executes an initialization process for enabling the functions of the print controller 12.

  In addition, the print controller 12 includes a print processing control unit 56 that controls the operation of the print controller 12 itself and instructs the operation of the IOT 14. The print processing control unit 56 transmits / receives data to / from an external device 90 such as a client PC via an interface (I / F) unit 58. Further, the instruction data from the print processing control unit 56 to the IOT 14 is transmitted to the IOT control unit 14C via the controller I / O unit 60 and the IOTI / O unit 62 provided in the IOT 14.

  By the way, the main power switch 50 is also connected to the controller I / O unit 60, and an instruction to the main power switch 50 is turned on / off of the IOT power via the controller I / O unit 60 and the IOTI / O unit 62. The data is transmitted to the control unit 64. The IOT power on / off control unit 64 controls the power on / off of the IOT 14. The IOT power on / off control unit 64 is connected to an IOT initialization control unit 66 that controls initialization processing that enables the functions of the IOT 14 to be executed. The IOT initialization control unit 66 starts to execute the initialization process when it receives the information on the transition to the on state from the IOT power on / off control unit 64.

  Incidentally, a fatal error in the processing operation of the IOT control unit 14C is detected by the IOT error detection unit 68. The IOT error detection unit 68 is connected to an error storage unit 70 that stores error information in the IOT 14, and the detected error is transmitted to the error storage unit 70. The error storage unit 70 stores the error occurrence date and time together with the received error information. The error storage unit 70 is a non-volatile memory, and the stored error information is not lost even when the power of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned off.

  On the other hand, the IOT error detection unit 68 is also connected to an error determination unit 72 provided in the print controller 12 via the IOTI / O unit 62 and the controller I / O unit 60. When receiving the error information, the error determination unit 72 instructs the IOT power on / off control unit 64 to restart via the controller I / O unit 60 and the IOTI / O unit 62.

  As an error recovered by restarting, for example, there is an error in detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner tank 44. For example, when a large amount of solid black image is formed, the toner (K) in the toner tank 44K decreases rapidly. A toner remaining amount detection sensor (not shown) detects the remaining amount of toner (K) in the toner tank 44K, and prompts the supply of toner (K) to the toner tank 44K when the remaining amount becomes smaller than a predetermined remaining amount. However, if the toner (K) decreases too rapidly, the detection capability cannot catch up and a sensor error occurs. In such a case, the detection of the remaining toner detection sensor can be returned to normal by restarting the apparatus. The toner remaining amount detection sensor after the restart detects the remaining amount of toner (K) in the toner tank 44K that has decreased, and prompts the supply of toner (K) to the toner tank 44K.

  By the way, the IOT 14 includes an IOT power switch 76 for the user to instruct to turn on or off the power of only the IOT 14. Normally, the power on / off of the IOT 14 is controlled by an instruction to the main power switch 50. For example, when only the IOT 14 is restarted by a user's judgment instead of an instruction from the error judgment unit 72, etc. In addition, the operation to the IOT power switch 76 is performed.

  The IOT power switch 76 via the error determination unit 72, the main power switch 50, the controller I / O unit 60, and the IOTI / O unit 62 indicates whether the power on of the IOT 14 is a normal power on or a power on in a restart. Is also connected to the restart identification unit 74 for identifying Basically, when the restart identification unit 74 receives a restart instruction from the error determination unit 72, the restart identification unit 74 determines that the power is turned on in the restart, and turns on the power from the main power switch 50 or the IOT power switch 76. When the instruction is received, it is determined that the power is normally on. On the other hand, the restart identification unit 74 also receives a power-off instruction from the main power switch 50 or the IOT power switch 76, and measures the time from the power-off instruction to the power-on instruction. When the time is within the predetermined time, even if a power-on instruction is issued from the main power switch 50 or the IOT power switch 76, the power-on is identified as a restart.

  In addition, the error determination unit 72 transmits an instruction to prohibit all initialization processing to the restart identification unit 74 so that the IOT 14 cannot perform processing depending on the type of error information.

  For example, an error detected when a part of a part included in the IOT 14 is damaged can be recovered only by replacing the damaged part. If it is not possible to recover from an error even after such a restart and initialization process, the initialization process after the restart is not performed and the use of the IOT 14 is disabled. .

  Further, the restart identification unit 74 is connected to the IOT initialization control unit 66 via the controller I / O unit 60 and the IOTI / O unit 62. In synchronization with the IOT power on / off control unit 64 transmitting information indicating that the power has been turned on to the IOT initialization control unit 66, the restart identification unit 74 notifies the IOT initialization control unit 66 of the on state. Information on whether or not the transition to the restart is restarted and information on whether or not the initialization process can be executed are transmitted.

  The error determination unit 72 instructs the restart identification unit 74 to prohibit all initialization processing, and does not disable the IOT 14, but instructs the IOT power on / off control unit 64 to shut down and restart. It may be prohibited and the IOT 14 may be disabled.

  By the way, some initialization processes may cause problems such as damage to the apparatus when restarted when an error occurs.

  For example, when restarting after occurrence of the sensor error described above, density adjustment, which is one of the initialization processes, is performed regardless of whether the remaining amount of toner (K) is too small. Then, other functions such as exposure amount have been adjusted in order to obtain a normal density with a small amount of toner (K). Thus, there is a problem that unnecessary adjustment operation is performed and carrier outflow is promoted. As described above, when the above-described sensor error occurs, it is necessary not to perform density adjustment in the subsequent restart.

  On the other hand, the IOT initialization control unit 66 is connected to an initialization menu selection unit 78 for selecting an item for initialization processing. It prompts you for possible initialization choices.

  The initialization menu selection unit 78 is connected to the error storage unit 70 and the initialization menu storage unit 80. Error information is received from the error storage unit 70, and initialization menu information is received from the initialization menu storage unit 80. And an item of initialization processing that can be performed is selected based on the error information.

  For example, the initialization menu selection unit 78 may input / output between the print controller 12 and the IOT 14 in order to prohibit input / output processing between the print controller 12 and the IOT 14 depending on the type of error information stored in the error storage unit 70. Do not select items for initialization processing.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 having the configuration of the present embodiment is initialized without any problem even if it is executed by excluding the initialization process that causes a problem or does not require initialization from the error information. Only the process can be performed, and the apparatus is not damaged by the initialization process.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 4 shows a processing flow of the IOT 14.

  First, in step 100, the IOT power source is turned on. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 102. In step 102, an initialization process described later is performed.

  Subsequently, in step 104, it is determined whether or not the IOT power is turned off. (The IOT power-off here is not the power-off at the time of restart, but the power-off at the time of shutdown.) When the power is off, the processing of the ITO 14 ends.

  If the IOT power is not off in step 104, the process proceeds to step 106. In step 106, it is determined whether an error is detected by the IOT control unit 14C. If no error is detected, the process returns to step 104 again.

  If an error is detected in step 106, the process proceeds to step 108. In step 108, an error occurrence process described later is performed. After the error occurrence process, the process returns to step 104 again.

  FIG. 5 shows a flow of error determination processing.

  First, in step 110, error information is stored in the error storage unit 70. Subsequently, in step 112, error information is notified to the error determination unit 72. After the error information is notified to the error determination unit 72, the process proceeds to step 114 and waits for a determination instruction from the print controller 12.

  When a determination instruction is issued from the print controller 12, the process proceeds to step 116. In step 116, the IOT 14 is restarted by an instruction from the error determination unit 72. After the IOT 14 is turned on, the process proceeds to step 118. In step 118, initialization processing described later is performed.

  FIG. 6 shows a flow of initialization processing in the IOT 14.

  First, in step 120, information indicating whether or not the current transition to the ON state in the IOT 14 is due to restart is transmitted from the restart identification unit 74. If it is a restart, the process proceeds to step 122. In step 122, it is determined whether or not the initialization process is prohibited. If not prohibited, the process proceeds to step 124. In step 124, the error storage unit 70 is referred to and it is determined whether or not an error has occurred before restarting. If an error has occurred, the process proceeds to step 126. In step 126, the initialization menu selection unit 78 determines whether or not all of the initialization processes stored in the initialization menu storage unit 80 can be performed. If not feasible, the process proceeds to step 128. In step 128, the initialization menu selection unit 78 selects an executable initialization process. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 140, and the selected initialization process is performed.

  By the way, when it is determined in step 120 that the current transition to the on state is a transition of the power on state in the normal IOT 14, or in step 124, it is determined that no error has occurred before the restart. If it is determined, or if it is determined in step 126 that all of the initialization processes stored in the initialization menu storage unit 80 can be performed, the process proceeds to step 132. In step 132, all of the initialization processes stored in the initialization menu storage unit 80 are performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 122 that the initialization process is prohibited, no initialization process is performed.

  FIG. 7 shows a processing flow of the print controller 12.

  First, at step 140, the print controller 12 is turned on. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 142, and the initialization process of the print controller 12 is started. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 144, where it is confirmed that the power source of the print controller 12 has not shifted to the off state. (The off state here is not the transition to the off state at the time of restart, but the off state at the time of shutdown.) In the off state, the processing of the print controller 12 ends.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 146, where it is determined whether an error is detected during the process of the print controller 12 including the initialization process. When an error is detected in the print controller 12, restart is performed. First, the process proceeds to step 148, the print controller power is turned off, and the process returns to step 140 described above.

  In subsequent step 150, it is determined whether or not the error determination unit 72 has received error information in the ITO 14. If received, the process proceeds to step 152. In step 152, a determination process described later is performed. During the processing of step 152, the IOT 14 waits for a determination instruction from the print controller 12.

  When step 152 ends, the process proceeds to step 154. In step 154, it is determined whether or not the initialization process is being performed in the IOT 14. If it is determined that the operation is not in progress, the process returns to step 144 described above.

  FIG. 8 shows a flow in the print controller 12 when error information is received.

  First, in step 160, the error determination unit 72 determines whether or not to execute the initialization process after restarting the standby IOT 14. If not, the process proceeds to step 162. In step 162, the error determination unit 72 instructs the restart identification unit 74 to prohibit initialization processing. Subsequently, in step 164, the error determination unit 72 instructs the IOT power on / off control unit 64 to restart.

  In this embodiment, the IOT 14 notifies the print controller 12 of an error, the print controller 12 determines the error content, and instructs the IOT 14 to restart, but the IOT 14 determines the error content. The printer may be restarted and the print controller 12 may be notified of the restart.

  In this embodiment, the error storage unit 70 is provided in the IOT 14. However, the error storage unit is provided in the print controller 12, and the IOT 14 exchanges error contents with the print controller 12 when an error occurs and when it is restarted. It is good.

1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the internal structure of IOT of this Embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing functional connections of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is a flowchart of the process in IOT of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process in IOT at the time of error occurrence. It is a flowchart of the initialization process in IOT. 6 is a flowchart of processing in the print controller of the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of processing in a print controller when an error occurs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Print controller (print controller part)
14 IOT (image forming unit)
50 Main power switch 60 Controller I / O unit 62 IOTI / O unit 64 IOT power on / off control unit 66 IOT initialization control unit 68 Error detection unit 70 Error storage unit (storage means)
72 Error determination unit 74 Restart identification unit (identification means)
76 IOT power switch (power switch)
78 Initialization menu selection section

Claims (7)

An image formed by an image forming unit that forms an image according to image data on a recording sheet, and a print controller unit that generates the image data based on input image information and controls the image forming unit. A forming device,
Storage means for storing error information generated during activation or operation of the image forming unit;
When the image forming unit executes a restart in response to the error that has occurred, a specific initial selected based on the error information stored in the storage unit from a normally executed initialization process An image forming apparatus that executes an initialization process except for an initialization process. The image forming unit includes a notification unit that notifies the print controller of the error that has occurred,
When the print controller unit receives the notification of the error that has occurred from the notification unit, the print controller unit instructs the image forming unit to restart,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit performs the initialization process in response to a restart instruction from the print controller unit.   The specific initialization process selected based on error information stored in the storage unit includes an initialization process related to input / output control between the print controller unit and the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The determination as to whether or not the image forming unit needs to be restarted or whether or not to execute initialization processing after restarting is made based on error information stored in the storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.   5. The print controller unit according to claim 1, wherein the print controller unit identifies whether the activation of the image forming unit is a restart or a normal power-on, and notifies the image forming unit. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the identifying unit identifies whether the power switch provided in the image forming unit is restarted or normal power-on.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the identification unit identifies a restart when a time between an off operation and an on operation of the power switch is within a predetermined time.

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