CN109557784B - Image forming apparatus with a toner supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses an image forming apparatus which is not connected to a communication line. The image forming apparatus includes: a reading unit that reads identification information for confirming a consumable replaceably mounted in the image forming apparatus; a determination unit that determines whether the mounted consumable item is a consumable item that includes a plurality of pieces of identification information for identifying consumable items other than the consumable item; a rewritable storage unit that additionally stores the plurality of pieces of identification information of the consumable.

Description

image forming apparatus

technical field

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Background technique

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-148751 discloses a consumables management system in which a management server manages the use state of a toner cartridge installed in an image forming apparatus. In the management system, the toner cartridge has an identification information, the image forming apparatus is provided with identification information and can be connected to a management server via a network, information about a predetermined toner cartridge used in the image forming apparatus is pre-registered in the storage unit of the management server, and the management server obtains the information of the image forming apparatus via the network. The identification information and the identification information of the toner cartridge installed in the image forming apparatus, and the use state of the image forming apparatus and the use state of the toner cartridge are obtained.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-202697 discloses a genuine product discrimination method in which a computer is made to perform the steps of: detecting, through a network, inherent information for confirming replacement parts installed in the device; The storage unit in which the inherent information of the replacement part is registered, and the detected inherent information is checked with the registered inherent information to determine whether the replacement part installed in the device is an authentic product registered in the storage unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can update identification information for identifying whether a consumable is a specified consumable in an image forming apparatus not connected to a communication line.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that is not connected to a communication line, the image forming apparatus having:

a reading unit that reads identification information for confirming consumables replaceably mounted in the image forming apparatus;

a discriminating unit that discriminates whether the installed consumable is a consumable that includes a plurality of identification information for identifying consumables other than the consumable;

A rewritable storage unit that additionally stores the plurality of identification information of the consumable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the control software of the image forming apparatus is updated, the identification information is additionally stored in the storage unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the identification information is stored in a storage medium provided in the consumable, when the consumable is installed The identification information is additionally stored in the storage unit when it is placed in the image forming apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, when it is discriminated that the installed consumables were once installed in the image forming apparatus When the consumable is used, the reading unit reads the usage history information of the consumable contained in the consumable and forms an image.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, when it is discriminated that the installed consumables are not previously installed in the image forming apparatus In the case of the consumable, the identification information is referred to, and if the identification information of the consumable is the same as one of the identification information stored in the storage unit, it is determined that it is not a genuine product, and a display for Information indicating selection of the consumable.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the consumable item determined not to be an authentic item is selected, based on the information of the consumable item included in the management information The inherent information sets conditions for forming an image.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when it is discriminated that the installed consumable is not the consumable that has been installed in the image forming apparatus, reference is made to the The identification information, if the identification information of the consumable is not the same as any of the identification information stored in the storage unit, it is determined to be an authentic product, and the identification information of the consumable is updated. At the same time, the usage history information of the consumables is read out and an image is formed.

According to the first aspect, even if the image forming apparatus is not connected to the communication line, it is possible to identify whether the installed consumables are consumables that conform to the specified identification information.

According to the second aspect, when the control software of the image forming apparatus is updated, the identification information of the consumables stored in the image forming apparatus can be updated.

According to the third aspect, the identification information of the consumables accumulated in the image forming apparatus can be updated every time the consumables are replaced with new ones.

According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the printing efficiency of the image forming apparatus.

According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to provide the user with information that the installed consumables are not genuine.

According to the sixth aspect, even when consumables that are not genuine products are used, the occurrence of image quality defects and damage to the image forming apparatus can be suppressed.

According to the seventh aspect, the reduction in printing efficiency of the image forming apparatus can be suppressed.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the exchange of information between the firmware management apparatus and the image forming control section of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for updating the list of non-genuine consumables when the firmware of the image forming apparatus 1 is updated.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an update example of the non-genuine consumables management list.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the exchange of information between the CRUM 200 of the toner cartridge TC and the image forming control section 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 .

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for updating the non-genuine consumables list when the toner cartridge TC is mounted.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when installing consumables in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a storage area of CRUM.

9 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus of a comparative example connected to a communication line and a cloud server storing a non-genuine consumables management list.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in further detail through embodiments and specific examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and specific examples.

Furthermore, in the following description using the drawings, the drawings are schematic, and it should be noted that the ratios and the like of each dimension are different from actual ones, and illustrations other than components that need to be explained are appropriately omitted for ease of understanding.

(1) Overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control device 10 , a paper feeding device 20 , a photoreceptor unit 30 , a developing device 40 , a toner cartridge TC, a transfer device 50 , a fixing device 60 , a power supply device 70 , an operation display device 80 , and a storage device 90 , and the exposure device LH.

The control device 10 includes an image forming control unit 11 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 , a controller unit 12 that prepares image data corresponding to a print processing request, an exposure control unit 13 that controls the lighting of the exposure device LH, and a control power source The power supply control unit 14 of the apparatus 70 , the conveyance control unit 15 for controlling paper conveyance of the sheet feeding device 20 , the display control unit 16 for displaying information on the operation display device 80 , and the like. The power supply device 70 applies a high voltage for forming an image to the photoreceptor unit 30 , the developing device 40 , the transfer device 50 , and the like, and supplies power to the exposure device LH and the fixing device 60 .

The image formation control section 11 receives an image formation start instruction signal and image data from the controller section 12, and controls the following operations: paper conveyance by the paper feeding device 20; photoreceptor unit 30, developing device 40, transfer device 50, fixing Image formation by the device 60 and the exposure control section 13; high voltage application and supply of the power supply control section 14; display on the operation display device; reception of data from the storage device 90;

The controller section 12 converts print information input from an external information transmission device (eg, a personal computer or the like) into image data for forming a latent image. Image data is output to the exposure device LH as a drive signal at a preset timing via the image forming control section 11 and the exposure control section 13 , and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 of the photosensitive body unit 30 .

The photoreceptor unit 30 , which is an example of consumables, is a replaceable unit that includes a photoreceptor drum 31 and is detachably mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 , and includes an example of a storage medium that is electrically connected to the image forming control section 11 . CRUM (Customer Replaceable Unit Memory) 100. The CRUM 100 is provided with a rewritable nonvolatile memory 110 (EEPROM: Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), and the image forming control section 11 performs various controls by using management data about the photoreceptor unit 30 stored in the CRUM 100 .

In a state where the photoreceptor unit 30 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 , the exposure device LH, the developing device 40 , and the transfer device 50 are arranged opposite to the photoreceptor drum 31 along the rotation direction of the photoreceptor drum 31 , and A toner image is formed on 31 . The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred to the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding device 20 via the transfer device 50 .

The toner cartridge TC, which is an example of a consumable that is replaceably mounted in the image forming apparatus 1 , accommodates toner and replenishes the toner in the developing device 40 . In addition, the toner cartridge TC includes, in its interior, CRUM 200 , which is an example of a storage medium electrically connected to the image forming control unit 11 . The CRUM 200 is provided with a rewritable nonvolatile memory 210 (EEPROM), and the image forming control section 11 performs various controls by using the management data about the toner cartridge TC stored in the CRUM 200 .

The sheet to which the toner image has been transferred in the transfer device 50 is conveyed to the fixing device 60 in a state in which the toner image has not been fixed. The toner image is fixed on the sheet conveyed to the fixing device 60 under the action of pressure and heat, and is discharged to, for example, a discharge tray (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1 .

The operation display device 80 corresponds to a so-called user interface, and is configured by combining a liquid crystal display panel, various operation buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and is used for various user settings, input instructions, and information display.

The storage device 90 is a nonvolatile rewritable storage device composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, or the like, and the CPU of the image forming control section 11 executes various programs stored in the program storage area 91 of the storage device 90 . program. Further, in the program storage area 91 is stored an update management program that manages the update of the firmware of the image forming apparatus 1 and the update of the identification information of the photoreceptor unit 30 and the toner cartridge TC.

When the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 1 corrects defects or adds new functions, a new version of firmware is released. Every time the firmware is upgraded, the firmware of the new version is additionally stored in the firmware storage area 92 of the storage device 90 without being overwritten.

Furthermore, every time a non-genuine consumables list that is the identification information of the photoreceptor unit 30 and the toner cartridge TC is newly added, the new consumables list is additionally stored in the identification information storage area 93 of the storage device 90 without being overwritten. . When the photoreceptor unit 30 and the toner cartridge TC are attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and used, the list of non-genuine consumables stored in the identification information storage area 93 is read out and used.

(2) Update of identification information

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing information exchanged between the firmware management apparatus 300 and the image forming control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 , and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process flow of updating the non-genuine consumables list when updating the firmware of the image forming apparatus 1 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an update example of the non-genuine consumables management list, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the exchange of information between the CRUM 200 of the toner cartridge TC and the image forming control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for updating the non-genuine consumables list when the toner cartridge TC is mounted, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the image forming apparatus 1000 of a comparative example connected to a communication line and the storage of non-genuine consumables A block diagram of the cloud server 2000 that manages the list.

(2.1) List of non-genuine consumables management

In the image forming apparatus 1 , in addition to the photoreceptor unit or the toner cartridge (hereinafter referred to as genuine consumables), which are examples of consumables manufactured by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 1 , products manufactured by other manufacturers are also used. A manufacturer's photoreceptor unit and toner cartridge (hereinafter referred to as non-genuine consumables) are used to form images.

In the image forming apparatus 1, when using non-genuine consumables, in order to reproduce the image quality substantially the same as when using genuine consumables, or in order to prevent damage to the image forming apparatus 1 during use, the image forming apparatus 1 is set. condition.

For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 9 , the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus stores the non-genuine consumables management list SR in which the serial numbers SN as identification information of non-genuine consumables are listed in the consumables list storage area of the cloud server 2000 . , and the image forming apparatus 1000 connected to the cloud server 2000 via the communication line 500 can acquire the serial number SN of the non-genuine consumable.

When installing consumables, the image forming apparatus 1000 reads the identification information of the consumables, and determines whether the installed consumables are non-genuine consumables by referring to the serial number SN of the non-genuine consumables management list SR of the cloud server 2000 .

On the other hand, such as an image forming apparatus installed in a place where the connection environment of the communication line is not perfect, or an image forming apparatus installed in a place where the connection environment of the communication line is perfect, but not connected to the communication line due to safety requirements, the communication line 500 is not connected to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus connected to the cloud server S has a problem that the consumables cannot be identified by referring to the serial number SN of the non-genuine consumables management list SR.

(2.2) Update of non-genuine consumer goods management list

As shown in FIG. 2 , the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment stores the non-genuine consumables management list SR, which is the identification information of the photoreceptor unit 30 and the toner cartridge TC, in the consumables for additional storage. A plurality of rewritable storage units of identification information are stored in the identification information storage area 93 of the storage device 90 .

The image forming control section 11 includes an identification information reading section 111 as a reading unit that is a discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the installed consumables are consumables including the identification information. Identification information of consumables that are replaceably mounted in the image forming apparatus 1 is confirmed by reading. When a consumable is installed, the serial number SN, which is the identification information of the consumable, is read, and whether or not the installed consumable is a non-genuine consumable is determined with reference to the serial number SN of the non-genuine consumable management list SR stored.

When the firmware is downloaded via the firmware management device 300, the non-genuine consumables management list SR stored in the identification information storage area 93 of the storage device 90 downloads the latest non-genuine consumables management list SR by the process shown in FIG. 3, and the latest The non-genuine consumables management list SR is not overwritten but additionally stored. Here, the firmware management device 300 is a computer device that manages and controls the firmware of the image forming apparatus 1 , and is connected to the interface 115 of the image forming control section 11 via the interface 301 .

When the update of the firmware is received via the firmware management device 300 ( S101 ), the image forming control unit 11 determines whether or not a non-genuine consumables management list SR is attached ( S102 ). When the non-genuine consumables management list SR is attached ( S102 : Yes), the attached non-genuine consumables management list SR is acquired ( S103 ), and the acquired non-genuine consumables management list SR is additionally written to the storage device In the identification information storage area 93 of 90, the non-genuine consumables management list SR is updated (S104).

Through this process, as shown in an example of FIG. 4 , the fifth version of the non-genuine consumables management list SR to which the serial number SN as new identification information is added is added to the identification information storage area 93 stored in the storage device 90 . The 2nd edition of the Non-genuine Consumables Management List SR.

As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 not connected to the communication line 500 can save the latest non-genuine consumables management list SR in the identification information storage area 93 of the storage device 90 and recognize whether the installed consumables are non-genuine consumables Taste.

[Variation]

As shown in FIG. 5 , the latest non-genuine consumables management list SR may be stored in the EEPROM 210 of the CRUM 200 of the toner cartridge TC, and the latest non-genuine consumables management list SR may be downloaded by the process shown in FIG. 6 when the toner cartridge TC is installed. The non-genuine consumables management list SR is additionally stored in the identification information storage area 93 of the storage device 90 .

In addition, in FIG. 5 , the communication between the image forming control unit 11 and the CRUM 200 is shown as wired communication, but it may be wireless communication.

When the installation of the toner cartridge TC is detected ( S201 ), the image forming control unit 11 determines whether or not a non-genuine consumables management list SR is attached ( S202 ). When the non-genuine consumables management list SR is attached ( S202 : Yes), the attached non-genuine consumables management list SR is acquired ( S203 ), and the acquired non-genuine consumables management list SR is additionally written to the storage device 90 The non-genuine consumables management list SR is updated in the identification information storage area 93 (S204).

In addition, as the consumables, not only the toner cartridge TC, but also the photoreceptor unit 30 can also store the non-genuine consumables management list SR in the CRUM 100 of the photoreceptor unit 30 in the same manner. When the unit 30 is used, the latest non-genuine consumables management list SR can be updated by additionally writing the non-genuine consumables management list SR in the identification information storage area 93 of the storage device 90 .

Thereby, the non-genuine consumables management list SR accumulated in the image forming apparatus 1 can be updated every time the consumables are replaced with new ones.

(3) Detection and print processing of consumables

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when installing consumables in the image forming apparatus 1 , and FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a storage area of the CRUM 200 .

Hereinafter, the image forming operation when the toner cartridge TC as an example of consumables is installed in the image forming apparatus 1 having the non-genuine consumables management list SR will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the EEPROM 210 of the CRUM 200 of the toner cartridge TC includes a read area in which unique information read by the image forming control unit 11 is stored, and is used for reading/writing to and from the image forming control unit 11 . The read/write area of the management information.

Examples of the readout area include an area 211 for storing the serial number of the toner cartridge TC unique to the toner cartridge TC, an area 212 for storing toner color information, and the like.

Examples of the read/write area include an area 214 for storing accumulated value information of toner supply time, an area 215 for storing information on the number of printed sheets, and the like.

When the installation of the toner cartridge TC is detected ( S301 ), the image forming control section 11 reads the identification information of the consumables stored in the CRUM 200 of the toner cartridge TC ( S302 ). Specifically, the identification information reading unit 111 reads the serial number SN stored in the CRUM 200 .

Then, the determination unit 112 determines whether or not the toner cartridge TC has been mounted in the image forming apparatus until just now ( S303 ). When it is determined that the toner cartridge TC has been mounted in the image forming apparatus until immediately (S303: YES), the accumulated value information of the toner supply time and the information on the number of printed sheets are acquired as an example of the usage history information (S308), And the designated printing is performed (S309). Thereby, it is not necessary to reset the conditions for forming an image for the newly installed toner cartridge TC, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the printing efficiency of the image forming apparatus 1 .

As a result of the determination by the determination unit 112 , if it is determined that the toner cartridge TC has not been mounted in the image forming apparatus until just now ( S303 : No), it is determined as the identification information read by the identification information reading unit 111 Whether the serial number SN of the image forming apparatus matches the serial number SN of the non-genuine consumables management list SR stored in the image forming apparatus (S304).

When the read serial number SN matches one of the serial numbers SN of the non-genuine consumables management list SR (S304: YES), that is, when it is determined that the mounted toner cartridge TC is a non-genuine product, this fact is displayed in the The display device 80 is operated (S305). Thereby, information that the installed consumables are not genuine can be provided to the user.

After the fact that the installed toner cartridge TC is a non-genuine product is displayed on the operation display device 80 (S305), when the user's print instruction is accepted (S307: YES), the accumulated value information of the toner supply time and the information on the number of printed sheets are acquired (S308), and the designated printing is performed (S309). This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of image quality defects and damage to the image forming apparatus 1 even when consumables that are not genuine products are used.

When the read serial number SN does not match any of the serial numbers SN of the non-genuine consumables management list SR (S304: NO), that is, when it is determined that the installed toner cartridge TC is a new genuine product, the The serial number SN stored in the image forming apparatus is updated to the read new serial number SN (S306).

Then, when the user's print instruction is accepted ( S307 : YES), the accumulated value information of the toner supply time and the number of printed sheets information are acquired ( S308 ), and the designated printing is executed ( S309 ). Thereby, it is not necessary to reset the conditions for forming an image for the newly installed toner cartridge TC, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the printing efficiency of the image forming apparatus 1 .

In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the toner cartridge TC is attached as an example of the consumables is described, but the consumables are not limited to the toner cartridges TC.

When the photoreceptor unit 30 including the CRUM 100 is installed in the image forming apparatus 1 as a consumable to be installed, the identification information reading section 111 reads the serial number SN stored in the CRUM 100 and executes the operation shown in FIG. 8 . The process flow shown in FIG. 1 can thereby suppress the occurrence of image quality defects and damage to the image forming apparatus 1 even when a photoreceptor unit 30 that is not a genuine product is used.

Claims (11)

1. An image forming apparatus not connected to a communication line, the image forming apparatus comprising: a reading unit that reads identification information for confirming consumables that are replaceably mounted in the image forming apparatus; a discriminating unit that discriminates whether the installed consumable is a consumable with identification information for identifying the consumable and a plurality of identification information for identifying a consumable other than the consumable; A rewritable storage unit that additionally stores the plurality of identification information of the consumable. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The identification information is additionally stored in the storage unit when the control software of the image forming apparatus is updated. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The identification information is stored in a storage medium provided in the consumable, and the identification information is additionally stored in the storage unit when the consumable is installed in the image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The identification information is stored in a storage medium provided in the consumable, and the identification information is additionally stored in the storage unit when the consumable is installed in the image forming apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When discriminating that the installed consumable is the consumable that was once installed in the image forming apparatus, the reading unit reads the usage history information of the consumable included in the consumable and form an image. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, When discriminating that the installed consumable is the consumable that was once installed in the image forming apparatus, the reading unit reads the usage history information of the consumable included in the consumable and form an image. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, When discriminating that the installed consumable is the consumable that was once installed in the image forming apparatus, the reading unit reads the usage history information of the consumable included in the consumable and form an image. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, When discriminating that the installed consumable is the consumable that was once installed in the image forming apparatus, the reading unit reads the usage history information of the consumable included in the consumable and form an image. 9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: When it is determined that the installed consumable is not the consumable that has been installed in the image forming apparatus, the identification information is referred to, and if the identification information of the consumable is stored in the storage unit with the same If one of the identification information is the same, it is determined that it is not a genuine product, and information for instructing the selection of the consumable is displayed. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, When the consumable that is determined not to be a genuine product is selected, the conditions for forming an image are set based on the unique information of the consumable included in the management information. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, When it is determined that the installed consumable is not the consumable that has been installed in the image forming apparatus, the identification information is referred to, and if the identification information of the consumable does not match the identification information stored in the storage unit If any of the identification information is the same, it is determined to be an authentic product, and the use history information of the consumable is read out and an image is formed while the identification information of the consumable is updated.

Images