JP2003208064A - Image forming apparatus, program, and computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a user with sufficient information on toner container replacement when the toner container is replaced in order to prevent human error when replacing the toner container. I do. An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of toner containers can be attached and detached, the image forming device including a display device for displaying information regarding replacement of the toner containers, and the attached toner. When the information on the container is detected and the toner container to be replaced is specified from the plurality of toner containers, the display device specifies the toner container to be replaced. Information is displayed from the priority information based on the detection result.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine and a facsimile machine, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing devices and selectively using these developing devices to form a toner image. The present invention relates to an apparatus, a program that causes the image forming apparatus to execute a predetermined function, and a computer system including the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART As an image forming apparatus for forming an image on various media such as paper, cloth and film, various apparatuses such as a printer, a copying machine and a facsimile are known. In these image forming apparatuses, in order to facilitate maintenance of the apparatus, a method in which toner (or toner and developing means) is housed in a toner container and can be replaced is widely adopted. If the image forming apparatus of such a system forms a full-color image, a plurality of toner containers will be attached to the apparatus main body.

[0003]

When the apparatus continues the printing operation, the toner in the toner container is consumed, so that the toner amount in the toner container decreases and it is necessary to replace the toner container. On the other hand, since a plurality of toner containers are attached to the apparatus, the user has to specify the toner container to be replaced from among the plurality of toner containers that are attached.

However, when the toner accommodating body having a small amount of toner is to be replaced when performing the exchanging operation, the user may mistakenly replace another toner accommodating body. In particular, in a device that gives a replacement instruction on the display of a computer connected to the device body or on the control panel of the device body before the replacement of the toner container, if the user makes a mistake in the first replacement instruction or the replacement work,
In some cases, the toner container may not be replaced properly.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in order to prevent such a human error, when the toner container is replaced, it is possible to display to the user information sufficient for the replacement of the toner container. An object is to provide a forming device.

[0006]

A main invention for achieving the above object is an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of toner containing bodies can be attached and detached, and a display device for displaying information regarding replacement of the toner containing bodies. The display device detects the information about the mounted toner container and identifies the toner container to be replaced from among the plurality of toner containers, the display device displays the replacement target. It is characterized in that the information for specifying the toner containing body to be displayed is displayed in order of priority based on the detection result.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION === Outline of Disclosure === At least the following matters will be made clear by the present specification and the description of the accompanying drawings.

An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of toner containing bodies can be attached and detached is provided with a display device for displaying information regarding replacement of the toner containing bodies, the information regarding the installed toner containing bodies is detected, and When the toner container to be replaced is specified from the plurality of toner containers,
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the display device displays information for identifying the toner container to be replaced, which is prioritized based on the detection result.

According to such an image forming apparatus, when the toner container is replaced, the information regarding the replacement of the toner container is displayed so as to reduce the mistake of the replacement work of the toner container by the user. You can

Further, in such an image forming apparatus, the toner container is equipped with a memory storing information on the toner container, the information from the memory is read, and the information on the toner container is detected. Is desirable.

According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to detect information about the toner container from the toner container.

Further, in such an image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the information regarding the toner container is information regarding the amount of toner in the toner container.

According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to prompt the replacement of the toner container, which should be replaced.

In the image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the information regarding the toner container is information regarding the amount of toner used in the toner container.

According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner container.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the display device displays information for specifying the toner container line by line, and the display device displays the toner container to be replaced. It is desirable to display the information for specifying in order of priority.

According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent the wrong toner container from being specified.

In the image forming apparatus, the display device displays a plurality of lines of information for specifying the toner container, and the display device displays the toner container to be replaced. It is desirable to display the information for specifying in order from the priority information.

According to such an image forming apparatus, it becomes easy to identify the toner container.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the information regarding the mounted toner container is the information regarding the mounting error of the toner container, based on the information regarding the mounting error of the toner container. When there is an error in the mounting of the toner container, it is desirable to preferentially display the information for specifying the toner container that is incorrectly mounted.

According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to prompt the replacement so that the toner container finally mounted becomes correct.

Further, in such an image forming apparatus, it is desirable that the toner container is integrally provided with a developing means.

According to such an image forming apparatus, the toner container and the developing means can be integrally replaced.

An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of toner containing bodies can be attached and detached is provided with a display device for displaying information regarding the replacement of the toner containing bodies, and the toner containing body has a toner amount of the toner containing body. The display device is equipped with a memory that stores information about the toner amount, detects the toner amount in the toner container from the information about the toner amount read from the memory, and the toner usage amount in the toner container. Is for displaying information for identifying the toner container line by line, and when the toner container to be replaced is identified from among the plurality of toner containers, the display device displays An image forming apparatus characterized in that information for specifying the toner container to be replaced is displayed line by line in order from the one having priority based on the detected toner amount.

According to such an image forming apparatus, when the toner container is replaced, the information regarding the replacement of the toner container is displayed so as to reduce the mistake of the replacement work of the toner container by the user. You can

Further, in the image forming apparatus to which a plurality of toner containing bodies can be attached and detached, a function of detecting information about the installed toner containing bodies, a function of displaying information about replacement of the toner containing bodies, When the toner container to be replaced is specified from the plurality of toner containers,
A program for executing the function of displaying the information for specifying the toner container to be replaced, from the priority information based on the detection result.

According to such a program, the image forming apparatus can be controlled so as to reduce mistakes in the toner container replacement work.

A computer system including a computer main body and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer main body, the image forming apparatus including a display device for displaying information regarding replacement of the toner container. When the information regarding the mounted toner container is detected and the toner container to be replaced is specified from among the plurality of toner containers, the display device determines that the toner container is to be replaced. The computer system is characterized in that the information for specifying the toner container is displayed in order of priority based on the detection result.

According to such a computer system, it is possible to provide a system in which mistakes in replacement work of the toner container are reduced.

=== Outline of Image Forming Apparatus (Laser Beam Printer) === <Regarding Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus> With reference to FIG. 1, a laser beam printer 1 is taken as an example of the image forming apparatus and its outline is described. To do. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the main constituent elements of the laser beam printer 1.
Note that, in FIG. 1, the up and down directions are indicated by arrows, for example, the paper feed tray 82 is arranged in the lower part of the laser beam printer 1, and the fixing device 7 is arranged in the upper part of the laser beam printer 1. Has been done.

As shown in FIG. 1, the laser beam printer 1 according to the present embodiment has a photoconductor unit 2, an exposure device 3, and a developing device 4 along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 21 (arrow in the figure). And an intermediate transfer device 6, and further includes a fixing device 7, a paper feeding device 8, a display device 9, and a controller 10.
Has 0.

The photoconductor unit 2 has a photoconductor 21, a charging device 23 and a cleaning device. The photoconductor 21 is
A latent image carrier that carries a latent image. The photoconductor 21 has a cylindrical conductive base material and a photoconductive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable around the central axis. In the present embodiment, it is indicated by an arrow in FIG. To rotate clockwise. The charging device 23 is a device for charging the photoconductor 21. The cleaning device 25 is for cleaning off the toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 21 that has passed the primary transfer position by a cleaning blade.
The photoconductor 21, the charging device 23, and the cleaning device 25 of the photoconductor unit 2 may be integrally formed and detachable from the laser printer 1.

The exposure device 3 is a device that forms a latent image on the charged photoconductor 21 by irradiating a laser. The exposure device 3 has a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens and the like (not shown), and is modulated based on an image signal input from a host device (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. The charged photoconductor 21 is irradiated with the laser. By irradiating the charged photoconductor 21 with laser,
A latent image is formed on the photoconductor 21.

The developing device 4 transfers the latent image formed on the photoconductor 21 to yellow (Y) toner, magenta (M) toner,
This is an apparatus for developing using cyan (C) toner and black (K) toner. The developing device 4 has a rotary 41 and a main body side connector.

The rotary 41 includes four developing units 50a ...
d (described later) is detachably held, and is rotated about the rotation shaft 43 by a motor (not shown). All developing devices 50a-
When d is attached to the rotary 41, the developing devices 50a to 50d
Are arranged radially around the rotation axis 43. Then, the rotating body mounted with the developing device 50 is rotated by the motor, so that each of the developing devices 50a to 50d can selectively face the photoconductor 21. Further, as will be described later, the developing device can be positioned at the removal position (or the mounting position) by rotating the rotating body on which the developing device 50 is mounted.

The main body side connector 45 is a connector provided on the main body side for electrically connecting to a nonvolatile memory (described later) such as an EEPROM mounted in the developing device, and is commonly used for each developing device. To be done. Body side connector 45
Can be moved toward or away from the developing device 50 by a driving unit (not shown). The connection between the main body side connector and the developing device side connector will be described later.

The developing device 50 includes a black developing device 50a containing black (K) toner, a magenta developing device 50b containing magenta (M) toner, a cyan developing device 50c containing cyan (C) toner, and Yellow (Y)
It has a yellow developing device 50d containing toner.
Further, each of the developing devices 50a to 50d has a memory and a developing device side connector. The memory is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM and stores various information such as color information and toner remaining amount information. The connection between the developing device side connector and the main body side connector will be described later. These four developing devices are configured to be rotatable around the rotary shaft 43 of the rotary 41, and selectively oppose the photoconductor 21 each time the photoconductor 21 makes one rotation. The developing device 50 facing the photoconductor 21 is
The latent image formed on the photoconductor 21 is developed with the toner contained therein. The attachment / detachment of each developing device will be described later.

The intermediate transfer device 6 includes a primary transfer device 61,
It has an intermediate transfer member 63 and a secondary transfer device 65. The primary transfer device 61 is a device for transferring the monochrome toner image formed on the photoconductor 21 to the intermediate transfer body 63. The intermediate transfer member 63 is an endless belt, and is rotationally driven at the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive member 21. The secondary transfer device 65 is
This is a device for transferring the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member 63 onto a recording medium such as paper, film, cloth or the like. During the transfer operation, the secondary transfer device 65 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 63 and is applied with a secondary transfer voltage.

The fixing device 7 is a device for fusing a full-color toner image transferred onto the recording medium by the intermediate transfer device 6 to a medium such as paper to form a permanent image.

The paper feeding device 8 has a paper feeding tray 82, a paper feeding roller 84, and a registration roller 86. The paper feed tray 82 accommodates various recording media such as paper, cloth, and film, and the paper feed device 8 transfers the paper from the paper feed tray 82 to the secondary transfer device 65 via the paper feed roller 84 and the registration roller 86. Transport the recording medium.

The display device 9 has a liquid crystal panel which serves as a notification means for the user.

The controller 100 includes a main controller 110 and a unit controller 1 as shown in FIG.
20 and. The image signal is input to the main controller 110, and a command signal is output based on the image signal. The unit controller 120 controls the respective devices according to the command signal from the main controller,
Form an image. The details of FIG. 2 will be described later.

<Operation of Image Forming Apparatus> Next, the operation of the laser beam printer 1 thus constructed will be described with reference to other components.

First, when an image signal from a host device (not shown) is input to the laser beam printer 1, the photoconductor 2
1. The developing roller as a toner carrier provided in each developing device and the intermediate transfer body 63 rotate. Photoconductor 21
Are sequentially charged by the charging device 23 at the charging position while rotating.

The charged area of the photoconductor 21 is equal to that of the photoconductor 2.
With the rotation of 1, the exposure position is reached, and the exposure device 3 forms a latent image corresponding to the image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, in the area. Further, the developing device 4 includes a yellow developing device 50d containing yellow (Y) toner,
It is located at the developing position facing the photoconductor 21.

The latent image formed on the photoconductor 21 reaches the developing position as the photoconductor 21 rotates, and the yellow developing device 5
0d develops with yellow toner. As a result, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoconductor 21.

The yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 21 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 21 rotates,
The image is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 63 by the primary transfer device 61. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer device 61. During this time, the secondary transfer device 65 is separated from the intermediate transfer body 63.

By repeating the above processing for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, the toner images of four colors corresponding to the respective image signals are superimposed on the intermediate transfer member 63. Transcribed. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer body 63.

The full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 63 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer body 63 rotates, and is transferred to the recording medium by the secondary transfer device 65. The recording medium is conveyed from the paper feed tray 82 to the secondary transfer device 65 via the paper feed roller 84 and the registration roller 86. When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer device 6
No. 5 is pressed by the intermediate transfer member 63 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.

The full-color toner image transferred to the recording medium is heated and pressed by the fixing device 7 and fused to the recording medium.

The photoconductor 21 is unitized as a photoconductor unit 2 together with the charging device 23, and the photoconductor unit 2 is detachable from the main body of the laser beam printer 1. The black developing device 50a, the magenta developing device 50b, the cyan developing device 50c, and the yellow developing device 50d can be attached to and detached from the main body of the laser beam printer 1, respectively.

=== Outline of Developing Device === Next, an outline of the developing device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing main components of the developing device. Note that, similarly to FIG. 1, in FIG. 3 as well, the up-down direction is indicated by arrows, and the central axis of the developing roller 510 is below the rotation axis of the photoconductor 21, for example. Further, in FIG. 1, the yellow developing device 50 d is shown in a state in which it is located at a developing position facing the photoconductor 21.

The developing device 50 includes a black developing device 50a containing black (K) toner, a magenta developing device 50b containing magenta (M) toner, a cyan developing device 50c containing cyan (C) toner, and Although the yellow developing device 50d containing the yellow (Y) toner is provided, the structure of each developing device is the same, so the yellow developing device 50d will be described below.

The yellow developing device 50d includes a developing roller 510 as a developer carrier, a seal member 520, a toner storage portion 530, a frame 540, a toner supply roller 550 as a toner supply member, and a regulation blade as a layer thickness regulation member. 560, and a blade backing member 570 for urging the regulation blade.

Developing roller 510 as a toner carrier
Carries the toner T and conveys it to a developing position facing the photoconductor 21. The developing roller 510 is made of aluminum,
It is made of stainless steel, iron, etc., and is plated with nickel, chrome, etc., if necessary.
Further, the developing roller 510 is rotatable about a central axis, and as shown in FIG. 3, it is in a direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3) opposite to the rotation direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 3) of the photoconductor 21. Rotate. The central axis is below the rotation axis of the photoconductor 21. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the yellow developing device 50 d faces the photoconductor 21, a gap exists between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 21. That is, the yellow developing device 50d is the same as the photoconductor 2
The latent image formed on 1 is developed in a non-contact state. In addition,
When developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 21, an alternating electric field is formed between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 10.

The seal member 520 is the yellow developing device 50.
The toner T in d is prevented from leaking out of the device, and the toner T on the developing roller 510 which has passed the developing position is also prevented.
Are collected in the developing device without being scraped off. The seal member 520 is a seal made of polyethylene film or the like. The seal member 520 is a seal support metal plate 522.
And is attached to the frame 540 via the seal supporting sheet metal 522. Further, a seal urging member 524 made of maltoprene or the like is provided on the opposite side of the seal member 520 from the developing roller 510 side, and the seal member 520 is developed by the elastic force of the seal urging member 524. It is pressed against 510.
The contact position where the seal member 520 contacts the developing roller 510 is above the central axis of the developing roller 510.

The toner storage portion 530 is a portion for storing the toner T, and is constituted by a part of the frame 540. In the present embodiment, each developing device (black developing device 50a, magenta developing device 50b, cyan developing device 50c, yellow developing device 50d) is rotated as the rotary 41 rotates.
Is rotated and the toner T in each developing device is agitated by this, so that the toner container 530 is not provided with an agitating member. On the other hand, the toner T stored in the toner storage portion 590
You may provide the stirring member for stirring.

The toner supply roller 550 supplies the toner T contained in the toner container 530 to the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is made of polyurethane foam or the like, and is elastically deformed in the developing roller 5
It is in contact with 10. The toner supply roller 550 is disposed below the toner storage unit 530, and the toner T stored in the toner storage unit 530 is the toner storage unit 530.
At the lower part of the developing roller 5 by the toner supply member 530.
Supplied to 10. The toner supply roller 550 is rotatable about a central axis, and the central axis is below the central axis of rotation of the developing roller 510. Further, the toner supply roller 550 rotates in the opposite direction (clockwise in FIG. 3) to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise in FIG. 3). The toner supply roller 550 is
The developing roller 510 has a function of supplying the toner T accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 530 to the developing roller 510, and the toner remaining on the developing roller 510 after development is removed by the developing roller 51.
It also has the function of stripping from 0.

Control blade 560 as a layer thickness control member
Regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510, and gives an electric charge to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. This regulation blade 560 is provided with a rubber portion 5.
It has 60a and the rubber support part 560b. The rubber portion 560a is made of silicone rubber, urethane rubber, or the like,
The rubber support portion 560b is a thin plate having a spring property such as phosphor bronze and stainless steel. The rubber portion 560a is supported by the rubber supporting portion 560b, and the rubber supporting portion 560b is supported by the blade supporting sheet metal 562 with one end thereof sandwiched and supported by the pair of blade supporting sheet metal 562. Installed on. In addition, the regulation blade 5
On the side opposite to the developing roller 510 side of 60, a blade backing member 570 made of maltoprene or the like is provided.

Here, the rubber portion 560a is pressed against the developing roller 510 by the elastic force due to the bending of the rubber supporting portion 560b. Further, the blade back member 570 is
Toner is prevented from entering between the rubber supporting portion 560b and the frame 540, the elastic force due to the bending of the rubber supporting portion 560b is stabilized, and the rubber portion 560a is moved from the back of the rubber portion 560a toward the developing roller 510. By biasing the rubber portion 560a,
Is pressed against. Therefore, the blade back member 570
Improves the uniform contact of the rubber portion 560a with the developing roller 510.

The end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the blade supporting sheet metal 562, that is, the tip, is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and the portion separated from the tip by a predetermined distance. , Is in contact with the developing roller 510 with a certain width. That is, the regulation blade 560 is
The developing roller 510 is not in contact with the edge at the edge but is in contact with the abdomen. Further, the regulation blade 560 is arranged so that its tip end faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 510, and is in contact with what is called a counter.
The contact position where the regulation blade 560 contacts the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the developing roller 510 and below the central axis of the toner supply roller 550.

The frame 540 is manufactured by joining a plurality of integrally molded frames (upper frame, lower frame, etc.) and has an opening at the bottom. The developing roller 510 is arranged in this opening with a part thereof exposed.

The yellow developing device 50 constructed as described above.
3d, the toner supply roller 550 has the toner storage unit 5
The toner T contained in 90 is supplied to the developing roller 510. The toner T supplied to the developing roller 510 reaches the contact position of the regulating blade 560 with the rotation of the developing roller 510, and when passing through the contact position, the layer thickness is regulated and an electric charge is applied. To be done. The toner T on the developing roller 510 whose layer thickness is regulated is
Is further rotated to reach a development position facing the photoconductor 21, and the latent image formed on the photoconductor 21 is developed at the development position under an alternating electric field. The developing roller 5 that has passed the developing position by further rotation of the developing roller 510.
The toner T on 10 passes through the seal member 520 and is collected in the developing device without being scraped off by the seal member 520.

Further, each of the developing devices 50a to 50d is a nonvolatile memory such as a serial EEPROM in which color information of the toner accommodated in the developing device and information about the developing device such as toner consumption amount are stored as data. A sexual memory (hereinafter referred to as a developing device side memory) is provided. The developing device side memory is a unit controller of the controller 100 when a developing device side connector 55 (FIG. 5) provided on one end side surface of the developing device and a main body side connector 45 described later are fitted as necessary. It is electrically connected to 120.

=== Outline of Developing Device === Next, an outline of the developing device 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The developing device 4 has a rotating shaft 43 located at the center thereof. The rotary shaft 43 is bridged between two frame side plates (not shown) forming the housing of the printer 10, and both ends thereof are supported. This rotary shaft 43 has a rotary 41 for detachably holding the developing device.
Is fixed.

The rotary 41 is provided with four holding portions at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft 43. When the above-described four-color developing devices 50a to 50d are mounted on the holding portion of the rotary 41, the developing devices 50a to 50d are also arranged at 90 ° intervals.

A pulse motor (not shown) is connected to the rotary shaft 43 via a clutch. By driving this pulse motor, the rotary 41 is rotated and the four phenomenon devices 50a to 50d can be positioned at predetermined positions.

FIG. 4 is a view showing three stopping positions of the rotating developing device 4, and FIG.
4B is a home position position (hereinafter referred to as "HP position") which is a reference position in the rotation direction of the connector, and FIG. 4B is a connector attaching / detaching position where the memory of the black developing device 50a and the main body side memory face each other. Indicates the take-out position of the black developing device 50a, respectively. Here, in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the connector attaching / detaching position and the developing device take-out position are shown for the black developing device 50a.
When the rotary 41 is rotated by 90 °, the connector attachment / detachment position of each developing device and the developing device removal position are reached. At this time, when the developing device to be connected to the main body side connector 45 is located at the connector attaching / detaching position, the developing device adjacent to the developing device adjacent to the downstream side in the rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4) during the image forming operation. , Is arranged at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

As shown in FIG. 4A, at one end of the rotary shaft 43 of the developing device 4, an H position for detecting the HP position is detected.
A P detector 47 is provided. This HP detector 47
Is composed of a disc 471 for signal generation fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 43, and an HP sensor 473 including a photo interrupter having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion.
The peripheral edge of the disk 471 is arranged so as to be located between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the HP sensor 473, and when the slit part formed in the disk 471 moves to the detection position of the HP sensor 473, the HP is detected. The output signal from the sensor 473 changes from “L” to “H”. Then, based on the change in the signal level and the pulse number of the pulse motor, the rotary 4
It is configured such that the HP position of No. 1 can be detected and each developing device can be positioned at the connector attaching / detaching position (developing position) and the developing device taking-out position with reference to this HP position.

FIG. 4B shows a connector attaching / detaching position of the black developing device 50a in which the pulse motor is rotated by a predetermined number of pulses from the HP position, and the black attached to the rotary at this connector attaching / detaching position. Developing device 50
The developing device side connector 55a of “a” and the main assembly side connector 45 provided on the main assembly side of the apparatus face each other.

The main body side connector 45 is the black developing device 5.
Since it is fitted with the connector 55a of 0a, as shown in FIG. 5, it is configured to be movable toward and away from the opposing developing device (50a). If necessary, it can be moved toward the developing device. It is fitted with the connector 55a of the black developing device 50a. As a result, the developing device side memory 580a attached to the black developing device 51 is electrically connected to the unit controller 102 of the control unit 100, and data transfer is performed between them.

The connector attaching / detaching position with respect to the black developing device 50a is the developing position of the magenta developing device 50b (the position where the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 21 face each other).
Further, when the pulse motor rotates the rotary 41 by 90 ° counterclockwise, it becomes the connector attaching / detaching position of the yellow developing device 50d and the developing position of the black developing device 50a.
Every time the rotary 41 is rotated by 90 °, the connector attaching / detaching position and the developing position of each developing device are sequentially set.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the rotary shaft 43
An outlet port 49 through which one developing device can pass is provided on one of the two frame side plates that support the printer and form the housing of the printer 1.
3 is provided. As shown in FIG. 4C, when the rotary 41 is rotated to stop at the developing device take-out position set for each developing device, the take-out port 493 is used. , Black developer 5
Only 0a) is formed at a position where it can be pulled out in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the rotary shaft 43. Further, the take-out port 493 is formed slightly larger than the outer shape of the developing device, and at the developing device take-out position, a new developing device is inserted through the take-out port 493 in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the rotary shaft 43 to rotate the rotary device. A developing device can be attached to 41. Then, while the developing device is located at a position other than the developing device take-out position, the taking-out of the developing device is restricted by the frame side plate.

A lock mechanism (not shown) is provided to surely position and fix the rotary 41 at the developing position, the take-out exclusive position, and the connector attaching / detaching position.

=== Outline of Controller === Next, the configuration of the controller 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 100 has a main controller 110 and a unit controller 120.

The main controller 110 includes the CPU 11
1, interface 112, and image memory 113
Have and. The interface 112 is connected to a host device (not shown), and an image signal is input from the host device. The image memory 113 is a storage unit for storing the image signal input from the host device. The main controller 110 creates a print signal based on the image signal input from the host device, and outputs the print signal to the unit controller 120.

The unit controller 120 is the CPU 1
21, a control circuit for each device, a serial interface (I / F) 122, a serial EEPROM 123, an input / output port 124, and the like. The control circuit of each device includes each device of the main body (photoconductor unit 2, exposure device 3, developing device 4, intermediate transfer device 6, fixing device 7, paper feeding device 8,
Each of them is electrically connected to the display device 9). Then, the unit controller 120 receives a signal from a sensor included in each device, detects the state of each device, and controls each device based on the signal input from the main controller 110.

The CPU 121 provided in the unit controller 120 has a serial interface (I / I).
F) Serial EE used for electronic counter via 122
It is connected to a nonvolatile storage element (hereinafter, referred to as a main body side memory) 123 such as a PROM. This main unit side memory 12
3 stores data necessary for controlling the device. Further, the CPU 121 has a serial interface 122 not only for the main body side memory 123 but also for the developing unit side memories 580a-d provided in the developing units 50a-d.
Data can be transferred between the main body side memory 123 and the developing unit side memories 580a to 580a to 580d, and a chip select signal is sent to each developing unit side memory 580a to 580d via the input / output port 124. CS can be entered. Further, the CPU 121 is also connected to the HP detector 47 via the input / output port 124.

=== Detection of Information on Developing Device === The operation of detecting information on the developing device will be described below. Here, the toner amount detection operation of the black developing device 50a will be described, but the same applies to other developing devices, and information regarding other developing devices (for example, toner color,
The same can be said for the detection operation of the mounting error).

The toner amount detecting operation of the black developing device 50a is performed, for example, after the mounting operation of the black developing device 50a is completed. The end of the mounting operation is signaled, for example, when the user cuts off the exterior cover of the printer to supply the interrupted power. After the exterior cover is closed, the rotary 41 is rotated by a motor to position the black developing device 50a at the take-out exclusive position at the connector attaching / detaching position. Then, the main body side connector 45 is brought close to the black developing device 50a.

If the new black developing device 50a is mounted on the rotary, the main body side connector 45 is brought into close proximity to fit the main body side connector 45 and the developing device side connector 55, and the developing device side memory 580 is connected to the main body side. And the information stored in the developing device side memory of the black developing device 50a can be read. If the black developing device 50a is not attached to the rotary, there is no developing device side connector that fits with the main body side connector 45 even if the main body side connector is moved closer, so the response from the developing device side memory is returned. I can't get it.

The developing device side memory of the black developing device 50a stores information on the amount of toner contained in the black developing device 50a as 1 to 2 bytes of data.
Therefore, the developing device side memory 5 of the black developing device 50a
By reading the information stored in 80, the amount of toner in the black developing device 50a can be detected.
In this case, the main body side connector 45 also has a function as a detector for detecting the toner amount of the developing device. The information regarding the amount of toner stored in the memory on the developing device side may be information regarding the remaining amount of toner or information regarding the amount of toner used. Further, the memory on the developing device side stores not only information on the amount of toner but also information on the black developing device 50a such as toner color information.

The information read from the developing device side memory of the black developing device 50a is stored in the main body side memory 123 of the unit controller 120. In the main body side memory 123 of the unit controller 120, four storage areas for storing the status of the toner amount of the developing device as data of 2 to 4 bytes are set. These four storage areas are
It is associated with the mounting position information in the rotary 41. Here, for example, a black developing device 50a in the first storage area, a magenta developing device 50b in the second storage area,
Data indicating the status of the toner amount of the cyan developing device 50c is stored in the third storage area, and data indicating the toner amount status of the yellow developing device 50d is stored in the fourth storage area. Then, by reading the data in the storage area of the printer main body side memory 123, the unit controller 12
Even if 0 has a structure in which it cannot always communicate with the developing device side memory 580 provided in each developing device 50, the toner amount of each developing device can be detected.

In the above description, the toner amount detection operation of the developing device is performed after the mounting operation is completed, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the above detection operation may be performed when the main power supply is turned off, or when the main power supply is turned off when any of the developing devices is in the take-out exclusive position.

To detect the toner amount of the developing device, not only the information on the toner amount stored in the memory on the developing device side is read, but also the usage amount of the developing device and the number of printed sheets of the developing device are measured. It can also be detected. That is, the toner amount of the developing device can be detected by subtracting the measured toner amount of the used amount of the developing device from the information on the toner amount read from the memory of the developing device. In this case, a unit (for example, the unit controller 120) that measures the usage amount of the developing device, the number of printed sheets, and the like also has a function as a detector that detects the toner amount of the developing device. The information on the amount of toner in the developing device detected in this way can be obtained at a predetermined timing or when the developing device is replaced.
It is written in the memory on the developer side.

=== Replacing Operation of Developing Device === Next, the replacing operation of the developing device in the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described. Here, the case where the black developing device 50a is replaced is illustrated and described with reference to FIG. 6, but the same applies when replacing the developing devices of other colors. Note that FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of the replacing operation of the developing device.

The printer 1 is initially in an instruction waiting state (S101). The replacement of the black developing device 50a is executed according to a replacement instruction input by a user or the like from an input unit included in the apparatus or a host apparatus connected to the apparatus (S102).

When a replacement instruction is issued, the display 9 shows
A screen for selecting the developing device to be replaced is displayed. This display method will be described later.

The user specifies the developing device to be replaced by the developing device selection screen displayed on the display device or the like (S103). In this embodiment, the black developing device is specified.

The specified black developing device 50a is moved and positioned by the rotation of the rotary 41 to the take-out exclusive position where it can be taken out (S104). afterwards,
The display device 9 included in the printer 1, the host device connected to the device, or the like notifies that the black developing device 50a can be replaced (S105). When the user who confirms this notification opens the exterior cover of the printer 1, the power supply line on the high voltage side is interrupted in conjunction with this cover, and the black developing device 50a can be replaced by the user. The user inserts the black developing device 50a, which is arranged at the back of the outlet 493, into the outlet 4
It is pulled out from the rotary 41 through 93 and a new black developing device is attached (S106). When the user closes the exterior cover (S107), the interrupted high-voltage side power is supplied, and the printer 1 executes a process for returning to a printable state.

Next, the black developing device 5 of the rotary 41
The detection operation of information regarding the toner amount of 0a and the like is started. That is, the unit controller 120 drives the pulse motor to rotate the rotary 41, and moves the attached black developing device 50a to the connector attaching / detaching position (S
108), and the main body side connector is brought close to the direction of the developing device side connector (S109).

If the black developing device 50a is mounted on the rotary 41 during the replacement operation by the user (S107), the main body side connector and the developing device side connector are fitted by the proximity operation of the main body side connector. Information about the black developing device 50a such as the toner amount of the developing device 50a is obtained from the developing device side memory (S110). Then, the information read from the black developing device 50a is written and stored in the main body side memory 123 of the unit controller 120 (S111). Then, the display device displays to the user that the exchange has been completed.

The data stored in the main body side memory 123 of the unit controller 120 can be used for subsequent detection of the toner amount of the developing device.

=== Screen Display for Specifying the Developing Device to be Replaced === FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the screen display in S101 to S105 of FIG. In FIG. 7, 9 is a display device having a liquid crystal panel.

When the amount of toner remaining in a certain developing device (here, the black developing device 50a) is low, the display device 9 displays a message to that effect in the instruction waiting state (S101) to inform the user of development. Encourage replacement of vessels. However, the display content of the display device in the instruction waiting state is not limited to “black toner is low”. It may be "printable", "black toner is exhausted" or other display content.

The user gives a replacement instruction as an indication of intention to replace the toner (S102). A method for giving a replacement instruction is performed by an input means (touch panel, button, etc.) provided in the printer or an operation (click on the displayed button, etc.) on a display such as a host device.

When the replacement instruction is given, the display device 9
A developing device with a small amount of toner is displayed with priority. As described above, the toner amounts of the developing devices 50a to 50d are detected based on the information from the developing device side memory, or based on the information from the developing device side memory and the measurement result of the developing device usage amount and the like. Has been done. In this embodiment, the amount of toner is small in the order of black, cyan, yellow, and magenta.

In the present embodiment, the display device 9 can display only one line, so first, as information for specifying the black developing device with the smallest toner amount, "Do you replace black toner? ] Is displayed. However, the information for specifying the developing device is not limited to this display and may be another display.

The specification of the black developing device (S103) is performed by the user by the "determination" which is an input means provided in the printer.
This is done by pressing a button. However, the specification of the developing device to be replaced is not limited to pressing the “OK” button provided in the printer. For example, it may be determined by other input means provided in the printer, by clicking a button displayed on the display device, or by any other suitable means.

When selecting another developing device (S103)
Is performed by the user pressing the “down” button, which is an input means provided in the printer. In the present embodiment, it is detected that the toner amount is small in the order of black, cyan, yellow, and magenta. Therefore, each time the “down” button is pressed, the developing device with the small toner amount is prioritized on the display device 9. Is displayed. However, the selection of the developing device to be replaced is not limited to pressing the “down” button provided in the printer. For example, the “right” button provided on the printer may be pressed, another input means provided on the printer may be used, or the button displayed on the display device may be clicked to determine. , Other suitable means may be used.

When the developing device is specified, the rotary 41 is rotated and the specified developing device is moved to the take-out exclusive position (S104). If the user opens the cover while the rotary 41 is rotating (while the specified developing device is moving to the take-out exclusive position), the developing device cannot be replaced correctly.
Therefore, while the rotary 41 is rotating, a message "rotary is moving" is displayed. However, the rotary 41
The display during rotation of is not limited to this. For example, "please wait for a while", "preparing for replacement", or the like may be displayed, the movement of the rotary 41 may be displayed as a moving image, or another suitable display may be displayed.

After the movement of the rotary 41 is completed (after the specified developing device is positioned at the taking-out exclusive position),
In order to prompt the user to perform the replacement work, a message "Open the cover and replace" is displayed (S105). However,
The display for prompting the replacement work is not limited to this.

In the present embodiment, the information for specifying the black developing device with the smallest toner amount is displayed first, so that the developing device different from the user's intention can be prevented from being replaced.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the information for specifying the developing device by giving priority to the one having a small amount of toner is displayed on the display device, it is desirable for the user to replace the developing device. Can be urged. Further, since the display device can display only one line, it is possible to prevent the wrong developing device from being replaced.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the display indicating that the rotary is moving is displayed, and since the display prompting the replacement work after the movement of the rotary is completed, the cover is opened during the movement of the rotary. This can prevent the user from making a mistake in the replacement work.

Although the controller of the image forming apparatus has been described in the above embodiment, a computer program for controlling such a controller is stored in the memory of the image forming apparatus. By executing this computer program, the operation of the image forming apparatus in the above-described embodiment is achieved.

Further, a computer system including the developing device according to the above-described embodiment, a computer main body, a display device such as a CRT connectable to the computer main body, and an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard connectable to them is also realized. It is possible, and the computer system realized in this way is superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

=== Other Embodiments === The image forming apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on one embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention is not intended to limit the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof and that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, the embodiments described below are also included in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

<Regarding Display Range of Display Device> In the above-described embodiment, the display device 9 can display only one line. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display device 9 may be capable of displaying two or more lines.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the developing device selection screen when the display device 9 can display a large number of lines. In the figure, 91 is a cursor for selecting a developing device to be replaced.

The display device 9 simultaneously displays information on all toners. Here, information for specifying the developing device to be replaced (for example, "black")
Are displayed in order based on the detected amount of toner. Further, as shown in the figure, in order to prevent the user from mistakenly selecting the developing device to be replaced, the display device 9
However, information regarding the amount of toner in the developing device may be displayed as appropriate.

The cursor 91 can be moved in the vertical direction by operating the input means provided in the printer or the display connected to the host device. Cursor 91
By moving the position of, the developing device to be replaced is selected. Then, for example, when the "decision" button, which is the input means provided in the printer, is pressed while the cursor 91 is next to "black", the black developing device is specified as the replacement target.

In the present embodiment, the information for specifying the developing device is displayed on the display device by giving priority to the one having a small amount of toner, so that the user is urged to replace the developing device which is desired to be replaced. You can

Further, in the present embodiment, since a plurality of pieces of information for specifying the developing device are displayed, the operation becomes easier when the user selects the developing device to be replaced.

Further, in this embodiment, since the information regarding the toner amount is displayed together with the information for specifying the developing device to be replaced, it is possible to reduce the user's erroneous replacement of the developing device. it can.

<Regarding Display Device> In the above-described embodiment, the display device 9 provided in the printer displays the information regarding the replacement of the developing device. However, it is not limited to this. For example, similar display may be performed on a display which is a display device connected to the host device.

In this way, the display device 9 of the printer is
Can be omitted, or the display device 9 of the printer can be made inexpensive or small, so that the cost and size of the printer can be reduced.

Further, since the display connected to the host device can display more information than the display range of the display device when the printer is provided with the display device, user's mistake is reduced. Can be made.

<When Wrong Replacing Work> In the above embodiment, the display for reducing the mistake of the replacing work of the developing device is described. However, it is still possible to make a mistake in replacing the developing device. On the other hand, even if the developer is replaced incorrectly, it is enough that the finally installed developer is correct. Therefore, in this embodiment,
Even if the user makes a mistake in replacing the developing device, a display is provided to inform the user that the developing device to be finally installed is correct. That is, in this embodiment, when the user gives an instruction to replace the developing device, and if there is a developing device that is incorrectly installed, the display device 9 displays the incorrectly installed developing device.

As described above, in S110 of FIG. 6, it is possible to obtain information regarding the newly installed developing device. The information regarding the developing device includes information regarding the color of the toner of the developing device. Then, if the information about the color of the toner of the developing device can be obtained, it can be detected whether or not the developing device is erroneously mounted.

The detection result relating to the mounting error of the developing device is obtained as the main body side memory 123 of the unit controller 120.
Memorized in. In the memory 123 of the main body of the unit controller 120, the error status of the mounting of the developing device is 1 bit.
4 for storing as "1" or "0" data
Two areas are set. Here, “1” is data indicating that the developing device is incorrectly installed,
“0” is data indicating an event that the developing device is properly mounted. The four storage areas are associated with the mounting position information on the rotary 41.

After that, when the user instructs the printer to replace the developing device (S102), it is determined whether or not there is a developing device that is erroneously attached according to the information stored in the main body memory. Done. When the mounting of the developing device is correct, the display device 9 displays the information for specifying the developing device by giving priority to the one having a small toner amount as in the above-described embodiment. On the other hand, when there is an error in the mounting of the developing device, the display device 9 displays the information for specifying the developing device with a small amount of toner before displaying the information for specifying the developing device with a small amount of toner. For example, when the yellow developing device is incorrectly installed, the display device 9 first displays a message prompting replacement of the yellow developing device even if the black developing device runs out of toner.

According to the present embodiment, the user is notified of the replacement of the developing device that is erroneously mounted, so that the developing device that is finally mounted can be made correct.

In this embodiment, the printer may be capable of printing after the developing device is erroneously attached, and the display device 9 may instruct the user to replace (S10).
You may display a message prompting 2). Further, the display device 9 may display only a display prompting a replacement instruction of the developing device that is erroneously mounted, or only a display for executing the replacement. That is, when it is detected that there is a developing device that is erroneously attached to the rotary 41, the display device 9 displays the rotary 4
It is not necessary to display the information of the developing device correctly attached to No. 1.

<Regarding the Developing Device> In the above-described embodiment, the developing device which is attached to and detached from the rotary is the developing device integrally provided with the toner accommodating portion and the developing means such as the developing roller. Not a thing. That is, when the toner container and the developing unit are separate, the toner container alone may be attached and detached.

<Regarding Other Configurations> In the above-described embodiment, the four developing devices could be mounted on the rotary, but the number of developing devices is not limited to this. For example, the rotary may be capable of mounting four or more developing devices.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printer has the rotary for rotating the developing device, but it is not limited to the rotary type printer.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, the intermediate transfer type full-color laser beam printer was described as an example of the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be applied to various image forming apparatuses such as full-color laser beam printers other than the intermediate transfer type, monochrome laser printers, copying machines, and facsimiles.

[0131]

According to the present invention, when the toner container is replaced, information regarding the replacement of the toner container can be displayed so as to reduce the mistake of the replacement work of the toner container by the user. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing main components constituting a laser beam printer 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a controller of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing main components of a developing device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a rotary and a stop position.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a connector connection structure between a developing device and a main body.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a replacement operation of a developing device.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a display on the display device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a display of a display device according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Laser beam printer 2 Photoconductor unit 3 exposure equipment 4 Developing device 6 Intermediate transfer device 7 Fixing device 8 Paper feeder 9 Display device 21 photoconductor 23 Charging device 25 Cleaning device 41 Rotary (rotating body) 43 rotation axis 45 Body side connector 47 HP detector 49 Control member 50 developing device (toner container) 55 Developer side connector 61 Primary transfer device 63 Intermediate transfer body 65 Secondary transfer device 82 Paper tray 84 paper feed roller 86 cash register 471 disc 473 HP sensor 491 side plate 493 Exit 510 developing roller 520 seal member 530 toner container 540 frames 550 Toner supply roller 560 regulation blade 570 Blade back member 580 memory 100 controller 110 Main controller 111 CPU 112 interface 113 image memory 120 unit controller 121 CPU 122 Serial I / F 123 Serial EEPROM 124 I / O port T toner

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ06 AS02 CQ24                       CQ34 CQ40                 2H027 DA45 DD02 DD05 DE02 DE07                       DE10 EF17 GA05 GA23 GA32                       GA47 GB03 GB14 HA18 HB02                       HB06 HB13                 2H030 AD16 BB02 BB24 BB38                 2H077 AA34 AB01 AB13 AC04 AD06                       AD13 AD16 AD36 CA12 DA15                       DA24 DA67 DA78 DB10 DB21                       DB25 EA16 FA14 FA22 GA13

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of toner containers can be attached and detached, the image forming device including a display device for displaying information on replacement of the toner containers, and detecting information on the installed toner containers. When the toner container to be replaced is specified from the plurality of toner containers, the display device detects the information for specifying the toner container to be replaced. An image forming apparatus characterized in that display is performed in order of priority based on a result. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner container is equipped with a memory that stores information about the toner container, the information from the memory is read, and the toner container is read. An image forming apparatus, which detects information about the image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding the toner container is information regarding an amount of toner in the toner container. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information about the toner container is information about an amount of toner used in the toner container. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display device displays information for identifying the toner container line by line, and the display device includes: An image forming apparatus, wherein the information for specifying the toner container to be replaced is displayed in order of priority. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display device displays a plurality of lines of information for specifying the toner container, and the display device includes: An image forming apparatus, wherein the information for specifying the toner container to be replaced is displayed in order from the priority one. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding the mounted toner container is information regarding an incorrect mounting of the toner container. When there is an error in the mounting of the toner container based on the information on the mounting error of the body, the image forming is characterized in that the information for specifying the toner container having the wrong mounting is preferentially displayed. apparatus. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner container integrally includes a developing unit. 9. An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of toner containers can be attached and detached, the image forming device comprising a display device for displaying information regarding replacement of the toner container, wherein the toner container is a toner amount of the toner container. A memory for storing information relating to the toner amount, and detecting the toner amount in the toner container from the information regarding the toner amount read from the memory and the toner usage amount in the toner container, Is for displaying the information for specifying the toner container line by line, and when the toner container to be replaced is specified from among the plurality of toner containers, the display device displays An image forming apparatus characterized in that information for specifying the toner container to be replaced is displayed line by line in order from the one having priority based on the detected toner amount. 10. An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of toner containing bodies can be attached and detached, a function of detecting information about the installed toner containing bodies, and a function of displaying information about replacement of the toner containing bodies, When the toner container to be replaced is specified from among the plurality of toner containers, information for specifying the toner container to be replaced is prioritized based on the detection result. A program that executes the functions that you want to display from things. 11. A computer system including a computer main body and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer main body, the image forming apparatus including a display device for displaying information regarding replacement of the toner container. When the information regarding the mounted toner container is detected and the toner container to be replaced is specified from among the plurality of toner containers, the display device determines that the toner container is to be replaced. The computer system is characterized in that the information for specifying the toner container is displayed in order of priority based on the detection result.