JP2004223760A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device which simplifies the configuration of a control board and enables simple replacement of LED array heads. <P>SOLUTION: Correction data for controlling emission of LED elements is stored in a main memory 111 mounted in a main board 110. When a sub board in which a sub memory which stores correction data corresponding to the LED array head is mounted is inserted in connection connectors 61B, 61Y, 61M and 61C set in the main board, a control part 112 set in the main board 110 transfers and writes the correction data stored in the sub memory of the sub board inserted in the connection connectors 61B, 61Y, 61M and 61C into the main memory 111. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an electrostatic latent image of an image using an LED array head including a plurality of LED elements.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, an image is formed as follows. The surface of the photoconductor drum uniformly charged by the charging device is irradiated with LED (Light Emitting Diode) light according to image data, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum. A toner is supplied from the developing device to the electrostatic latent image, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. Then, the toner image is transferred onto recording paper by a transfer bias of the transfer device. The unfixed toner image transferred to the recording paper is fixed by heating and pressing by a fixing device, and an electrophotographic image is formed on the recording paper. At this time, an LED array head in which a plurality of LED elements are arranged on a line is used for irradiating the LED light (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a control board used in a conventional LED array head. The control board 310 shown in FIG. 7 includes memories 311Y, 311M, 311C, 311B for storing correction data of the LED array head corresponding to each color of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, and memories 311Y, 311M, 311C, 311B. The control unit 312 controls the light emission of each LED array head based on the stored correction data, and the output driver 313 drives each LED array head.
[0004]
In the LED array head, the relationship between the current supplied per unit element and the amount of luminescence at that time (hereinafter referred to as luminous efficiency) may vary due to manufacturing conditions in a factory or the like. Therefore, in the process of manufacturing the LED array head, the LEDs are classified according to their characteristics, and the LED array head is manufactured using LED elements belonging to the same rank. By performing such an operation, a certain LED array head is constituted by LED elements having high luminous efficiency, and a certain LED array head is constituted by LED elements having low luminous efficiency.
[0005]
In addition, the LED array head requires correction data for individually correcting the current supplied to each LED element so as to minimize the amount of light emission of each LED element. However, since there is an individual difference between the LED array heads, it is necessary to set correction data for each LED array head, and correction data corresponding to the LED array head is created. In the case of a tandem-type image forming apparatus capable of full-color printing, four LED array heads are provided according to the number of toner colors, that is, four in accordance with the respective toner colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. Only the number of array heads (four in this case) is required. The correction data corresponding to each LED array head is stored in four memories 311Y, 311M, 311C, 311B provided on the control board 310 of the image forming apparatus.
[0006]
By the way, when replacing the LED array head due to breakage or failure of the LED array head, it is necessary to exchange correction data corresponding to the LED array head to be replaced together with the LED array head. Therefore, conventionally, correction data is stored in physically replaceable memories 311Y, 311M, 311C, 311B, and the memories 311Y, 311M, 311C, 311B are mounted on the control board 100 to replace the LED array head. When this occurred, the memories 311Y, 311M, 311C, 311B on the control board 310 were directly removed and replaced.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-58748
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the correction data is stored in the memories 311Y, 311M, 311C, and 311B mounted on the control board, the semiconductor is not replaced when the semiconductor is replaced on a production line or replaced by a service person in the market. They come into direct contact and require careful handling. In addition, when packaging a memory storing correction data as an accessory of the LED array head, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to package a single semiconductor. Further, in the case of a tandem type image forming apparatus capable of full-color printing, four LED array heads are required according to the respective toner colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. The four replaceable memories are mounted on the control board, and there is a problem that the configuration of the control board becomes large.
[0009]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that simplifies the configuration of a control board and that can easily replace an LED array head. Things.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an electrostatic latent image of an image by an LED array head including a plurality of LED elements, and includes a driving unit for driving the LED array head. A first substrate, main storage means mounted on the first substrate and storing correction data for controlling light emission of the LED elements, and auxiliary storage means for storing correction data corresponding to the LED array head A connector mounted on the first board, the connector mounted on the first board, the second board being detachable, and the second board mounted on the first board, wherein the second board is mounted on the connector. And control means for transferring the correction data stored in the auxiliary storage means to the main storage means and writing the correction data in the auxiliary storage means.
[0011]
According to this configuration, the correction data for controlling the light emission of the LED element is stored in the main storage device mounted on the first substrate, and the auxiliary storage device for storing the correction data corresponding to the LED array head is provided. When the mounted second board is inserted into the connection connector mounted on the first board, the correction data stored in the auxiliary storage means by the control means mounted on the first board is transferred to the main storage means. Transferred and written.
[0012]
That is, when the LED array head is replaced, the second board is inserted into the connection connector provided on the first board, so that the replacement board stored in the auxiliary storage means of the second board is used. Since the correction data of the LED array head is transferred to and written into the main storage means provided on the first substrate, there is no need to directly remove and insert the memory in which the correction data is stored as in the conventional case, and the LED array head can be easily obtained. Can be exchanged.
[0013]
In the above-described image forming apparatus, a plurality of the LED array heads are provided, the main storage unit stores correction data corresponding to each LED array head, and the connection connector corresponds to a number of the plurality of LED array heads. Preferably, the control means transfers the correction data stored in the auxiliary storage means to the main storage means and writes the correction data when the second substrate is inserted into the connection connector.
[0014]
According to this configuration, in the case of an image forming apparatus capable of full-color printing, a plurality of LED array heads are provided, and correction data is required according to each LED array head, but the main storage unit mounted on the first substrate Since the correction data corresponding to each LED array head is stored collectively, only one memory is required to store the correction data, and it is necessary to provide a memory corresponding to the number of a plurality of LED array heads as in the related art. As a result, the configuration of the control board can be simplified.
[0015]
In the above image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the main storage unit stores correction data for each color of toner supplied to the electrostatic latent image.
[0016]
According to this configuration, the correction data for each color of the toner supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed by each LED array head is collectively stored in the main storage unit mounted on the first substrate. In addition, only one memory storing the correction data is required, and it is not necessary to provide a memory for each color of toner as in the related art, and the configuration of the control board can be simplified.
[0017]
In the above-described image forming apparatus, the control unit writes correction data stored in the auxiliary storage unit to the main storage unit based on a select signal output from a connector into which the second board is inserted. Is preferred.
[0018]
According to this configuration, based on the select signal output from the connector into which the second board is inserted, the correction data stored in the auxiliary storage means mounted on the second board is stored in the main storage means. Can be stored in an appropriate storage area.
[0019]
In the above image forming apparatus, when the LED array head is replaced, the control unit is different from an area of the main storage unit in which correction data corresponding to the LED array head before replacement is stored. It is preferable that correction data corresponding to the new LED array head transferred from the auxiliary storage unit be written in the area.
[0020]
According to this configuration, when replacing the LED array head, the control unit does not rewrite the correction data corresponding to the LED array head before replacement with the correction data corresponding to the new LED array head. The new correction data transferred from the auxiliary storage means is written in an area different from the area of the main storage means in which the correction data is stored. Even when the second board on which the storage means is mounted is inserted into the connector, the correction data before replacement can be restored.
[0021]
In the above-described image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus further includes a specifying unit that specifies the connection connector to which the second substrate is connected.
[0022]
According to this configuration, the connector to which the second substrate is connected is specified by the specifying means. Therefore, when the LED array head is replaced, the auxiliary data in which the correction data corresponding to the replaced LED array head is stored. The second substrate on which the storage means is mounted can be inserted into an appropriate connector.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in a printer (an example of an image forming apparatus) 1, developing devices 3B for black (B), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are provided in a printer main body 2. , 3Y, 3M, and 3C. Each of the developing devices 3B, 3Y, 3M, and 3C is provided with a photosensitive drum 4B, 4Y, 4M, and 4C, and rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. The photosensitive drums 4B, 4Y, 4M, and 4C are uniformly charged by the charging units 5B, 5Y, 5M, and 5C, and LED light based on image data input from an external PC or the like is transmitted to the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, and 6C. Irradiation is performed on the drum surface from 6M and 6C to form an electrostatic latent image, and toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. The toner is supplied from toner supply containers 7B, 7Y, 7M, and 7C corresponding to each color of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan via developing devices 3B, 3Y, 3M, and 3C, respectively. A paper transport belt 8 is provided below the four photoconductor drums 4B, 4Y, 4M, and 4C for the respective colors. The paper transport belt 8 is pressed against the photosensitive drums 4B, 4Y, 4M, and 4C by the pressure roller 9, and the rollers 10 and 11 move in the forward direction of the rotation direction of the photosensitive drums 4B, 4Y, 4M, and 4C. It is designed to be rotated.
[0024]
Then, the paper is transported from the paper feed mechanism 12 via the paper transport path 13 between the photosensitive drums 4B, 4Y, 4M, 4C and the paper transport belt 8, and the paper is transferred to the photosensitive drums 4B, 4Y, While being conveyed between 4M and 4C and the paper conveyance belt 8, the toner images of the respective colors on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 4B, 4Y, 4M and 4C are sequentially transferred to the paper by the transfer bias. The paper on which the toner images have been transferred from all of the photosensitive drums 4B, 4Y, 4M, and 4C is conveyed to a fixing device 14 having a pair of fixing rollers, where the toner images are thermally fixed at a nip by the pair of fixing rollers to form a color image. Is formed. The sheet that has passed through the fixing device 14 is sent to a sheet transport path 15 and discharged from a discharge unit 16. Each of the photosensitive drums 4B, 4Y, 4M, and 4C is provided with a cleaning mechanism 20 for removing residual toner and the like on the photosensitive drums 4B, 4Y, 4M, and 4C.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the printer 1 according to the present invention. The printer 1 is provided with an overall control unit 101 that controls the entire printer 1. The overall control unit 101 is connected to a ROM 102 that stores operation programs and the like for the entire apparatus, and stores image data and the like used for recording. Is connected to the RAM 103. The overall control unit 101 includes a charging unit 5 and a developing unit 3, an exposure unit 15 for controlling each of the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, and 6C, and a unit for transferring a toner image on the photosensitive drum 4 to transfer paper. The control unit controls a transfer bias unit 104 and a drum motor 105 that is a driving source of the photosensitive drum 4. Although not particularly shown in FIG. 2, the charging unit 5, the developing unit 3, the transfer bias unit 104, and the drum motor 105 are provided for each color. Further, the overall control unit 101 controls the fixing device 14 to control the rotation speed of the fixing roller pair, on / off of a heater in the heat roller constituting one of the fixing roller pair, and to set the fixing roller pair to a predetermined position. It is driven for a time, and the peripheral surface of the heat roller is uniformly brought to a predetermined temperature. The roller drive motor 106 of the drive roller 10 that moves the transfer belt 8 is also controlled by the overall control unit 101.
[0026]
The overall control unit 101 is connected to a PC (personal computer) 108 via an interface 107, and the printer 1 drives and controls the exposure unit 15 based on image data input from the PC 108. An operation panel 109 to which a print instruction or the like from a user is input is connected to the overall control unit 101.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main board for controlling the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, and 6C. The main board (corresponding to the first board) 110 includes a main memory (corresponding to main storage means) 111 for storing correction data corresponding to each of the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, 6C, and the LED array head 6B. Connector 61B to which a sub-board (corresponding to a second substrate) on which a sub-memory (corresponding to an auxiliary storage means) for storing correction data according to the LED array head 6Y is connected. Connector 61Y to which a sub-board on which a sub-memory for storing the information is stored is connected, connector 61M to which a sub-board on which a sub-memory for storing correction data corresponding to the LED array head 6M is mounted, and an LED array head 6C, a connector 61C to which a sub-board on which a sub-memory for storing correction data is mounted is connected. When the sub-board is inserted into the sensor, a control unit (corresponding to a control unit) 112 for transferring and writing correction data stored in the sub-memory to the main memory 111 and each of the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, An output driver 113 for driving 6C is mounted.
[0028]
The connection connector 61B is configured such that a sub-board on which a sub-memory for storing correction data for controlling light emission of the black LED array head 6B is mounted is detachable. The connection connector 61Y is configured such that a sub-board on which a sub-memory for storing correction data for controlling light emission of the yellow LED array head 6Y is mounted is detachable. The connector 61M is configured such that a sub-board on which a sub-memory for storing correction data for controlling light emission of the magenta LED array head 6M is mounted is detachable. The connection connector 61C is configured such that a sub-board on which a sub-memory for storing correction data for controlling light emission of the cyan LED array head 6C is mounted is detachable.
[0029]
Also, as shown in FIG. 3, below the respective connectors 61B, 61Y, 61M, 61C, there are silk display portions 61'B, 61'Y, 61 'indicating the color of the toner (corresponding to the specifying means). M, 61'C are formed. The letter “B” is formed in silk display on the silk display section 61′B, indicating that the sub-board 120 on which the sub-memory 62B is mounted is connected to the connection connector 61B. The character “Y” is formed in silk display on the silk display section 61′Y, indicating that the sub-board 120 on which the sub-memory 62Y is mounted is connected to the connection connector 61Y. In the silk display section 61'M, the character "M" is formed in silk display, indicating that the sub-board 120 on which the sub-memory 62M is mounted is connected to the connection connector 61M. The character "C" is formed in silk display on the silk display section 61'C, indicating that the sub-board 120 on which the sub-memory 62C is mounted is connected to the connection connector 61C.
[0030]
As described above, the connection connectors 61B, 61Y, 61M, and 61C to which the sub-board 120 is connected are specified by the silk display portions 61'B, 61'Y, 61'M, and 61'C. In the case of replacement, the sub-board 120 on which the sub-memory 62B, 62Y, 62M, 62C storing the correction data corresponding to the LED array head to be replaced is inserted into the appropriate connectors 61B, 61Y, 61M, 61C. can do.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sub board on which a sub memory that stores correction data is mounted. FIG. 4 shows the sub-board 120 in which the sub-memory 62B for controlling the light emission of the black LED array head 6B is mounted, but the yellow, magenta, and cyan LED array heads 6Y are mounted. , 6M, and 6C have the same configuration when the sub memories 62Y, 62M, and 62C for controlling light emission are mounted.
[0032]
On the sub-board 120 are mounted a sub-memory 62B for storing correction data corresponding to the LED array head 6B and a connection connector 63B detachably connected to the connection connector 61B mounted on the main board 110.
[0033]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the exposure unit shown in FIG. Note that FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the sub-board 120 is connected to all the connectors 61B, 61Y, 61M, and 61C, and the sub-memory 62B, 62Y, 62M, and 62C are connected to the control unit 112.
[0034]
The LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, and 6C are composed of thousands of LED elements arranged in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of each of the photosensitive drums 4B, 4Y, 4M, and 4C. The control unit 112 outputs a control signal for controlling on / off of each LED element to the output driver 113 according to the image data stored in the RAM 103 (see FIG. 2), and the output driver 113 outputs the control signal based on the control signal. The LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, and 6C are driven by switching on / off of each LED element.
[0035]
The main memory 111 is composed of, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and controls the light emission of the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, and 6C corresponding to each color of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan. The correction data is stored. The correction data corresponding to each of the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, 6C is stored in advance when the printer 1 is shipped.
[0036]
The control unit 112 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and is mounted on the sub-board 120 by inserting the sub-board 120 into any of the connectors 61B, 61Y, 61M, and 61C. The correction data stored in the memories 62B, 62Y, 62M, and 62C is transferred to the main memory 111 based on a predetermined data transfer method and written.
[0037]
The sub-memory 62B is composed of, for example, an EEPROM and stores correction data for controlling light emission of the LED array head 6B for black. The sub-memory 62Y is composed of, for example, an EEPROM and stores correction data for controlling light emission of the LED array head 6Y for yellow. The sub-memory 62M is composed of, for example, an EEPROM and stores correction data for controlling light emission of the magenta LED array head 6M. The sub-memory 62C is composed of, for example, an EEPROM and stores correction data for controlling light emission of the cyan LED array head 6C. By configuring the sub-memory 62B, 62Y, 62M, 62C with a rewritable EEPROM, the correction data stored in the sub-memory 62B, 62Y, 62M, 62C is transferred to the main memory 111 and becomes unnecessary. Even in this case, the stored contents can be used many times by rewriting the data with other correction data, and the cost can be reduced.
[0038]
When a problem occurs in the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, and 6C in a production line, a market, and the like, and the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, and 6C are replaced, it is necessary to exchange correction data together with the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, and 6C. This is because the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, and 6C have variations in production, and it is necessary to perform correction according to each LED array head. Therefore, by connecting the sub-board 120 on which the sub-memory storing the correction data according to the LED array head to be replaced is mounted to the connection connector and turning on the power, the control unit 112 Transfer and write correction data.
[0039]
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a storage area of the main memory. As shown in FIG. 6, the area 200 stores correction data for the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, and 6C of the respective colors, and the area 201 controls the light emission of the LED array head 6B for black. The correction data for controlling the light emission of the yellow LED array head 6Y is stored in the area 202, and the correction data for controlling the light emission of the cyan LED array head 6C is stored in the area 203. Data is stored, and correction data for controlling light emission of the magenta LED array head 6M is stored in the area 204. The area 210 is a free area.
[0040]
Here, an operation of writing correction data from the sub memories 62B, 62Y, 62M, and 62C to the main memory 111 will be described.
[0041]
First, in a state where the power of the printer 1 is not turned on, the sub-board 120 on which the sub-memory 62B is mounted is inserted into the connector 61B mounted on the main board 110, and the control unit 112 and the sub-memory 62B are connected. Is done.
[0042]
Next, when the power is turned on, the control unit 112 reads the correction data stored in the sub memory 62B based on a predetermined data transmission method, and transfers the read correction data to the main memory 111. Write. As a data transmission method used here, a known general-purpose port is used.
[0043]
Since the sub-board 120 has a common specification and a common circuit configuration for each color, it can be connected to a connector of any color. The main board 110 is set in a hardware or software manner on the main board 110 side with a select signal (detecting which color connector is connected) input from the sub board 120 to the control unit 112 when the sub board 120 is inserted. The control unit 112 connects the sub-board 120 to a connector of any of a plurality of connectors based on the select signal. Then, the correction data is automatically transferred to an appropriate space of the main memory 111.
[0044]
The correction data read from the sub memory is recognized based on the select signal output via the connection connector when the sub board 120 is inserted, and the color of the LED array head correction data is recognized. Is stored in a predetermined area of the main memory.
[0045]
For example, if the correction data is for the black LED array head 6B, the select signal SEL_K is output. If the correction data is for the yellow LED array head 6Y, the select signal SEL_Y is output. If the correction data is for the cyan LED array head 6C, the select signal SEL_C is output, and the magenta LED array head 6M is corrected. If it is data, a select signal SEL_M is output. For example, when the input select signal is SEL_K, the control unit 112 automatically transfers the correction data on the connected sub-board 120 to a predetermined area 201 of the main memory 111 for the black LED array head 6B. I do.
[0046]
When the sub memories 62B, 62Y, 62M, and 62C on the sub board are EEPROMs, the device has an address input terminal, and the combination is switched to a chip select signal. For example, terminals A0 to A2 on the main memory 111 side The area of the main memory 111 to be stored is set as follows. When A0 = 0, A1 = 0, and A2 = 1, the correction data for black is stored in the area 201 of the main memory 111. When A0 = 0, A1 = 1, and A2 = 0, the correction data for yellow is used. Since it is correction data, it is stored in the area 202 of the main memory 111. When A0 = 1, A1 = 0, and A2 = 0, it is correction data for cyan, so it is stored in the area 203 of the main memory 111 and A0 In the case of = 1, A1 = 0, and A2 = 1, the correction data for magenta is stored in the area 204 of the main memory 111.
[0047]
When the sub memories 62B, 62Y, 62M, and 62C on the sub board are flash memories, a chip select signal for the sub memories 62B, 62Y, 62M, and 62C set on the main board 110 by hardware or software is: If it is MS_0, it is the correction data for black, so it is stored in the area 201 of the main memory 111. If it is MS_1, it is the correction data for yellow, so it is stored in the area 202 of the main memory 111. If there is, the correction data for cyan is stored in the area 203 of the main memory 111, and if it is MS_3, it is the correction data for magenta and stored in the area 204 of the main memory 111.
[0048]
In the main memory 111, the correction data at the time of replacement is stored in a different area from the correction data before the replacement. That is, when the black LED array head 6B is replaced, correction data for controlling light emission of the black LED array head 6B is transferred from the sub memory 62B, but this correction data is overwritten in the area 201. Rather than being stored in the free area 210. That is, when replacing the black LED array head 6B, the control unit 112 does not rewrite the correction data before replacement in the area 201 of the main memory 111 with new correction data, but stores the correction data before replacement. New correction data transferred from the sub-memory 62B is written to another free area 210 different from the area 201 of the main memory 111. Therefore, for example, even if the sub-board 120 on which the sub-memory 62Y storing correction data different from that of the LED array head 6B to be replaced is mounted is inserted into the connector 62B, the sub-board 120 is stored in the area 201. The correction data before the replacement remains and can be recovered.
[0049]
As described above, when the LED array head 6B is replaced, the sub-board 120 is inserted into the connection connector 61B mounted on the main board 110, so that the replacement board stored in the sub-memory 62B of the sub-board 120 is used. The correction data of the LED array head is transferred to and written in the main memory 111 provided on the main substrate 110, so that it is not necessary to directly insert and remove the memory in which the correction data is stored unlike the related art. Can be exchanged.
[0050]
In the case of the tandem printer 1 capable of full-color printing, a plurality of LED array heads are provided in accordance with the number of toner colors, and correction data is required in accordance with each of the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, and 6C. Since the correction data corresponding to each of the LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, and 6C is collectively stored in the main memory 111 mounted on the main board 110, the memory storing the correction data can be reduced to one. it can. Therefore, unlike the related art, it is not necessary to provide a memory corresponding to the number of the plurality of LED array heads 6B, 6Y, 6M, 6C, and the size of the main substrate 110 can be reduced by simplifying the configuration of the main substrate 110. Thus, the cost of the control board can be reduced.
[0051]
Further, since the main memory 111 stores the correction data for each color of each toner, only one memory storing the correction data is required, and it is not necessary to provide a memory for each color of toner as in the related art. The configuration of the main board 110 can be simplified.
[0052]
In this embodiment, the data transfer method for transferring the correction data from the sub memory to the main memory is performed using the general-purpose port. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. The bus system, a two-wire system, a three-wire system, or the like may use a CLK asynchronous or synchronous method.
[0053]
Further, in the present embodiment, a tandem type image forming apparatus capable of full-color printing has been described, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and may be an image forming apparatus capable of, for example, only black-and-white printing. In the case of an image forming apparatus capable of only monochrome printing, only the main memory 111, the control unit 112, the output driver 113, and the black connector 61B are mounted on the main board 110. In this case, by inserting the sub-board 120 into the connector 61B mounted on the main board 110, the correction data of the replacement LED array head stored in the sub-memory 62B of the sub-board 120 is transferred to the main board 110. Since the data is transferred to and written in the provided main memory 111, it is not necessary to directly remove and insert the memory in which the correction data is stored unlike the related art, and the LED array head can be easily replaced.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the LED array head is replaced, the second substrate is inserted into the connection connector provided on the first substrate, so that the auxiliary storage of the second substrate is performed. Since the correction data of the replacement LED array head stored in the means is transferred to the main storage means provided on the first substrate and written therein, the memory in which the correction data is stored is directly inserted and removed as in the related art. This eliminates the necessity, and the LED array head can be easily replaced.
[0055]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the case of an image forming apparatus capable of full-color printing, a plurality of LED array heads are provided, and correction data is required according to each LED array head, but mounted on the first substrate. Since the correction data corresponding to each LED array head is stored collectively in the main storage means, only one memory storing the correction data may be used, and the number of LED array heads corresponding to the number of the plurality of LED array heads is different from the conventional one. There is no need to provide a memory, and the configuration of the control board can be simplified.
[0056]
According to the third aspect of the invention, the correction data for each color of the toner supplied to the electrostatic latent image of the image formed by each LED array head is collectively stored in the main storage means mounted on the first substrate. Since the correction data is stored, only one memory is required to store the correction data, and it is not necessary to provide a memory for each color of toner as in the related art, and the configuration of the control board can be simplified.
[0057]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the correction stored in the auxiliary storage means mounted on the second board based on the select signal output from the connector into which the second board is inserted. Data can be stored in an appropriate storage area of the main storage means.
[0058]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when replacing the LED array head, the control unit rewrites the correction data corresponding to the LED array head before replacement with the correction data corresponding to the new LED array head. Instead, the new correction data transferred from the auxiliary storage means is written in an area different from the area of the main storage means in which the correction data before replacement is stored. Even when the second board on which the stored auxiliary storage means is mounted is inserted into the connection connector, the correction data before replacement can be restored.
[0059]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the connector to which the second board is connected is specified by the specifying means. Therefore, when the LED array head is replaced, the correction data corresponding to the replaced LED array head is provided. The second board on which the stored auxiliary storage means is mounted can be inserted into an appropriate connector.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer according to the invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main board for controlling the LED array head.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sub board on which a sub memory for storing correction data is mounted.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an exposure unit illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a storage area of a main memory.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a control board used in a conventional LED array head.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Printer (image forming device)
6B LED array head for black
LED array head for 6Y yellow
6M LED array head for magenta
6C LED array head for cyan
15 Exposure unit
61B, 61Y, 61M, 61C Connector
61'B, 61'Y, 61'M, 61'C Silk display
62B, 62Y, 62M, 62C Sub-memory (auxiliary storage means)
110 Main board (first board)
111 Main memory (main storage means)
112 control unit (control means)
113 output driver (driving means)
120 Sub-board (second storage unit)

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus that forms an electrostatic latent image of an image by an LED array head including a plurality of LED elements,
A first substrate on which driving means for driving the LED array head is mounted;
Main storage means mounted on the first substrate and storing correction data for controlling light emission of the LED element;
A second substrate on which auxiliary storage means for storing correction data corresponding to the LED array head is mounted;
A connection connector mounted on the first board and detachable from the second board;
A control unit mounted on the first substrate, and the correction data stored in the auxiliary storage unit is transferred to the main storage unit and written by inserting the second substrate into the connection connector. An image forming apparatus comprising: A plurality of the LED array heads are provided,
The main storage means stores correction data corresponding to each LED array head,
The connection connector is provided according to the number of the plurality of LED array heads,
2. The control unit transfers the correction data stored in the auxiliary storage unit to the main storage unit and writes the correction data when the second board is inserted into the connection connector. The image forming apparatus as described in the above. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main storage unit stores correction data for each color of toner supplied to the electrostatic latent image. The control means transfers the correction data stored in the auxiliary storage means to the main storage means based on a select signal output from the connection connector into which the second board is inserted, and writes the correction data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When replacing the LED array head, the control unit transfers the LED array head from the auxiliary storage unit to an area different from an area of the main storage unit in which correction data corresponding to the LED array head before replacement is stored. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein correction data corresponding to the new LED array head is written. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a specifying unit configured to specify the connection connector to which the second substrate is connected.

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