JP2004133769A - Control module generator of image forming apparatus and generating method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate an appropriate control module according to a pattern of usage of an image forming apparatus, and to easily customize a firmware of the image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A monochrome printing ratio, which is calculated based on the number of total printing and the number of monochrome printing read form a storage element of a toner cartridge, is compared to a prescribed ratio P (S100, S110), it is determined to be a monochrome user which frequency of monochrome printing is high when the monochrome printing ratio is larger than the prescribed ratio P, and a window indicating replacement to a new cartridge is output to a monitor (S120), and an updated module of the firmware for the monochrome user and printer ID are output to the storage element of the new toner cartridge (S130). Therefore, more appropriate control module is generated according to the pattern of usage of the image forming apparatus, and the firmware of the image forming apparatus is easily customized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control module generation device for an image forming apparatus, a program used therefor, and a method for generating such a control module. More specifically, use record information is written into a storage element of a recording agent cartridge that is replaceably mounted. The present invention relates to a control module generation device that generates a control module used for controlling an image forming apparatus, a program used for the control module generation device, and a method of generating such a control module.
[0002]
2. Description of the Related Art
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the operation of each unit of an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine is controlled by firmware incorporated therein. In this apparatus, the same firmware is incorporated in image forming apparatuses of the same model.
[0003]
However, in such an image forming apparatus, although an appropriate operation may be different depending on a usage mode of a user, an apparatus of the same model is controlled by the same firmware, so that all users perform the same operation. . In addition, when customizing the firmware so as to perform an appropriate operation according to the usage pattern of the user, an operator goes to the installation location to customize the firmware, or connects to the user's image forming apparatus via a network and performs remote control. Although customization is required, when a worker goes to the office, human costs increase, and when connecting via a network, it is often difficult from the viewpoint of ensuring security.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to generate a more appropriate control module according to a usage pattern of an image forming apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide a control module generation apparatus for an image forming apparatus and a method for generating the same, in which the firmware of the image forming apparatus is easily customized.
[0005]
In addition, the applicant has proposed a method of storing a program in a storage element of a recording material cartridge and updating firmware or a printer driver of an image forming apparatus as one of the methods for achieving a part of the above-described object ( Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-166628
[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects]
The control module generation device of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the program used for the same, and the control module generation method employ the following means to achieve at least a part of the above-described object.
[0008]
The control module generation device of the present invention includes:
A control module generation device that generates a control module used to control an image forming apparatus that writes usage record information in a storage element of a recording agent cartridge that is replaceably mounted,
When the recording material cartridge is attached, information acquisition means for acquiring information including the use result information and the identification information of the image forming apparatus from a storage element of the recording material cartridge,
Module generation means for generating a control module suitable for the image forming apparatus based on the obtained usage record information;
Module output means for outputting the generated control module and the identification information of the image forming apparatus to a storage element attachable to the image forming apparatus;
The gist is to provide
[0009]
In the control module generation device according to the present invention, a control module suitable for a use mode of the image forming apparatus is generated based on use record information acquired from the storage element of the recording material cartridge. Therefore, a more appropriate control module can be generated in accordance with the usage of the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, since the generated control module is output to a storage element that can be attached to the image forming apparatus, the firmware of the image forming apparatus can be easily customized by attaching this storage element. Here, when the image forming apparatus is a color laser printer, a color copying machine, or the like, the recording material corresponds to toner, and the recording material cartridge corresponds to a toner cartridge. When the image forming apparatus is a color inkjet printer, the recording material corresponds to ink, and the recording material cartridge corresponds to an ink cartridge. The “use record information” includes the number of images formed, the print duty, the number of recording agent cartridges used, the use environment temperature, the use environment humidity, the error history, the number of images formed for each paper size, the number of use of non-genuine cartridges, etc. Is included.
[0010]
In such a control module generation device of the present invention, the image forming device is a device capable of forming a single-color image and a color image, the usage record information is a formation frequency of a single-color image, and the module generation unit includes: When the formation frequency of the single-color image is higher than a predetermined frequency, the unit may be a unit that generates a control module for controlling the image forming apparatus so that the fixing temperature is lower than a normal fixing temperature. The image forming apparatus is an apparatus capable of forming a single-color image and a color image, the use result information is a formation frequency of a single-color image, and the module generation unit determines that the formation frequency of the single-color image is higher than a predetermined frequency. Sometimes, a means for generating a control module for controlling the image forming apparatus so as to perform a toner density adjustment operation for a single color image is used. It can also be a shall. By doing so, it is possible to customize the control method of the fixing temperature and the toner density adjustment operation according to the frequency of forming a single color image.
[0011]
In the control module generation device of the present invention, the control module may be a module that updates firmware of the image forming apparatus, and the control module may control at least a fixing temperature and a toner density adjustment operation. Parameter. By doing so, the file size of the control module can be reduced.
[0012]
Further, in the control module generation device according to the present invention, the module output unit may be a unit that outputs the control module and the identification information of the image forming apparatus to a storage element included in a recording material cartridge. it can. In this case, the control module can be applied to the image forming apparatus via the recording material cartridge. In the control module generation device according to the aspect of the present invention, the control module includes a recording material cartridge having the storage element mounted on the image forming apparatus corresponding to the identification information of the image forming apparatus output to the storage element. The module may be an executable module when the module is executed. In this way, the generated control module can be reliably applied to the image forming apparatus to which the module is to be applied.
[0013]
The program for a control module generation device of the present invention has a computer in the control module generation device of the present invention in any one of the above-described embodiments, that is, basically, a recording agent cartridge that is replaceably mounted. A control module generation device that generates a control module used for controlling an image forming apparatus that writes usage history information to a storage element, wherein when the recording material cartridge is attached, the storage device included in the recording material cartridge Information acquisition means for acquiring information including usage result information and identification information of the image forming apparatus, and module generation means for generating a control module suitable for the image forming apparatus based on the obtained usage result information, The generated control module and the identification information of the image forming apparatus can be attached to the image forming apparatus. A module output means for outputting the Do storage element, and summarized in that to function as the control module generating device comprising a.
[0014]
In the program for a control module generation device according to the present invention, since the computer is caused to function as the control module generation device according to any one of the above-described embodiments, the effects achieved by the control module generation device according to the present invention include, for example, An effect that a more appropriate control module can be generated according to a usage mode of the image forming apparatus, an effect that firmware of the image forming apparatus can be easily customized, and the like can be obtained.
[0015]
The control module generation method of the present invention includes:
A control module generation method for generating a control module used for controlling an image forming apparatus that writes usage record information into a storage element of a recording agent cartridge that is replaceably mounted,
(A) when the recording material cartridge is attached, obtains information including the use record information and the identification information of the image forming apparatus from a storage element of the recording material cartridge;
(B) generating a control module suitable for the image forming apparatus based on the acquired usage record information;
(C) outputting the generated control module and the identification information of the image forming apparatus.
[0016]
According to the control module generation method of the present invention, a control module suitable for a use mode of the image forming apparatus is generated based on use record information acquired from the storage element of the recording material cartridge. Therefore, a more appropriate control module can be generated in accordance with the usage of the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, since the generated control module is output to a storage element that can be attached to the image forming apparatus, the firmware of the image forming apparatus can be easily customized by attaching this storage element. Here, when the image forming apparatus is a color laser printer, a color copying machine, or the like, the recording material corresponds to toner, and the recording material cartridge corresponds to a toner cartridge. When the image forming apparatus is a color inkjet printer, the recording material corresponds to ink, and the recording material cartridge corresponds to an ink cartridge.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a module generation device 20 that generates an update module that updates firmware of a color laser printer 60 that functions as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating electrical connections of the module generation device 20 according to the embodiment by functional blocks. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the module generation device 20 according to the embodiment includes a general-purpose computer main body 22 having a CPU 23, a ROM 24, a RAM 25, and an input / output interface (not shown), a monitor 26 connected to the computer main body 22, A cartridge connection portion 28 connected via an input / output interface (not shown) of the computer main body 22 to which the toner cartridge 40 can be attached; and the storage device 50 of the collected toner cartridge 40 attached to the cartridge connection portion 28 Is read, and the firmware update module of the color laser printer 60 is generated by reading the usage record information on the use of the color laser printer 60 to which the printer is attached.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the storage element 50 includes a memory cell 52 for storing data, a read / write control unit 54 for controlling reading and writing of data in the memory cell 52, and a read / write control unit based on a clock signal CLK. An address counter 56 is provided for counting up when exchanging data with the module generation device 20 of the embodiment or the controller of the color laser printer main body via the unit 54. As such a storage element 50, for example, an EEPROM can be used. FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an example of the external appearance of the toner cartridge 40. In the toner cartridge 40 of the embodiment, as shown, a storage element 50 is mounted inside a storage section 42 provided at an end thereof.
[0019]
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of the color laser printer 60 to which the toner cartridge 40 is attached. The color laser printer 60 is configured as a full-color electrophotographic image forming apparatus employing a single photoreceptor system and an intermediate transfer system. As shown, as shown, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow The image separated into four colors of (Y) and black (K) is exposed for each color using toner of each color supplied from the toner cartridges 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K of each color mounted on the developing device 61. A toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 63 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed by the device 62, and the formed toner image is transferred by the primary transfer unit 71 onto a transfer belt 64 as an intermediate transfer member. The four-color toner images transferred on the upper side are transferred by the secondary transfer unit 67 to the sheet supplied from the sheet cassette 65 and transported by the transport unit 66, and And fused fixed on the paper by the fixing unit 68 the toner image transferred on to form a color image on the sheet. The developing device 61 is configured to be rotatable so that toner images of each color can be formed on the photoconductor 63 in this manner. Further, when the storage elements 50C, 50M, 50Y, and 50K of the toner cartridges 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K mounted on the developing device 61 are located on the lower right side in FIG. The controller 70 writes use result information on the use of the color laser printer 60 to the connected storage element 50 and reads the update module stored in the storage element 50 by the controller 70. The electrical connection between the controller 70 and the storage element 50 is the same as the connection between the module generation device 20 and the storage element 50 illustrated in FIG.
[0020]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the controller 70. As illustrated, the controller 70 is configured as a microprocessor mainly including a CPU 90, a RAM 92, and a ROM 94, and detects values detected by various sensors (for example, a temperature sensor) and other input signals (for example, prints by an operator). An instruction signal or the like) is input via a signal line, and based on these input signals, an exposure unit drive control unit 97, a development unit drive control unit 98, a primary transfer unit drive control unit 99, and a secondary transfer unit drive control unit 100. A color laser printer 60 such as an exposure unit 62, a developing unit 61, a primary transfer unit 71, a secondary transfer unit 67, a fixing unit 68, and a transfer unit 66 via a fixing unit drive control unit 101 and a transfer unit drive control unit 102; Controls the operation of each unit. Such control of the operation of the color laser printer 60 is realized by integrating firmware, which is software stored in the ROM 94, with hardware, such as the CPU 90.
[0021]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage element 50 of the toner cartridge 40. In the embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the storage element 50 is configured to store the use result information of the color laser printer 60, the firmware update module of the color laser printer 60, and the like. The use result information of the color laser printer 60 includes the ID (printer ID) and model name of the color laser printer 60, the total number of prints printed by the color laser printer 60, the number of color images printed out of the total number of prints, and the total number of prints. Information such as the number of monochrome images printed out of the number of printed sheets and the error history generated in the color laser printer 60 is included. These information are stored in the controller when the toner cartridge 40 is mounted or when the toner cartridge 40 is removed. 70 is written to the storage element 50. The firmware update module of the color laser printer 60 is written in the storage element 50 by the module generation device 20 of the embodiment, and the details will be described later.
[0022]
Next, the operation of the module generation device 20 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a module generation process performed by the module generation device 20 according to the embodiment when the collected toner cartridge 40 is attached to the cartridge connection unit 28. In the module generation process, first, the process of reading the use result information of the color laser printer 60 such as the printer ID, the model name, the total number of prints, and the number of monochrome prints from the storage element 50 of the attached toner cartridge 40 is executed (step S100). ). The reading process of such information is performed by outputting a read signal from the computer main body 22 to the read / write control unit 54 of the storage element 50 of the toner cartridge 40 attached to the cartridge connection unit 28.
[0023]
Subsequently, a ratio of the monochrome print number to the total print number is calculated based on the read total print number and the monochrome print number, and the calculated monochrome print ratio is compared with a predetermined ratio P (for example, 80%) ( Step S110). When the monochrome printing ratio is equal to or less than the predetermined ratio P, the module generation process is terminated. When the monochrome printing ratio is larger than the predetermined ratio P, the user of the attached toner cartridge 40 is a monochrome user who frequently performs monochrome printing. If it is determined that there is a cartridge, a replacement instruction screen 150 for a new cartridge illustrated in FIG. 8 is output to the monitor 26 (step S120). In the embodiment, the monochrome print ratio is calculated based on the total print number and the monochrome print number. However, the monochrome print ratio calculated by the controller 70 of the color laser printer 60 may be read from the storage element 50. Good.
[0024]
When the replacement instruction screen for the new cartridge is output in this way, the operator of the module generation device 20 replaces the attached toner cartridge 40 with the new toner cartridge 40 and presses the confirmation button 152 on the replacement instruction screen 150. When the confirmation button 152 is pressed, the firmware update module for the monochrome user and the printer ID read in step S100 are output to the storage element 50 of the new toner cartridge 40 (step S130). The module generation processing ends. Such information output processing is performed by outputting a write signal from the computer main body 22 to the read / write control unit 54 of the storage element 50. In the embodiment, the output of the update module for the monochrome user is obtained by storing the update module for each model name of the color laser printer 60 in the ROM 24 of the computer main body 22 in advance, and updating the update module corresponding to the model name read in step S100. The module is read from the ROM 24 and output to the storage element 50.
[0025]
Here, the update module for the monochrome user is a module that updates the firmware of the color laser printer 60 so that the operation of the color laser printer 60 becomes an operation suitable for a user who frequently performs monochrome printing. In the embodiment, since the monochrome image uses a smaller amount of toner than the color image, the update module sets the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 68 to a fixing temperature (for example, 190 ° C.) lower than that required for the color image. (For example, 140 ° C.), the firmware is updated so that the initial setting value of the fixing temperature is set to this low fixing temperature, and the influence on the color quality of the monochrome image due to the toner density fluctuation is lower than that of the color image. Based on the small number, the firmware is adjusted so that the toner density adjustment operation of forming the test toner image and adjusting the toner density is a simple operation (for example, an operation of forming only the black (K) test toner image). It should be updated. Note that the update module for the monochrome user may of course update the firmware so as to change the control method of other operations (eg, exposure, development, primary transfer, etc.).
[0026]
When the toner cartridge 40 in which the update module and the printer ID are output to the storage element 50 is attached to the color laser printer 60, the update module is executed by the controller 70 of the color laser printer 60, the firmware is updated, and the monochrome The operation of the color laser printer 60 is controlled by an operation suitable for the user. The toner cartridge 40 having the update module or the like output to the storage element 50 is updated by adopting a sales form such as a return method in which the used cartridge collected from the user is filled with toner and returned to the user. The module can be reliably sold to users to whom the module should be applied. When the controller 70 of the color laser printer 60 executes the update module, the controller 70 checks the printer ID stored in the storage element 50 and the printer ID of the color laser printer 60 to determine the wrong color laser printer 60. Prevent updating firmware.
[0027]
According to the module generation device 20 of the embodiment described above, the color laser printer 60 can be operated more appropriately based on the use result information of the color laser printer 60 obtained from the storage element 50 of the collected toner cartridge 40. A firmware update module can be generated. Further, since the generated update module is output to the storage element 50 of the new toner cartridge 40, the firmware of the color laser printer 60 can be easily updated only by installing the new toner cartridge 40.
[0028]
Here, in the module generation device 20 of the embodiment, the cartridge connection unit 28 and the CPU 23 that executes the processing of step S100 correspond to the information acquisition unit, and the CPU 23 that executes the processing of steps S110 to S130 includes the module generation unit and the module. It corresponds to output means.
[0029]
In the module generation device 20 of the embodiment, the monochrome print ratio is calculated based on the total print number read from the storage element 50 of the toner cartridge 40 and the monochrome print number, and when the calculated monochrome print ratio is larger than the predetermined ratio P, Although an update module for a monochrome user is determined to be output as a monochrome user, the update module may be output based on other information as long as the update module is based on actual use information of the color laser printer 60. For example, the number of images formed and the printing duty in the color laser printer 60, the number of used toner cartridges 40, the use environment temperature, the use environment humidity, the error history, the number of images formed for each paper size, the number of use of non-genuine cartridges, etc. Update module based on information It may be intended to force. In this case, when the non-genuine cartridge is frequently used, an update module that lowers the fixing speed to sufficiently fix the toner of the non-genuine cartridge is output, or a paper jam frequently occurs as an error history. Sometimes, an update module having a paper feed timing different from the normal paper feed timing may be output.
[0030]
In the module generation device 20 of the embodiment, the update module for updating the firmware of the color laser printer 60 is output. However, if the control method of each unit of the color laser printer 60 can be changed, the output is performed in another format. For example, it may be output in the form of a control parameter (for example, a control parameter for a fixing temperature or a toner density adjustment operation) for controlling each process by the firmware. In this case, the control parameters output to the storage element 50 may be read by the controller 70 of the color laser printer 60, and each processing by the firmware may be executed.
[0031]
In the module generation apparatus 20 of the embodiment, the update module and the printer ID are output to the storage element 50 of the new toner cartridge 40. However, any other recording medium that can be attached to the color laser printer 60 is used. May be output.
[0032]
In the module generation device 20 of the embodiment, the firmware update module of the color laser printer 60 configured as a full-color electrophotographic image forming apparatus employing the single photoreceptor system and the intermediate transfer system is generated. However, since it is sufficient that the toner cartridge 40 has a storage element 50 and can store the usage record information of the color laser printer 60, the toner cartridge 40 is configured as a full-color electrophotographic image forming apparatus of a multiple photoconductor type or a direct transfer type. A firmware update module for a color laser printer or copier, or a laser printer or copier configured as a monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus may be generated. Further, an update module for firmware of the inkjet printer may be generated.
[0033]
In the embodiment, the description has been given as the mode of the module generation device 20 that reads the usage result information on the use of the color laser printer 60 from the collected storage elements 50 of the toner cartridge 40 and generates the firmware update module of the color laser printer 60. Alternatively, the control module generation method for generating a similar update module may be used. In addition, a program that causes one or more computers to function as the module generation device 20 may be used. In this case, each step of the module generation processing illustrated in FIG. 7 may be programmed using an appropriate programming language and installed in a computer.
[0034]
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described using the examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and may be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. Obviously you can get it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a module generation device 20 according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a module generation device 20 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an external view showing an example of the external appearance of a toner cartridge 40.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a color laser printer 60;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a controller 70;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information stored in a storage element 50.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a module generation process.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a replacement instruction screen 150.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 20 module generation device, 22 computer main body, 23 CPU, 24 ROM, 25 RAM, 26 monitor, 28 cartridge connection section, 40, 40C, 40M, 40Y, 40K toner cartridge, 42 storage section, 50, 50C, 50M, 50Y, 50K storage element, 52 memory cells, 54 read / write control unit, 56 address counter, 60 color laser printer, 61 developing unit, 62 exposing unit, 63 photoconductor, 64 transfer belt, 65 paper cassette, 66 transport unit, 672 Next transfer unit, 68 Fixing unit, 69 Movable connection unit, 70 controller, 71 Primary transfer unit, 90 CPU, 92 RAM, 94 ROM, 97 Exposure unit drive control unit, 98 Developing unit drive control unit, 99 Primary transfer unit drive control unit , 100 Secondary transfer unit drive system Control unit, 101 fixing unit drive control unit, 102 transport unit drive control unit, 150 replacement instruction screen, 152 confirmation button.

Claims (10)

A control module generation device that generates a control module used to control an image forming apparatus that writes usage record information in a storage element of a recording agent cartridge that is replaceably mounted,
When the recording material cartridge is attached, information acquisition means for acquiring information including the use result information and the identification information of the image forming apparatus from a storage element of the recording material cartridge,
Module generation means for generating a control module suitable for the image forming apparatus based on the obtained usage record information;
Module output means for outputting the generated control module and the identification information of the image forming apparatus to a storage element attachable to the image forming apparatus;
A control module generation device comprising: The control module generation device according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus is an apparatus capable of forming a monochrome image and a color image,
The use result information is a frequency of forming a single-color image,
The module generation unit is a unit that generates a control module for controlling the image forming apparatus such that when the frequency of forming the single-color image is higher than a predetermined frequency, the fixing temperature is lower than a normal fixing temperature. A control module generation device. The control module generation device according to claim 1 or 2,
The image forming apparatus is an apparatus capable of forming a monochrome image and a color image,
The use result information is a frequency of forming a single-color image,
The module generation unit is a unit that generates a control module for controlling the image forming apparatus such that a toner density adjustment operation for a monochrome image is performed when the monochrome image formation frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency. Control module generation device. The usage record information is at least one of the number of images formed, the printing duty, the number of recording medium cartridges used, the usage environment temperature, the usage environment humidity, the error history, the number of images formed for each paper size, and the number of non-genuine product cartridges used. 4. The control module generation device according to claim 1, wherein the control module generation device is information including: The control module generation device according to claim 1, wherein the control module is a module that updates firmware of the image forming apparatus. 5. The control module generation device according to claim 1, wherein the control module is a parameter for controlling at least a fixing temperature and a toner density adjustment operation. 7. The control module generation device according to claim 1, wherein the module output unit is a unit that outputs the control module and the identification information of the image forming apparatus to a storage element included in a recording material cartridge. The control module is a module that can be executed when a recording material cartridge having the storage element is mounted on an image forming apparatus corresponding to the identification information of the image forming apparatus output to the storage element. 7. The control module generation device according to claim 7. A program for causing a computer to function as the control module generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A control module generation method for generating a control module used for controlling an image forming apparatus that writes usage record information into a storage element of a recording agent cartridge that is replaceably mounted,
(A) when the recording material cartridge is attached, obtains information including the use record information and the identification information of the image forming apparatus from a storage element of the recording material cartridge;
(B) generating a control module suitable for the image forming apparatus based on the acquired usage record information;
(C) A control module generation method for outputting the generated control module and identification information of the image forming apparatus.

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