JP2009003325A - State detection control method of functional component in image forming device and detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the communication time required for recognizing or checking the state of functional components such as a consumable in an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: A control method detects the state of functional components such as a toner cartridge 122 attached to the main body of an image forming device in a removable manner. A memory board M is attached to the toner cartridge 122, and a control part 20 is provided on the main body side. A signal line SLS is provided for transmitting signals between the memory board M and the control part 20. The control part 20 sets the signal line SLS at the "H" level in acquiring unique information DT, and the memory board M reads the unique information DT from a nonvolatile memory 112 on detecting that the signal line is at the "H" level, and sends it to the control part 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control method and a detection device for detecting the state of a consumable such as a functional member in an image forming apparatus, for example, a toner cartridge.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various image forming apparatuses having an electrophotographic printing function, such as a printing apparatus, a copying apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, or a multi-function apparatus having a combination of functions of these apparatuses, have been widely used.

  In general, in an image forming apparatus, when a job execution is instructed by a user, it is determined whether or not the job can be executed based on the color and remaining toner amount of a mounted toner cartridge, that is, a toner state. To do. In addition, when the cover of the image forming apparatus main body is opened and closed, the toner cartridge or the PC unit may be replaced, and the toner state may change accordingly. Therefore, even when the cover of the image forming apparatus main body is opened and closed, control is performed so as to check the toner state before entering the printing operation.

  Conventionally, various control methods have been proposed to confirm the state of consumables in an image forming apparatus.

  For example, in the image forming system of Patent Document 1, when a printing operation is instructed, a change in usage state given to the process cartridge by the operation is calculated, and usage state information is updated according to the result. The consumption amount of the developer in the process cartridge is determined according to either the information updated in this way or the information stored in advance.

Conventionally, a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus performs serial communication with a storage device mounted on the toner cartridge of each color in order to check the toner state stored in the toner cartridge. An information acquisition command (unique ID specifying command) is transmitted. When each storage device recognizes the received unique information acquisition command, it returns unique information (unique ID) corresponding to the unique information acquisition command. The control unit recognizes or confirms the toner state stored in each toner cartridge based on the unique information returned from each storage device.
JP 2001-147623 A

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, each color cartridge is housed in a rotary rack device, and when the formation and transfer of a toner image with a cartridge of one color is completed, the rack device rotates and a toner image with a cartridge of the next color is transferred. Is formed, and this is repeated to form a full-color toner image. When such a printing method is adopted, the following problems occur.

  In other words, in an image forming apparatus that employs a four-cycle method, the control unit and the storage device mounted on the toner cartridge communicate with each other in order to simplify the configuration and reduce the number of parts. It is configured so that there is only one possible position. In that case, only the storage device arranged at a predetermined position can communicate with the control unit on a one-to-one basis. When the storage device mounted on another toner cartridge is placed at a predetermined position by the movement of the toner cartridge, this newly placed storage device and the control unit start communication.

  In the communication between the storage device and the control unit when confirming the toner state, as described above, processing such as output of the unique information acquisition command from the control unit and recognition of the unique information acquisition command in the storage device is required. Therefore, in an image forming apparatus that employs the 4-cycle method, such processing is required four times, and the processing time becomes long, and the time required to check the toner state as a whole becomes long. Therefore, the start of the printing operation in the image forming apparatus is delayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to reduce the communication time required for recognizing or checking the state of a functional member such as a consumable in an image forming apparatus.

  The method according to the present invention is a control method for detecting the state of a functional member that is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the member information relating to the state of the functional member is provided on the functional member side. And a control unit that controls reading of the member information from the storage unit, and a member-side management device is provided, and is sent from the member-side management device to the main body side of the image forming apparatus. A main body side management device that manages the state of the functional member based on member information is provided, and a signal line is provided for performing signal transmission between the member side management device and the main body side management device, When the main body side management device acquires the member information, the voltage of the signal line is set to a predetermined level, and the member side management device is configured such that the control unit has the voltage of the signal line at the predetermined level. When detecting, the controller reads the member information from the storage unit, sends the read member information to the body-side management unit.

  Preferably, when the voltage of the signal line is not the predetermined level, the member side management device is in a state of waiting for a command from the main body side management device, and according to a command output from the main body side management device. Configure to work.

  The main body side management device sets the voltage of the signal line to a predetermined level and supplies power to the member side management device. The control unit of the member side management device is configured to control the main body side management device. A reset operation may be performed when power is supplied from the apparatus, and thereafter, it may be detected whether or not the voltage of the signal line is at the predetermined level.

  Since the member side management device sends member information to the main body side management device based on the change in the voltage level of the signal line, the communication time between the member side management device and the main body side management device is shortened.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the communication time required for recognizing or checking the state of a functional member such as a consumable in the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a four-cycle laser printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a toner cartridge portion 12.

  In FIG. 1, a laser printer 1 forms a full-color image with four color toners of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). In some cases, a black and white image is formed using only black (K) toner.

  The laser printer 1 includes a print head (writing unit) 11, a toner cartridge unit 12, a drum cartridge unit 13, a transfer belt unit 14, a secondary transfer unit 15, a fixing unit 16, and a paper feeding unit 17.

  The print head 11 includes a laser diode, a polygon motor, an SOS sensor, a mirror, lenses, and the like, and forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the surface of the photoreceptor of the drum cartridge unit 13 with laser light.

  The drum cartridge unit 13 includes a photoconductor and a charging charger, and forms a visible toner image by attaching the negatively charged toner from the toner cartridge unit 12 to the surface of the photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. To do. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor is transferred to the transfer belt portion 14.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the toner cartridge unit 12 accommodates and rotates four toner cartridges 122Y, 122M, 122C, and 122K for each of the colors Y, M, C, and K, and the toner cartridges 122 for each color. The toner cartridge rack 123 is configured to supply toner of each color to the process unit unit 12.

  Note that all or part of the toner cartridges 122Y, 122M, 122C, and 122K may be referred to as “toner cartridge 122”. The same applies to other members.

  The installation location of each color toner cartridge 122 in the toner cartridge rack 123 is determined by a physical mechanism, and the toner cartridge 122 of a predetermined color is mounted at a predetermined position. Therefore, a predetermined toner cartridge 122 is placed at a current position of each toner cartridge 122 or a position necessary for development by a rotation angle position of the toner cartridge rack 123 or a control circuit of a motor that rotationally drives the toner cartridge rack 123. It can be detected whether or not it is positioned.

  The toner cartridge rack 123 rotates in response to a command from the control unit 20 described later, and one of the toner cartridges 122Y, 122M, 122C, and 122K moves to a position facing the photoconductor. When the toner image formation by the facing toner cartridge 122 is completed, the toner cartridge rack 123 is rotated and positioned so that the toner cartridge 122 of the next color faces the photoconductor. By repeating this, toner images of each color are sequentially formed on the surface of the photoreceptor and transferred to the transfer belt unit 14.

  The toner cartridge rack 123 is provided with a physical guide mechanism or the like so that the stop position of the toner cartridge 122 in the rotation direction has sufficient accuracy.

  The transfer belt unit 14 includes a transfer belt, a transfer roller, a driving roller, a cleaning mechanism, a sensor, and the like. The toner images of Y, M, C, and K formed on the photoreceptor are sequentially transferred to the transfer belt. Transfer to form a full color toner image.

  The secondary transfer unit 15 transfers the toner image formed on the transfer belt unit 14 to a sheet fed and conveyed from the sheet feeding unit 17.

  The fixing unit 16 includes a heating roller, a pressure roller, a heater lamp, a thermistor, and the like. The toner image transferred to the paper by the secondary transfer unit 15 is fixed to the paper by heat, and is then placed on the paper discharge tray 18. To discharge.

  The printer 1 is provided with a cover open / close sensor 19. The cover opening / closing sensor 19 detects opening / closing of the cover 10 a of the main body 10 of the printer 1. The cover opening / closing sensor 19 outputs a detection signal S0 to the control unit 20 when detecting opening / closing of the cover 10a.

  The main body 10 of the printer 1 is provided with a control unit 20 including a CPU and a memory such as a ROM or a RAM. The memory stores programs and data for performing various processes and control of each unit in the printer 1, and these programs are executed by the CPU to realize various functions.

  Next, connection and communication between the memory board mounted on each color toner cartridge 122 and the control unit 20 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a connection state of the serial communication line SL between the memory substrate M and the control unit 20, and FIG.

  In FIG. 3, one memory substrate MY, MM, MC, and MK is mounted on the toner cartridge rack 123 corresponding to each color toner cartridge 122Y, 122M, 122C, and 122K. Each memory substrate MY, MM, MC, MK can communicate with the control unit 20 only at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the toner cartridge rack 123, and is positioned at the predetermined position. Only the selected memory board can communicate with the control unit 20 on a one-to-one basis.

  Hereinafter, all or part of the memory substrates MY, MM, MC, and MK may be referred to as “memory substrate M”.

  In FIG. 4, the memory substrate M includes a CPU 111, a nonvolatile memory 112, a reset circuit 113, and the like. Note that the memory substrate M may be configured by a one-chip CPU with a built-in memory. The nonvolatile memory 112 of each memory board M has a toner capacity, information on the remaining amount of toner (toner remaining amount information), a specific development output value for outputting an image, a development bias peak voltage adjustment value, and a development bias output. Information unique to each toner cartridge 122 (hereinafter referred to as “specific information DT”) such as a characteristic value, a laser light quantity value, a toner consumption rate calculation parameter, and toner adhesion amount characteristic data is stored.

  The CPU 111 of the memory board M performs a predetermined process according to an instruction from the control unit 20 and controls each part of the memory board M.

  The reset circuit 113 is a circuit that resets and initializes the CPU 111 when power is supplied to the memory substrate M.

  When the cover 10a is opened and closed, one of the toner cartridges 122 for each color may be replaced, and the remaining amount of toner (toner state) may change accordingly. When the cover 10a is opened and closed, the control unit 20 needs to check the toner states of the toner cartridges 122Y, 122M, 122C, and 122K before entering the printing operation. Further, it is necessary to recognize the state of each toner cartridge 122 even when the laser printer 1 is powered on. Therefore, the control unit 20 communicates with the memory board M in order to acquire the unique information DT from each memory board M.

  In order for the control unit 20 and the memory board M to communicate, a serial communication line SL is formed with respect to the memory board M positioned at a predetermined position. The serial communication line SL is formed by two lines, a signal line SLS and a ground line SLG. A power line SLD is formed to supply power to the memory substrate M. These three lines are formed on the memory substrate M positioned at a predetermined position via electrical contacts 21 and 22 described later.

  Communication for the control unit 20 to acquire the unique information DT from the memory board M is performed as follows.

  That is, the control unit 20 sets the voltage (signal 2) of the signal line SLS to a predetermined level when acquiring the unique information DT. The predetermined level may be a specific voltage value, may be a maximum value or a minimum value of a voltage that can be taken by the signal line SLS, and may be a logic level “H” or “L”. It may be a specific level of a multi-valued logic level. On the other hand, when the memory substrate M detects that the voltage of the signal line SLS is at a predetermined level, the CPU 111 reads the unique information DT from the nonvolatile memory 112, and sends the read unique information DT to the control unit 20. And send it out.

  Note that after the memory substrate M detects that the voltage of the signal line SLS is at a predetermined level, the control unit 20 receives the unique information DT from the memory substrate M by setting the signal line SLS in a floating state. can do. Such timing may be, for example, a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed after the signal line SLS is set to a predetermined level, or as a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the power was supplied to the memory substrate M. Also good. Moreover, the timing which the control part 20 recognized that the memory substrate M detected that the voltage was a predetermined level may be sufficient.

  Further, when the voltage of the signal line SLS is not a predetermined level, the memory substrate M enters a state of waiting for a command from the control unit 20, and thereafter operates according to a command output from the control unit 20.

  Further, the control unit 20 sets the voltage of the signal line SLS to a predetermined level and supplies power to the memory substrate M. When the CPU 111 of the memory substrate M receives power supply from the control unit 20, A reset operation is executed by the reset circuit 113, and thereafter, it is detected whether or not the voltage of the signal line SLS is at a predetermined level.

  Thus, when the control unit 20 acquires the unique information DT from the memory substrate M, the control unit 20 does not issue a command, but simply sets the signal line SLS to a predetermined level. Since the unique information DT is transmitted by detecting the predetermined level, the unique information DT can be acquired by performing communication in a short time. Details will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 20 and the memory substrate M are electrically connected via the contacts 21 and 22 to form a serial communication line SL. Since the serial communication line SL is composed of three lines as described above, these contacts 21 and 22 are also used for three circuits. As the toner cartridge rack 123 rotates, the contacts 22 on the memory substrate M side are sequentially connected to the contacts 21 on the control unit 20 side.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view of the contact 22 provided on the memory substrate M. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the contact 22 includes three contacts, a GND contact for the ground line SLG, a power contact for the power line SLD, and a signal contact for the signal line SLS. In the present embodiment, transmission / reception on the signal line SLS is performed using one signal line. However, a transmission signal line and a reception signal line may be provided separately.

  These three contacts are long in the order of the GND contact, the power supply contact, and the signal contact, and protrude to the front side in the rotation direction of the toner cartridge rack 123. Therefore, when the toner cartridge rack 123 rotates, the contact 21 on the control unit 20 side, the GND contact, the power contact, and the signal contact are connected in this order. By connecting the three contacts in this order, the operation is stable and the occurrence of equipment failure can be prevented.

  The contact 21 on the control unit 20 side is provided with a GND contact, a power contact, and a signal contact at the same position with the same length. However, conversely, the lengths of the three contact points 21 on the control unit 20 side may be made different to be connected in the order described above.

  6 is a view showing a state where the yellow toner cartridge 122Y is positioned at a position facing the photoconductor, FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the toner cartridge rack 123 is rotating, and FIG. 8 is a view showing the toner cartridge rack 123. It is a figure which shows an example of the method of detecting this rotation angle position.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the contact 21 on the control unit 20 side is provided at a position facing the contact 22 of the memory substrate M of the toner cartridge 122 at a position facing the photoconductor. The contact 21 is provided so as to be capable of being pressed and separated or rotatable so as to be able to contact or leave the contact 22 of the toner cartridge 122. The contact 21 is provided with a contact / separation contact 211, and the tip of the contact / separation contact 211 slides along the outer peripheral surface 36 as the toner cartridge rack 123 rotates (see FIG. 7). Or the recess 33 provided on the outer peripheral surface 36 of the toner cartridge rack 123 (state shown in FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the tip of the press contact / separation contact 211 is fitted in the recess 33, the contact 21 is in press contact with the contact 22, and the serial communication line SL is formed. As shown in FIG. 7, when the tip of the pressure contact / separation contact 211 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 36 of the toner cartridge rack 123, the contact 21 is separated from the contact 22, thereby protecting the contact 21. Figured.

  An appropriate spring member may be provided to press the contact 21 against the contact 22.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the toner cartridge rack 123 is provided with a slit 31 for detecting the rotation angle position in order to stop the toner cartridge 122 at a predetermined rotation angle position. The position where the slit 31 is detected by the photosensor 32 is the position where the toner cartridge 122 faces the photoreceptor.

  Therefore, the control unit 20 stops the rotation when the detection signal is output from the photosensor 32 when the toner cartridge rack 123 is rotated. In this state, the contact 21 and the contact 22 are connected to form the serial communication line SL.

  Next, the operation when the control unit 20 acquires the unique information DT from the memory substrate M will be described in detail.

  9 is a diagram illustrating an interface circuit with the memory substrate M in the control unit 20, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation after the CPU 111 of the memory substrate M is reset, and FIG. 11 is a timing diagram illustrating a signal state of each unit.

  In FIG. 9, the detection signal S0 of the cover opening / closing sensor 19 is input to the input terminal IN of the CPU 20a. Further, the base of the transistor Q1 is connected to the output terminal OUT of the CPU 20a, and the transistor Q1 is turned on when the power on / off signal S4 becomes “L”. When the transistor Q1 is turned on, a voltage of 5 V (signal S1) is supplied to the power supply line SLD from a power supply circuit (not shown).

  Further, a contact 21 for the signal line SLS is connected to the serial IO of the CPU 20a. The ground of the control unit 20 is connected to a contact 21 for the ground line SLG. The CPU 20a also uses other signals and data (not shown) to control the serial communication line SL, to supply power to the memory substrate M by the power supply line SLD, or to stop supply, and from the memory substrate M through the signal line SLS. The unique information DT or other information is acquired or a cond is sent to the memory substrate M.

  For example, when the toner cartridge 122 is replaced, if it is removed or attached while the power is supplied to the memory substrate M, an abnormal voltage may be applied to the CPU 111 of the memory substrate M to cause damage. Further, if the power of the memory board M is turned off during communication, the stored contents of the memory board M may be damaged. Therefore, it is necessary to turn off the power after the communication is finished. Therefore, the power to the memory board M is turned off after the communication is ended under the control of the control unit 20.

  When the cover 10a is opened for the replacement of the toner cartridge 122, the cover open / close sensor 19 detects it and outputs a detection signal S0, whereby the CPU 20a ends the communication with the toner cartridge 122, The serial IO is set to “L”, and the signal line SLS is set to “L”. Thereafter, the output terminal OUT is set to “H”, and the power on / off signal S4 is set to “H”. As a result, the transistor Q1 is turned off and the supply of power to the memory substrate M is stopped. At the same time, the supply of power to each unit of the laser printer 1 is also stopped.

  When detecting that the cover 10a is closed, the CPU 20a sets the output terminal OUT to “L” and sets the power on / off signal S4 to “L”. As a result, the transistor Q1 is turned on, power is supplied to the memory substrate M, and communication is started.

  When power is supplied to the memory board M, the reset circuit 113 resets the CPU 111 in the memory board M. In the initial stage after the reset is performed, the CPU 111 detects the level of the signal line SLS and performs different communication processing according to the level.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the state of the signal line SLS immediately after the power supply is “H”, the CPU 111 transmits the unique information DT, and when the state of the signal line SLS is “L”. The CPU 111 waits for a command.

  In FIG. 11, when the CPU 111 is communicating with the control unit 20 and the cover 10a is opened and the cover open / close sensor 19 outputs the detection signal S0, the control unit 20 first ends the communication, and the time T1. After that, the power on / off signal S4 is set to “H”, and the supply of power to the memory substrate M is stopped. Thereafter, when the cover 10a is closed, the control unit 20 sets the voltage (signal 2) of the signal line SLS to “H”, sets the power on / off signal S4 to “L”, and supplies power to the memory substrate M.

  In the memory substrate M, when the power is supplied, the reset circuit 113 resets the CPU 111, and thereafter, the CPU 111 reads that the signal line SLS is “H”. Thereafter, the CPU 111 reads the unique information DT from the nonvolatile memory 112 and outputs the read unique information DT to the signal line SLS.

  The control unit 20 sets the signal line SLS to high impedance for a while after setting the signal line SLS to “H”, and waits to receive a signal output from the memory substrate M to the signal line SLS. In this state, when the memory board M outputs the unique information DT to the signal line SLS, it is received and stored in the memory 20a.

  When acquiring the specific information DT, the control unit 20 rotates the toner cartridge rack 123 and performs the same operation as the operation after the cover 10a is closed on the other three toner cartridges 122 described above.

  Thus, when the cover 10a is opened and closed again, the state of each toner cartridge 122 is checked by the control unit 20. In the check, the control unit 20 does not send a command to the memory substrate M, but merely sets the signal line SLS to the “H” level, and the memory substrate M also makes a logical determination of the level of the signal line SLS. Therefore, in a short time, the memory board M outputs the unique information DT, and the control unit 20 can acquire it. Therefore, the check is completed in a short time.

  Next, the procedure of the read / write processing of the memory substrate M by the control unit 20 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of read / write processing of the memory substrate M by the control unit 20.

  In FIG. 12, when the cover 10a is closed (Yes in # 11), the control unit 20 confirms whether or not the initial operation after power-on or the acquisition of the unique information DT after toner replacement is completed (#). 14). If not completed (No in # 14), the power of the memory board M is turned off (# 15), and the toner cartridge rack 123 is rotated to position the Y toner cartridge 122Y at a communicable position (# 16). ). Then, the control unit 20 sets the signal line SLS to “H” (# 17), and turns on the power of the memory board M (# 18).

  The memory board M is in the unique information transmission mode and transmits the unique information DT to the control unit 20. When the transmission of the unique information DT of the Y color toner cartridge 122Y is completed (Yes in # 19), the same operation is performed for the M color. This is performed for each of the C and K toner cartridges 122 (# 20 to 22).

  If YES in step # 14, the power of the memory board M is turned off (# 23), and the Y toner cartridge 122Y is positioned at a communicable position (# 24). Then, the signal line SLS is set to “L” (# 25), and the power supply of the memory board M is turned on (# 26).

  The memory board M starts to operate according to a command from the control unit 20 (# 27), and normal communication with the memory board M is performed, and data is read from or written to the memory board M (# 28). ). When the reading / writing of data is completed (Yes in # 28), the same operation is performed with the M color. This is performed for each of the C and K toner cartridges 122 (# 29 to 31).

  In step # 11, when the cover 10a is opened (Yes in # 11), the control unit 20 ends communication with the memory board M (# 12) and turns off the power of the memory board M (##). 13).

  In the embodiment described above, the control unit 20, the memory board M, the CPU 111, and the nonvolatile memory 112 correspond to a main body side management device, a member side management device, a control unit, and a storage unit in the present invention, respectively. In addition, the print head 11, the drum cartridge unit 13, the transfer belt unit 14, the secondary transfer unit 15, the fixing unit 16, the paper feeding unit 17, and the like can be functional members of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration, structure, shape, number, processing content, processing order, etc. of the control unit 20, the memory substrate M, the toner cartridge 122, the toner cartridge rack 123, or the whole or each unit of the printer 1 are as follows. It can change suitably according to the meaning of invention.

It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the laser printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating a toner cartridge portion. It is a figure which shows the mode of the connection of the serial communication line of a memory board and a control part. It is a figure which shows the connection structure of the memory substrate of each color, and a control part. It is a top view of the contact provided in the memory substrate. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a toner cartridge is positioned. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the toner cartridge rack is rotating. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for detecting a rotation angle position of a toner cartridge rack. It is a figure which shows the interface circuit with the memory substrate in a control part. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement after reset of CPU of a memory board. It is a timing diagram which shows the state of the signal of each part. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the reading / writing process of a memory substrate.

Explanation of symbols

1 Laser printer (image forming device)
10 Main body 11 Print head (functional member)
12 Toner cartridge part (functional member)
13 Drum cartridge (functional member)
14 Transfer belt (functional member)
15 Secondary transfer part (functional member)
16 Fixing part (functional member)
17 Paper Feed Unit (Functional Member)
19 Cover open / close sensor 20 Control unit (main body side management device)
21, 22 Contact 111 CPU (control unit)
112 Nonvolatile memory (storage unit)
M memory board (material side management device)
SLS signal line SLD power line SLG ground line DT specific information (member information)

Claims (10)

A control method for detecting a state of a functional member that is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus,
Provided on the functional member side is a member-side management device having a storage unit that stores member information related to the state of the functional member and a control unit that controls reading of the member information from the storage unit,
On the main body side of the image forming apparatus, a main body side management device that manages the state of the functional member based on the member information sent from the member side management device is provided.
A signal line for performing signal transmission between the member side management device and the main body side management device is provided,
When the main body side management device acquires the member information, the voltage of the signal line is set to a predetermined level,
When the control unit detects that the voltage of the signal line is at the predetermined level, the control unit reads the member information from the storage unit, and reads the read member information from the main body side. Send to the management device,
A functional member state detection control method in an image forming apparatus. When the voltage of the signal line is not the predetermined level, the member side management device waits for a command from the main body side management device and operates according to a command output from the main body side management device.
The function detection control method of the functional member in the image forming apparatus of Claim 1. The main body side management device sets the voltage of the signal line to a predetermined level and supplies power to the member side management device.
The control unit of the member side management apparatus performs a reset operation when receiving power supply from the main body side management apparatus, and then determines whether or not the voltage of the signal line is at the predetermined level. Detect
The function detection control method of the functional member in the image forming apparatus according to claim 2. A control device for detecting a state of a functional member that is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus,
On the functional member side, a member-side management device having a storage unit that stores member information related to the state of the functional member and a control unit that controls reading of the member information from the storage unit is provided,
On the main body side of the image forming apparatus, a main body side management device that manages the state of the functional member based on the member information sent from the member side management device is provided.
A signal line for transmitting a signal between the member side management device and the main body side management device is provided,
When the main body side management device acquires the member information, the voltage of the signal line is set to a predetermined level,
When the control unit detects that the voltage of the signal line is at the predetermined level, the control unit reads the member information from the storage unit, and reads the read member information from the main body side. Configured to send to the management device,
A state detection device for a functional member in an image forming apparatus. When the voltage of the signal line is not the predetermined level, the member side management device waits for a command from the main body side management device and operates according to a command output from the main body side management device.
The functional member state detection device in the image forming apparatus according to claim 4. The main body side management device sets the voltage of the signal line to a predetermined level and supplies power to the member side management device.
The control unit of the member side management apparatus performs a reset operation when receiving power supply from the main body side management apparatus, and then determines whether or not the voltage of the signal line is at the predetermined level. Detect
The state detection device for a functional member in the image forming apparatus according to claim 5. Between the main body side management device and the member side management device, in addition to the signal line, a power line for supplying power from the main body side management device to the member side management device, and the signal line, A common ground line is provided for the power line.
The state detection apparatus of the functional member in the image forming apparatus of Claim 5 or 6. The functional member is movable while attached to the main body. When the functional member is moved, the functional member is connected to the ground line, the power supply line, and the signal line in this order, or the connection to each other is released in the reverse order. To be
The state detection apparatus of the functional member in the image forming apparatus of Claim 7. The functional member is a consumable cartridge used in an image forming apparatus,
The member information is unique information about the consumable cartridge.
The state detection apparatus of the functional member in the image forming apparatus in any one of Claims 4 thru | or 8. The main body side management device detects that the consumable cartridge is mounted by receiving information from the consumable cartridge.
The state detection apparatus of the functional member in the image forming apparatus of Claim 9.

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