CN116745704A - Image forming apparatus, initializing method, and control method - Google Patents

Image forming apparatus, initializing method, and control method Download PDF

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Publication number
CN116745704A
CN116745704A CN202280011575.6A CN202280011575A CN116745704A CN 116745704 A CN116745704 A CN 116745704A CN 202280011575 A CN202280011575 A CN 202280011575A CN 116745704 A CN116745704 A CN 116745704A
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CN
China
Prior art keywords
information
image forming
forming apparatus
initialization
controller
Prior art date
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Pending
Application number
CN202280011575.6A
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Chinese (zh)
Inventor
京谷忠雄
今西洋介
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Brother Industries Ltd
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Brother Industries Ltd
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Publication date
Application filed by Brother Industries Ltd filed Critical Brother Industries Ltd
Priority claimed from PCT/JP2022/003262 external-priority patent/WO2022163803A1/en
Publication of CN116745704A publication Critical patent/CN116745704A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

The invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of easily initializing a consumable memory. An image forming apparatus (1) is provided with: a main body housing to which consumables (4, 20) are attached, a controller (61) and a main body memory (62), wherein lifetime information (224-225, 426-428) relating to the lifetime of the consumables is stored in consumable memory (22, 42) provided in the consumables, and the controller executes: an acceptance process (S102) for accepting an instruction to initialize lifetime information; an initialization process (S401-S403) for initializing the lifetime information stored in the consumable part memory according to the received instruction; and a writing process (S407) of writing initialization information indicating that the lifetime information is initialized into the consumable part memory.

Description

Image forming apparatus, initializing method, and control method
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an initializing method, and a control method of the image forming apparatus.
Background
Consumables such as toner cartridges, drum cartridges, and ink cartridges are mounted on the image forming apparatus. The consumable has a consumable memory. The consumable memory stores life information and the like related to the life of the consumable.
For example, patent document 1 discloses an ink cartridge provided with a reset button for resetting the content of a memory mounted on the ink cartridge. The user manually actuates the reset button to reset the contents of the memory. Patent document 1 discloses the following technique: the memory chip of the cartridge mounted to the printer is reset, so that the printer recognizes the cartridge as being filled with ink.
Prior art literature
Patent literature
Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 10-202900
Technical problem to be solved by the invention
In order to facilitate reuse of consumables, a user is required to be able to easily initialize the consumable memory.
Disclosure of Invention
The invention aims to provide an image forming device capable of simply initializing a consumable memory.
Technical means for solving the technical problems
In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a main body casing to which a consumable, a controller, and a main body memory are mounted, wherein lifetime information relating to lifetime of the consumable is stored in the consumable memory provided in the consumable, and the controller executes: receiving an instruction to initialize the lifetime information; an initialization process of initializing lifetime information stored in the consumable part memory according to the received instruction; and a writing process of writing initialization information indicating that the lifetime information is initialized into the consumable supply memory.
A second aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a display, and the controller executes a first display process: and displaying, on the display, a first warning indicating that print quality is not ensured when the lifetime information is initialized, and a first selection screen for allowing a user to select whether or not to initialize the lifetime information, wherein the controller executes the initialization processing when the initialization is selected via the first selection screen.
A third aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the image forming apparatus includes an operation unit, and the controller receives the instruction to initialize the lifetime information via the operation unit in the receiving process.
A fourth aspect is, in the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the initialization information is an initialization number indicating a number of times the lifetime information is initialized, and the controller further performs a determination process: determining whether or not the number of times of initialization of the lifetime information shown in the initialization information reaches a predetermined upper limit number of times, and when it is determined in the determination process that the number of times of initialization reaches the upper limit number of times, the controller does not execute the initialization process.
A fifth aspect is the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein at least any one of consumption information for determining a degree to which the consumable has been used and remaining amount information for determining an amount of material remaining in the consumable is stored in the consumable memory as the lifetime information.
A sixth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the consumable supply is a toner cartridge, wherein at least one of a number of printed sheets, a number of rotations of a developing roller, and a toner consumption amount is stored in the consumable supply memory as the consumption information, and wherein the controller sets a value of the lifetime information to zero in the initialization process.
A seventh aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the consumable supply is a drum cartridge, wherein at least one of a number of printed sheets and a number of drum revolutions is stored in the consumable supply memory as the consumption information, and wherein the controller sets a value of the lifetime information to zero in the initialization process.
An eighth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the consumable supply is a cartridge that accommodates a printing material, a value indicating a capacity of the cartridge is stored in the main body memory or the consumable supply memory, a printing material remaining amount is stored in the consumable supply memory as the remaining amount information, and the controller rewrites the value of the printing material remaining amount to the value indicating the capacity stored in the main body memory or the consumable supply memory in the initialization process.
A ninth aspect is the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided with a display, wherein the initialization information is an initialization number indicating a number of times the lifetime information is initialized, and wherein the controller further executes: a reading process of reading the number of times of initialization from a consumable supply memory of a consumable supply mounted on the main body casing; a detection process of detecting that the mounted consumable part is a reusable part based on the read number of times of initialization being one or more; and a second display process of causing the display to display a second warning, which means that print quality is not ensured when the reuse product is used, and a second selection screen for letting a user select whether to use the reuse product, according to the condition in which the reuse product is detected.
A tenth aspect is, in the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect, the controller further performs a permission process of: and allowing printing using the reuse product when the use is selected via the second selection screen.
An eleventh aspect is, in the image forming apparatus of the ninth or tenth aspect, wherein the controller further performs a storage process of: when the use is selected via the second selection screen, use history information indicating that the reuse product is used is stored in the main body memory.
A twelfth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the main body memory stores pattern information indicating whether the image forming apparatus is a contract pattern, the contract pattern indicating that a contract is made with the image forming apparatus, and the controller does not execute the accepting process when the pattern information indicates the contract pattern.
A thirteenth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the consumable supply memory stores therein category information indicating whether the consumable supply is a contracted consumable supply usable in the contracted image forming apparatus or a normal consumable supply usable in the contracted image forming apparatus and the non-contracted image forming apparatus, and wherein the controller further performs a change process of: when the category information indicates that the consumer is a contracted consumer, the category information is changed to the normal consumer in accordance with the instruction.
A fourteenth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a display, and wherein the controller executes a third display process when the category information indicates that the consumer is contracted: and a third selection screen for allowing a user to select whether or not to initialize the lifetime information, wherein the controller executes the initialization processing when the initialization is selected via the third selection screen.
In order to solve the above-described problems, an initialization method according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is an initialization method for initializing a consumable memory included in a consumable, comprising: an accepting step of accepting, by an image forming apparatus, an instruction to initialize, among the consumables mounted to a main body casing of the image forming apparatus, lifetime information related to a lifetime of the consumables stored in the consumable memory; an initializing step of initializing lifetime information stored in the consumable memory by the image forming apparatus according to the received instruction; and a writing step of writing initialization information indicating that the lifetime information is initialized into the consumable supply memory by the image forming apparatus.
A sixteenth aspect is the initializing method according to the fifteenth aspect, comprising: and a first display step of causing, in accordance with the instruction, a display of the image forming apparatus to display a first warning indicating that print quality is not ensured when the lifetime information is initialized, and a first selection screen for allowing a user to select whether or not to initialize the lifetime information, the image forming apparatus executing the initialization step when the initialization is selected via the first selection screen.
A seventeenth aspect is the initializing method according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, wherein in the accepting step, the image forming apparatus accepts the instruction to initialize the lifetime information via an operation section of the image forming apparatus.
An eighteenth aspect is, in the initialization method of any one of the fifteenth to seventeenth aspects, the initialization information is an initialization number indicating the number of times the lifetime information is initialized, the initialization method including the determination step of: the image forming apparatus determines whether or not the number of times of initialization of the lifetime information indicated by the initialization information reaches a predetermined upper limit number of times, and does not execute the initialization step when it is determined in the determination step that the number of times of initialization reaches the upper limit number of times.
A nineteenth aspect is the initialization method of any one of the fifteenth to eighteenth aspects, wherein at least any one of consumption information for determining a degree to which the consumable has been used and margin information for determining an amount of material remaining in the consumable is stored in the consumable memory as the lifetime information.
A twenty-eighth aspect is the initializing method according to the nineteenth aspect, wherein the consumable supply is a toner cartridge, wherein the consumable supply memory stores at least one of the number of printing sheets, the number of developing roller revolutions, and the toner consumption amount as the consumption information, and wherein the image forming apparatus sets the value of the consumption information to zero in the initializing step.
A twenty-first aspect is the nineteenth or twentieth aspect, wherein the consumable supply is a drum cartridge, wherein at least one of the number of printed sheets and the number of drum revolutions is stored in the consumable supply memory as the consumption information, and wherein the image forming apparatus sets the value of the consumption information to zero in the initializing step.
A twenty-second aspect is the initializing method according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-first aspects, wherein the consumable is a cartridge that accommodates a printing material, a value indicating a capacity of the cartridge is stored in a main body memory of the image forming apparatus or the consumable memory, a remaining amount of the printing material is stored in the consumable memory as the remaining amount information, and the image forming apparatus rewrites the value of the remaining amount of the printing material to a value indicating the capacity stored in the main body memory or the consumable memory in the initializing step.
A twenty-third aspect is the initialization method of any one of the fifteenth to twenty-third aspects, wherein the initialization information is an initialization number indicating the number of times the lifetime information is initialized, the initialization method comprising: a reading step of reading the number of times of initialization from a consumable supply memory of a consumable supply mounted to the main body casing; a detection step of detecting that the mounted consumable part is a reusable part based on the read out number of times of initialization being one or more; and a second display step of causing a display of the image forming apparatus to display a second warning indicating that print quality is not ensured when the reuse product is used and a second selection screen for allowing a user to select whether to use the reuse product, according to the detection of the reuse product.
A twenty-fourth aspect is the initialization method of the twenty-third aspect, comprising: and a permission step of permitting printing using the reuse product by the image forming apparatus when use is selected via the second selection screen.
A twenty-fifth aspect is the initialization method of the twenty-third or twenty-fourth aspect, comprising: and a storage step of, when the use is selected via the second selection screen, storing, in a main body memory of the image forming apparatus, use history information indicating that the reuse product is used.
A twenty-sixth aspect is the initializing method according to any one of the fifteenth to twenty-fifth aspects, wherein pattern information indicating whether the image forming apparatus is in a contract pattern, which means that a contract is signed for the image forming apparatus, is stored in a main body memory of the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus does not execute the accepting step when the pattern information indicates the contract pattern.
A twenty-seventh aspect is the initializing method according to any one of the fifteenth to twenty-sixth aspects, wherein the consumable supply memory stores category information indicating whether the consumable supply is a contracted consumable supply that can be used in a contracted image forming apparatus or a normal consumable supply that can be used in an contracted image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus that does not contract, the initializing method further comprising a changing step of: when the category information indicates that the consumer is a contracted consumer, the image forming apparatus changes the category information to the normal consumer in response to the instruction.
A twenty-eighth aspect is the initialization method of the twenty-seventh aspect, comprising: and a third display step of, when the category information indicates that the contracted consumable supply is a contracted consumable supply, causing, by the image forming apparatus, a display of the image forming apparatus to display, in accordance with the instruction, a third warning indicating that the contracted consumable supply is recognized as the normal consumable supply when the lifetime information is initialized, and a third selection screen for allowing a user to select whether or not to initialize the lifetime information, and, when the initialization is selected via the third selection screen, executing the initialization step by the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus according to the above aspects of the present invention may be realized by a computer, and in this case, a control program for an image forming apparatus in which the image forming apparatus is realized by a computer by operating a computer as each part (software element) included in the image forming apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the control program are also included in the scope of the present invention.
In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention includes: a main body housing to which the cartridge is mounted; a sensor that measures the lifetime of the consumable filled in the cartridge; and a controller that includes a consumable supply memory that stores lifetime information that is information indicating a lifetime of the consumable supply stored when the consumable supply is used, and that executes a permission process when the lifetime indicated by the lifetime information stored in the consumable supply memory is different from the lifetime measured by the sensor: initialization of the lifetime information by the image forming apparatus is allowed.
A thirty-eighth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the twenty-eighth aspect, wherein the controller allows initialization of the lifetime information in the image forming apparatus when the lifetime measured by the sensor is longer than the lifetime indicated by the lifetime information and a difference between the lifetime indicated by the lifetime information and the lifetime measured by the sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
A thirty-first aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the twenty-ninth or thirty-first aspect, wherein the consumable supply memory stores therein first identification information that is identification information of an image forming apparatus to which the cartridge is attached at the time of the initialization of the lifetime information or at the time of the update of the storage, and wherein the controller executes a first identification information acquisition process of: the first identification information stored in the consumable part memory is acquired, and the controller executes the permission processing when the first identification information acquired by the first identification information acquisition processing is different from second identification information that is identification information of an image forming apparatus to which the cartridge is currently attached.
A thirty-second aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the twenty-ninth to thirty-first aspects, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a display that displays an image and an operation unit that accepts an input operation, and the controller executes: a selection screen display process of displaying an initialization selection screen for selecting whether or not to execute initialization of the lifetime information on the display in a state where initialization of the lifetime information is permitted; and an initialization process of initializing the lifetime information when an input operation indicating that the initialization is performed is received via the operation unit after the selection screen display process.
A thirty-third aspect is the image forming apparatus of the thirty-second aspect, wherein the controller updates the storage of the lifetime information based on the lifetime measured by the sensor in the initialization process.
A thirty-fourth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the thirty-second aspect, wherein the consumable supply memory stores therein capacity information indicating a setting of a capacity of the consumable supply in the cartridge, and wherein the controller sets the lifetime information to an initial value corresponding to the capacity indicated by the capacity information in the initialization process.
A thirty-fifth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the twenty-ninth to thirty-fourth aspects, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a cover movable between an open position to open an opening provided in the main body casing and a closed position to close the opening, and wherein the controller executes the permission processing with a case where a power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned on or the opening is closed by the cover as a trigger point.
In order to solve the above-described problems, a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention is a control method of an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge filled with a consumable part is mounted, wherein life information is stored in a consumable part memory provided in the cartridge, the life information being information indicating a life of the consumable part stored when the consumable part is used, the control method comprising: an allowing step of allowing initialization of the lifetime information by the image forming apparatus, in a case where the lifetime indicated by the lifetime information is different from the lifetime measured by a sensor that measures the lifetime of the consumable; a selection screen display step of displaying an initialization selection screen for selecting whether or not to execute initialization of the lifetime information on a display when initialization of the lifetime information is permitted; and an initialization step of initializing the lifetime information when an input operation indicating that the initialization is performed is received via the operation unit after the selection screen display step.
Effects of the invention
According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the user can easily perform initialization of the consumable supply memory using the image forming apparatus.
According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the user can use the image forming apparatus to perform initialization of the consumable supply memory while understanding that the print quality is not ensured in the reuse product.
According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the user can easily instruct the initialization of the consumable supply memory to the image forming apparatus via the operation section.
According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, since the consumable supply memory is prohibited from being initialized beyond the allowable number of times of initialization, it is possible to prevent the consumable supply memory from being reused beyond the allowable number of times of reuse.
According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, it is possible to easily perform initialization of at least any one of the consumption information and the remaining amount information stored in the consumable supply memory.
According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, in the toner cartridge to be reused, consumption information for grasping the life of the cartridge, such as the number of printed sheets, the number of rotations of the developing roller, and the toner consumption amount, is appropriately initialized. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a problem that the lifetime of the cartridge after reuse cannot be properly grasped because the consumption information before reuse remains.
According to the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect, in the drum cartridge to be reused, consumption information for grasping the life of the cartridge, such as the number of printed sheets and the number of drum revolutions, is appropriately initialized. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a problem that the lifetime of the cartridge after reuse cannot be properly grasped because the consumption information before reuse remains.
According to the image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, in the toner cartridge or the ink cartridge to be reused, the remaining amount information, specifically, the remaining amount of the printing material consumed at each printing is appropriately initialized. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a problem that the lifetime of the cartridge after reuse cannot be properly grasped because the remaining amount information (printing material remaining amount) before reuse remains.
According to the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect, when using the image forming apparatus mounted with the reuse product, the user can understand the case where the reuse product is outside the assurance object.
According to the image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect, the user can execute printing using the reuse product after understanding that the reuse product is outside the assurance object.
According to the image forming apparatus of the eleventh aspect, when a failure occurs in the image forming apparatus, the controller can determine whether or not to be a guaranteed object based on whether or not to use the reuse product.
According to the image forming apparatus of the twelfth aspect, it is possible to prohibit the initialization of the lifetime information in the image forming apparatus under contract.
According to the image forming apparatus of the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to promote recycling as a normal consumable while preventing recycling of a contracted consumable as a contracted consumable.
According to the image forming apparatus of the fourteenth aspect, the user can initialize the consumable supply memory using the image forming apparatus while understanding that the signed consumable supply is treated as a normal consumable supply after being reused when the signed consumable supply is initialized.
The initializing methods according to the fifteenth to twenty-eighth aspects each have the same effects as those of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects corresponding to the initializing methods according to these aspects.
In the case of a state in which the measured life of the consumable in the cartridge is different from the recorded life, there is a possibility that the consumable is refilled in the cartridge. That is, there is a possibility that the cartridge is being reused. According to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-ninth aspect, in a case where there is a possibility that the reused cartridge is mounted, initialization of lifetime information by the image forming apparatus is allowed. Therefore, the initialization of the lifetime of the cartridge can be allowed when appropriate.
If the measured life of the consumable in the cartridge is longer than the recorded life, it is estimated that the cartridge is refilled with the consumable. I.e. the possibility that the cartridge is being reused is high. According to the image forming apparatus of the thirty-first aspect, in a case where there is a high possibility of mounting a reused cartridge, initialization of lifetime information by the image forming apparatus is allowed. Therefore, the initialization of the lifetime of the cartridge can be allowed when the condition is more appropriate.
For a cartridge that has been used once in a certain image forming apparatus or for which lifetime information has been initialized, there is a low necessity to initialize lifetime information while mounted in the same image forming apparatus. According to the image forming apparatus of the thirty-first aspect, in the case where the necessity of initialization of lifetime information is low, wasteful permission processing can be not performed.
According to the image forming apparatus of the thirty-second aspect, in the case where the initialization of the lifetime information is allowed in the image forming apparatus, the user can be made to select whether or not to perform the initialization. When an input operation to perform initialization is received, initialization can be performed. Therefore, the user can be allowed to determine whether or not the condition is suitable for the initialization of the lifetime of the cartridge.
According to the image forming apparatus of the thirty-third aspect, the lifetime information can be updated based on the lifetime of the consumable supplies actually measured instead of the predicted value. Therefore, the lifetime information can be accurately updated.
According to the image forming apparatus of the thirty-fourth aspect, the initial value of the lifetime information can be set according to the setting of the capacity of the cartridge. Thus, even when the setting of the capacity of the cartridge changes before and after refilling of the consumable, that is, before and after recycling, for example, the lifetime information can be initialized to an appropriate value.
According to the image forming apparatus of the thirty-fifth aspect, the permission process is performed at the timing when the image forming apparatus is driven or the cartridge is mounted. Thus, it is possible to determine whether or not to permit initialization of the lifetime information without delay.
In the case of a state in which the measured life of the consumable in the cartridge is different from the recorded life, there is a possibility that the consumable is refilled in the cartridge. That is, there is a possibility that the cartridge is being reused. According to the control method of the thirty-sixth aspect, the image forming apparatus allows initialization of the lifetime information in a case where there is a possibility that the reused cartridge is mounted. When the initialization of the lifetime information is allowed, the image forming apparatus can display an initialization selection screen on the display to allow the user to select whether to execute the initialization. When the user inputs the meaning of executing initialization, the user accepts the input operation and initializes the lifetime information of the consumable supply memory. Thus, the image forming apparatus can allow the initialization of the lifetime of the cartridge when appropriate.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an image forming system according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a main part configuration of an image forming apparatus including a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge.
Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of usage history information stored in the main memory.
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of toner cartridge information stored in the toner storage.
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of drum cartridge information stored in the drum memory.
Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus in the reuse preparation stage.
Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for displaying a standby screen.
Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for checking whether or not initialization is possible.
Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of the process of initializing.
Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus in the reuse article use stage.
Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for reading out the cartridge information.
Fig. 13 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.
Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the image forming apparatus.
Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of toner cartridge information.
Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the null processing.
Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the use start processing.
Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the latch processing.
Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the initialization-related process.
Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of error checking processing.
Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the initialization process.
Detailed Description
[ embodiment 1 ]
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where the image forming apparatus is a laser printer and the image forming is printing will be described as an example. However, the image forming apparatus may be a printer other than a laser printer. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be an inkjet printer.
Summary of image Forming System
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the image forming system 100, a printing service is provided from an operator to the image forming apparatus 1 of a user based on a contract made between the operator and the user. Hereinafter, the rated printing service provided based on the contract is referred to as a contract service. The printing performed by the image forming apparatus 1 using the provided contract service is referred to as contract printing, unlike normal printing performed independently of the contract. The normal printing performed irrespective of the contract is hereinafter referred to as normal printing.
As shown in fig. 1, the image forming system 100 is configured to include a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1, a server 8, and a user terminal 9. The image forming apparatus 1 used by the user functions as an apparatus for executing normal printing, but when contract service is permitted to be used, the image forming apparatus 1 can function as an apparatus for executing contracted printing as described later. The server 8 utilized by the operator is a device for managing the image forming apparatus 1 which has contracted the contract and is allowed to utilize the contract service. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 1 which signs a contract and is allowed to utilize the contract service is referred to as a contracting machine. The user terminal 9 used by the user is a device for performing signing, releasing, and other procedures of a contract by communicating with the server 8. As the user terminal 9, an information processing terminal having a standard communication function such as a PC (Personal Computer: personal computer) and a smart phone can be used. The respective devices constituting the image forming system 100 can communicate with each other via a communication network such as the internet.
The plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 shown in fig. 1 may be image forming apparatuses purchased by the same user or image forming apparatuses purchased by other users.
Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 is an image forming apparatus that can use a consumable part or a replacement part dedicated to a contract by a user signing up with an operator. As an example, a contract is a contract between an operator who provides a contract service and a user, and both parties recognize that the operator provides the contract service to the user on the basis of the period of time in which the use of the contract service is agreed, the use cost, the upper limit number of sheets, and the like. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus capable of executing contract printing based on the content of a contract that has been signed after the contract service has been signed.
In the image forming system 100, the timings of the following (1) and (2) may be different in the contract service provided from the operator to the user.
(1) The server 8 recognizes the image forming apparatus 1 as a timing of a contracted contractor.
(2) The server 8 considers the timing at which the use of the contract service is started in the image forming apparatus 1.
That is, in the contract service, there may be cases where: the server 8 recognizes the image forming apparatus 1 as "although it is a contracting machine, the use of the contract service has not yet started.
The event of the "server 8 identifying the image forming apparatus 1 as a contract signing machine" of (1) is executed with the image forming apparatus 1 shifting the state from the non-contract signing mode, which means that no contract is signed, to the contract signing mode, which means that a contract is signed, as a trigger point.
In (2), the term "the use of the contract service is regarded as started" merely means that the server 8 recognizes "the use of the contract service has started from a certain date and time". Therefore, the timing at which the server 8 considers that the use of the contract service is started may not coincide with the timing at which the image forming apparatus 1 actually performs the contract printing.
Hereinafter, the contract service is a charged service unless otherwise specified. The timing (1) is a timing at which the server 8 recognizes the image forming apparatus 1 as a subscribing device, and is not a trigger point for charging start, and the timing (2) is a timing for charging start.
In another example, the timing of (1) and the timing of (2) may be substantially the same. As an example, the above-described (1) and (2) may be caused by a case where a cartridge (consumable part) dedicated to contract service and used for contract printing is mounted as a trigger point. Hereinafter, a box dedicated to contract services used in contract printing is referred to as a contract box. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 reads out predetermined information from a cartridge memory of an installed subscription cartridge, and transmits the predetermined information to the server 8. The server 8 that receives the predetermined information from the image forming apparatus 1 recognizes the image forming apparatus 1 as a contracting machine, and considers that the use of the contract service is started in the image forming apparatus 1.
The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and a lamp, and an operation unit such as a button. The liquid crystal display may be configured to function as an operation unit by being integrally configured with the touch panel.
Structure outline of image Forming apparatus 1
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 including the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4, and the server 8.
As shown in fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is constituted by a main body casing 10 and a cover 11. Although not shown, the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and a lamp, and an input unit such as a button. The liquid crystal display may be configured to function as an input unit by being integrally configured with the touch panel.
(Main body casing 10)
The toner cartridge 4 is mounted to the main body casing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1. The toner cartridge 4 is integrally attached to the drum cartridge 20, and details thereof will be described later. That is, the toner cartridge 4 is mounted to the main body casing 10 together with the drum cartridge 20 in a state of being mounted to the drum cartridge 20. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 1 including the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4 is realized.
In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, four toner cartridges 4 are required to be mounted for printing. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of mounting four drum cartridges 20 and four toner cartridges 4. However, the number of the drum cartridges 20 and the toner cartridges 4 mounted to the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the example of fig. 2. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a monochrome printer capable of mounting one drum cartridge 20 and toner cartridge 4.
The toner cartridge 4 includes toner that is consumed by the image forming apparatus 1 at the time of printing. That is, the toner cartridge 4 is a consumable item for the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the drum cartridge 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21 used in printing of the image forming apparatus 1. Drum cartridge 20 is also an example of a consumable item for image forming apparatus 1.
The main body case 10 is, for example, rectangular box-shaped. The four drum cartridges 20, the four toner cartridges 4, the transfer belt 70, the controller 61, the main body memory 62, the communication section 63, the operation section 64, and the display 65 are housed in the main body casing 10. In the case where the operation unit 64 is a hardware button, the pressing surface of the operation unit 64 may be provided on the outer surface of the main body casing 10 so as to be operable by the user. The display surface of the display 65 may be provided on the outer surface of the main body casing 10 so that the user can visually confirm the displayed information.
The main body case 10 has four cartridge holding portions 13. The cartridge holding portion 13 is formed in a concave shape and has an opening. The drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4 are mounted to the main body casing 10 by being held by the respective cartridge holding portions 13.
(cover 11)
The cover 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes light source units 50 corresponding to the respective drum cartridges 20. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 includes four light source units 50. The cover 11 is rotatable (movable) about a rotation shaft 11A extending in the first direction between an open position of the open opening 10A shown by a solid line in fig. 2 and a closed position of the closed opening 10A shown by a two-dot chain line in fig. 2. The opening 10A provided at the upper end of the main body case 10 is opened and closed by rotation of the cover 11.
Further, the "first direction" means a direction in which a rotation center axis (developing axis) of the developing roller in the toner cartridge extends. When the cover 11 is disposed at the open position, the openings of the cartridge holding portions 13 are opened. When the cover 11 is disposed at the closed position, the openings of the cartridge holding portions 13 are covered by the cover 11.
The main body case 10 may be provided with a closed sensor, not shown, in the opening 10A. The closing sensor is a sensor for detecting the closing of the cover 11. The closed sensor may be, for example, a contact type sensor or an optical type sensor.
(toner cartridge 4)
The toner cartridge 4 has a cartridge case capable of accommodating the developing roller 41 and a developer (for example, toner) as an example of a printing material. The cartridge case can be mounted to the main body case 10. The four toner cartridges 4 house developers of mutually different colors (for example, each of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) as a material for performing image formation. The developer is a material that is consumed with use. The developing roller 41 is a cylindrical member extending in the first direction, and is rotatable about a developing shaft extending in the first direction. When the toner cartridge 4 is mounted to the drum cartridge 20, the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 41.
As shown in fig. 3, the toner cartridge 4 has a toner memory 42 (consumable memory). The toner storage 42 is arranged on the outer surface of one side in the first direction of the toner cartridge 4. The toner Memory 42 is a Memory capable of reading and writing information, for example, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) or an EEPROM (registered trademark, electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory: electrically erasable programmable Read Only Memory).
The toner memory 42 stores toner cartridge information 420 as information related to the toner cartridge 4. The data structure of the toner cartridge information 420 will be described later with reference to fig. 5.
(Drum Box 20)
The drum cartridge 20 has a cartridge housing that can be mounted to the main body housing 10. The cartridge case includes a photosensitive drum 21 as a member for performing image formation. The photosensitive drum 21 is a replacement member that requires replacement because of deterioration such as abrasion of the surface with use. The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrical photosensitive body extending in the first direction. The photosensitive drum 21 is rotatable about a drum shaft extending in the first direction. The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is covered with a photosensitive material.
In addition, the drum cartridge 20 may have a drum reservoir 22 (consumable supply reservoir). The drum memory 22 is a memory capable of reading and writing information. The drum memory 22 is, for example, a flash ROM or EEPROM (registered trademark).
As shown in fig. 3, the drum memory 22 stores drum cartridge information 220 as information related to the drum cartridge 20. The data structure of the drum cartridge information 220 will be described later with reference to fig. 6.
Mounting and printing mechanism of cartridge
As shown in fig. 2, the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4 are mounted to the main body casing 10 in a state where the cover 11 is disposed at the open position. In this state, the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4 are inserted into the cartridge holding portion 13 from the opening 10A.
Four light source units 50 are mounted on the inner surface of the cover 11. The light source unit 50 is configured to be opposed to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 in a state where the drum cartridge 20 is mounted to the main body casing 10 and the cover 11 is in the closed position. In addition, the light source unit 50 has a plurality of light sources arranged in the first direction. The light source can irradiate the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 with light. The light source is for example an LED (Light Emitting Diode: light emitting diode).
The light source unit 50 is electrically connected to the controller 61. The controller 61 causes the plurality of light sources of the light source unit 50 to emit light according to the input image data. The light source irradiates light toward the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21. As a result, the photosensitive material on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is exposed according to the image data.
The transfer belt 70 is a member for transferring a developer (for example, toner) located on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the printing paper. The transfer belt 70 is a replacement member that requires replacement because of deterioration such as abrasion of the surface with use. The transfer belt 70 is a belt capable of contacting the photosensitive drum 21, and is endless (endless belt). The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 can be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 70. At the time of the printing process, the printing paper is conveyed between the transfer belt 70 and the photosensitive drum 21.
The transfer belt 70 is stretched between a driving roller 71 and a driven roller 72. The driving roller 71 drives the transfer belt 70. The controller 61 rotates the driving roller 71. The driven roller 72 rotates with the movement of the transfer belt 70 in association with the driving of the driving roller 71.
< internal Structure of Main body Shell >)
The controller 61 has, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit: application specific integrated circuit). The controller 61 is electrically connected to a main body memory 62 provided in the main body casing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the communication section 63. Although not shown in fig. 3, the operation section 64 and the display 65 are also electrically connected to the controller 61. The controller 61 causes the image forming apparatus 1 to perform various processes related to printing by performing various operations.
The controller 61 may include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit: central processing unit). In this case, a control program for realizing a control method of the image forming apparatus may be stored in the main body memory 62, and the controller 61 may cause the image forming apparatus 1 to perform various processes by operating according to the control program by the processor.
The controller 61 may be provided with a recording medium such as a computer-readable main memory 62 storing a control program. As the recording medium, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used in addition to a "non-transitory tangible medium" such as ROM or the like. In addition, a RAM (Random Access Memory: random access memory) or the like for expanding the control program may be used. The control program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, or the like) capable of transmitting the control program. Furthermore, an aspect of the present invention can also be implemented in a manner of controlling a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, which is embodied by an electronic transmission.
As shown in fig. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 has a connector 101 and a connector 102. In a state where the drum cartridge 20 is inserted into the cartridge holding portion 13 shown in fig. 2, the connector 101 is electrically connected to the drum memory 22, whereby the controller 61 can communicate with the drum memory 22 of the drum cartridge 20. That is, the controller 61 can execute a reading process of reading information from the drum memory 22 and a writing process (including a writing process) of writing information to the drum memory 22.
In addition, in a state where the toner cartridge 4 is mounted to the main body casing 10, the connector 102 is electrically connected to the toner memory 42, whereby the controller 61 can communicate with the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4. That is, the controller 61 can execute a reading process of reading information from the toner memory 42 and a writing process (including a rewriting process) of writing information to the toner memory 42.
The main body memory 62 is a memory capable of reading and writing information. The main body memory 62 is, for example, a flash ROM or EEPROM (registered trademark). The main body memory 62 has one or more storage areas, and each area stores the following various information, for example.
The cartridge information 621 is information related to a cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the cartridge information 621 includes the cartridge information 420 read out from the toner memories 42 of the toner cartridges 4 of the respective colors so as to be able to identify each toner cartridge 4. In addition, the cartridge information 621 includes the drum cartridge information 220 read out from the drum memory 22 of the drum cartridge 20 to be able to identify each drum cartridge 20. As an example, the toner cartridge information 420 includes life information associated with the life of the toner cartridge 4. As an example, the drum cartridge information 220 includes lifetime information associated with the lifetime of the drum cartridge 20. Details of the data structures of the toner cartridge information 420 and the drum cartridge information 220 stored as the cartridge information 621 will be described later with reference to fig. 5 and 6.
In the present embodiment, the controller 61 refers to the cartridge information (the drum cartridge information 220 and the toner cartridge information 420) read out from the memory of each cartridge in order to accurately determine the state of the cartridge. The controller 61 can appropriately initialize the cartridge information by accurately grasping the state of the cartridge so that the cartridge is appropriately reused.
Hereinafter, the term "reuse the cartridge" means that only a part of the components of the cartridge that needs to be replaced is replaced or replenished, thereby returning the cartridge to a state suitable for printing use. That is, the reuse of the cartridge includes not only the case of replenishing the consumed material but also the case of replacing the deteriorated replacement part with a new replacement part. Hereinafter, a cartridge (consumable product) that is reused by replenishment of materials, replacement of components, or the like is referred to as a reuse cartridge (reuse product).
The apparatus ID622 is identification information for identifying the image forming apparatus 1. The apparatus ID622 is, for example, a serial number of the image forming apparatus.
The mode information 623 is information indicating an operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, as an example, two modes of "subscription mode" and "non-subscription mode" are defined. The "contract pattern" means that the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a contracted contract signing machine on the image forming system 100. The "non-contract mode" means that the image forming apparatus 1 is not a contract machine but operates as a normal image forming apparatus which does not contract.
When the image forming apparatus 1 leaves the factory, mode information 623 indicating a value corresponding to the non-subscription mode by default is stored in the main body memory 62. The server 8 transmits a request including a subscription transfer instruction to transfer to the subscription mode to the image forming apparatus 1 of the user who has contracted. The controller 61 changes the mode information 623 from the non-subscription mode to the subscription mode in response to a request from the server 8. In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the controller 61 changes the value of the pattern information 623 from the non-subscription pattern to the subscription pattern is referred to as "transition to the subscription pattern".
The usage history information 624 is information indicating a history of using the recycling cartridge in the image forming apparatus 1. As an example, the usage history information 624 may be information indicating the number of reuse cassettes mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. In another example, the usage history information 624 may be a table for holding a combination of the cassette ID of the recycling cassette and the number of times of recycling. In yet another example, the usage history information 624 may be a flag indicating whether the recycling bin has been once installed or has not been installed at one time.
Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the usage history information 624 stored in the main memory 62 as the table. The cartridge ID is identification information that uniquely identifies a reusable cartridge mounted to the image forming apparatus 1. The number of reuse times is information indicating the number of times the reuse cassette has been reused so far, which is installed at the time when the reuse cassette is installed.
By referring to the usage history information 624 shown in fig. 4, the controller 61 can count not only the cartridge ID but also the number of times of reuse when counting the number of reuse cartridges mounted in the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the controller 61 can count the number of times of the first time of the installation and the number of times of the second time of the installation for one cartridge having the same cartridge ID.
The upper limit information 625 is information indicating an upper limit of the number of times of reuse permitted by the cartridge. In the present embodiment, the case where the cartridge is reused by exceeding the upper limit number indicated by the upper limit information 625 is prohibited. For example, the controller 61 compares the number of times of reuse of the cartridge with the upper limit information 625, and can control not to initialize the cartridge information for reuse for the cartridge for which the number of times of reuse has been reached.
The value of the first sheet count counter 626 is the accumulation of the number of printed sheets in the image forming apparatus 1. The second sheet count counter 627 shows the number of printed matter printed by the contract service in the image forming apparatus 1. The second sheet count counter 627 may be reset to count 0 each time the image forming apparatus 1 shifts from the non-contract mode to the contract mode, or may be configured to accumulate the number of printed matters printed by the contract service in the image forming apparatus 1 until now. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the value of the second sheet count counter 627 is the accumulation of the number of sheets printed as the contracted printing.
The specification information 628 is information indicating the specification of the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 and the consumable product are manufactured in specifications suitable for the country in which they are used, as an example. For the image forming apparatus 1 and consumables, for example, there are three specifications for "EU (european)", for "US (US)", and for "JP (japan)". The specification information 628 represents any of the specifications described above.
The main body memory 62 may have an area for storing the cumulative number of printed sheets in the image forming apparatus 1, an area for storing an error state generated in the image forming apparatus 1, and the like, in addition to the above-described information.
The communication unit 63 performs communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 8 via a communication network such as the internet. The communication unit 63 outputs the request received from the server 8 to the controller 61. As an example, the "request" refers to various requests, instructions, inquiries, and the like transmitted from the server 8 in the processes performed in association with the association. The communication unit 63 returns the result of the operation and output of the controller 61 in response to the request to the server 8 as a "response". In the present embodiment, the response reply by the communication unit 63 may be omitted. For example, when the request is an instruction to change various settings in the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 61 changes various settings in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the instruction. However, the notification indicating that the setting has been changed may be omitted from being returned to the server 8 via the communication unit 63.
Structure of server
The server 8 includes a server communication unit 83, a server memory 82, and a server control unit 81 (control unit). The server communication unit 83 is a communication interface for performing communication between the server 8 and the image forming apparatus 1. The server communication section 83 transmits a request input from the server control section 81 to the image forming apparatus 1. The server communication section 83 receives a response transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with the transmitted request, and outputs the response to the server control section 81.
The server communication unit 83 communicates with the user terminal 9 operated by the user of the image forming apparatus 1 via a communication network, and transmits and receives information to and from the user terminal 9. In the present embodiment, various information necessary for contracting is transmitted and received between the server communication unit 83 and the user terminal.
The server memory 82 is a storage device that stores data necessary for the operation of the server 8. The server memory 82 stores device information 821 for each image forming device 1 that joins the contract service provided in the image forming system 100. The apparatus information may include, for example, an apparatus ID, a sign of subscription, the number of upper limit sheets of subscription, the model number of the image forming apparatus 1, the date of manufacture, and the like.
The apparatus ID622 is identification information for uniquely identifying the image forming apparatus 1 by the server 8. The sign of subscription is information indicating whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 has shifted to the subscription mode, that is, whether or not it has been identified as a subscribing device. The upper limit number of contracts indicates the upper limit number of contracts that the image forming apparatus 1 can perform printing in a predetermined period set in the contract.
The server control unit 81 is a CPU that comprehensively controls the server 8. The server control unit 81 generates a request to the image forming apparatus 1 at a predetermined timing, and outputs the generated request to the server communication unit 83.
In addition, the server control section 81 causes the server memory 82 to newly store device information or updates already stored device information based on a response received from the image forming apparatus 1 via the server communication section 83.
Data structure of box information
(toner cartridge information)
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the toner cartridge information 420 stored in the toner memory 42. As an example, the toner cartridge information 420 includes a toner ID421, capacity information 422, color information 423, specification information 424, category information 425, lifetime information, and initialization information.
The lifetime information is information related to the lifetime of the consumable. As an example, the lifetime information includes at least any one of consumption information for determining the extent to which the consumable product has been used and remaining amount information for determining the amount of material remaining in the consumable product. The number of printed sheets, dot count, printing material consumption, the number of developing roller revolutions, drum revolutions, and the like are examples of consumption information, though not limited thereto. The remaining amount of the printing material such as the remaining amount of toner and the remaining amount of ink is an example of the remaining amount information, though not limited thereto.
The toner cartridge information 420 of the toner cartridge 4 includes, as examples of life information, the number of printed sheets 426, the number of developing roller revolutions 427, the toner remaining amount 428 (printing material remaining amount), and the like. In another example, a dot count may be included as life information. The initialization information is information indicating whether or not at least a part of the information stored in the consumable supply memory has been initialized in accordance with an instruction from the user, and is, for example, the number of times of reuse 429. The reuse number 429 represents the number of times the toner memory 42 is initialized for reuse.
The various information listed above is merely one example of the toner cartridge information 420. Depending on the environment or the situation in which the image forming system 100 is constructed, other information may be added, or a part of the above-described various information may be appropriately omitted.
The toner ID421 is identification information for uniquely identifying the toner cartridge 4. As an example, the toner ID421 is a serial number unique to the toner cartridge 4.
The capacity information 422 is information indicating the capacity of the printing material that can be stored in the toner cartridge 4. In the present embodiment, as an example, four levels of capacity can be set in the toner cartridge 4. More specifically, the capacity of the toner cartridge 4 that can be set is in the order of four levels of "small capacity", "standard capacity", "large capacity" and "super large capacity" from a small capacity, and the capacity information 422 indicates any of the capacities described above.
The color information 423 is information indicating the color of the printing material contained in the toner cartridge 4. In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 4 has four colors of "C (cyan)", "M (magenta)", "Y (yellow)", and "BK (black)", as an example. The color information 423 indicates any one of the colors described above.
The specification information 424 is information indicating the specification of the toner cartridge 4. As with the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the toner cartridge 4 has three specifications, i.e., EU (european) ", US (US)", and JP (japan) ". The specification information 424 represents any of the specifications described above.
The category information 425 is information indicating the category of the toner cartridge 4. In the present embodiment, at least two types of "contract" and "market" can be set as the type of the toner cartridge 4. Category information 425 represents any of the categories described above.
Category information 425 indicating the category "sign up" is stored in the toner memory 42 of the sign-up cassette. The image forming apparatus 1 can execute signing printing while the signing cassette is mounted. For example, the subscription cassette is supplied from an operator to a user who has contracted for the image forming apparatus 1.
The toner memory 42 of the commercial toner cartridge 4, which can be purchased from a home electronics volume dealer, a mail order website, or the like, stores category information 425 indicating category "commercial". Hereinafter, this type of toner cartridge is referred to as a commercial cartridge (normal consumable product) and is distinguished from a subscription cartridge (subscription consumable product). The commercially available cartridges may be so-called genuine products manufactured by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 1 or so-called third party products manufactured by a third party other than the manufacturer.
The number of printed sheets 426 (lifetime information, consumption information) is information indicating the number of sheets of paper printed in the image forming apparatus 1 after the toner cartridge 4 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1.
The developing roller revolution 427 (lifetime information, consumption information) is information indicating the revolution of the developing roller 41 in the toner cartridge 4 that occurs with execution of printing after the toner cartridge 4 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1.
The toner remaining amount 428 (lifetime information, remaining amount information) is information indicating the remaining amount of toner of the toner cartridge 4. As an example, the toner remaining amount 428 may be composed of values corresponding to a plurality of levels from full to empty. For example, the toner remaining amount 428 may be a character string such as "FULL" to "EMPTY", a numerical value such as "100%" to "0%", or information obtained by combining a character string and a numerical value.
The initial value of the toner remaining amount 428 corresponds to the full amount of the capacity corresponding to the capacity information 422. As an example, when toner is consumed with use, a sensor, not shown, may optically measure the toner cartridge 4. The controller 61 may write the toner remaining amount obtained by the above measurement as the toner remaining amount 428 to the toner memory 42.
In another example, the controller 61 may monitor the amount of toner consumed by ejection from the toner cartridge 4 and calculate the toner remaining amount based on the capacity information 422 stored in the toner memory 42 and the monitored amount of toner consumed. The controller 61 may write the calculated toner residual amount as the toner residual amount 428 to the toner memory 42.
The reuse number 429 (initialization information) is information indicating the number of times (initialization number) at which at least a part of the information stored in the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4 is initialized according to an instruction of the user. In the present embodiment, the initialization of the information in the toner memory 42 based on the instruction of the user is performed once every time it is reused. Therefore, the above-described "number of times of initialization" in the toner memory 42 means the number of times of reuse of the toner cartridge 4. In the case where the reuse number 429 indicates a value smaller than 1, this means that the toner cartridge 4 is not reused at a time. When the reuse number 429 indicates a value of 1 or more, this means that the toner cartridge 4 is a reuse cartridge.
(Drum Box information)
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the drum cartridge information 220 stored in the drum memory 22. As an example, the drum cartridge information 220 includes a drum ID221, specification information 222, category information 223, lifetime information, and initialization information.
The drum information 220 of the drum 20 includes, as an example of life information, the number of printed sheets 224, the number of drum revolutions 225, and the like. As an example, the initialization information is the number of reuse times 226 like the toner cartridge 4.
The above-listed various information is merely one example of the drum cartridge information 220. Depending on the environment or the situation in which the image forming system 100 is constructed, other information may be added, or a part of the above-described various information may be appropriately omitted.
The drum ID221 is identification information for uniquely identifying the drum cartridge 20. As an example, the drum ID221 is a serial number unique to the drum cartridge 20.
The specification information 222 is information indicating the specification of the drum cartridge 20. As with the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner cartridge 4, the drum cartridge 20 has three specifications for EU (european), US (US), and JP (japan). The specification information 222 indicates any of the specifications described above.
The category information 223 is information indicating the category of the drum cartridge 20. As with the toner cartridge 4, at least two types of "contract" and "market" can be set as categories in the drum cartridge 20. The category information 223 indicates any of the categories described above.
The number of printed sheets 224 (lifetime information, consumption information) is information indicating the number of sheets of paper printed in the image forming apparatus 1 after the drum cartridge 20 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1.
The drum rotation number 225 (lifetime information, consumption information) is information indicating the rotation number of the photosensitive drum 21 in the drum cartridge 20 generated with execution of printing after the drum cartridge 20 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1.
The reuse number 226 (initialization information) is information indicating the number of times (initialization number) at which at least a part of the information stored in the drum memory 22 of the drum cartridge 20 is initialized according to an instruction of the user. The initialization of the information in the drum memory 22 based on the instruction of the user is performed once every time of reuse. Therefore, the above-described "number of times initialized" in the drum memory 22 directly indicates the number of times of reuse of the drum cartridge 20. In the case where the reuse number 226 indicates a value smaller than 1, this means that the drum cartridge 20 is not reused at a time. When the reuse number 226 indicates a value of 1 or more, this means that the drum cartridge 20 is a reuse cartridge.
Next, a flow of processing performed by the controller 61 of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart. The processes performed by the controller 61 can be roughly divided into a recycling preparation stage and a recycling use stage. In the reuse preparation stage, the controller 61 executes various processes necessary for initializing the cartridge information stored in the consumable supply memory. In the reuse article use stage, the controller 61 performs various processes necessary for using the reuse cassette when the reuse cassette has been mounted to the image forming apparatus 1.
Process flow of the preparation stage for reuse
Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the reuse preparation stage. The reuse preparation stage includes a process of initializing cartridge information stored in the consumable supply memory according to an instruction from a user. The series of processes shown in fig. 7 is executed by the controller 61. Hereinafter, the case of reusing the toner cartridge 4 will be described by taking as an example a reuse preparation stage. Therefore, the case of initializing the toner memory 42 in the initializing process is merely an example. The controller 61 can also execute a process of initializing the drum memory 22 according to an instruction of the user.
In step S101, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display a standby screen. The standby screen is, for example, a screen displayed by the image forming apparatus 1 in printing standby. The standby screen can be displayed when, for example, the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on or is restored from a sleep state. The standby screen includes a user interface section (hereinafter, UI section) for causing the image forming apparatus 1 to execute various operations. The UI component may be configured as a software button selectable by a user by operating the operation unit 64, for example. In the present embodiment, as an example, a first UI unit that instructs to initialize the toner cartridge information 420 stored in the toner memory 42 is included in the standby screen. The flow of the detailed processing of step S101 is described in detail later with reference to other figures.
In step S102 (reception process, reception step), the controller 61 detects that the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 is instructed by the user. For example, the controller 61 may detect that the operation unit 64 is pressed in a state where the first UI component on the standby screen is selected, and the operation unit 64 is a hardware button meaning "ok". Alternatively, the controller 61 may detect that the first UI component is touched via the operation unit 64, which is a touch panel, integrally formed with the display 65. When the controller 61 detects that the initialization is instructed by the user as described above, the controller 61 advances the process from yes at S102 to S103.
Although not shown, when another UI component for instructing another operation is selected on the standby screen, the controller 61 proceeds from no in S102 to the step of executing the operation based on the instruction.
In step S103 (first display process, first display step), the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display an initialization selection screen (first selection screen). The initialization selection screen includes a first warning for explaining to the user the following meaning: print quality is not guaranteed when the toner cartridge information 420, and particularly the lifetime information, is initialized. Further, the initialization selection screen also includes a second UI section for letting the user select whether or not to perform initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 including the lifetime information. As an example, the second UI component is configured of a button corresponding to "initialization" that means that the user wishes to initialize the lifetime information, and a button corresponding to "non-initialization" that means that the user does not wish to initialize the lifetime information. The second UI member is configured to enable a user to select any one of the buttons. The user's selection operation may be implemented via any one of a hardware button and a software button.
In step S104, the controller 61 determines which button in the second UI part is selected. When the controller 61 determines that the "initializing" button is selected, the process proceeds from yes in S104 to S105. If the controller 61 determines that the "not initialized" button is selected, the routine proceeds to no in S104, and ends the series of processing. The controller 61 may return from no in S104 to S101 to cause the display 65 to display the standby screen.
The user selecting the "initialize" button means that the user agrees to the content of the first warning and, on the basis thereof, wishes to initialize the toner cartridge information 420 for reuse. In the present embodiment, the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 is allowed by the user agreeing to the content of the first warning.
In step S105, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display a capacity selection screen. The capacity selection screen is a screen including UI means for letting the user select the capacity of the reused toner cartridge 4. As an example, the user can select the capacity of the reused toner cartridge 4 from the four levels described above via the capacity selection screen.
In step S106, the controller 61 waits for the selection of the capacity by the user via the capacity selection screen.
In step S107, the controller 61 may receive an instruction to initialize the decoloring cartridge information 420 while waiting for the selection of the capacity. When the controller 61 receives the cancel instruction in the state where the capacity is not selected, the process proceeds from no in S106 to yes in S107, and the series of processes is terminated.
When the controller 61 receives the selection of the capacity, the selected capacity is temporarily stored in the main memory 62, and the process proceeds from yes in S106 to S108.
In addition, the steps S105 to S107 are omitted for the toner cartridge 4 in which the capacity of the toner cartridge 4 is fixed and the capacity cannot be changed every time the toner cartridge is reused.
In step S108, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display a color selection screen. The color selection screen is a screen including UI means for letting the user select the color of the toner filled in the reused toner cartridge 4. As an example, the user can select the color of the reused toner cartridge 4 from the four colors described above via the color selection screen.
In step S109, the controller 61 waits for the selection of a color by the user via the color selection screen.
In step S110, the controller 61 may receive an instruction to initialize the decoloring cartridge information 420 while waiting for the selection of a color. When the controller 61 receives the instruction to cancel the color selection, the process proceeds from no at S109 to yes at S110, and the series of processes is terminated.
When the controller 61 receives the selection of the color, the selected color is temporarily stored in the main memory 62, and the process proceeds from yes in S109 to S111.
In addition, the steps S108 to S110 are omitted in the toner cartridge 4 in which the color of the toner cartridge 4 is fixed and the color of the filled toner cannot be changed every time it is reused.
The controller 61 may execute steps S105 to S107 after executing steps S108 to S110.
In step S111, the controller 61 checks whether the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 is enabled. Specifically, the controller 61 communicates with the toner cartridge 4 to read the latest toner cartridge information 420 at the current time, and checks whether the toner cartridge 4 satisfies the reuse requirement. In the case where the toner cartridge 4 satisfies the recycling requirement, initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 is allowed. The flow of the detailed processing of step S111 is described in detail later with reference to other figures.
In step S112, the controller 61 determines whether an error is detected in the process of the above-described check of step S111. If no error is detected, the controller 61 determines that the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 is possible, and advances the process from no at S112 to S113. On the other hand, when an error is detected, the controller 61 determines that the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 is not possible, and advances the process from yes at S112 to S115.
In step S113 (initialization process, initialization step), the controller 61 initializes the toner cartridge information 420 stored in the toner memory 42. The initialization process for initializing the toner cartridge information 420 may include, for example, a case where the lifetime information (e.g., the number of printed sheets 426, the number of developing roller revolutions 427, etc.) is zero. The initialization process may include rewriting life information (for example, the toner remaining amount 428) to an initial value (specifically, a FULL value of the selected capacity).
The controller 61 may perform processing of changing the capacity information 422 and the color information 423 to the capacity and the color selected by the user, respectively, in addition to the above-described initialization processing in S113. The controller 61 may further perform a process (writing process, writing step) of increasing the reuse number 429 by 1. The flow of the detailed process of step S113 is described in detail later with reference to other figures.
In step S114, the controller 61 determines whether an error is detected in the process of the initialization in step S113 described above. If no error is detected, the controller 61 determines that the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 is successful, and proceeds to no in S114, and ends the series of processing. The controller 61 may also cause the display 65 to display an initialization success screen for notifying the user that the initialization has succeeded after the initialization has succeeded. On the other hand, in the case where an error is detected, the controller 61 determines that the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 has failed, and advances the process from yes at S114 to S115.
In step S115, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display an error screen for notifying the user that the toner cartridge information 420 is not initialized. The controller 61 may change the display content between a first error screen displayed when yes in S112 and a second error screen displayed when yes in S114. For example, the first error screen may include a message indicating that initialization is impossible because the toner cartridge 4 does not satisfy the reuse requirement. For example, the second error screen may include a message for notifying that the writing operation to the toner memory 42 has not been completed normally, and a message for prompting confirmation of the mounting state of the toner cartridge 4.
(processing of displaying Standby Screen)
Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for displaying a standby screen corresponding to step S101 shown in fig. 7.
In step S201, the controller 61 detects an event that is a trigger point of processing for displaying a standby screen, for example, a case where power is turned on. When the controller 61 detects the trigger point, the process proceeds from yes at S201 to S202.
In step S202, the controller 61 reads out the pattern information 623 stored in the main body memory 62. The mode information 623 is information indicating whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in the contracted mode or the non-contracted mode, and it is determined whether the image forming apparatus 1 is a contracted device or not from the mode information 623.
In step S203, the controller 61 determines whether the mode information 623 indicates a subscription mode or a non-subscription mode. When the mode information 623 indicates the non-subscription mode, that is, when the image forming apparatus 1 is not a subscription machine, the controller 61 advances the process from yes in S203 to S204. When the mode information 623 indicates the contract pattern, that is, when the image forming apparatus 1 is a contract machine, the controller 61 advances the process from no at S203 to S205.
In step S204, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display a standby screen so that the cassette information can be initialized using the image forming apparatus 1 that is not a subscribing device. Specifically, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display a standby screen that is displayed as a first UI component that enables selection of a menu button that instructs initialization of the cartridge information, for example, instructs initialization of the toner cartridge information 420.
In step S205, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display a standby screen so that the cassette information cannot be initialized, using the image forming apparatus 1 as a signage apparatus. Specifically, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display a standby screen that does not display a menu button that instructs to initialize the cassette information or is displayed so as not to be selectable. That is, in the signing machine, the controller 61 is configured not to accept the instruction of initialization.
According to the above-described method, in the image forming apparatus 1 that is not a signing machine, initialization of the consumable part memory can be easily performed, and it is possible to contribute to promotion of reuse. On the other hand, in the signing machine, the reuse box is prevented from being used as a signing box. This can avoid a situation where print quality is not ensured in the contracted image forming apparatus 1. That is, the added value of such subscription services is ensured without compromising print quality.
(checking whether or not the initialization process is possible)
Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for checking whether initialization is possible, corresponding to step S111 shown in fig. 7.
In step S301, the controller 61 attempts to communicate with a consumable memory such as the toner memory 42. If the controller 61 determines that communication with the toner memory 42 is not possible, for example, if the information of the toner memory 42 cannot be read, the process proceeds from no in S301 to S302. If the controller 61 determines that communication with the toner memory 42 is possible, the process proceeds from yes in S301 to S303.
In step S302, the controller 61 outputs an error, and initialization is not allowed.
In step S303, the controller 61 performs authentication of the toner cartridge 4. The authentication method of the toner cartridge 4 is not particularly limited. For example, in the case where the model of the toner cartridge 4 is a model corresponding to the model of the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 61 may determine that the authentication of the toner cartridge 4 is successful. On the other hand, in the case where the model of the toner cartridge 4 is a model that does not correspond to the model of the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 61 may determine that the authentication of the toner cartridge 4 fails.
If the toner cartridge 4 can be authenticated, the controller 61 advances the process from yes in S303 to S304. On the other hand, if the toner cartridge 4 cannot be authenticated, the controller 61 advances the process from no at S303 to S302. In another example, the controller 61 may omit the process of S303.
In step S304, the controller 61 reads out specification information 424 from the toner memory 42.
In step S305, the controller 61 determines whether or not the read specification information 424 matches the specification information 628 of the image forming apparatus 1 stored in the main body memory 62. If the two specification information match, the controller 61 advances the process from yes in S305 to S306. On the other hand, in the case where the two specification information do not coincide, the controller 61 advances the process from no at S305 to S302. In another example, the controller 61 may omit the processing of S304 and S305.
In step S306, the controller 61 reads out the category information 425 from the toner memory 42.
In step S307, the controller 61 determines whether the read category information 425 indicates category "contract", or category "commercially available". In the case where the category information 425 indicates the category "contract", the controller 61 advances the process from "yes" at S307 to S308. In the case where the category information 425 indicates "commercially available", the controller 61 advances the process from "no" at S307 to S309.
In step S308 (third display processing, third display step), the controller 61 determines whether the user agrees to reuse the toner cartridge 4 as the contracted cartridge as a commercial cartridge.
As an example, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display an initialization selection screen (third selection screen) related to the subscription cassette. The initialization selection screen includes a third warning for explaining to the user the following meaning: when the toner cartridge information 420, particularly the lifetime information, of the subscription cartridge is initialized, the subscription cartridge is then identified as a commercial cartridge. Further, the initialization selection screen also includes a second UI section for letting the user select whether or not to perform initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 including the lifetime information. As described above, the second UI component is constituted of the button corresponding to "initialization" which means that the user wishes to perform initialization of the lifetime information, and the button corresponding to "non-initialization" which means that the user does not wish to perform initialization of the lifetime information. The second UI member is configured to enable a user to select any one of the buttons. The user's selection operation may be implemented via any one of a hardware button and a software button.
In the above example, when the button corresponding to "initialization" is selected, the controller 61 determines that the user agrees to reuse the contracted box as a commercial box. In this case, the controller 61 advances the process from yes at S308 to S309.
On the other hand, when the button corresponding to "non-initialization" is selected, the controller 61 determines that the user does not agree. In this case, the controller 61 advances the process from no at S308 to S302.
In step S309, the controller 61 reads out the reuse number 429 from the toner memory 42.
In step S310 (determination process, determination step), the controller 61 compares the read reuse number 429 (initialization number) with the upper limit information 625 (upper limit number) stored in the main body memory 62. That is, the controller 61 checks whether the reuse number 429 reaches the upper limit number indicated by the upper limit information 625. When the reuse number 429 is equal to or greater than the upper limit number, the controller 61 advances the process from yes in S310 to S302. That is, the toner cartridge information 420 is prohibited from being initialized beyond the upper limit number of reuse. On the other hand, when the reuse number 429 is smaller than the upper limit number, the controller 61 advances the process from no at S310 to S311.
In step S311, the controller 61 determines that the toner cartridge 4 satisfies the recycling requirement, and allows the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420.
(process of initializing toner cartridge information)
Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of the initialization process corresponding to step S113 shown in fig. 7.
In step S401 (initialization process, initialization step), the controller 61 initializes the number of printed sheets 426 stored in the toner memory 42. Specifically, the controller 61 sets the number of prints 426, which is counted up to a predetermined number, to zero. In the case where the object of initialization is the drum memory 22, the controller 61 sets the number of prints 224 stored in the drum memory 22 to zero.
In step S402 (initialization process, initialization step), the controller 61 initializes the developing roller revolution 427 stored in the toner memory 42. Specifically, the controller 61 sets the developing roller revolution 427, which is counted up to a predetermined revolution, to zero. In the case where the object of initialization is the drum memory 22, the controller 61 makes the drum rotation number 225 stored in the drum memory 22 zero.
In step S403 (initialization process, initialization step), the controller 61 initializes the toner remaining amount 428 stored in the toner memory 42. Specifically, the controller 61 returns the toner remaining amount 428, which decreases in value with the consumption of the toner, to the initial value. That is, the controller 61 returns the toner remaining amount 428 to the FULL value of the capacity (the value indicating the capacity of the cartridge) selected in step S106 of fig. 7. The FULL value corresponding to each capacity may be stored in the main body memory 62 or in the toner memory 42.
In step S404, the controller 61 changes the capacity information 422 stored in the toner memory 42. Specifically, the controller 61 rewrites the capacity information 422 to indicate the capacity selected in step S106 of fig. 7.
In step S405, the controller 61 changes the color information 423 stored in the toner memory 42. Specifically, the controller 61 rewrites the color information 423 to the color selected in step S109 of fig. 7.
In addition, when the object of initialization is the drum memory 22, S403 to S405 are omitted.
In step S406 (change process, change step), the controller 61 changes the category information 425 stored in the toner memory 42. Specifically, the controller 61 changes the category information 425 from "contracted" to "sold" so that the toner cartridge 4 is recognized as a sold cartridge instead of a contracted cartridge after reuse. When the initialized object is the drum memory 22, the controller 61 changes the category information 223 stored in the drum memory 22.
In addition, the controller 61 executes the processing of step S406 described above in the case of yes in step S308 in the processing of performing the inspection shown in fig. 9. In the case of yes in step S308, S406 is omitted.
In step S407 (writing process, writing step), the controller 61 increases the number of reuse 429 stored in the toner memory 42 by 1. In the case where the object of initialization is the drum memory 22, the controller 61 increases the reuse number 226 stored in the drum memory 22 by 1.
In step S408, the controller 61 determines whether or not the read operation for reading from the toner memory 42 and the write operation for writing to the toner memory 42 are successful. If all the read operation and the write operation are successful, the controller 61 proceeds to yes in S408, and ends the series of initialization processes. On the other hand, when the read operation or the write operation fails in any of the above steps, the controller 61 advances the process from no in S408 to S409.
In step S409, the controller 61 cannot initialize the toner cartridge information 420, and thus outputs an error.
Process flow of recycling product use stage
Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the reuse article use stage. The series of processing shown in fig. 11 is executed by the controller 61. Hereinafter, as an example, a case of using the reused toner cartridge 4 will be described.
In step S501, the controller 61 detects the input of power. When the power is turned on, the controller 61 advances the process from yes at S501 to S503.
In step S502, the controller 61 detects opening and closing of the cover 11. When the controller 61 detects opening and closing of the cover 11, the controller 61 advances the process from yes at S502 to S503.
In step S503 (read processing, read step), the controller 61 reads the toner cartridge information 420 from the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4 electrically connected via the connector 102. The flow of the detailed process of step S503 is described in detail later with reference to other figures.
In step S504 (detection process, detection step), the controller 61 determines whether the number of reuse times 429 read out in S503 is greater than zero. When the number of reuse times 429 is greater than zero, for example, when it is one or more times, the controller 61 detects that the toner cartridge 4 mounted to the image forming apparatus 1 is a reuse cartridge. Then, the controller 61 advances the process from yes at S504 to S505. If the number of reuse times 429 is smaller than once, for example, equal to or smaller than zero, the controller 61 determines that the toner cartridge 4 mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 is not a reuse cartridge, and advances the process from no at S504 to S508.
In step S505 (second display processing, second display step), the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display a use selection screen (second selection screen). The usage selection screen contains a second alert for explaining to the user: when the reuse cassette is used as a consumable, the printing quality is not ensured. Further, the use selection screen includes a third UI section for letting the user select whether to use the reuse cassette in printing. As an example, the third UI component is configured of a button corresponding to "use" that means that the user wishes to use the reusable cartridge and a button corresponding to "not use" that means that the user does not wish to use the reusable cartridge. The third UI component is configured to enable a user to select any one of the buttons described above. The user's selection operation may be implemented via any one of a hardware button and a software button.
In step S506, the controller 61 determines which button in the third UI component is selected. When the controller 61 determines that the "use" button is selected, the process proceeds from yes in S506 to S507. If the controller 61 determines that the "not used" button is selected, the process proceeds from no in S506 to S509.
The user selecting the "use" button means that the user agrees to the content of the second warning and, on the basis thereof, wishes to use the recycling box for printing. In the present embodiment, the controller 61 permits printing using the toner cartridge 4 in step S506 (permission processing, permission step) by the user agreeing with the content of the second warning.
In step S507 (storage processing, storage step), the controller 61 stores use history information 624 indicating that the toner cartridge 4 as a reuse cartridge is used in the image forming apparatus 1 in the main body memory 62. In the case where the usage history information 624 is already stored in the main body memory 62, the controller 61 may update the usage history information 624.
In step S508, the controller 61 activates the respective parts of the printing mechanism of the image forming apparatus 1, thereby causing the image forming apparatus 1 to shift to a state in which printing can be immediately performed whenever possible.
In step S509, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display an error screen. The error screen displayed in S509 may also show the cause of the error, the error elimination method, and the like. For example, the error screen may include a message indicating that the reuse box used by the unauthorized user is mounted as the cause of the error. As an example, the above-described error is eliminated by turning off the power supply once again and turning on or opening and closing the cover 11 again. The error screen may include a message for explaining the error cancellation method.
The respective processes of steps S504 to S507 and S509 may be executed each time the main body power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on as shown in the figure, or each time the opening and closing of the cover 11 is detected.
In another example, each of the processes of steps S504 to S507 and S509 may be executed only once when the reuse cassette is first mounted. Thereafter, the processes of steps S504 to S507 and S509 may be omitted as appropriate during the period in which the above-described reuse cassette is not pulled out and is continuously mounted. For example, the controller 61 can determine whether or not the mounted reuse cassette is a reuse cassette that has been approved by the user by referring to the use history information 624 stored in the main body memory 62. In the case where the toner ID of the mounted reusable cartridge is contained in the use history information 624, the controller 61 can determine that the reusable cartridge has been approved by the user. The controller 61 can omit the processes of steps S504 to S507 and S509 with respect to the reuse box described above.
(processing of reading out Box information)
Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for reading out the cartridge information corresponding to S503 shown in fig. 11.
In step S601 (read processing, read step), the controller 61 reads out the number of reuse times 429 from the toner memory 42. In the case where the reuse cassette is the drum cassette 20, the controller 61 reads out the reuse number 226 from the drum memory 22.
In step S602, the controller 61 reads out the number of printed sheets 426 from the toner memory 42. In the case where the reuse cassette is the drum cassette 20, the controller 61 reads out the number of printed sheets 224 from the drum memory 22.
In step S603, the controller 61 reads out the developing roller revolution 427 from the toner memory 42. In the case where the reuse cassette is the drum cassette 20, the controller 61 reads out the drum revolution 225 from the drum memory 22.
In step S604, the controller 61 reads the toner remaining amount 428 from the toner memory 42. In the case where the reuse cassette is the drum cassette 20, S604 is omitted.
The controller 61 may execute the steps S601 to S604 in an arbitrary order. In addition, the controller 61 may execute the step of reading the toner ID421 as needed.
Modification 1
The developing roller 41 of embodiment 1 may be provided to the toner cartridge 4 or the drum cartridge 20 as long as the functions described in embodiment 1 can be realized. In embodiment 1, the toner cartridge 4 is inserted into the opening of the cartridge holding portion 13 together with the drum cartridge 20 in a state of being attached to the drum cartridge 20. That is, in embodiment 1, the toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 are separate cartridges. However, the toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 may be integrally configured as one cartridge.
Modification 2
The image forming apparatus 1 may be an inkjet printer. In the case where the image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer, the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holding portion 13 of the image forming apparatus 1, instead of the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4 described in embodiment 1. The number of ink cartridges mounted in the image forming apparatus 1 is not particularly limited. For example, in the image forming apparatus 1, a total of four ink cartridges corresponding to four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, respectively, may be mounted, or only ink cartridges corresponding to one color of black may be mounted.
The ink cartridge includes a cartridge case filled with ink as a printing material and an ink reservoir storing ink cartridge information. The ink cartridge information includes, for example, an ink ID, capacity information, color information, specification information, category information, the number of printed sheets (lifetime information), and the ink remaining amount (lifetime information).
The ink ID is identification information of the ink cartridge, and is information contained in the ink cartridge information in place of the toner ID421 of embodiment 1. The ink remaining amount is information indicating the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge, and is information included in the ink cartridge information in place of the toner remaining amount 425 of embodiment 1. The capacity information, the color information, the specification information, the type information, the number of printed sheets, and the number of times of reuse are information corresponding to the same name information in the toner cartridge information 420 of embodiment 1, respectively, and are information in which "toner" in the toner cartridge information 420 is replaced with "ink" and "toner cartridge" is replaced with "ink cartridge".
Further, a stirrer for stirring the ink may be provided in the cartridge case of the ink cartridge. In a state where the ink cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1, the agitator operates in response to an instruction from the controller 61.
Even when the image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer, the flow of each process shown in each flowchart described in embodiment 1 is the same. Specifically, when the image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer, "toner cartridge 4", "toner memory 42", and "toner cartridge information 420" in embodiment 1 may be replaced with ink cartridge, ink memory, and ink cartridge information, respectively. The various pieces of information included in the toner cartridge information 420 of embodiment 1 may be replaced with corresponding pieces of information in the cartridge information. Further, since the developing roller rotation number 427 is not included in the cartridge information, in the case of the present modification, the image forming apparatus 1 can omit various processes concerning the developing roller rotation number 427. The image forming apparatus 1 of the present modification has the same effects as those of the image forming apparatus 1 of embodiment 1.
Modification 3
The printing substrate of the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to paper. For example, the print substrate may also be a tape. In the case where the print substrate is a belt, a cassette for supplying the belt is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 prints on a belt conveyed from a cassette. In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a laser printer or an inkjet printer.
Modification 4
The image forming apparatus 1 may be an MFP (Multi Function Printer: multifunction printer) having other functions such as a scanner and a facsimile machine. Even when the image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP, the image forming apparatus 1 can execute the various processes described in embodiment 1 similarly to the image forming apparatus 1 of embodiment 1. The image forming apparatus 1 of the present modification has the same effects as those of the image forming apparatus 1 of embodiment 1.
[ software-based implementation example ]
The functions of the image forming apparatus 1 can be realized by a program for causing a computer to function as the image forming apparatus 1 and for causing the computer to function as each control block (particularly, the controller 61) of the image forming apparatus 1.
In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 includes the following computer: the computer has at least one control means (e.g. a processor) and at least one storage means (e.g. a memory) as hardware for executing the above-mentioned program. The functions described in embodiment 1 are realized by executing the program described above by the control device and the storage device.
The program may be recorded in one or more recording media readable by a computer, instead of being transitory. The image forming apparatus 1 may be provided with the recording medium, or the image forming apparatus 1 may not be provided with the recording medium. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the image forming apparatus 1 via any transmission medium, wired or wireless.
In addition, some or all of the functions of the control block described above may be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit formed with a logic circuit functioning as the control block described above is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition to this, the functions of the control block described above can be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.
The processes described in embodiment 1 may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence: artificial intelligence). In this case, the AI may operate in the control device described above, or may operate in another device (for example, an edge computer, a cloud server, or the like).
[ embodiment 2 ]
Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig. 13 to 21. In this embodiment, a case where the image forming apparatus is a laser printer and the image formation is printing will be described as an example. However, the image forming apparatus may be a printer other than a laser printer. For example, the image forming apparatus may be an inkjet printer. In fig. 13 to 21, the same configuration as in embodiment 1 will be described with the same reference numerals as in fig. 1 to 12.
Hardware configuration of image Forming apparatus 1
Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. Further, part of the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 are realized in a state in which the image forming apparatus is communicatively connected to the server. Accordingly, fig. 1 also shows a server 8 that communicates with the image forming apparatus 1.
As shown in fig. 13, the image forming apparatus 1 is constituted by a main body casing 10 and a cover 11. In addition, the toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 can be mounted to the main body casing 10 as exchangeable members of the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 may include the toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 as components. The external appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in fig. 13 is an example, and is not intended to limit the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 1.
(Main body casing 10)
The main body case 10 is shaped like a rectangular box, for example. The main body casing 10 houses a controller 61, a main body memory 62, a communication section 63, an operation section 64, a display 65, a toner sensor 66, and a transfer belt 70.
The controller 61 is an information processing device that comprehensively controls the control of the image forming apparatus 1. The controller 61 has, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit: application specific integrated circuit). The controller 61 is electrically connected to the main body memory 62, the communication section 63, the operation section 64, the display 65, and the toner sensor 66.
The controller 61 may include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit: central processing unit). The controller 61 may be provided with a computer-readable recording medium storing a control program. For example, the controller 61 may include a "non-transitory tangible medium" such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a card, a semiconductor Memory, and a programmable logic circuit as a recording medium. The controller 61 may use a RAM (Random Access Memory: random access memory) or the like for expanding the control program.
The main body memory 62 is a memory capable of reading and writing information. The main body memory 62 is, for example, a flash ROM or EEPROM (registered trademark, electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory: electrically erasable programmable read only memory).
The communication section 63 is a communication interface between the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 8. The specific structure of the communication section 63 is not particularly limited. The communication standard between the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 8 is not particularly limited.
The operation unit 64 is an input interface for accepting an input operation by a user. Examples of the operation unit 64 include various physical buttons and a touch panel. The input surface of the operation portion 64 may be provided on the outer surface of the main body casing 10 so that the user of the image forming apparatus 1 can easily perform an input operation to the input surface.
The display 65 is an output interface capable of displaying text and/or images. As an example of the display 65, a liquid crystal display is given. A display surface of the display 65 may be provided on an outer surface of the main body casing 10 so that a user of the image forming apparatus 1 can easily visually confirm information displayed on the display surface.
Further, the operation unit 64 and the display 65 may be provided in plural in one image forming apparatus 1. In addition, for example, the operation unit 64 and the display 65 may be integrally configured as a touch panel display.
The toner sensor 66 is a sensor that measures the lifetime of the consumable. In the present embodiment, the term "lifetime of the consumable" refers to the amount of the consumable that can be used after the consumable, and is not the lifetime of the consumable. Further, the toner sensor 66 may indirectly measure the lifetime of the consumable. The specific structure of the toner sensor 66 and the method for measuring the lifetime of the consumable in the toner sensor 66 are not particularly limited. The toner sensor 66 of the present embodiment measures the remaining amount of toner filled in the toner cartridge 4 as the lifetime of the consumable. The toner sensor 66 of the present embodiment is an optical sensor, and irradiates light to the portion filled with toner of the toner cartridge 4 and measures reflected light. Since the remaining amount of toner can be determined from the measurement data of the reflected light, it can be said that the toner sensor 66 measures the remaining amount of toner. The toner sensor 66 outputs the measurement result to the controller 61.
The data format of the measurement result output from the toner sensor 66 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the toner sensor 66 outputs the remaining amount of toner determined from the measurement data of the reflected light to the controller 61. However, the toner sensor 66 may directly output measurement data of the reflected light to the controller 61.
The transfer belt 70 is a member for transferring a developer such as toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to a printing paper. The transfer belt 70 is a replacement member that requires replacement because of deterioration such as abrasion of the surface with use. The transfer belt 70 is a belt capable of contacting the photosensitive drum 21, and is endless (endless belt). The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 can be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 70. When the image forming apparatus 1 performs printing, the printing paper is conveyed between the transfer belt 70 and the photosensitive drum 21.
The transfer belt 70 is stretched between a driving roller 71 and a driven roller 72. The controller 61 rotates the driving roller 71, and the driving roller 71 drives the transfer belt 70. The driven roller 72 rotates with the movement of the transfer belt 70 in association with the driving of the driving roller 71.
(mounting of the cassette)
A cartridge holding portion 13 for holding the toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 is formed in the main body casing 10. The cartridge holding portion 13 is formed in a concave shape and has an opening. The toner cartridge 4 and/or the drum cartridge 20 can be inserted into the opening of the cartridge holding portion 13. When the toner cartridge 4 and/or the drum cartridge 20 is inserted into the opening of the cartridge holding portion 13, the cartridge holding portion 13 holds the inserted toner cartridge 4 and/or drum cartridge 20. In this way, the toner cartridge 4 and/or the drum cartridge 20 are mounted to the main body casing 10 by being held by the cartridge holding portion 13.
In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 4 can be attached to the drum cartridge 20. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 13, the toner cartridge 4 is inserted into the opening portion of the cartridge holding portion 13 together with the drum cartridge 20 in a state of being attached to the drum cartridge 20. Thereby, the toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 are mounted to the main body casing 10.
In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment performs printing using four toner cartridges 4 and four drum cartridges 20. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 13, four toner cartridges 4 and four drum cartridges 20 are mounted to the main body casing 10. The number of the cartridges 20 and the toner cartridges 4 that can be mounted in the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the example of fig. 13. For example, in the case where the image forming apparatus 1 is a printer that performs monochrome printing, the main body casing 10 may be a monochrome printer in which one toner cartridge 4 and one drum cartridge 20 can be mounted.
(cover 11)
The cover 11 is a cover for opening and closing the opening 10A of the main body case 10. The cover 11 includes a rotation shaft 11A and a light source unit 50. The cover 11 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 11A between an open position for opening the opening 10A and a closed position for closing the opening 10A. That is, the cover 11 is movable between an open position and a closed position. In fig. 13, the cover 11 in the open position is indicated by a solid line, and the cover 11 in the closed position is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As shown in fig. 13, when the cover 11 is in the open position, the respective opening portions of the cartridge holding portion 13 are opened. As shown in fig. 13, when the cover 11 is in the closed position, the opening portions of the cartridge holding portions 13 are covered with the cover 11.
The rotation shaft 11A of the cover 11 extends in the first direction. The first direction is a direction in which a central axis of rotation (in other words, a developing axis) of the developing roller 41 of the toner cartridge 4 extends when the toner cartridge 4 is mounted to the main body casing 10.
The light source unit 50 is a member for irradiating light to the photosensitive drum 21 of the drum cartridge 20. The light source unit 50 is disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the drum cartridge 20. In the present embodiment, a total of four light source units 50 are provided so as to allocate one light source unit 50 to one drum cartridge 20.
Four light source units 50 are mounted to the inner surface of the cover 11. The light source unit 50 is disposed at a position facing the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 when the drum cartridge 20 is mounted to the main body casing 10 and the opening 10A is closed (i.e., the cover 11 is in the closed position).
The light source unit 50 has a plurality of light sources arranged in a first direction. The light source can irradiate the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 with light. The light source may be, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode: light emitting diode).
The opening 10A of the main body case 10 may be provided with a closing sensor (not shown) for detecting that the opening 10A is closed. The closing sensor is a sensor for detecting the closing of the cover 11. The specific structure of the closed sensor is not limited. For example, the closed sensor may be a contact type sensor or an optical type sensor. Further, a closing sensor may be provided on the cover 11 side to detect whether the cover 11 is in the closed position. The closure sensor is electrically connected to the controller 61. The detection result of the closed sensor is output to the controller 61.
(toner cartridge 4)
The toner cartridge 4 is one of the exchangeable components of the image forming apparatus 1. The toner cartridge 4 includes a toner cartridge housing 43, a developing roller 41, and a toner reservoir (consumable reservoir) 42.
The toner cartridge housing 43 is a housing portion of the toner cartridge 4. The toner cartridge case 43 accommodates the developing roller 41 and the toner reservoir 42. In addition, the toner can be filled in the toner cartridge case 43. The toner is a developer consumed when the image forming apparatus 1 performs printing. That is, the toner is a consumable item for the image forming apparatus 1, and printing cannot be performed using the toner cartridge 4 without toner.
In the present embodiment, four toner cartridges 4 mounted to the image forming apparatus 1 are filled with toners of different colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), respectively. However, a plurality of toner cartridges 4 filled with toners of the same color may be mounted in the image forming apparatus 1. For example, two toner cartridges 4 filled with black toner may be mounted in the image forming apparatus 1.
The toner cartridge 4 of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of refilling toner into the interior of the toner cartridge case 43. Even the toner cartridge 4 without toner can be reused by refilling with toner. That is, the toner cartridge 4 is a reusable toner cartridge. Hereinafter, the toner cartridge 4 refilled with toner is also referred to as "reusable toner cartridge 4". The image forming apparatus 1 can use both the new toner cartridge 4 and the reusable toner cartridge 4.
There is no particular limitation on who recovers the used toner cartridge 4 and refills it, and how to refill the toner cartridge case 43 with toner. For example, in the present embodiment, the operator recovers the used toner cartridge 4 and refills the toner at the factory. In the present embodiment, the operator sells the toner cartridge 4 refilled with toner as a reusable product cartridge, and circulates the toner cartridge 4 refilled with toner.
The developing roller 41 is a cylindrical member extending in the first direction, and is rotatable about a developing axis extending in the first direction. The developing roller 41 is disposed such that the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 41 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 when the toner cartridge 4 is mounted to the drum cartridge 20.
The toner memory 42 is a memory capable of reading and writing information. The type of the toner memory 42 is not particularly limited. For example, the toner memory 42 may be a flash ROM, an EEPROM (registered trademark), or an IC chip.
The toner memory 42 is provided at a position that can be electrically connected to the controller 61. For example, the toner reservoir 42 may be disposed on an outer surface of either side of the first direction in the toner cartridge housing 43.
The toner cartridge 4 may be provided with a toner agitator for agitating the toner. The toner agitator operates in response to an instruction from the controller 61 when the toner cartridge 4 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1.
(Drum Box 20)
The drum cartridge 20 is one of replaceable components of the image forming apparatus 1. The drum cartridge 20 includes at least a drum cartridge casing 23 and a photosensitive drum 21.
The drum cartridge housing 23 is a housing portion of the drum cartridge 20. The drum cartridge casing 23 accommodates the photosensitive drum 21 and the drum reservoir 22.
The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrical photosensitive body extending in the first direction. The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is covered with a photosensitive material. The photosensitive drum 21 is rotatable about a drum shaft extending in the first direction. The image forming apparatus 1 uses the photosensitive drum 21 when printing. The photosensitive drum 21 is a replacement member that requires replacement because of deterioration such as abrasion of the surface with use. Therefore, it can be said that the photosensitive drum 21 is a consumable for the image forming apparatus 1.
In addition, the drum cartridge 20 may include a drum reservoir 22 as shown in fig. 13. The drum memory 22 is a memory capable of reading and writing information. The kind of the drum reservoir 22 is not particularly limited. For example, the drum memory 22 may be a flash ROM, EEPROM, or IC chip.
The drum memory 22 is provided at a position capable of being electrically connected to the controller 61. For example, the drum reservoir 22 may be disposed on the outer surface of either side of the first direction in the drum cartridge housing 23.
(printing)
As shown in fig. 13, the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4 are mounted to the main body casing 10 in a state where the cover 11 is disposed at the open position. In the present embodiment, the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4 are inserted into the cartridge holding portion 13 formed in the opening 10A.
The light source unit 50 is electrically connected to the controller 61. The controller 61 causes the plurality of light sources of the light source unit 50 to emit light according to the input image data. The light source irradiates light toward the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21. As a result, the photosensitive material on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is exposed according to the image data. Due to the movement of the transfer belt 70, the printing paper is conveyed between the transfer belt 70 and the photosensitive drum 21. The transfer belt 70 transfers the toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the printing paper.
Software configuration of image Forming apparatus 1
Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 1. Some of the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 are realized in a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 is communicatively connected to the server 8. Accordingly, fig. 14 also shows the server 8 and the functional blocks included in the server 8.
As shown in fig. 14, the image forming apparatus 1 has a connector 101 and a connector 102. The connector 101 is electrically connected to the drum reservoir 22 of the drum cartridge 20 inserted into the cartridge holding portion 13 shown in fig. 13. When the connector 101 is electrically connected to the drum memory 22, the controller 61 can communicate with the drum memory 22. That is, the controller 61 can perform information writing and information rewriting to the drum memory 22, and information reading from the drum memory 22.
(controller)
The controller 61 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the controller 61 performs information writing to the main body memory 62 and information reading from the main body memory 62. Further, for example, the controller 61 determines the content of the input operation performed on the operation unit 64, and executes processing corresponding to the content of the input operation. Further, for example, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display an image read out from the main body memory 62 or an image produced by the controller 61 itself. Further, for example, the controller 61 outputs a measurement instruction to the toner sensor 66. Further, for example, the controller 61 obtains a measurement result of the toner sensor 66. Further, for example, the controller 61 communicates data with the server 8 via the communication unit 63. The specific processing performed by the controller 61 will be described in detail later with reference to fig. 16 to 21.
When the controller 61 includes a processor, the controller 61 reads out a control program from the main body memory 62 and operates in accordance with the control program, whereby various processes defined by the control program are executed in the image forming apparatus 1.
(communication section 63)
The communication unit 63 communicates with the server 8 via a communication network such as the internet. For example, the communication unit 63 transmits various data input from the controller 61 to the server 8. In addition, for example, the communication section 63 outputs various data received from the server 8 to the controller 61.
For example, the communication unit 63 may output various requests received from the server 8 to the controller 61. The "request" refers to, for example, various requests, instructions, inquiries, and the like transmitted from the server 8. The communication unit 63 may return the result of the processing performed by the controller 61 in response to the request to the server 8 as a "response". The communication unit 63 may transmit various requests input from the controller 61 to the server 8. The communication unit 63 may receive the result of the processing performed by the server 8 in response to the request, and output the received response to the controller 61.
The response from the image forming apparatus 1 to the server 8 and/or the response from the server 8 to the image forming apparatus 1 may be omitted. For example, when a request such as "change various settings in the image forming apparatus 1" is received, the controller 61 changes various settings in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the received request, but may not reply a notification to the server 8 that the settings are changed.
(operation portion 64, display 65, toner sensor 66)
The display 65 causes the display surface to display the image input from the controller 61. For example, the display 65 causes the display surface to display an image of a screen (initialization selection screen) for letting the user select whether to execute initialization of the lifetime information in accordance with an instruction from the controller 61. The operation unit 64 receives an input operation on the input surface by the user, and outputs information indicating the content of the input operation to the controller 61. For example, when the initialization selection screen is being displayed on the display surface of the display 65 or after the initialization selection screen is displayed, the operation unit 64 accepts an input operation by the user indicating to execute the lifetime information initialization, and outputs the content of the input operation to the controller 61. When the toner sensor 66 receives an instruction from the controller 61, the toner sensor 66 determines the toner remaining amount. The toner sensor 66 outputs the measurement result to the controller 61. When the toner sensor 66 directly outputs the measurement data of the reflected light to the controller 61, the controller 61 determines the remaining amount of toner from the measurement data of the reflected light.
The controller 61 may determine various parameters based on measurement data of the reflected light or the remaining amount of toner. For example, the controller 61 may determine at least one of (1) the accumulation of the toner consumption amount, (2) the accumulation of the number of rotations of the developing roller 41, and (3) the accumulation of the number of printed sheets using the toner cartridge 4 to be measured, based on the toner remaining amount for the toner cartridge 4 to be measured.
The unit of the toner consumption amount is not particularly limited. For example, the toner sensor 66 may calculate the toner consumption amount by converting it into the number of dots (dot count) at the time of printing. The toner sensor 66 may input the value of the remaining toner amount as the measurement result to the controller 61, and the controller 61 may convert the remaining toner amount into any one of the above (1) to (3).
(Main memory 62)
The main body memory 62 stores toner cartridge information 621, device ID622, main body specification information 623, upper limit information 624, and a sheet count counter 625.
The toner cartridge information 621 is information related to the toner cartridge 4 mounted to the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge information 621 includes the same information as the toner cartridge information 420. The toner cartridge information 621 is stored separately for each toner cartridge 4. When a certain toner cartridge 4 is reused and then mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, the pre-reuse toner cartridge information 621 and the post-reuse toner cartridge information 621 are stored separately.
The apparatus ID622 is identification information of the image forming apparatus 1. The device ID622 may be, for example, a serial number of the image forming device.
The main body specification information 629 is information indicating the specification of the image forming apparatus 1. In the present specification, "specification" may refer to all specifications of appearance, material, operation, provided service content, and the like. For example, in the present embodiment, the operation specification of the image forming apparatus 1 is formulated so that the image forming apparatus 1 is suitable for the situation such as legal regulations and circulation modes in the country or region of the delivery destination. The body specification information 629 of the present embodiment indicates any one of "EU (european)", "US (US)", and "JP (japan)".
The upper limit information 630 is information indicating the upper limit number of times that initialization of life information can be allowed for one of the toner cartridges 4. In other words, it can be said that the upper limit information 630 represents the upper limit number of times of reuse of the toner cartridge 4. The controller 61 of the present embodiment cannot initialize each toner cartridge 4 more than the upper limit number of times indicated by the upper limit information 630. For example, when the upper limit number is 3, the controller 61 cannot initialize a certain toner cartridge 4 for the fourth time.
The number-of-sheets counter 631 is a counter that indicates the accumulation of the number of printed sheets in the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet count counter 631 is incremented by the controller 61 at each printing. The number counter 631 may be initialized in response to an instruction from the controller 61. In addition, the value of the number-of-sheets counter 631 may be appropriately read by the controller 61 and transmitted to the server 8.
In the main body memory 62, drum cartridge information, which is information related to the drum cartridge 20, may be stored in addition to the above-described various information. In addition, an image to be displayed on the display 65 may be stored in the main body memory 62. In addition, a control program for realizing a control method of the image forming apparatus 1 may be stored in the main body memory 62.
(toner cartridge information 420)
The toner memory 42 stores toner cartridge information 420. The toner cartridge information 420 represents various information related to the toner cartridge 4.
Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the toner cartridge information 420. As an example, the toner cartridge information 420 includes a toner ID421, capacity information 422, color information 423, cartridge specification information 431, lifetime information, empty flag 433, the number of reuse 429, and main body discrimination information 430.
The lifetime information is information related to the lifetime of the consumable. The lifetime information includes at least any one of consumption information for determining a degree to which the consumable has been used and remaining amount information for determining a remaining amount of the consumable. For example, the toner cartridge information 420 of the present embodiment includes the number of printed sheets 426 and the number of developing roller revolutions 427 as an example of consumption information. For example, the toner cartridge information 420 of the present embodiment includes the toner remaining amount 432 as an example of the remaining amount information. Further, the toner cartridge information 420 may include a value of the dot count or the like as consumption information.
The toner ID421 is identification information for uniquely identifying the toner cartridge 4. As an example, the toner ID421 is a serial number unique to the toner cartridge 4. The toner ID421 may contain information indicating the model of the toner cartridge 4.
The capacity information 422 is information indicating the setting of the capacity of the consumable supplies in the toner cartridge 4. That is, the capacity information 422 is information indicating the amount of toner that can be filled in the toner cartridge case 43 of the toner cartridge 4. For example, in the present embodiment, the capacity of the toner cartridge 4 is divided into four levels of "small capacity", "standard capacity", "large capacity", and "super large capacity" in order from a small capacity. The capacity information 422 of the toner cartridge information 420 indicates any one of the capacities of the four ranks.
The color information 423 is information indicating the color of the toner contained in the toner cartridge 4. In the present embodiment, the toner is any one of four colors of "C (cyan)", "M (magenta)", "Y (yellow)", and "BK (black)", as an example. That is, the color information 423 indicates any one of the four colors.
The cartridge specification information 431 is information indicating the specification of the toner cartridge 4. In the present embodiment, as in the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the toner cartridge 4 also sets an operation specification so that the toner cartridge 4 is suitable for the legal regulations, distribution modes, and the like of the country or region of the delivery destination. The toner cartridge 4 of the present embodiment is manufactured in any of the specifications of "EU (european)", "US (US)", and "JP (japan)", as in the image forming apparatus 1. The box specification information 424 indicates any of the specifications described above.
The toner remaining amount 432 is information indicating the remaining amount of toner filled in the toner cartridge 4. As an example, the toner remaining amount 432 may be configured by a value corresponding to a plurality of states from a full state to an empty state of the cartridge case of the toner cartridge 4. For example, the toner remaining amount 432 may be represented by a character string such as "FULL" to "EMPTY", a numerical value such as "100%" to "0%", or a combination of a character string and a numerical value.
In the present specification, the "full state" may be a state in which the cartridge case of the toner cartridge 4 is physically full of toner, or a state in which the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge case satisfies the capacity specified by the capacity information 422. In the present specification, the "empty state" may be a state in which the cartridge case of the toner cartridge 4 is physically empty, or a state in which the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge case is equal to or less than a threshold value defined by the capacity information 422. Further, the threshold value in this case may be, for example, a lower limit value of the toner remaining amount at which the image forming apparatus 1 can normally perform printing.
The number of printed sheets 426 is information indicating the number of sheets of paper printed in the image forming apparatus 1 after the toner cartridge 4 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1. The developing roller rotation number 427 is information indicating the rotation number of the developing roller 41 in the toner cartridge 4 generated with execution of printing after the toner cartridge 4 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1.
The empty flag 433 is a flag indicating whether the toner cartridge 4 is empty. In the present embodiment, the empty flag 433 is represented by a value of 0 or 1. In the present embodiment, when the empty flag is 1, the toner cartridge 4 is in an empty state, and when the empty flag 433 is 0, the toner cartridge 4 is not in an empty state.
The reuse number 429 represents the number of times the lifetime information of the toner memory 42 is initialized. The reuse number 429 is information indicating the number of times (initialization number) at which at least a part of the information stored in the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4 is initialized according to an instruction of the user.
The main body discrimination information 430 indicates identification information of the image forming apparatus 1 to which the toner cartridge 4 is attached when the lifetime information is initialized or when the lifetime information is updated. The main body discrimination information 430 is stored at the time of initialization of the lifetime information or at the time of toner consumption.
In the present embodiment, the initialization of the information in the toner memory 42 based on the instruction of the user is performed once again. Therefore, the above-described "number of times of initialization" in the toner memory 42 means the number of times of reuse of the toner cartridge 4. In the case where the reuse number 429 indicates a value smaller than 1, this means that the toner cartridge 4 is not reused at a time. When the reuse number 429 indicates a value of 1 or more, this means that the toner cartridge 4 is a reuse cartridge.
The various information listed above is merely one example of the toner cartridge information 420. The toner cartridge information 420 may further include information other than the above-described various information according to the construction environment of the image forming system 100, the specifications of the image forming apparatus 1, and the like. In addition, some of the above-described various information of the toner cartridge information 420 may be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the drum memory 22 may store drum cartridge information as information related to the drum cartridge 20.
(Server 8)
The server 8 includes a server communication unit 83, a server memory 82, and a server control unit 81. The server communication unit 83 is a communication interface for performing communication between the server 8 and the image forming apparatus 1. The server communication section 83 transmits a request input from the server control section 81 to the image forming apparatus 1. The server communication section 83 receives a response transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with the transmitted request, and outputs the response to the server control section 81.
The server memory 82 is a storage device that stores data necessary for the operation of the server 8. The server memory 82 stores device information 821 for each image forming device 1. The device information 821 may include, for example, a device ID, body specification information, a model number and manufacturing year, month, day, and the like of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, when the server 8 receives the number of printed sheets from the image forming apparatus 1, the apparatus information 821 may include information indicating the number of printed sheets.
The server control unit 81 is a CPU that comprehensively controls the server 8. The server control unit 81 generates a request to the image forming apparatus 1 at a predetermined timing, and outputs the generated request to the server communication unit 83. In addition, the server control section 81 causes the server memory 82 to newly store device information or update already stored device information in accordance with a response received from the image forming apparatus 1 via the server communication section 83.
Flow of processing in image Forming apparatus 1
Next, the flow of various processes executed by the controller 61 of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described based on the flowcharts of fig. 16 to 21. The controller 61 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment causes the toner sensor 66 to measure the toner remaining amount after the toner is used every time the toner is consumed. Then, the controller 61 updates the toner remaining amount 432 of the toner memory 42 based on the measurement result of the toner sensor 66. Thus, the toner remaining amount 425 is updated as needed from the start of the use of the toner cartridge 4 to the time when the toner cartridge 4 is empty. In addition, the toner of the toner cartridge 4 may be consumed for uses other than printing. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 can consume toner of the toner cartridge 4 mounted to the main body casing 10 when the toner cartridge 4 is set or cleaned. The controller 61 may update the lifetime information other than the toner remaining amount 425 according to the consumption of the toner.
For example, when the controller 61 updates the consumption information such as the number of printed sheets 426, the number of rotations 427 of the developing roller, and the value of the dot count, the controller 61 first determines the accumulation of the toner consumption amount. The accumulation of the toner consumption amount can be determined by subtracting the toner remaining amount shown by the measurement result of the toner sensor 66 from the "toner amount at the time of capacity filling of the toner cartridge 4" determined by the capacity information 422.
When updating the number of printed sheets 426 in the consumption information, the controller 61 calculates the accumulation of the number of printed sheets by dividing the accumulation of the toner consumption amount by a predetermined value. Here, "predetermined value" refers to the amount of toner estimated to be used for printing one sheet of printing paper. The controller 61 updates the number of printed sheets 426 by the calculated cumulative value. In the case of updating the developing roller revolution 427 in the consumption information, the controller 61 calculates the accumulation of the revolution of the developing roller 41 by dividing the accumulation of the toner consumption amount by the toner consumption amount per one revolution of the developing roller 41. The controller 61 updates the developing roller revolution 427 with the calculated integrated value. In the case of updating the value of the dot count in the consumption information, the controller 61 calculates the integrated value of the dot count by dividing the toner consumption amount by the toner consumption amount of each dot. The controller 61 updates the value of the dot count in the toner memory 42 with the calculated integrated value.
In this way, based on the measurement result of the toner sensor 66, not only the toner remaining amount but also various consumption information such as the accumulation of the number of printed sheets, the accumulated number of rotations of the developing roller 41, and the accumulated value of the dot count can be calculated. Therefore, it can be said that the toner sensor 66 indirectly measures these consumption information as information indicating the lifetime of the consumable.
(flow of the blank treatment)
Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the null processing. The empty processing represents a series of processing when the toner cartridge 4 is in an empty state. The empty processing shown in fig. 16 can be performed, for example, when a certain print job is completed in the image forming apparatus 1 or when the setting or cleaning of the toner cartridge 4 is completed in the image forming apparatus 1. In the case of processing the toner cartridge 4 in the process shown in fig. 16, all of the four toner cartridges 4 mounted to the image forming apparatus 1 are individually processed unless otherwise specified.
In step S10, the controller 61 determines whether or not the toner cartridge 4 is in an empty state. For example, the controller 61 causes the toner sensor 66 to measure the toner remaining amount, and obtains the measurement result. When the measurement result is equal to or less than the predetermined lower threshold, the controller 61 determines that the toner cartridge 4 is in an empty state. In the case where the toner cartridge 4 is in the empty state (yes in step S10), the controller 61 executes step S11. On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 4 is not in the empty state (no in step S10), the controller 61 does not execute the processing of steps S11 to S14.
In step S11, the controller 61 refers to the empty flag of the toner memory 42. In the case where the empty flag is 0 (yes in step S11), the controller 61 executes step S12. On the other hand, when the empty flag is 1 (no in step S11), the controller 61 does not execute the processing of steps S12 to S14.
In step S12, the controller 61 updates the toner remaining amount 432 stored in the toner memory 42 to the measured value of the toner remaining amount measured by the toner sensor 66. Thus, the toner remaining amount 432 of the toner memory 42 matches the toner remaining amount measured by the toner sensor 66. The controller 61 then executes step S13.
In step S13, the controller 61 reads the device ID622 from the main body memory 62, and writes the device ID622 as the main body identification information 430 into the toner memory 42. Thus, when the toner remaining amount 432 is updated (step S12), the device ID of the image forming device 1 to which the toner cartridge 4 is attached is stored in the toner memory 42. Further, in step S13, in the case where the main body discrimination information 430 has been stored in the toner memory 42 and the main body discrimination information 430 coincides with the read-out device ID622, the controller 61 may not perform rewriting of the main body discrimination information 430. The controller 61 then executes step S14.
In step S14, the controller 61 updates the empty flag 433 stored in the toner memory 42 from 0 to 1.
According to the above processing, the toner remaining amount 432 of the toner memory 42 is updated according to the consumption of the toner. This causes the current toner remaining amount 432 to be stored in the toner memory 42.
(flow of treatment when starting to use reuse article)
When the process shown in fig. 16 is repeated, the toner cartridge 4 eventually becomes empty. That is, the toner cartridge 4 becomes a used cartridge. Thereafter, as described above, the operator recovers and refills the used cartridge with toner until it is full, and then circulates the cartridge again. In this way, the toner cartridge 4 of the reusable product can actually circulate in a state of being refilled with toner, although the toner remaining amount 432 stored in the toner cartridge information 420 is used up (i.e., empty state). In this case, the toner cartridge 4 can be used in the image forming apparatus 1 by initializing the toner remaining amount 432.
Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of the use start process. The "use start process" means a process performed before the use of the mounted toner cartridge 4 starts when the toner cartridge 4 is newly mounted to the main body casing 10. The controller 61 of the present embodiment monitors the power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 and the opening and closing of the cover 11.
In step S40, the controller 61 stands by until the power is turned on (i.e., the power is turned on) or the cover 11 is closed (i.e., the opening 10A is closed) (no in step S20). When the power is turned on or the cover 11 is turned off (yes in step S20), the controller 61 starts the process of step S21 for each of the four toner cartridges 4 with this as a trigger point. Thereby, the controller 61 can determine whether or not to allow initialization of the lifetime information without delay. The processing after step S20 is performed individually for each of the four toner cartridges 4. Thus, for example, the exchanged toner cartridge 4 and the non-exchanged toner cartridge 4 may sometimes undergo different processing flows.
In step S21, the controller 61 performs a latch process. The "latch processing" in the present embodiment means processing of reading out various data contained in the toner cartridge information 420 from the toner cartridge 4.
(latch processing)
Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the latch processing shown in step S21 in fig. 17. The processing of steps S30 to S34 shown in fig. 18 may be performed in parallel or may be performed in different orders. In addition, the controller 61 may execute the step of reading the toner ID421 as needed.
In step S30, the controller 61 reads out the number of printed sheets 426 from the toner memory 42. In step S31, the controller 61 reads out the developing roller revolution 427 from the toner memory 42. In step S32, the controller 61 reads out the empty flag 433 from the toner memory 42. In step S33, the controller 61 reads the toner remaining amount 432 from the toner memory 42. In step S34, the controller 61 reads out the main body discrimination information 430 from the toner memory 42 (first identification information acquisition process).
When the latch processing performed by the controller 61 is completed, the controller 61 performs the processing of step S22 shown in fig. 17. The following returns to fig. 17 to continue the description.
In step S22, the controller 61 reads out and acquires the device ID622 from the main body memory 62 in advance. The controller 61 then executes the processing of step S23.
In step S23, the controller 61 determines whether or not the value of the empty flag 433 read in step S32 of the latch process is 1. In the case where the empty flag is 1 (yes in step S23), the controller 61 executes the processing of step S24. On the other hand, when the empty flag is not 1 (no in step S23), the controller 61 determines that the toner cartridge 4 is not empty, and ends the use start process.
In step S24, the controller 61 determines whether or not the device ID622 (second identification information) and the main body determination information 430 (first identification information) are different. That is, the controller 61 determines whether the identification information of the image forming apparatus 1 to which the toner cartridge 4 is mounted and the identification information of the image forming apparatus mounted when the image forming apparatus is initialized or when the toner remaining amount 432 is updated are different. When the controller 61 determines that the device ID622 is different from the main body determination information 430 (yes in step S24), the controller 61 executes the processing of step S25. On the other hand, when it is determined by the controller 61 that the device ID622 matches the main body determination information 430 (no in step S24), the controller 61 ends the use start processing.
For a cartridge that has been used once in a certain image forming apparatus 1 or for which lifetime information has been initialized, the necessity of initializing lifetime information is low while mounted in the same image forming apparatus 1. According to the process of step S24, in the case where the necessity of the initialization of the lifetime information is low, the controller 61 can not execute the process related to the permission of the initialization of the lifetime shown in step S25 and later. Thus, the controller 61 can omit wasteful processing.
In step S25, the controller 61 drives a toner agitator (not shown) provided in the toner cartridge 4 to agitate the toner in the toner cartridge case 43. This is performed in order for the toner sensor 66 to more accurately measure the toner remaining amount in the next step S26. The controller 61 performs step S26 after performing step S25.
In step S26, the controller 61 instructs the toner sensor 66 to measure the toner remaining amount. Then, the controller 61 obtains a measurement result from the toner sensor 66. The controller 61 performs step S27 after performing step S26.
In step S27, the controller 61 determines whether the toner remaining amount 432 read out in step S33 of the latch process is different from the toner remaining amount measured by the toner sensor 66. When the toner remaining amount 432 read by the controller 61 is different from the toner remaining amount measured by the toner sensor 66 (yes in step S27), the controller 61 executes the process of step S28. On the other hand, when the toner remaining amount 425 read by the controller 61 matches the toner remaining amount measured by the toner sensor 66 (no in step S27), the controller 61 ends the use start processing.
In step S28, the controller 61 allows initialization (permission processing, permission step) of the lifetime information for the toner cartridge 4 that is yes in step S27. The information (permission information) indicating the permission of initialization of the lifetime information of each toner cartridge 4 may be temporarily stored in the controller 61 or may be stored in the toner cartridge information 621 of the main body memory 62. At the time when the initialization processing described later is completed, the permission information is deleted or rewritten to information indicating that initialization is not permitted.
In step S29, the controller 61 performs an initialization association process. The "initialization association process" refers to a series of processes including a process for confirming to the user whether or not initialization of lifetime information is possible and a process for performing initialization of lifetime information. Details of the initialization association processing will be described later.
When the toner cartridge 4 is refilled with toner, the measured value of the toner remaining amount of the toner cartridge 4 is different from the toner remaining amount 432 stored in the toner memory 42. That is, when the toner cartridge 4 is a reusable product, the measured value of the toner remaining amount and the toner remaining amount 432 are different. According to the process shown in fig. 5, the controller 61 allows initialization of the toner remaining amount 425 in the case where there is a possibility that the cartridge as a reuse product is mounted. That is, the controller 61 can allow initialization of the life of the toner cartridge 4 when appropriate.
Further, the controller 61 may calculate the cumulative number of printed sheets or the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller 41 from the toner remaining amount before performing the process of step S27. Then, in step S27, the controller 61 may determine whether the calculated cumulative number of printed sheets is different from the number of printed sheets 426 or whether the calculated cumulative number of rotations is different from the number of rotations 427 of the developing roller. In the case where the value of the dot count is contained in the toner cartridge information 420, the controller 61 may determine whether the value of the dot count calculated from the measured value of the toner remaining amount is different from the value of the dot count contained in the toner cartridge information 420. The processing branches based on the result of these determinations as in the case of step S27 of fig. 17.
The controller 61 may execute the following modification of step S27 instead of step S27 shown in fig. 17. In the modification of step S27, the controller 61 compares the read toner remaining amount 432 with the toner remaining amount measured by the toner sensor 66. Then, it is determined whether the measured toner remaining amount is longer than the toner remaining amount 432 and whether the difference between them is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. When the measured toner remaining amount is longer than the toner remaining amount 432 and the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the controller 61 executes the initialization-related processing of step S28 in the same manner as the case of yes in step S27. When the measured toner remaining amount is short compared with the toner remaining amount 432, or when the measured toner remaining amount is long compared with the toner remaining amount 432 but the difference is smaller than the predetermined value, the controller 61 ends the use start processing similarly to the case of no in step S27.
When the measured value of the toner remaining amount in the toner cartridge 4 is longer than the toner remaining amount 432, it is estimated that the toner cartridge 4 is refilled with toner. That is, the toner cartridge 4 is highly likely to be a reusable product. According to the modification of step S27 described above, the controller 61 allows the initialization of the toner remaining amount 432 in the case where the possibility of mounting the reusable toner cartridge 4 is high. Therefore, the controller 61 can allow initialization of the lifetime of the cartridge when it is a more appropriate condition.
In the modification of step S27, the controller 61 may compare and determine the number of printed sheets 426, the number of developing roller revolutions 427, or the value of the dot count in the toner cartridge information 420, not the toner remaining amount 432, with the corresponding parameter calculated from the measurement result of the toner sensor 66.
When the value of the accumulation of the number of printed sheets calculated by the controller 61 is smaller than the number of printed sheets 426 and the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of printed sheets, the controller 61 executes the subsequent processing similarly to the case of yes in step S27. Otherwise, the controller 61 ends the use start processing similarly to the case of no in step S27.
When the cumulative rotation number calculated by the controller 61 is a value smaller than the developing roller rotation number 427 and the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times, the controller 61 executes the subsequent processing similarly to the case of yes in step S27. Otherwise, the controller 61 ends the use start processing similarly to the case of no in step S27.
When the value of the dot count calculated by the controller 61 is a value smaller than the value of the dot count included in the color toner cartridge information 420 and the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the controller 61 executes the subsequent processing similarly to the case of yes in step S27. Otherwise, the controller 61 ends the use start processing similarly to the case of no in step S27.
In this way, even when the consumption amount of the toner is compared and determined in step S27 (or the modification of step S27), the comparison and determination of the difference in the lives (and the length of the lives) of the toner is performed without changing indirectly. Therefore, even when the consumption information is used for the comparison object, the same effect as in the case where the processing shown in step S27 of fig. 17 is performed can be obtained.
(initializing an association process)
Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the initialization association process.
In step S40, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display an initialization selection screen (selection screen display process, selection screen display step). The initialization selection screen may include the following notification: the notification indicates that the image forming apparatus 1 may be outside the guaranteed object in the case where the toner cartridge information 420 of the toner cartridge 4 is initialized. The initialization selection screen may also include an option of whether or not to execute initialization of the toner cartridge 4.
After the display of the initialization selection screen and/or the display, the controller 61 stands by until an input operation indicating that the initialization is performed or an input operation indicating that the initialization is not performed is performed to the operation unit 64. When the controller 61 receives an input operation indicating that initialization is performed (yes in step S41), the controller 61 executes the process of step S43. On the other hand, when the controller 61 receives an input operation indicating that the initialization is not performed or when no input operation is received for a predetermined time (no in step S41), the controller 61 ends the initialization-related process.
The user performing an input operation to the effect of performing initialization means that the user agrees to the content of the notification included in the initialization selection screen, and on the basis of this, desires to initialize the toner cartridge information 420.
In step S42, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display a capacity selection screen. The capacity selection screen is a screen for allowing the user to select the capacity of the reused toner cartridge 4. For example, the user can select the capacity of the reused toner cartridge 4 from four levels of "small capacity", "standard capacity", "large capacity" and "ultra-large capacity" by performing an input operation to the operation unit 64 while referring to the capacity selection screen.
In step S43, the controller 61 stands by until the user selects the capacity via the operation unit 64 (no in step S43). When the controller 61 receives the selection of the capacity (yes in step S43), the controller 61 temporarily stores the selected capacity in the main body memory 62, and thereafter, executes the processing of step S44.
Further, the controller 61 may accept an input operation for instructing cancellation of initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 via the operation portion 64 during the standby time in step S43. The controller 61 may end the initialization association processing in a case where an input operation indicating the initialization cancellation is accepted (cancel in step S43). The processes of step S42 to step S43 are omitted for the toner cartridge 4 whose capacity is fixed and whose capacity cannot be changed for every reuse.
In step S44, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display a color selection screen. The color selection screen is a screen for allowing the user to select the color of the toner filled in the reused toner cartridge 4. For example, the user can select the color of the reused toner cartridge 4 from among four colors of "C (cyan)", "M (magenta)", "Y (yellow)", and "BK (black)", via the color selection screen.
In step S45, the controller 61 stands by until the user selects a color via the operation section 64 (no in step S45). When the controller 61 receives the selection of the color (yes in step S45), the controller 61 temporarily stores the selected color in the main body memory 62, and then executes the processing of step S46.
Further, the controller 61 may accept an input operation for instructing cancellation of initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 via the operation portion 64 during the standby time in step S45. The controller 61 may end the initialization association processing in a case where an input operation indicating the initialization cancellation is accepted (cancel in step S45). The processes of step S44 to step S45 are omitted for the toner cartridge 4 whose color is fixed and whose color cannot be changed every time the toner cartridge 4 is reused.
In step S46, the controller 61 performs an error check process. The "error checking process" refers to a series of processes for checking whether the toner cartridge information 420 satisfies the initialized condition. In the case where the toner cartridge 4 satisfies the condition of initialization, initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 is permitted. Details of the error checking process will be described later.
In step S47, the controller 61 determines whether an error is detected in the process of the above-described check of step S46. In the case where an error is not detected by the controller 61 (no in step S47), the controller 61 determines that the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 is enabled, and executes the process of step S48. On the other hand, in the case where an error is detected by the controller 61 (yes in step S47), the controller 61 determines that the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 cannot be allowed, and executes the process of step S50.
In step S48, the controller 61 performs an initialization process (initialization step). The "initialization process" refers to a process of initializing lifetime information. In the present specification, "initialization" may be a case where the value is set to zero or the value is restored to the initial value, or a case where the value is reset to a predetermined value determined by the controller 61. In the present embodiment, the controller 61 initializes at least the toner remaining amount 425. Details of the initialization process will be described later. In fig. 19 and the example of fig. 21 illustrating the initialization process, the controller 61 also appropriately initializes the toner cartridge information 420 other than the toner remaining amount 425 to illustrate the process content.
In step S49, the controller 61 determines whether an error is detected during the initialization process. In the case where an error is not detected by the controller 61 (no in step S49), the controller 61 determines that the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 is successful, and ends a series of processes. The controller 61 may cause the display 65 to display an initialization success screen for notifying the user of the fact that the initialization has succeeded after the initialization has succeeded. On the other hand, in the case where an error is detected by the controller 61 during the initialization process (yes in step S49), the controller 61 determines that the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 has failed, and executes the process of step S50.
In step S50, the controller 61 causes the display 65 to display an error screen for notifying the user that the toner cartridge information 420 is not initialized. Further, the error screen in the case of yes in step S47 and the error screen in the case of yes in step S49 may be different. For example, in the case of yes in step S47, a message indicating that initialization is impossible because the toner cartridge 4 does not satisfy the requirement for reuse may be included in the error screen. For example, in the case of yes in step S49, a message for notifying that the writing operation to the toner memory 42 has failed and a message for prompting confirmation of the mounting state of the toner cartridge 4 may be included in the error screen.
(error checking process)
Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the error check processing shown in step S46 in fig. 19.
In step S60, the controller 61 attempts to communicate with the toner memory 42. In a case where the controller 61 determines that the controller 61 and the toner memory 42 are not capable of communication (no in step S60), the controller 61 executes the processing of step S66.
In step S66, the controller 61 does not allow initialization, and outputs an error. The erroneous output mechanism and output form are not particularly limited. For example, the controller 61 may cause the display 65 to display the meaning that initialization is not permitted.
When the controller 61 determines that communication with the toner memory 42 is possible (yes in step S60), the controller 61 executes step S61.
In step S61, the controller 61 performs authentication of the toner cartridge 4. The authentication method of the toner cartridge 4 is not particularly limited. For example, in the case where the model of the toner cartridge 4 is a model corresponding to the model of the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 61 may determine that the authentication of the toner cartridge 4 is successful. On the other hand, in the case where the model of the toner cartridge 4 is a model that does not correspond to the model of the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 61 may determine that the authentication of the toner cartridge 4 fails.
In the case where the authentication of the toner cartridge 4 by the controller 61 is successful (yes in step S61), the controller 61 executes the process of step S62. On the other hand, in the case where authentication of the toner cartridge 4 by the controller 61 fails (no in step S61), the controller 61 executes the process of step S66. In addition, the controller 61 may omit the process of step S61.
In step S62, the controller 61 reads out the cartridge specification information 424 from the toner memory 42. In step S63, the controller 61 determines whether the read cartridge specification information 424 matches the body specification information 629 stored in the body memory 62.
When the cartridge specification information 424 matches the main body specification information 623 (yes in step S63), the controller 61 executes the process of step S64. On the other hand, in the case where the cartridge specification information 424 does not coincide with the body specification information 629 (no in step S63), the controller 61 executes the processing of step S66. In addition, the controller 61 may omit the processing of step S62 and step S63.
In step S64, the controller 61 reads out the reuse number 429 from the toner memory 42. In step S65, the controller 61 compares the read reuse number 429 with the upper limit information 624 stored in the main body memory 62. That is, the controller 61 determines whether the reuse number 429 reaches the upper limit number indicated by the upper limit information 624.
When the reuse number 429 is equal to or greater than the upper limit number (yes in step S65), the controller 61 executes the process of step S66. That is, the upper limit number of reuse is considered to be exceeded without allowing initialization of the toner cartridge information 420. On the other hand, when the number of reuse times 429 is smaller than the upper limit number of times (no in step S65), the controller 61 determines that the toner cartridge 4 satisfies the requirement for reuse, and ends the error check processing without error.
(initialization process)
Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the initialization process shown in step S48 in fig. 19. In step S70, the controller 61 initializes the number of printed sheets 426 stored in the toner memory 42. Specifically, the controller 61 sets the number of prints 426, which is counted up to a predetermined number, to zero.
In step S71, the controller 61 initializes the developing roller revolution 427 stored in the toner memory 42. Specifically, the controller 61 sets the developing roller revolution 427, which is counted up to a predetermined revolution, to zero.
In step S72, the controller 61 initializes the toner remaining amount 432 stored in the toner memory 42.
In the present embodiment, the specific method of initialization is not particularly limited. For example, the controller 61 may update the toner remaining amount 425 based on the toner remaining amount shown by the measurement result of the toner sensor 66. More specifically, the controller 61 may write the value of the toner residual amount measured by the toner sensor 66 directly as the toner residual amount 425 to the toner memory 42. Thus, the controller 61 can initialize the toner remaining amount 432 based on the actually measured toner remaining amount instead of the predicted value. Therefore, the toner remaining amount 432 can be accurately updated.
Alternatively, the controller 61 may initialize the toner remaining amount 432 by setting the toner remaining amount 432 to a value indicating full in the capacity of the toner cartridge 4 indicated by the capacity information 422 or the capacity selected in step S43 of fig. 19. In addition, a specific value of "a value indicating full" in each capacity may be stored in the main body memory 62 or the toner memory 42 in advance. Accordingly, the initial value of the toner remaining amount 432 can be set according to the setting of the capacity of the toner cartridge 4. Thus, even when the setting of the capacity of the toner cartridge 4 changes before and after refilling of toner, that is, before and after recycling, for example, the toner remaining amount 432 can be initialized to an appropriate value.
In step S73, the controller 61 changes the capacity information 422 stored in the toner memory 42. Specifically, the controller 61 rewrites the capacity information 422 to indicate the capacity selected in step S43 in fig. 19. In addition, in the case where the capacity selected in step S43 of fig. 19 is the same as the capacity indicated by the capacity information 422, the controller 61 may omit the processing of step S73.
In step S74, the controller 61 changes the color information 423 stored in the toner memory 42. Specifically, the controller 61 rewrites the color information 423 to the color selected in step S45 of fig. 19. Further, in the case where the color selected in step S45 of fig. 19 is the same as the color shown in the color information 423, the controller 61 may omit the process of step S74.
In step S75, the controller 61 increases the number of reuse times 429 stored in the toner memory 42 by 1.
In step S76, the controller 61 determines whether or not the writing operation to the toner memory 42 is successful. If all the writing operations have been successful (yes in step S76), the controller 61 normally ends the initialization process. On the other hand, in the case where the writing operation of writing to the toner memory 42 fails in at least any one of step S70 to step S75 (no in step S76), the controller 61 executes the processing of step S77.
In step S77, the controller 61 determines that the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 has failed, and outputs an error. The erroneous output mechanism and output form are not particularly limited. For example, the controller 61 may cause the display 65 to display the meaning of the initialization failure.
Modification 1
The developing roller 41 of embodiment 2 may be provided to the toner cartridge 4 or the drum cartridge 20 as long as the functions described in embodiment 2 can be realized. In embodiment 2, the toner cartridge 4 is inserted into the opening of the cartridge holding portion 13 together with the drum cartridge 20 in a state of being attached to the drum cartridge 20. That is, in embodiment 2, the toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 are separate cartridges. However, the toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 may be integrally configured as one cartridge.
Modification 2
The image forming apparatus 1 may be an inkjet printer. In the case where the image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer, the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holding portion 13 of the image forming apparatus 1, instead of the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4 described in embodiment 2. The number of ink cartridges mounted in the image forming apparatus 1 is not particularly limited. For example, in the image forming apparatus 1, four ink cartridges in total corresponding to four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, respectively, may be mounted, or only ink cartridges corresponding to one color of black may be mounted.
The ink cartridge includes a cartridge case filled with ink as a consumable and an ink reservoir storing cartridge information. The cartridge information includes an ink ID, capacity information, color information, cartridge specification information, ink remaining amount, number of reuse, number of printed sheets, empty flag, and main body discrimination information.
The ink ID is identification information of the ink cartridge, and is information contained in the ink cartridge information in place of the toner ID421 of embodiment 2. The ink remaining amount is information indicating the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge, and is information included in the ink cartridge information in place of the toner remaining amount 425 of embodiment 2. The capacity information, the color information, the cartridge specification information, the reuse number, the number of prints, the empty flag, and the main body discrimination information are information corresponding to the same-name information in the toner cartridge information 420 of embodiment 2, respectively, and are information in which "toner" in the toner cartridge information 420 is replaced with "ink" and "toner cartridge" is replaced with "ink cartridge".
Further, a stirrer for stirring the ink may be provided in the cartridge case of the ink cartridge. In a state where the ink cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1, the agitator operates in response to an instruction from the controller 61.
Even when the image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer, the flow of each process shown in each flowchart described in embodiment 2 is the same. Specifically, when the image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer, "toner cartridge 4", "toner memory 42", and "toner cartridge information 420" in embodiment 2 may be replaced with ink cartridge, ink memory, and ink cartridge information, respectively. The various pieces of information included in the toner cartridge information 420 of embodiment 2 may be replaced with corresponding pieces of information in the cartridge information. Further, since the developing roller rotation number 427 is not included in the cartridge information, in the case of the present modification, the image forming apparatus 1 may omit various processes concerning the developing roller rotation number 427. The image forming apparatus 1 of the present modification has the same effects as those of the image forming apparatus 1 of embodiment 2.
Modification 3
The printing substrate of the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to paper. For example, the print substrate may also be a tape. In the case where the print substrate is a belt, a cassette for supplying the belt is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 prints on a belt conveyed from a cassette. In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a laser printer or an inkjet printer.
Modification 4
The image forming apparatus 1 may be an MFP (Multi Function Printer: multifunction printer) having other functions such as a scanner and a facsimile machine. Even when the image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP, the image forming apparatus 1 can execute the various processes described in embodiment 2 similarly to the image forming apparatus 1 of embodiment 2. The image forming apparatus 1 of the present modification has the same effects as those of the image forming apparatus 1 of embodiment 2.
[ software-based implementation example ]
The functions of the image forming apparatus 1 can be realized by a program for causing a computer to function as the image forming apparatus 1 and for causing the computer to function as each control block (particularly, the controller 61) of the image forming apparatus 1.
In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 includes the following computer: the computer has at least one control means (e.g. a processor) and at least one storage means (e.g. a memory) as hardware for executing the above-mentioned program. The functions described in embodiment 2 are realized by executing the program described above by the control device and the storage device.
The program may be recorded in one or more recording media readable by a computer, instead of being transitory. The recording medium may be provided by the image forming apparatus 1, or may not be provided by the image forming apparatus 1. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the image forming apparatus 1 via any transmission medium, wired or wireless. In addition, some or all of the functions of the control block described above may be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit formed with a logic circuit functioning as the control block described above is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition to this, the functions of the control block described above can be realized by, for example, a quantum computer. The processes described in embodiment 1 may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence: artificial intelligence). In this case, the AI may operate in the control device described above, or may operate in another device (for example, an edge computer, a cloud server, or the like).
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments in which the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments are appropriately combined are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
Symbol description
1 image forming apparatus, 4-cartridge (consumable), 10-main body casing, 11-casing, 20-cartridge (consumable), 22-cartridge (consumable), 42-cartridge (consumable), 61-controller, 62-main body storage, 64-operation section, 65-display, 66-toner sensor, 100-image forming system, 220-cartridge information (cartridge information), 223-class information, 224-print count (life information, consumption information), 225-drum rotation number (life information, consumption information), 226-reuse count (initialization information), 420-cartridge information (cartridge information), 425-class information, 426-print count (life information, consumption information), 427-developing-roller rotation number (life information, consumption information), 428-toner-balance (life information, margin information), 429-reuse count (initialization information), 621-toner-cartridge information, 623-mode information, 624-use history information, 625-upper limit information (upper limit count), 426-print count, 427-developing-roller, 429-reuse count, 430-discrimination information, 432-toner margin, 433-empty flag, 622-device ID, 629-upper-specification information, 631-count upper-limit count information

Claims (36)

1. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that,
Comprises a main body housing to which a consumable product is mounted, a controller, and a main body memory,
the consumable part memory provided in the consumable part stores life information related to the life of the consumable part,
the controller performs:
receiving an instruction to initialize the lifetime information;
an initialization process of initializing lifetime information stored in the consumable part memory according to the received instruction; and
and a writing process of writing initialization information indicating that the lifetime information is initialized into the consumable part memory.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,
the image forming apparatus is provided with a display device,
the controller performs a first display process: causing the display to display a first warning, which means that print quality is not guaranteed when the lifetime information is initialized, and a first selection screen for allowing a user to select whether or not the initialization of the lifetime information is to be performed, in accordance with the instruction,
the controller performs the initialization process in a case where the initialization is selected via the first selection screen.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,
the image forming apparatus includes an operation portion,
the controller receives the instruction to initialize the lifetime information via the operation unit in the receiving process.
4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,
the initialization information is an initialization number indicating the number of times the lifetime information is initialized,
the controller also performs a determination process of: a determination is made as to whether the number of times of initialization of the lifetime information shown in the initialization information reaches a predetermined upper limit number of times,
when it is determined in the determination process that the number of times of initialization reaches the upper limit number of times, the controller does not execute the initialization process.
5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein,
at least one of consumption information for determining a degree to which the consumable has been used and remaining amount information for determining an amount of material remaining in the consumable are stored in the consumable memory as the lifetime information.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein,
the consumable item is a cartridge of toner and,
at least one of the number of printed sheets, the number of developing roller revolutions, and the toner consumption amount is stored in the consumable part memory as the consumption information,
the controller makes the value of the consumption information zero in the initialization process.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein,
the consumable item is a drum cartridge and,
at least one of the number of printed sheets and the number of drum revolutions is stored in the consumable part memory as the consumption information,
the controller makes the value of the consumption information zero in the initialization process.
8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein,
the consumable is a cartridge containing a printed material,
a value indicating the capacity of the cartridge is stored in the main body memory or the consumable memory,
a printing material remaining amount is stored in the consumable memory as the remaining amount information,
the controller rewrites the value of the remaining amount of the printing material to a value indicating the capacity stored in the main body memory or the consumable memory in the initialization process.
9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein,
the image forming apparatus is provided with a display device,
the initialization information is an initialization number indicating the number of times the lifetime information is initialized,
the controller also performs:
a reading process of reading the number of times of initialization from a consumable supply memory of a consumable supply mounted on the main body casing;
a detection process of detecting that the mounted consumable part is a reusable part based on the read number of times of initialization being one or more; and
and a second display process of causing the display to display a second warning, which means that the print quality is not ensured when the reuse product is used, and a second selection screen for allowing a user to select whether to use the reuse product, according to the condition in which the reuse product is detected.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein,
the controller also performs a permission process of: and allowing printing using the reuse product when the use is selected via the second selection screen.
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein,
The controller also performs a storage process: when the use is selected via the second selection screen, use history information indicating that the reuse product is used is stored in the main body memory.
12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein,
in the main body memory, mode information is stored, which indicates whether the image forming apparatus is in a contract mode, which means that a contract is made with the image forming apparatus,
the controller does not execute the acceptance processing in a case where the mode information indicates the subscription mode.
13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein,
the consumable supply memory stores category information indicating whether the consumable supply is a contracted consumable supply that can be used in the contracted image forming apparatus or a normal consumable supply that can be used in the contracted image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus that does not contract,
the controller also performs a change process: when the category information indicates that the consumer is a contracted consumer, the category information is changed to the normal consumer in accordance with the instruction.
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein,
the image forming apparatus is provided with a display device,
in the case where the category information indicates that the contracted consumable is indicated, the controller performs a third display process: causing the display to display, in accordance with the instruction, a third warning that the contracted consumable is recognized as the normal consumable when the lifetime information is initialized, and a third selection screen for letting a user select whether or not the initialization of the lifetime information is to be performed,
the controller performs the initialization process in a case where the initialization is selected via the third selection screen.
15. An initializing method for initializing a consumable memory included in a consumable, comprising:
an accepting step of accepting, by an image forming apparatus, an instruction to initialize, among the consumables mounted to a main body casing of the image forming apparatus, lifetime information related to a lifetime of the consumables stored in the consumable memory;
an initializing step of initializing lifetime information stored in the consumable memory by the image forming apparatus according to the received instruction; and
And a writing step of writing initialization information indicating that the lifetime information is initialized into the consumable supply memory by the image forming apparatus.
16. The initialization method according to claim 15, comprising:
a first display step of causing, in accordance with the instruction, a display of the image forming apparatus to display a first warning that means that print quality is not ensured when the lifetime information is initialized, and a first selection screen for letting a user select whether or not the initialization of the lifetime information is to be performed,
in the case where the initialization is selected via the first selection screen, the image forming apparatus executes the initializing step.
17. An initialisation method as claimed in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that,
in the receiving step, the image forming apparatus receives the instruction to initialize the lifetime information via an operation section of the image forming apparatus.
18. An initialisation method as claimed in any of the claims 15 to 17, characterized in that,
the initialization information is an initialization number indicating the number of times the lifetime information is initialized,
The initialization method comprises the following steps: the image forming apparatus determines whether the number of times of initialization of the lifetime information shown in the initialization information reaches a predetermined upper limit number of times,
when it is determined in the determining step that the number of times of initialization reaches the upper limit number of times, the image forming apparatus does not execute the initializing step.
19. An initialisation method as claimed in any of the claims 15 to 18, characterized in that,
at least one of consumption information for determining a degree to which the consumable has been used and remaining amount information for determining an amount of material remaining in the consumable are stored in the consumable memory as the lifetime information.
20. The initialization method of claim 19, wherein the initialization step comprises,
the consumable item is a cartridge of toner and,
at least one of the number of printed sheets, the number of developing roller revolutions, and the toner consumption amount is stored in the consumable part memory as the consumption information,
in the initializing step, the image forming apparatus sets the value of the consumption information to zero.
21. An initialisation method as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that,
The consumable item is a drum cartridge and,
at least one of the number of printed sheets and the number of drum revolutions is stored in the consumable part memory as the consumption information,
in the initializing step, the image forming apparatus sets the value of the consumption information to zero.
22. An initialisation method as claimed in any of the claims 19 to 21, characterized in that,
the consumable is a cartridge containing a printed material,
a value indicating the capacity of the cartridge is stored in a main body memory of the image forming apparatus or the consumable memory,
a printing material remaining amount is stored in the consumable memory as the remaining amount information,
in the initializing step, the image forming apparatus rewrites the value of the remaining amount of the printing material to a value indicating the capacity stored in the main body memory or the consumable memory.
23. An initialisation method as claimed in any of the claims 15 to 22, characterized in that,
the initialization information is an initialization number indicating the number of times the lifetime information is initialized,
the initialization method comprises the following steps:
a reading step of reading the number of times of initialization from a consumable supply memory of a consumable supply mounted to the main body casing;
A detection step of detecting that the mounted consumable part is a reusable part based on the read out number of times of initialization being one or more; and
and a second display step of causing, by the image forming apparatus, a display of the image forming apparatus to display a second warning indicating that print quality is not ensured when the reuse product is used, and a second selection screen for allowing a user to select whether to use the reuse product, according to the detection of the reuse product.
24. The initialization method according to claim 23, comprising:
and a permission step of permitting printing using the reuse product by the image forming apparatus when use is selected via the second selection screen.
25. An initialisation method according to claim 23 or 24, comprising:
and a storage step of, when the use is selected via the second selection screen, storing, in a main body memory of the image forming apparatus, use history information indicating that the reuse product is used.
26. An initialisation method as claimed in any of the claims 15 to 25, characterized in that,
the main body memory of the image forming apparatus stores pattern information indicating whether the image forming apparatus is in a contract pattern, which means that a contract is made with the image forming apparatus,
in the case where the mode information indicates the subscription mode, the image forming apparatus does not perform the accepting step.
27. An initialisation method as claimed in any of the claims 15 to 26, characterized in that,
the consumable supply memory stores category information indicating whether the consumable supply is a contracted consumable supply that can be used in the contracted image forming apparatus or a normal consumable supply that can be used in the contracted image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus that does not contract,
the initialization method further includes a changing step: when the category information indicates that the consumer is a contracted consumer, the image forming apparatus changes the category information to the normal consumer in response to the instruction.
28. The initialization method according to claim 27, comprising:
A third display step of, when the category information indicates that the contracted consumable supply is contracted consumable supply, causing, by the image forming apparatus, a display of the image forming apparatus to display, in accordance with the instruction, a third warning indicating that the contracted consumable supply is recognized as the normal consumable supply when the lifetime information is initialized, and a third selection screen for allowing a user to select whether or not to initialize the lifetime information,
in the case where the initialization is selected via the third selection screen, the image forming apparatus executes the initializing step.
29. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that,
the device is provided with: a main body housing to which the cartridge is mounted; a sensor that measures the lifetime of the consumable filled in the cartridge; the controller is used for controlling the operation of the controller,
the cartridge includes a consumable storage that stores lifetime information that is stored when the consumable is used and that indicates a lifetime of the consumable,
in the case where the lifetime indicated by the lifetime information stored in the consumable memory is different from the lifetime measured by the sensor, the controller performs a permission process of: initialization of the lifetime information by the image forming apparatus is allowed.
30. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein,
in the permission processing, the controller may permit initialization of the lifetime information in the image forming apparatus when the lifetime measured by the sensor is longer than the lifetime indicated by the lifetime information and a difference between the lifetime indicated by the lifetime information and the lifetime measured by the sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
31. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29 or 30, wherein,
first identification information, which is identification information of an image forming apparatus to which the cartridge is attached at the time of the initialization of the lifetime information or at the time of the update of the storage, is stored in the consumable part memory,
the controller executes a first identification information acquisition process of: acquiring the first identification information stored in the consumable memory,
the controller executes the permission processing in a case where the first identification information acquired by the first identification information acquisition processing is different from second identification information that is identification information of an image forming apparatus to which the cartridge is currently mounted.
32. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 29 to 31, wherein,
the image forming apparatus includes a display for displaying an image and an operation unit for receiving an input operation,
the controller performs:
a selection screen display process of displaying an initialization selection screen for selecting whether or not to execute initialization of the lifetime information on the display in a state where initialization of the lifetime information is permitted; and
and an initialization process of initializing the lifetime information when an input operation indicating that the initialization is performed is received via the operation unit after the selection screen display process.
33. The image forming apparatus according to claim 32, wherein,
the controller updates the storage of the lifetime information based on the lifetime measured by the sensor in the initialization process.
34. The image forming apparatus according to claim 32, wherein,
the consumable supply memory stores capacity information indicating a setting of a capacity of the consumable supply in the cartridge,
the controller sets the lifetime information to an initial value corresponding to the capacity indicated by the capacity information in the initialization process.
35. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 29 to 34, wherein,
the image forming apparatus includes a cover movable between an open position for opening an opening provided in the main body casing and a closed position for closing the opening,
the controller performs the permission processing with a case where a power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned on or the opening is closed by the cover as a trigger point.
36. A control method for an image forming apparatus having a cartridge filled with a consumable, characterized in that,
the consumable part memory provided in the cartridge stores lifetime information indicating lifetime of the consumable part, which is stored when the consumable part is used,
the control method comprises the following steps:
an allowing step of allowing initialization of the lifetime information by the image forming apparatus, in a case where the lifetime indicated by the lifetime information is different from the lifetime measured by a sensor that measures the lifetime of the consumable;
a selection screen display step of displaying an initialization selection screen for selecting whether or not to execute initialization of the lifetime information on a display when initialization of the lifetime information is permitted; and
And an initialization step of initializing the lifetime information when an input operation indicating that the initialization is performed is received via the operation unit after the selection screen display step.
CN202280011575.6A 2021-01-29 2022-01-28 Image forming apparatus, initializing method, and control method Pending CN116745704A (en)

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JP2021013957A JP2022117333A (en) 2021-01-29 2021-01-29 Image forming apparatus and initialization method
JP2021-013958 2021-01-29
JP2021-013957 2021-01-29
PCT/JP2022/003262 WO2022163803A1 (en) 2021-01-29 2022-01-28 Image forming device, initialization method, and control method

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