EP1016935B1 - Printing or copying appliance with exchangeable part units which have an identification device and method for operating an appliance of this type - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a printing or copying machine modular, interchangeable subassemblies and one assigned to the sub-units Identification arrangement for storing assigned function-relevant operating states Operating data and a method for operating such Device.

From PCT / DE95 / 00635 is an electrophotographic Printing device for printing on both sides of a tape-shaped narrow record carrier and for one-sided printing of one or more parallel ones narrow record carrier known. With the known The different units are called the pressure device interchangeable modules. This makes it possible, e.g. by simply exchanging the electrophotographic Printing module the printing device the most diverse Adapt operating conditions.

By inserting a known from DE-C1-195 40 138 Developer station with several arranged side by side Developer chambers, is with the printing device multicolored simplex and duplex operation possible.

If the printing device is used in single color mode only used, a developer station is used, such as her is known from PCT / DE95 / 00635.

Both publications are part of the disclosure this registration.

High-performance printers of the type mentioned are often used Printout of data used in data centers. These dates can e.g. Be bills, tax assessments or others individualized printouts, e.g. individualized advertising. Are several of these devices in the data center in the The majority of print jobs are used in shifts Print jobs in single-color simplex or duplex mode. A smaller proportion of print jobs require multi-color Printing. With modular printers it is therefore possible one or more for the colored Developer stations suitable for printing, such as out DE-C1-4126465 are known, ready to hold and in If necessary when presenting a multicolored print job in the insert the appropriate printer and against the single color Exchange developer station. This results in a even, performance-adjusted utilization of the Printer park.

The various modules of the However, the printing device is subject to wear. she require maintenance depending on the useful life. This applies in particular to the developer station with the single or multi-colored toner contained therein. In Depending on the amount of print, this changes from carrier and Existing toner mixture and it must be fresher Toner can be supplied.

So should a wide variety of developer stations or different aggregate modules in different Pressure equipment are used, it is necessary that the operator, after the exchange of information about the Operating states of the replaced module gets. This Operating states can be at developer stations e.g. the Toner filling status and thus the information about the still available print quantity or information about the amount of print already printed with the developer station and thus the history of the developer station. at It is of interest to find information about the fuser Condition of wear and thus the operating time of the To get fuser etc.

From EP-A-721 171 A2, from JP-A-04125570, from EP-A-395 320 EP-A-532 308 and from US-A-4,994,853 are each printing or Copiers with sub-assemblies such as developer stations or Cartridges for consumables are known to have a electronic data storage included. On the other hand, there is Sub-assemblies of older design, such as that in the above-mentioned DE-C-195 40 138 known unit that still have no such data storage.

In contrast, the object of the invention is a printing or Copier with one or more modular design Interchangeable sub-assemblies so that at alternate operation of sub-assemblies with and without Data storage as reliable a printing operation is possible.

This task is in a printer or copier initially mentioned type according to the characteristics of the first Claim resolved. A corresponding one according to the invention Process is the subject of claim 20. Advantageous Embodiments of the invention are in the subclaims described.

According to the invention, after installation of the sub-assembly Identification data from an identification or Reading arrangement determined and evaluated. There is no memory or if the identification data cannot be read, then generates a message on a display device and the Operator prompted for data. After that, too default values suitable for the identification data for the Operating parameters provided and the printing operation added.

This is particularly the case with sub-assemblies of older designs Storage usually does not exist. By the invention enables both these older and the newer, with subassemblies provided in pressure or Copiers to use without taking advantage of to forego recent development.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention each of the sub-assemblies with an identification arrangement provided the electronic components like a Includes printed circuit board and which is capable of being self-sufficient Identification as well as filing in one doesn't volatile memory. This is an automatic Comparison of those set in a higher-level unit Functional parameters of the overall system possible, whereby Operating errors can be prevented. All functionally relevant Operating states of the sub-assembly are saved. This enables exact tracking of operating conditions and malfunctions for each sub-unit individually and clearly. This is of considerable advantage when servicing or in the returns analysis.

With the latter embodiment, the invention also achieved the goal of designing the modules so that information about the operating status of the modules at all times can be accessed.

If the sub-assembly is one Developer station, so is the mechanics of this Developer station designed so that the technically savvy Lay the exchange of this sub-assembly itself and without Carry out monitoring by specially trained personnel can. In this developer station according to the invention a printed circuit board equipped with a microcontroller integrated, via a communication interface for example a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus with of the parent controlling this sub-assembly Process control (device control) is connected.

Depending on the higher-level control system recorded operating states are those on the sub-assembly, for example the one integrated on the developer station Assembly the operating data in a suitable, not volatile memory, e.g. an EEPROM. This is how they go data assigned to the operating states is not lost if the developer station removed from the printer and so is de-energized. If the developer station is back in one Printer used, it does not matter whether it is the is the same or another identical printer, the corresponding settings on request by the higher-level process control from the non-volatile Read out memory and via the communication interface provided and e.g. on a control display shown. Only when installing one for the first time equipped developer station is the input e.g. the Serial number and toner type etc. required.

Contains in a further embodiment of the invention a sub-assembly a non-volatile memory in which both identification data and operational data of the Sub-aggregates are stored.

In a further preferred embodiment of the Invention, the data transfer takes place between electronic memory and identification device wireless. This makes it possible Identification arrangement to be fixed to the device and the Data transfer between it and the storage safely and without Time delay after inserting the sub-assembly too accomplish.

In particular, the invention adapts to the performance Operation of several printers in parallel possible. This results in an even utilization all printers in a printer park with high Operational safety because the operating status of all Unit modules are constantly monitored.

In the sense of the invention, a subassembly can also be a smaller component to be understood, which is for installation in a larger sub-assembly is provided, for example one Toner bottle that is installed in a developer station. It has proven to be particularly advantageous for toner bottles proven this with a wireless communication point equip. Such interfaces are, for example available as chip cards with a data memory (EEPROM), an electronic circuit for memory management and Data transmission and an antenna included, which both the Data transmission as well as the power supply of the chip card serves. A wireless data transmission has one Data transfer via electrical contacts the advantages that it is not subject to wear and soiling cannot be harmed. Especially at Toner bottles remain the security of data transmission despite dust on the communication interfaces of the Toner bottle and / or the same on the device.

Fig. 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer austauschbare Teilaggregate in Form von Modulen aufweisenden elektrophotographischen Druckeinrichtung

Fig. 2 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild einer mit einer austauschbaren Entwicklerstation gekoppelten Identifizierungsanordnung

Fig. 3 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild der Kopplung der Gerätesteuerung des Geräts mit der Identifizierungsanordnung,

Fig. 4 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild einer dem Bedienfeld zugeordneten Bedienfeldprozeßsteueranordnung,

Fig. 5 den Teil einer Entwicklerstation, in dem eine Tonerflasche eingeführt ist und

Fig. 6 ein Ablaufdiagramm.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below, for example. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an interchangeable sub-assemblies in the form of electrophotographic printing device having modules

2 shows a schematic block diagram of an identification arrangement coupled to an exchangeable developer station

3 shows a schematic block diagram of the coupling of the device control of the device to the identification arrangement,

4 shows a schematic block diagram of a control panel process control arrangement assigned to the control panel,

Fig. 5 shows the part of a developer station in which a toner bottle is inserted and

Fig. 6 is a flow chart.

An electrophotographic printing device known in principle from PCT / DE95 / 00635 and shown schematically in FIG. 1 for single-color or multi-color, single-sided or double-sided printing on tape-shaped recording media 10 of different bandwidth contains an electromotive-driven photoconductor drum 11 as the intermediate media. Around the intermediate media 11 the various units are grouped together for the electrophotographic process. These are essentially a charging device 12 in the form of a charging corotron for charging the intermediate carrier 11; a character generator 13 with a light-emitting diode comb for character-dependent exposure of the intermediate carrier 11, which extends over the entire usable width of the intermediate carrier 11;
a developer station 14 for coloring the character-dependent charge image on the intermediate carrier 11 using a one- or two-component developer mixture;
a transfer printing station 15 which extends over the width of the intermediate carrier 11 and with which the toner images are transferred to the recording medium 10. To remove the residual toner after development and transfer printing, a cleaning station 16 is provided with an integrated cleaning brush with associated suction device and a discharge device 17. The intermediate carrier 11 is driven by an electric motor and moved in the direction of the arrow in the printing mode.

Furthermore, the printing device contains one of the Transfer station 15 in the transport direction of the Record carrier downstream fuser 18, which as Thermal pressure fixing station is formed, as well as one of the Subordinate feeder 21 with Guide rollers for feeding the recording medium 10 to an internal stacking device 22 or to an outside one the external stack arranged or the printing device other post-processing direction.

The tape-shaped recording medium 10 is e.g. as pre-folded continuous paper with marginal perforations assembled and is based on an internal Storage area 23 via feed rollers 24 of a swiveling one Paper dividing device of the transfer station 15 fed. It However, it is also possible to use a recording medium without Edge perforations fed through a roll feed.

The recording medium 10 is transported preferably via one assigned to the transfer printing station 15 Transport device 25 in the form of provided with pins Conveyor belts that drive into the Intervene perforations of the recording medium 10. Furthermore, in the housing area of the printing device, and in a receiving area for the internal stockpile 23, a turning device 28 is arranged, via which Printing on the back of the already on the front printed record carrier turned over and again the Transfer station 15 is supplied. The turning device 28 stands with the fixing station 18 via a return channel 29 in Connection.

In principle, in the illustrated printing device Aggregates combined to interchangeable modules, or as interchangeable modules. This applies to both Turning device 28, the return channel 29 and for that electrophotographic printing module 26 with those there arranged aggregates for electrophotographic Process. Separately interchangeable in the electrophotographic Print module 26 is the developer station 14. It is to this Purposes stored on rails 27 and can thus be perpendicular to Drawing plane pushed out of the printing device and be replaced. Their basic structure is from DE-C1-19540138 known. There is one on the developer station 14 Identification arrangement 30 in the form of a flat module arranged, the function of which will be explained later.

The printing device is controlled via one in FIG. 3 schematically shown printer control, whose basic structure from PCT / DE95 / 00635 is known. The The printing device is operated via a control panel display 31 in the form of a touch screen screen.

The one attached to the developer station 14 Identification arrangement 30 of FIG. 1 has a structure such as he is shown in Fig. 2. The Identification arrangement consists of several, on one Printed circuit board 32 arranged electronic modules that over Control lines to a microprocessor control with each other are connected. As a central unit with associated Memory 33 is an 8-bit processor with an on-chip EPROM provided. It is connected to a digital-to-analog converter 34 with connections 35 and an analog-digital converter 36 with associated connection 37. Furthermore is coupled to the central unit via a line non-volatile memory 43 in the form of an EEPROM. A Data interface 38 ensures connection to a Communication interface, which is designed as a CAN bus 39 is. This CAN bus couples the identification arrangement 30 with the higher-level process control of the device, namely the device control 40.

Arranged in the developer station 14 are a plurality of inductive and analog toner concentration sensors 41 and one or more temperature sensors 42. The toner concentration sensors 41 inductively determine the ratio of the carrier particles consisting of iron to the toner particles of the developer mixture, taking into account the ambient temperature and sheet counter reading and, if appropriate, taking into account other influencing factors. This determines the need for fresh toner and communicates it to the device control. This actuates the corresponding fresh toner supply device in the device.
In order to be able to take into account the influencing variables such as ambient temperature, sheet counter reading and, for example, sheet size, the operating point of the toner concentration sensors 41 is tracked via the digital-analog converter 34 with its connection 35, the digital-analog converter converting the digital signals of the central unit 33 into corresponding analog signals implemented for the toner concentration sensor 41.

The data on sheet counter reading and sheet size, if applicable the central unit 33 via the device control 40 and the CAN bus 39 transmitted.

The analog measurement result of the toner concentration sensors 41 and the temperature sensors 42 is connected to the terminal 37 Analog-to-digital converter 36 supplied with the analog data implemented in digital for the central unit 33.

The calculated measurement result and thus the percentage Ratio between carrier and toner particles is digital in stored the non-volatile memory 43 (EEPROM). The the same applies to those supplied by the device control 40 Data about sheet counter reading and e.g. Sheet size. The dropping the data is, for example, in the form of a Data log listing the entire history. In order to this data is always with the identification arrangement 30 permanently connected developer station 14 and can after replacing the developer station 14 directly from the not volatile memory 43 are accessed. About this exchange To enable the CAN bus 39 via a connector 44 connected to the data interface 38. When exchanging the Developer station 14, the connector is released, the Developer station removed and the new developer station inserted and the connector 44 closed again.

The device control 40 contains according to the illustration 3 several microprocessor-controlled subsystems in Form of sub-modules. The submodule 45 is for the Control of the paper transport responsible, the submodule 46 for the slip control of the record carrier or the Paper transport as described in PCT / DE95 / 00635 is. The submodule 47 of the device control controls the Fuser and submodule 48 the basic unit. The Submodule Basic Unit 48 controls the negative pressure Toner concentration and provides the central clock of the system. This submodule 48 is via the serial interface (CAN bus 39) coupled to the identification arrangement 30. The is also connected to the submodule 48 Display device 31 Toner concentration sensors 41 and temperature sensors 42 determined age of the toner is visually displayed. It can also be called up on the display 31 Sheet counter reading and all in non-volatile memory 43 (EEPROM) saved data protocol.

In the illustrated embodiment, the Sensors the state of aging of the developer mixture. It However, additional parameters of the To control or record the development process. This can e.g. the change in bias voltage on the Be developer rollers. For this purpose, the Central unit 33 of the identification arrangement 30 one Reserve connection 49 on.

In addition to the data mentioned in the volatile memory 43 also the specific Identification data of the developer station saved. This are e.g. the serial number and type of developer station. These data are saved when the Developer station in the non-volatile memory 43 entered and remain stored there for retrieval. You can like the other data with the aid of the display device 31 (Screen) can be visualized.

Using the above Identification arrangement it is possible to use several Developer stations in an electrophotographic Pressure device depending on the usage use. It is also possible in a device park with a variety of electrophotographic Printing equipment whenever color printing is desired the corresponding one from a supply of developer stations Select developer station and into the printer with the insert the requested color print job. Type of Developer station, its state of aging and the Aging status of the developer mix are automatic when replacing the device control 40 from the not volatile memory 43 and the operator over the Control surface 31 provided. It is also possible, depending on the content of the data log of the not volatile memory to call 43 warning procedures. Is e.g. the developer mixture aged so much that as a result of Coating the carrier particles need to be replaced, this procedure will take place on Screen 31 is displayed and printing is interrupted or prevented his admission.

It is also conceivable to use mobile query control design with which it is possible to determine the operating states of the stored developer station by connecting to this Control independent of the device controls of the to query electrophotographic printing devices.

The invention has been described above on the basis of an interchangeable one Developer station described. Of course it is The principle according to the invention also applies to other interchangeable modules such as fuser, feeder, turning station etc applicable.

Panel process control

4 contains one Control panel process control the actual display 31 and one Microprocessor or PC control 50. As an input device serves a touch screen control 51. Instead of the touch screen input is also a keyboard input possible. Connected to the PC control (central unit) a memory 52 in the form of a hard disk. It serves as System storage device for storing the system history. Another is connected to the PC control non-volatile memory 53 in the two mapping tables 54/1 and 54/2 are saved. The assignment table 54/1 contains the possible operating data of the individual units such as e.g. Counter reading and toner type with the assigned System data such as toner concentration at the required Toner type or other electrophotography settings on the corresponding counter reading. These operating data are also in the identification arrangement 30 is stored. The Assignment table 54/1 ensures the corresponding assignment one data type to another. In the assignment table 54/2 Included are the identification numbers, i.e. the type of Individual units 18, 28 and those to the Operating data belonging to identification numbers such as Meter reading and toner type. The process controller 50 is on the one hand functionally (data bus) coupled with the individual sub-assemblies 14, 18, 28, on the other hand with the Process control arrangement 40 (device control). At a special embodiment can Panel process control arrangement 50 with one Remote interrogator 55 communicating through which it is possible, e.g. the contents of the memories 52 or 53 query in order to do so at a distant service place Obtain information about the system history. So that is it is possible to do the actual maintenance at the device location initiate the necessary service measures and e.g. the order the necessary spare parts. This Remote interrogation device can, as usual, at Data communications known remote interrogation device be trained.

Control panel process control function

As already described, the memory 53 contains two different mapping tables that over the Control panel process control arrangement 50 are evaluated. In the first assignment tables 54/1 are in a first The operating data such as toner type and meter reading are listed in a row of tables arranged. The counter reading is an internal counter reading the number of pages printed. He gives information about the Aging state. In a second row of tables are the corresponding system data to be called up. This can e.g. be the required toner concentration at the corresponding toner type or generally those of the Process data of the process data to be set Electrophotography process. In the second Mapping tables 54/2 are in a first row of tables saved the identification numbers of the various Sub-units, these identification numbers at Inserting the sub-aggregates either saved automatically or they are via the input device 51 entered manually. Associated with these identification numbers are the operating data such as Toner type and counter reading. Both allocation table 54/1 and allocation table 54/2 are evaluated by the control panel process control and the system data or operating data of the Process control arrangement (device control) 40 supplied.

When the device starts up from idle mode, the device asks Device control (process control 40) the sub-units 14, 18th or their electronic modules 47, 48 according to the stored Operating states and transfers the data to the Control panel unit or the control panel process control arrangement 50. The panel process control arrangement 50 compares that supplied operating data with the saved Operating data. Are the operating data available or if they correspond to the saved operating data, the associated system data (in the example of toner the Toner concentration) passed on to the machine control. in the Malfunction trap, i.e. prevented with incorrect operating data the panel process control arrangement 50 starts up the Printer and the panel process control arrangement 50 shows that faulty operating state on the display 31. Now the control panel process control arrangement automatically checks whether in the allocation table 54/1 operating data e.g. Toner type etc. are stored from the past and provides this data on the display 31. The operator now decides whether this data should or should not be used. Will the Data is used, the corresponding operating data or the associated system data to the device controller 40 transfer.

However, it is also possible that the identification arrangement 30 on the developer station or on the sub-units is defective and the content of the EEPROM arranged there is not can be read more. In this case the operator for manual entry of the corresponding Sub-assembly identification number via the input device 51 prompted. After entering the appropriate Identification number checks the Panel process control arrangement 50 whether the appropriate Identification number contained in the assignment table 54/2 is or not. If it is included, the assigned Operating data such as toner type and counter reading called up the corresponding system data of the table 54/1 Device control 40 supplied.

This automatic procedure turns a Overall system failure due to failure of the storage hardware Sub-aggregate prevented.

It is also possible that the printer described type a sub-unit of older design grown is that no identification arrangement 30 or EEPROM having. The corresponding basic unit 48 of the sub-assembly recognizes this, for example, from a coding of the Sub-assembly, for example, that a certain pin of a plug has no contact. In this case the device control performed a similar procedure as just described. The operator becomes manual again Enter the corresponding sub-assembly identification number prompted via the input device 51. After entering the corresponding identification number checks the Panel process control arrangement 50 whether the appropriate Identification number contained in the assignment table 54/2 is or not. If it is included, the assigned Operating data such as toner type and counter reading called up the corresponding system data of the table 54/1 Device control 40 supplied. Is the identification number not contained in the assignment table 54/2, from the control panel control the corresponding data such as Toner type, meter reading etc. queried and for manual Prompted for input. From table 54/1 you can then corresponding default values entered data, for example a contrast setting of the corresponding to the toner type Developer station taken over and used for pressure control become.

FIG. 6 again illustrates the one described above Data transfer and its evaluation using the example of a Developer station as a sub-assembly. One of the Controller assigned to the developer station (basic unit) based on a coding located at the developer station in step S1 whether a developer station with data storage (IS) or a station without data storage (NIS). If there is a memory block, the Basic Unit receives in step S2 the data on the memory chip and forwards it to the main module of the in step S3 Device control 40 further. A first data type is one Identification number of the developer station. Is this ID number known, then you can already in the main module or in the associated PC control panel station-specific data be saved to control the developer station be used. The main module routes the data for this in Step S4 to the PC control panel. There is in the crotch S5 checked again whether a developer station with data (IS) or one without data (NIS). In the first case the received data is then tested for plausibility (Step S6), then specific in step S7 electrophotographic values like a KW value for the Adjust the contrast depending on the type of toner found the set. These values are entered in step S8 Main module transferred and there for data backup saved. In step S9, this data is for adjustment Transfer electrophotographic parameters to the basic unit.

In parallel with the transfer of data from the main module to PC control panel in step S4 will be the toner specific Data in step S10 also within the main module. processed. Depending on the type of toner found, Step S11 electrophotographic values to the basic unit delivered and also the current meter reading of the Developer station in step S12 within the main module secured.

If it is determined in step S5 that Developer station no data storage is available (NIS) or that certain data like the counter reading of the developer station or the toner type is not available, this data queried in step S12 and from a in step S13 corresponding memory area of the PC control panel Standard control values for the electrophotographic Process removed. In step S14, this data is sent to the Transfer main module, saved there for data backup and in step S15 the basic unit for controlling the electrophotographic parameters of the developer station fed.

system history

As already described, is with the Panel process control arrangement 50 an additional, not volatile memory (hard disk 52) coupled on the chronologically with date and time and current meter reading every error that occurs, every automatically corrected error, each sub-assembly changed (e.g. developer station), each Hardware and software change and any serious Device errors and other comparable data available are saved. This allows the system to be used in the event of an error at any time according to the saved system status restore. A bug will be fixed automatically. kick for example a communication problem between the Control panel process control arrangement 50 and device controller 40 on, i.e. if this communication is interrupted, then by calling up the corresponding data from the System storage device 52 automatically communicates rebuilt. That means the system will synchronized and the data of the control panel with the Data from system storage device 52 updated.

Also stored in the system storage device 52 Error rates. E.g. in the developer station with the identification number A accumulates when used Errors, e.g. If the toner concentration is too low, saved this error rate. The next time you log in system maintenance by docking the service technician in the process control arrangement 50 in the service dialog reports the Process control arrangement on the display 31 the heaped Occurrence of this error. This allows the service technician the developer station with the identification number A as identify unreliable sub-assembly and the fault remedy.

This query of system history is also about Remote interrogation device 55 possible. To do this, the Service technicians from the service control center working somewhere is located far away from the unit in which System history. The warnings described and the Information about the frequency of errors with associated The sub-assembly's identification number is automatically sent to him transmitted. So that he can actually reach the Service point with the device system maintenance optimal to prepare.

However, there are other special ones to fix the bugs Algorithms conceivable. This is how the system maintenance is registered first checked whether since the last system maintenance additional stored data in the system history available. If there is no new data, you can inevitably no data is available for fault diagnosis be put. In the meantime are system data have been saved, they are described in the Way evaluated.

Wireless data transmission

In Figure 5, a toner supply device 56 is one Developer station 14 shown, the toner container 57th contains. The toner 59 therein is removed by means of a Suction nozzle 58 sucked out of the toner container 57 and others Components of the developer station 14 supplied. The Suction nozzle 58 is depending on the level of toner in the Toner container 57 moved along the guide rods 60. A bellows 61 covers the filling opening of the toner container and protects other components of the developer station 14 from pollution. The toner container 57 is in one Receptacle 62, which has a hinge 63 inside the printer is pivotable. Details of this developer station are described in US 5,074,342, the content of which is hereby is incorporated by reference into the description.

The toner container 57 is provided with a chip card 64 which an electronic memory (EEPROM), a Control circuit (IC) and an antenna via which wireless data transfer to a reading station 65 can. The reading station 65 can optionally at the Developer station 14 or attached to the printer housing and is connected to the via a cable connection (e.g. CAN bus) Process control arrangement 40 connected. It can do both Data exchange with the chip card 64 as well Carry out power supply for the chip card 64. details Such smart cards and reading stations are for example in US 5,262,712, the content of which is hereby is also incorporated by reference.

In the illustrated embodiment, are in memory (EEPROM) of the toner bottle, for example, the type of toner whose The color and the fill level of the bottle are saved. The The fill level is running during the operation of the printing unit updated by determining the amount of toner removed and is subtracted from the initial level. This makes it possible Toner bottles partially emptied out of the developer station remove and later in the same or in another device reuse. In a simplified embodiment can also print pages instead of the exact fill level be saved, from which the amount of residual toner is rough can be estimated.

Although some of the above embodiments have a Plug connection (CAN bus) and others with wireless Data transmission (IC chip) were described, it is clear that the type of data transmission within the scope of the invention in each case is transferable from one embodiment to another. With wireless data transmission, the energy of capacitive or inductive coupling outside. Further can be provided in the printing or copying machine central communication interface (transmitter and / or Receiver) to be provided with a variety of Sub-units communicate wirelessly, so that Data transmission is further simplified.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Record carriers, paper

11

Photoconductor drum

12

loader

13

character generator

14

developer station

15

transfer station

16

cleaning station

17

unloading

18

fuser

21

feeding

22

internal stacking facility

23

storage area

24

feed rollers

25

transport means

26

print module

27

rails

28

turning device

29

Return channel

30

identification system

31

Control panel

32

circuit board

33

central processing unit

34

Digital to analog converter

35

Connection

36

Analog to digital converter

37

Connection

38

Data Interface

39

CAN bus

40

device control

41

Toner concentration sensor

42

temperature sensor

43

non-volatile memory EEPROM

44

Connector on the CAN bus

45

Paper transport submodule

46

traverse

47

Submodule fuser

48

Submodule basic unit

49

reserve connection

50

Panel process control

51

Input device, touch screen, keyboard

52

System storage device (hard disk)

53

Storage device for allocation tables

54/1

Assignment table, operating data system data

54/2

Assignment table identification data-operating data

55

Remote device

56

Toner supply means

57

toner container

58

proboscis

59

toner

60

guide rods

61

bellow

62

receptacle

63

hinge

64

data storage

65

reading station

Claims (27)

1. Printing or copying device which contains one or more modularly constructed, exchangeable part units (14, 18, 28, 26), wherein a part unit (14) to be identified can have an identification arrangement (30) with a non-volatile memory (43) for the storage of operating data of the part unit (14), which operating data are assigned to functionally relevant operating states, wherein the printing or copying device comprises a communication interface (38, 39) for the detachable coupling of the identification arrangement (30) to a process control arrangement (40) of the device, and wherein a controller (48) is provided, which, after installation of the part unit (14, 18, 26, 28), carries out the following steps:

   a) After a part unit (14, 18, 28, 26) has been installed in the printing or copying device, a check is made, by means of a read station (48, 65), to see whether there is an electronic data memory (43, 64) and/or predetermined data of a first data type on the part unit (14, 18, 28, 26),

   b) if there is no data memory (43, 64) or data of the first data type are missing on a present data memory (43, 64), a message for the input of data of the first data type is output.
2. Printing or copying device according to claim 1, wherein the controller (48) provided carries out the following further step:

   if there is no data memory (43, 64), after input of the data of the first data type, data of a second data type are taken from a memory (53) belonging to the printing or copying device and fed to the process control arrangement (40).
3. Printing or copying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller (48) provided carries out the following further step:

   if there is no data memory (43, 64), the data of the first data type and data of a second data type are taken from a memory (53) belonging to the printing or copying device and fed to the process control arrangement (40).
4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller (48) provided carries out the following further step:

   if the data memory (43, 64) is present and data of the first data type are missing, the missing data are interrogated via an operating panel (31, 51), are input and fed to the process control arrangement (40).
5. Printing or copying device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller (48) provided carries out the following further step:

   if there are data of the first data type present, these are read from the data memory (43, 64) by the read station (65) and fed to the process control arrangement (40).
6. Printing or copying device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, having sensors (41, 42) which register operating states, are assigned to the part units (14) and are connected to the identification arrangement (30) and/or the communication interface (38, 39), the identification arrangement (30) having an internal interrogation device (33) which, during the operation of the part unit (14), stores operating data in the non-volatile memory (43).
7. Printing or copying device according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the process control arrangement (40) has a process interrogation device (31, 33) which, when the part units (14) are being commissioned, reads out operating data from the non-volatile memory (43) and/or during operation of the part unit (14) stores operating data in the non-volatile memory (43).
8. Printing or copying device according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the process control arrangement (40) is coupled to a display device (31) which displays selectable operating data.
9. Printing or copying device according to claim 8, wherein the display device (31) has an input device for the input of selectable operating data.
10. Printing or copying device according to one of the claims 1 to 9, having an EPROM as non-volatile memory (43).
11. Printing or copying device according to one of the claims 1 to 10, having a communication interface (38, 39) which effects an at least partly wire-free data transmission between part unit (14) and process control arrangement (40).
12. Printing or copying device according to one of the claims 1 to 11, having a CAN bus (39) as communication interface.
13. Printing or copying device according to one of the claims 1 to 12, having a developer station (14) exchangeably arranged in the device as part unit.
14. Printing or copying device according to one of the claims 1 to 13, wherein the operating data assigned to functionally relevant operating states being stored as a data record which, for each part unit (14) individually and unequivocally, permits an exact tracing of the operating states including operating faults.
15. Printing or copying device according to one of the claims 1 to 14, having an operating panel which firstly is coupled to the process control arrangement (40), secondly is coupled to the identification arrangement or arrangements (30) of the part units (14, 18, 28, 26), the operating panel having an operating panel process controller (50) which uses the operating data of the part units (14, 18) to generate system data to be fed to the process control arrangement (40).
16. Printing or copying device according to claim 15, having a memory device (53) which is assigned to the operating panel process controller (50) and accommodates allocation tables (54/1, 54/2).
17. Printing or copying device according to claim 16, wherein the operating data with the associated system data are stored in a first allocation table (54/1), and identification data assigned to the part units (14, 18) are stored in a second allocation table (54/2) together with the associated operating data.
18. Printing or copying device according to one of claims 15 to 17, having a further system memory device (52) assigned to the operating panel process controller and containing the system history.
19. Printing or copying device according to one of claims 15 to 18, having a remote interrogation device (55), which can be coupled to the operating panel process controller (50), for the remote interrogation of data assigned to operating states.
20. Method for operating a printing or copying device, which contains one or more modularly constructed, exchangeable part units (14, 18, 28, 26), a part unit (14) to be identified having an identification arrangement (30) with a non-volatile memory (43) for the storage of operating data of the part unit (14), which operating data are assigned to functionally relevant operating states, the printing or copying device comprising a communication interface (38, 39) for the detachable coupling of the identification arrangement (30) to a process control arrangement (40) of the device, and wherein after installation of the part unit (14, 18, 26, 28), the following steps are carried out:

    a) After a part unit (14, 18, 28, 26) has been installed in the printing or copying device, a check is made, by means of a read station (48, 65), to see whether there is an electronic data memory (43, 64) and/or predetermined data of a first data type on the part unit (14, 18, 28, 26),

    b) if there is no data memory (43, 64) or data of the first data type are missing on a present data memory (43, 64), a message for the input of data of the first data type is output.
21. Method according to claim 20, wherein the following further step is carried out:

    if there is no data memory (43, 64), after input of the data of the first data type, data of a second data type are taken from a memory (53) belonging to the printing or copying device and fed to the process control arrangement (40).
22. Method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the following further step is carried out:

    if there is no data memory (43, 64), the data of the first data type and data of a second data type are taken from a memory (53) belonging to the printing or copying device and fed to the process control arrangement (40).
23. Method according to claim 20 to 22, wherein the following further step is carried out:

    if the data memory (43, 64) is present and data of the first data type are missing, the missing data are interrogated via an operating panel (31, 51), are input and fed to the process control arrangement (40).
24. Method according to one of the claims 20 to 23, wherein the following further step is carried out:

    if there are data of the first data type present, these are read from the data memory (43, 64) by the read station (65) and fed to the process control arrangement (40).
25. Method according to one of the claims 20 to 24, characterized in that a wire-free data transmission takes place between data memory (43, 64) and read station (65).
26. Method according to one of the claims 20 to 25, wherein a developer station (14) is used as part unit.
27. Method according to one of the claims 20 to 26, wherein a toner container (57) is used as part unit.

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