JP2001209219A - Image forming device and its device unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which is constituted of a main body and a device unit capable of being attached to/detached from the main body, and in which the main body reads and writes information possessed by the device unit by using a radio signal, and further the radio signal is transmitted from the main body to the device unit at the time of starting or stopping, so that the device unit sends the preserved information as a reply to the main body based on the transmitted signal by using the radio signal or rewrites the preserved information. SOLUTION: A CPU 14 in the main body of a color laser beam printer 1 and non-volatile memories 203 to 207 installed in the device unit have such structure that signal transmission/reception is performed by using the radio signal through antennas 211 and 229. At the time of starting or stopping the printer 1, the radio signal is transmitted from the main body to the device unit, so that the device unit sends the preserved information as a reply to the image forming device main body based on the transmitted signal by using the radio signal or rewrites the preserved information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium and an apparatus unit thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed as a cartridge and can be detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. A process cartridge system is adopted. With this method,
Easy maintenance of the device, such as replacement of consumables, can be performed by the user himself without relying on a service person.

In the case of a laser printer of a monochromatic output, the above-mentioned process cartridge includes at least one of a charger, a developing device, or a cleaning device integrated with an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device. And an electrophotographic photosensitive member, or at least a developing device and an electrophotographic photosensitive member.

On the other hand, in a color laser beam printer having a large developing device, a process cartridge (photosensitive drum) in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a "photosensitive drum"), a charging device, a cleaning device, and a removed toner container are integrated. (Main body drum cartridge) and developing cartridges for each color containing magenta, cyan, yellow, and black toners can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, thereby achieving the same maintainability as a single-color output laser printer. ing.

In such an image forming apparatus, for example, when the functions of the components incorporated in the process cartridge are deteriorated due to long-term use, the entire process cartridge is replaced. Also, when all the toner in the developing device cartridge is consumed, the entire developing device cartridge is replaced. These exchange operations open the image forming apparatus main body,
Remove the old process cartridge or developing unit cartridge from the inside of the main unit, and install a new process cartridge or developing unit cartridge into the main unit.
This is an extremely simple operation, which can be easily performed by the operator.

More recently, the following techniques have been proposed in order to compensate for individual differences between cartridges to obtain a stable output and to perform more accurate maintenance.

(1) An electronic device such as a memory is mounted on a process cartridge, and data such as manufacturing conditions are written in the electronic device at the time of shipment. When this cartridge is mounted, the image forming apparatus main body forms an image under the optimum conditions of the process cartridge with reference to the data.

(2) The remaining life of the photosensitive drum is detected during image formation, and the remaining data is stored in a memory provided in the cartridge. The image forming apparatus main body refers to the life expectancy data and gives a notice of replacement time and the like.

(3) The diagnostic data of the process cartridge diagnosed by the image forming apparatus main body is stored in a memory provided in the process cartridge. Then, at the time of abnormality or maintenance, the serviceman refers to the contents of the memory and uses it for determining the state.

The above technique is realized by mounting an electronic device such as a nonvolatile memory in a process cartridge.
In a conventional process cartridge equipped with these electronic devices, an electronic device and a connector are mounted on a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board is mounted on the process cartridge.

When the electric components are mounted on the process cartridge detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus as described above, an I / O such as a nonvolatile memory is mounted on a printed circuit board.
C, electronic components such as diodes, resistors, capacitors and connectors for protecting the IC from external surge pulses are mounted.

Further, a method of transmitting and receiving signals between the control circuit in the main body of the image forming apparatus and the electronic device of the process cartridge via a connector has been adopted.

[0013]

However, when signals are transmitted and received by directly connecting the control circuit in the image forming apparatus and the memory of the process cartridge by a connector as in the above example, the following inconvenience occurs. Was. Hereinafter, the device unit is a generic name of a process cartridge, a developing device cartridge, and the like.

1. It is virtually impossible to provide the above function to an apparatus unit that moves in the image forming apparatus, for example, a rotary developing cartridge of a color laser beam printer.

2. For a device unit that is subject to vibration,
It is necessary to take measures to prevent the contact of the connector from causing a contact failure due to the vibration, which increases the cost of the connector.

3. It is necessary to enhance the durability of the contacts of the connector and the toner resistance such as toner contamination, which increases the cost.

Therefore, signals are transmitted and received between the control circuit in the main body of the image forming apparatus and the rotating developing cartridge.
A system that does not use connector wiring is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including a main body and a device unit detachable from the main body, wherein the information held by the device unit is stored in the main body. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reading and writing using a wireless signal and an apparatus unit thereof. Further, an object of the present invention is to transmit a wireless signal from the main body to the apparatus unit when starting and stopping the image forming apparatus, return information to be stored based on the signal to the main body by a wireless signal, or rewrite the stored information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and an apparatus unit for the apparatus.

[0019]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is, an image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus main body and a device unit detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the main body and the device unit each include a communication unit that can communicate with each other by a wireless signal. Provided.

Preferably, in the image forming apparatus, the apparatus unit has a memory unit for storing predetermined information, and the communication unit communicates information stored in the memory unit. Preferably, any one of the driving power of the memory unit of the image forming apparatus and the communication unit of the apparatus unit is supplied by the wireless signal.

Preferably, the apparatus unit of the image forming apparatus moves while being mounted on the main body.

Preferably, the apparatus unit of the image forming apparatus further includes a determination unit configured to determine whether a communication unit included in the main body requests communication.

Preferably, the determining means of the image forming apparatus determines whether the main body is based on whether or not a predetermined identification number is included in a radio signal received by the communication means of the apparatus unit. It is determined whether the received signal is a wireless signal to be received from the communication means.

Preferably, the apparatus unit of the image forming apparatus further includes a power cut-off means for cutting off the supply of the driving power to the communication means when the determination means determines that the communication request has not been made. .

Preferably, the device unit of the image forming apparatus includes at least one of a process cartridge, a developing device cartridge, an intermediate transfer device, and a fixing device. Preferably, the device unit of the image forming apparatus has a single color developer used for forming a color image.

Preferably, the communication unit of the image forming apparatus updates information stored in the memory unit of the device unit when the main body is started and / or stopped. The apparatus unit of the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is, a device unit that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus and that can communicate with a communication unit provided on the main body by a wireless signal is provided.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a memory for storing predetermined information, and the communication means communicates the information stored in the memory.

[0028] Preferably, the driving power of one of the memory means and the communication means of the device unit is supplied by the radio signal.

[0029] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a judging means for judging whether or not the communication means of the main body requests communication.

[0030] Preferably, the discriminating means receives the radio signal received by the communication means of the device unit from a communication means of the main body depending on whether or not a predetermined identification number is included in the radio signal. It is determined whether it is a radio signal to be performed.

Preferably, there is further provided a power cutoff means for cutting off the supply of the driving power to the communication means when the judgment means judges that the communication request has not been made.

Preferably, the device unit includes a process cartridge, a developing device cartridge, an intermediate transfer device,
At least one of the fixing devices is included.

Preferably, the apparatus unit has a single color developing material used for forming a color image.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[Overall Functional Configuration Diagram] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration when using a color laser beam printer 1 which is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The color laser beam printer 1 comprises a printer controller 2, a printer engine 3, and a display 50. The printer controller 2
When the image information 5 in a predetermined description language sent from the host computer 1000 is received, the
It is output to the printer engine 3 as an M, C, Y, Bk image signal 6 composed of bits (D0 to D7).

The printer controller 2 converts bit data such as RGB read by an image reader or the like sent from the host computer 1000 into image information 5.
, The image information 5 is output to the printer engine 3 without interpretation.

Various image signals shown in FIG. 1 in addition to the image signal 6 are transmitted and received between the printer controller 2 and the printer engine 3 in the form of serial communication 15. These image signals include a synchronization signal (PS) in the sub-scanning direction sent from the printer engine 3 to the printer controller 2.
YNC), a main scanning direction synchronization signal (LSYNC), and a data transfer clock (VCLK).

The printer controller 2 outputs the image signal 6 as an 8-bit signal of each color component in synchronization with a data transfer clock (VCLK). Display 50
Is a display device for notifying the user of the status of the printer engine 3 or the printer controller 2, for example, a paper-out warning, a remaining toner amount, or printing, and is a liquid crystal display or the like. It is also possible to provide a switch on the display 50 so that the print density and the settings of the printer controller 2 can be set therefrom. [Overall Configuration of Color Laser Beam Printer] Next, the overall configuration of the color laser beam printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The color laser beam printer 1 has, for example, a resolution of 600 dots / inch (dpi),
Each pixel of each color component forms an image based on multi-valued data represented by 8 bits. As image input data, color image data generated by the host computer 1000 (for example, data represented by RGB components) And
Examples include image data generated by another image data generation device (not shown: still image recorder or the like) and stored in some storage medium.

The exposure device 73 includes a semiconductor laser 120 (FIG. 3), a laser drive circuit (not shown), a polygon mirror 1
21, scanner motor 122 (FIG. 3), imaging lens 73
b, folding mirror 73a, and BD detector 9 (FIG. 3). When an image formation start command is sent from the printer controller 2, the scanner motor 122 starts driving, and when it reaches a steady rotation, for example, a yellow image signal is transferred from the printer controller 2.

Based on this image signal, the semiconductor laser 120 of the exposure device 73 emits laser light toward the polygon mirror 121 which is rotating at a steady state. This laser light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 71 via the polygon mirror 121, the imaging lens 73b, and the return mirror 73a.

The emitted laser light is detected by a BD detector 9 arranged on the main scanning axis, and outputs a BD signal serving as a horizontal synchronization signal. As a result, the photosensitive drum 71 is scanned and exposed in synchronization with the BD signal to form an electrostatic latent image. The photosensitive drum 71 is driven in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 by a driving unit (not shown), and is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by a roller charging unit 72.

When the photosensitive drum 71 advances in the direction of the arrow, the support 75 supported on the shaft 75a rotates counterclockwise. The developing device cartridges 74a, 74
b, 74c, and 74d are accommodated. Of these, the developing device cartridge 74a that contains yellow toner rotates and stops at a position where the developing device cartridge 74a faces the photosensitive drum 71. Subsequently, the developing device cartridge 74a The latent image is developed on the photosensitive drum 71.

A primary transfer roller 64 is provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 66a at a portion facing the photosensitive drum 71, and a predetermined bias is applied to the toner on the photosensitive drum 71 from a high voltage power supply (not shown). Then, the image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 66a.

The developed toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 66 a of the intermediate transfer unit 66, and the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 71 is removed by the cleaning device 79 and stored in the removed toner container 84. .

The intermediate transfer belt 66a moves in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 by the rotation of the three support rollers 61, 62 and 63. The above-described developing process is performed using developing device cartridges 74b, 74c, and 74d in the order of magenta, cyan, and black, followed by yellow, so that toner images of four colors are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 66a in an overlapping manner. Is done.

Next, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 66a is transferred onto the transfer paper P by the secondary transfer roller 65. The transfer paper P is transported from the paper feeding device 76 by the transporting means 77 at this timing. The transfer paper P on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the heating / pressure fixing device 78, and the toner image is melted and fixed, so that a color image is formed on the transfer paper P.

The color laser beam printer 1 of this embodiment outputs an image at a resolution of 600 dots / inch (dpi) through the above-described image forming process.

The configuration of the device unit is as follows. The process cartridge 90 includes a roller charging unit 72, a cleaning device 79, and a removed toner container 84, and is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 13 by the mounting guide unit 80. Also, each of the developing device cartridges 74a to 74
d is attached to and detached from the support 75 provided on the apparatus main body 13. With these configurations, the user can easily exchange the above members. [Functional Configuration of Printer Engine] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printer engine 3 of the color laser beam printer 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the reference clock from the reference oscillator 10 of the exposure device 73 is
Divided by one. Using the motor control circuit 12, the scanner motor 122 is rotated at a constant speed so that the feedback signal from the scanner motor 122 has a predetermined phase difference with respect to the divided reference clock. The motor control circuit 12 incorporates a known phase control circuit (not shown) and controls the rotation of the scanner motor 122 by the polygon mirror 12.
1 to rotate the polygon mirror 121 at a constant speed.

On the other hand, when the intermediate transfer belt 66a comes to a predetermined position by the rotation of the drive motor (not shown), the detector 8 generates a vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC). After the vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC) is output, the BD signal generated by the detector 9 in the exposure device 73 is used as the horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC), and the image signal (VDO) is sequentially synchronized with the BD signal. The light is sent to the semiconductor laser 120.

The CPU 14 built in the signal processing unit 4 performs serial communication with the printer controller 2 via the communication line 15 to exchange control signals and synchronize the operations of the printer controller 2 and the printer engine 3. The CPU 14 wirelessly communicates with the photosensitive drum memory 207 with respect to the magenta developing device memory 203, cyan developing device memory 204, yellow developing device memory 205, and black developing device memory 206.

The signal output from the CPU 14 is converted into a serial signal and then modulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 210.
The data is transmitted to the developing device memories (non-volatile memory means) 203 to 206 and the photosensitive drum memory 207 via the antenna 211 or 229. Each of the developing device memories 203 to 206 and the photosensitive drum memory 2
Reference numeral 07 denotes an EEPROM 240 (see FIG. 7) installed in the developing units 74a to 74d of the respective colors and the process cartridge 90.
See). [Signal Timing] FIG. 4 shows a vertical synchronizing signal (VSYN) transmitted from the CPU 14 in the image forming process.
C), a horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC), and an image signal (V
9 shows an example of the timing when D0) is output as a rectangular waveform. M (magenta) data, C (cyan) data, Y
An example is shown in which image signals are output in the order of (yellow) data and Bk (black) data. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the modulation / demodulation unit 210 of the signal processing unit 4. CPU1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a chip select signal (hereinafter referred to as a “CS signal”) 224 to 228 which is a signal necessary for accessing each of the developing devices 74 a to 74 d and each of the memories 203 to 207 mounted on the process cartridge 90, and a clock signal. (Hereinafter referred to as “SCK signal”) 221, a data output signal (hereinafter referred to as “DO”) 222, a data input signal (hereinafter referred to as “DI”) 223, and memories 203 to 2
A signal (hereinafter, referred to as “RFON”) 220 for instructing transmission of a wireless signal for controlling the control signal 07 is transmitted to a parallel-serial conversion unit 213 (hereinafter, referred to as “PS conversion unit”) at the next stage.

The CS signal is provided for each device unit. That is, CSm224 is a CS signal of the magenta developing device memory 203, CSc225 is a CS signal of the cyan developing device memory 204, and CSy22
6 is a CS signal of the yellow developing device memory 205,
CSk 227 is a CS signal of the black developing device memory 206, and CSo 228 is a CS signal of the photosensitive drum memory 207.

The PS converter 213 converts the output signal from the CPU 14 into a start-stop synchronization signal, that is, a start bit (S
T) and a stop bit (SP) are added to convert the signal into a serial signal 231, and this signal is input to the ASK unit. AS
The K unit 214 converts the input signal into digital amplitude modulation (ASK: Amplitude Shift Keyi).
ng), and outputs a signal 212. Here, ASK unit 2
Reference numeral 14 includes an oscillator 215 (oscillation frequency f1: kHz) for oscillating a predetermined sine wave and an analog switch 216.

The waveform shaping section 218 and the demodulating section 2 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 19 denotes a unit that converts wireless signals transmitted from the memories 203 to 207 of each device unit, which will be described later in detail. [Signal Waveform] FIG. 6 shows the waveform of each signal in FIG. The serial signal 231 includes a start bit (L for one bit).
OW signal) and stop bit (HI bit for 1.5 bits)
GH signal) can represent information of 4 bits. Counting from the start bit of the serial signal 231, the first bit is CS signals 224 to 228, and the second bit is S signal.
CK signal 221, third bit is DO signal 222, fourth bit
The bit is the DI signal 223. The signal 212 is A
This is an SK output signal, and this signal is transmitted from the antenna 211 to each of the device unit memories 203 to 207. In addition, the antenna 211 and the antenna 229 are configured by a coil having several turns of a lead wire. [Block Diagram of Memory of Device Unit] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of each of the memories 203 to 207 mounted on each device unit. 7, a signal processing unit 4 (FIG. 5)
The ASK signal 212 transmitted from the antenna 211 or the antenna 229 is received by the receiving coil 235 by electromagnetic induction and sent to the demodulation unit 237 and the power generation unit 242. The receiving coil 235 and the capacitor 236 are
A resonance circuit is formed, and a radio signal (f1 kHz
Only z) is designed to be transmitted to the demodulation unit 237 and the power generation unit 242.

The power generation section 242 includes a rectifier circuit (not shown) and a clamp circuit (not shown) for preventing the voltage from being higher than +3 V. The power generation section 242 generates a signal when the receiving coil 235 is excited by the ASK signal 212. Rectified to generate a + 3V power supply. The demodulation unit 237 demodulates the received ASK signal 212, transmits the demodulated signal 249 to the waveform shaping unit 238, and the waveform shaping unit 238 converts the received demodulated signal 249 into a digital signal 250. Then, the converted digital signal 250 is converted into a CS signal 258 and an SCK signal 259 from a serial signal including a start bit and a stop bit by a next-stage SP converter 239.
And a DI signal 260 (input to the data input pin DI from the EEPROM 240).
Sent to 0.

Here, the EEPROM 240 checks the received signal and transmits a signal 261 from the data output pin DO in the read mode. The transmitted output signal 261 is transmitted to the signal 25 via the SP converter 239.
3 is input to the ASK unit 244. ASK section 244 composed of oscillating section 245 and analog switch 246
Converts the signal 253 to an ASK-modulated signal 256. The oscillation frequency (f2 kHz) of the oscillation unit 245 of the ASK unit 244 is different from the frequency of the oscillation unit 215 of FIG. [Memory Contents] FIG. 8 shows the contents of the magenta developing device memory 203 as an example of the contents stored in the EEPROM 240. The EEPROM 240 has a read-only area (512 bits) and a read / write area (512 bits). The former area includes a unit identification code 262, a serial number 263, and a date of manufacture 2
64, a life threshold 265, and the like, and the latter area includes the cumulative number of used prints 266. here,
The unit identification code 262 specifies which one of the developing device memories 203 to 206, for example, has the following code system.

<Unit Identification Code><Type of Unit> 000 Magenta Developing Unit Cartridge 001 Cyan Developing Unit Cartridge 010 Yellow Developing Unit Cartridge 011 Black Developing Unit Cartridge 100 Photosensitive Drum Cartridge Here, the cumulative number of used prints 266 is sequentially updated. When the cumulative number of used prints 266 reaches the life threshold 265, it is determined that the developing device cartridge has reached the end of its life, and a warning notifying the user of replacement of the developing device cartridge is transmitted to the CPU 14, and the CPU 14 transmits the warning. The warning is displayed on the display 50.

Here, the CPU 14 first selects the identification code 000 of the magenta developer cartridge to be accessed from the unit identification code 262 and transmits it, and then the EE sent from the magenta developer cartridge.
Unit identification code 26 described in PROM 240
Read 2 Next, the CPU 14 compares the received identification number with the identification code 000 of the magenta developer cartridge by the ID comparison unit 241 shown in FIG. If the comparison results in a match, the ID comparison unit 241 outputs a signal 254 notifying the match, and further executes EE to enable access to the memory 203 of the magenta developing device cartridge.
The power for the power supply of the PROM 240 is continuously supplied by turning on the switch 247, and the memory control signals 258 to 260 from the CPU 14 are made valid.

On the other hand, the switch 247 is turned off for the developing unit cartridge memory whose IDs do not match as a result of the comparison so as to invalidate the access to the developing unit memory by the CPU 14, and the power supply to the EEPROM 240 is reduced. The supply is stopped, and the memory control signal 2
58 to 260 are not output.

As described above, the CPU 14 transmits the unit identification code 262 of the memory to the designated developing device cartridge (magenta developing device cartridge 74b) to be accessed, and sets the corresponding magenta developing device memory 203 to the read or write state. The self-determination is made on the magenta developer cartridge memory 203 side to make the memory contents accessible.

Here, FIG. 6 also shows waveforms for explaining the above operation. That is, the waveform 251 shown in FIG. 6 is a voltage signal generated by the power generation unit 242, and the waveform 258 is a C signal generated by the SP conversion unit 239.
The waveform of the S signal 259 is the SCK signal generated by the SP converter 239, the waveform 260 is the DO signal generated by the SP converter 239, and the waveform 261 is the EEPROM 24.
0 is a DI signal that is output from 0.
An ASK signal generated by the signal.

The ASK signal 256 transmitted from each of the developing device memories 203 to 206 is transmitted to the antenna 21 of the signal processing unit 4.
1 is received. Then, the received signal is converted by the demodulation unit 219 and the waveform shaping unit 218 of the signal processing unit in FIG. 5 and then input to the DI port 223 of the CPU 14. CP
U14 captures a signal and captures necessary data at a point indicated by A in FIG. 223 is an output signal of the waveform shaping unit 218. [Timing of Communication Protocol] FIG.
FIG. 4 shows an example of the timing of the communication protocol of the EEPROM 240. A read protocol of the microwire type EEPROM 240 will be described below.

First, an external circuit makes the chip select signal CS valid for the EEPROM 240 at "H".
In synchronization with the signal and the clock signal SCK, a signal is transmitted in the order of a start bit “0”, “1”, an operation code, and an address. When these signals are received, EEPRO
M240 enters the read mode, and subsequently, at the timing shown in FIG. 9, one word (1
(6 bits) data DO is output. The operation code is 2-bit instruction information for designating the EEPROM 240 (FIG. 7) and sets modes such as write, read, and data erase. [Reading Sequence of Memory Contents at Startup] FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing a sequence of reading out the contents of the memory when starting the color laser beam printer 1 in the memory of each device unit. In FIG. 10, a description will be given by taking a magenta developing device (the unit identification code 262 is 000) as an example.

First, in step S289, when the magenta developing device memory 203 receives a transmission signal from the CPU 14 of the color laser beam printer 1, the process proceeds to step S290, where each circuit in the magenta developing device memory 203 is processed. A power supply voltage (VCC) for operation is generated. Next, in step S291, the generated power supply voltage is
The data is supplied to the EEPROM 240.

Next, the flow proceeds to step S292, where the unit identification code 262 specified by the transmission signal from the CPU 14 of the color laser beam printer 1 is read.
Next, in step S293, the read code is compared with the identification code stored in the EEPROM 240 of the magenta developing device memory 203.

If the compared identification codes match, the flow advances to step S294 to access the EEPROM 240 and read the stored contents. Then, the process proceeds to step S295 to check the contents of the memory. here,
Check for a checksum error. If there is no checksum error as a result of the investigation, the series of operations is terminated.

On the other hand, if a checksum error is indicated in step S295, the magenta developer memory 2
Since 03 indicates the life of the magenta developing device 75b, the process proceeds to step S300, and a warning is issued to display an abnormality in the developing device memory on the display 50, and then a series of operations is ended. Further, step S293
If the comparison result of the unit identification codes does not match, the flow advances to step S297 to send a signal for stopping the supply of the power supply voltage to the EEPROM 240 of the magenta developing device memory 203, and then at step 298,
After stopping the control signals 258 to 260 to the EEPROM 240 of the magenta developing device memory 203, a series of operations is ended.

As described above, the contents of the memory can be grasped by the CPU 14 by performing the above operation immediately after the color laser beam printer 1 is started. [Update Sequence of Memory Contents at Startup] On the other hand, FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing a sequence for updating memory contents. First, similarly to the sequence shown in FIG. 10, first, in step S302, the magenta developing device memory 203 stores the CPU of the color laser beam printer 1 main body.
After receiving the transmission signal from step 14, step S3
In step 03, a voltage VCC for operating each circuit in the magenta developing device memory 203 is generated. Next, in step S304, a voltage is supplied to the EEPROM 240.

Next, the flow advances to step S305 to read out the unit identification code specified by the transmission signal from the CPU 14 of the color laser beam printer 1, and then to step S306, where the read out code and the EE are read.
A comparison is made with the identification code stored in PROM 240. If the compared identification codes match,
Proceeding to step S307, writing is performed to access the EEPROM 240 and update the stored contents. Next, the process proceeds to step S308 to read the updated contents of the EEPROM 240, and then proceeds to step S309 to check whether or not the data has been correctly written to the register in the CPU. If the collation results match, it is determined that normal writing has been performed, and a series of operations ends. On the other hand, if the collation results do not match in step S309, the magenta developing device memory 20
3 has a problem, the process proceeds to step S314,
The abnormality of the magenta developer memory 203 is displayed on the display 50.
A series of operations are terminated after a warning instruction is given to be displayed on the screen.

On the other hand, if the compared identification codes do not match in step S306, the process proceeds to step S31.
In step S311, the control signal 258 to 260 to the EEPROM 240 of the magenta developing device memory 203 is stopped, and a series of operations is completed.

The above description has been made with reference to the case where the color laser beam printer 1 is activated, but the present invention can be applied to the case where the color laser beam printer 1 is stopped. That is, immediately after the power of the color laser beam printer 1 is turned off, the mounting unit is rotated to perform the above-described operation,
It is also possible for the CPU 14 to update the memory contents.

In order to turn off the power of the color laser beam printer 1 and rotate the mounting unit, for example, the power supply sequence is managed by a soft switch, the mounting unit is rotated, and the memory is accessed. This is possible by performing sequence control such that the power supply is cut off.

As described above, in this embodiment, the non-volatile memory 203 to the process cartridge 90 as the device unit and the developing device cartridges 74a to 74d are provided.
Conventionally, by providing a CPU 14, an antenna coil, and a transmission / reception circuit on the color laser beam printer 1 side and writing and reading the nonvolatile memories 203 to 206 by radio signals, It is no longer necessary to directly connect to a control circuit in the image forming apparatus via a connector as in the above.

In the present embodiment, the process unit 90 and the developing unit cartridges 74a to 74d have been described as examples of the device unit, but other device units include an intermediate transfer device and a fixing device.

As described above, since the transmission and reception between the control circuit of the color laser beam printer 1 and the memory means of the device unit are performed in a non-contact manner, the device unit such as a developing cartridge moving in the color laser beam printer 1 can be used. Applicable. It is necessary to increase the durability of the contact point of the connector for directly transmitting and receiving between the control circuit in the color laser beam printer 1 and the memory means in the control unit, and the toner resistance such as toner contamination, which increases the cost. , Etc., can be solved, and highly reliable management of consumables becomes possible.

Further, by accessing the memory when the power of the color laser beam printer 1 is turned on or off, the influence of disturbance is minimized and the output level of transmission / reception can be reduced. Further, since a wireless signal is not always generated, it is advantageous for unnecessary radiation (radio wave interference).

In this embodiment, when the power of the color laser beam printer 1 is turned on, the contents of the memory are grasped.
Although the sequence for updating the memory contents when the power is turned off is used, the reverse sequence can of course be easily imagined.

In this embodiment, the color laser beam printer 1 having many kinds of consumables has been described.
It may be used for a black-and-white laser beam printer, another type of electrostatographic printer, or an inkjet type printer. If the consumable is one printer, the unit identification code 262 may be omitted.

In this embodiment, the modulation method is ASK, but the digital phase modulation PSK (Phase Shift) is used.
Keying) or other modulation schemes such as digital frequency modulation FSK. Further, in the present embodiment, the device unit is a rotary developing cartridge and a process cartridge 90. However, a nonvolatile memory unit can be similarly mounted on the intermediate transfer member or the fixing device.

[0081]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) recording software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing some or all of the actual processing, and the processing performs the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowcharts (shown in FIG. 10 and / or FIG. 11).

[0085]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus including a main body and a device unit detachable from the main body, the main body reads and writes information held by the device unit by using a radio signal. And an apparatus unit for the same. Further, when the image forming apparatus is started and stopped, a wireless signal is transmitted from the main body to the apparatus unit, and information to be stored is returned to the main body by a wireless signal based on the signal, and the stored information can be rewritten. And its device unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration when a color laser beam printer according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a color laser beam printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printer engine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the timing and waveform of each signal in an image forming process.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a modulation / demodulation unit in the signal processing unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing waveforms of respective signals.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a memory installed in each device unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in a memory installed in each device unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication protocol of a memory.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a sequence of reading out the contents of the memory at the time of startup in the memory of each device unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a sequence for reading out memory contents after updating the memory contents of each device unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

66 Intermediate transfer belt device (device unit) 71 Photoconductor drums 74a, 74b, 74c, 74d Developing cartridge (device unit) 78 Fixing device (device unit) 90 Process cartridge (device unit) 204 to 207 EEPROM (non-volatile memory means) 211,229 coil (wireless signal transmitting means) 236 coil (wireless signal receiving means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 15/20 G03G 15/08 507K F-term (Reference) 2C362 AA03 BA04 BA86 BA87 DA00 EA21 2H032 AA05 BA09 BA18 BA21 CA00 CA04 2H033 BA03 BB01 BB28 CA01 CA26 2H071 BA04 BA13 BA32 BA34 DA08 DA09 DA12 DA15 DA31 2H077 BA09 BA10 DA24 DA42 DA57 DA81 DA86 DB25

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus main body; and an apparatus unit detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the main body and the apparatus unit can communicate with each other by wireless signals. An image forming apparatus comprising communication means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said device unit has a memory unit for storing predetermined information, and said communication unit communicates information stored in said memory unit. . 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving power of any one of the memory unit and the communication unit included in the device unit is supplied by the wireless signal. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus unit moves while being mounted on the main body. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus unit further comprises a determination unit configured to determine whether a communication unit included in the main body requests communication.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit receives a predetermined identification number from a wireless signal received by the communication unit of the device unit, based on whether or not the wireless signal includes a predetermined identification number. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether the signal is a wireless signal to be transmitted. 7. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a power cutoff unit for cutting off the supply of the driving power to the communication unit when the determination unit determines that the communication request is not made. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device unit includes at least one of a process cartridge, a developing device cartridge, an intermediate transfer device, and a fixing device.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus unit has a single color developing material used for forming a color image. 10. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication unit updates information stored in the memory unit of the device unit when the main unit is started up and / or stopped. Image forming device. 11. An apparatus unit detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising a communication unit capable of communicating with a communication unit provided on the main body by a radio signal. 12. The apparatus unit according to claim 11, further comprising memory means for storing predetermined information, wherein said communication means communicates information stored in said memory means. 13. The wireless device according to claim 12, wherein the driving power of one of the memory unit and the communication unit of the device unit is supplied by the wireless signal.
An apparatus unit according to claim 1. 14. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether a communication unit included in the main body requests communication.
The device unit according to item. 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit receives the radio signal received by the communication unit of the device unit from a communication unit of the main unit according to whether a predetermined identification number is included in the radio signal. 15. The apparatus unit according to claim 14, wherein it is determined whether the signal is a wireless signal to be transmitted. 16. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a power cutoff unit for cutting off the supply of the driving power to the communication unit when the determination unit determines that the communication request is not made. Item 16. An apparatus unit according to item 15. 17. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the device unit includes at least one of a process cartridge, a developing device cartridge, an intermediate transfer device, and a fixing device. Equipment unit. 18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus unit has a single color developing material used for forming a color image.
An apparatus unit according to any one of claims 1 to 17.