JP2001222206A - Information output device and cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer main body capable of grasping the state of an exchange cartridge with respect to a printer equipped with a freely attachable and detachable exchange cartridge, even when a plurality of kinds of cartridges and state storage memories are used. SOLUTION: Memory classification information for specifying memory classification is stored in the specific area of a state storage memory 5 of an exchange cartridge 4. A data storage table with registered memory structure information for every memory classification is stored in a ROM of a CPU2 of the printer main body 10 side. Memory classification is read from the specific area of the state storage memory (S100), the data storage table is specified by using this (S101, S102), and then access is enabled to desired data from the state storage memory (S103).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information output apparatus for forming and outputting an image by an electrophotographic method and a cartridge detachably mounted on the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an information output apparatus for forming and outputting an image by an electrophotographic system, for example, in an electrophotographic printer or copier, a nonvolatile memory is mounted on a detachable drum cartridge or toner cartridge. There is an information output device and a cartridge configured to write the life of the drum, the number of prints, etc.

Conventionally, a printer and a cartridge used in this printer have been developed and manufactured and sold at the same time, and the type of memory mounted on the cartridge is limited to a specific type in advance and accessed. It was configured to be possible.

[0004]

However, although there are various types of memories, conventionally, the judgment of the memory type is left to the information output device side, and if the memory can be accessed normally, the memory can be used by itself. I could only confirm that.

On the other hand, since the number of cartridges that are consumables is large in terms of the number of units manufactured, it is difficult to use a single type of nonvolatile memory for all cartridges.
In some cases, a plurality of types of non-volatile memories are used for stable supply of parts.

For this reason, there has been a problem that the memory cannot be normally accessed if there is a difference in the address structure or the like of the memory. Further, the product life of the printer body is shorter than that of the printer itself, and the cartridge is generally sold as a consumable item for a long time even after the production of the printer is stopped. For this reason, it is conceivable that a situation in which a different type of memory must be used on the way is unavoidable. However, there is a problem that the main body of a conventional information output device (for example, a printer) can cope only with a memory structure assumed at the time of its development, and a solution has been demanded.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has, for example, the following arrangement as one means for solving the above-mentioned problems.

That is, an information output apparatus for forming and outputting an image by an electrophotographic method, comprising: an image forming means for forming an image on a image forming medium by a toner layer; and an image forming means for holding a predetermined amount of toner. And a state storage memory that stores the state of the image forming unit and the state of the toner holding unit, and specifies a type of the memory in a predetermined area of the state storage memory. The information is written.

For example, the image forming means, the toner holding means, and the state storage memory are mounted on a detachable cartridge. Alternatively, there is provided address recognition means for recognizing an address structure of the memory from information for specifying the type of the state storage memory, and the memory is accessed based on the address information recognized by the address recognition means, and the state of the cartridge is determined. Can be identified.

For example, the address recognizing means includes a table indicating at which address data in the state storage memory corresponding to the information for specifying the type of the state storage memory is stored. The destination address is information for specifying the type of the memory, and the address recognizing means reads a storage address of the table, refers to the table, and recognizes a storage address of necessary data. Alternatively, a table indicating a data structure of the state storage memory and a pointer address of the table are stored in a predetermined area of the state storage memory, and the state storage corresponding to the information specifying the type of the state storage memory is performed. Generates a table indicating at which address data in the memory is stored, updates the table of the address recognition means, generates the table of the updated address recognition means, and stores the table in the unknown state storage memory. It is also characterized in that it can be accessed.

Further, for example, the image forming means includes a photosensitive drum, and forms an image on the photosensitive drum. Alternatively, the toner holding unit includes a toner storage unit that supplies the toner held by the image forming unit in accordance with a formed image.

For example, the state storage memory is a non-volatile memory. Alternatively, the number of images for which information has been output is stored in the state storage memory. Further, the state storage memory stores a toner storage capacity in the toner storage section.

[0013] Also, a cartridge is detachably mounted on an information output device having an image forming means for forming an image on the image forming medium with a toner layer, and supplies toner to the image forming means. A first memory for updating and storing is provided, and information for specifying a type of the memory is written in a predetermined area of the first memory.

For example, the first memory stores the remaining life of the cartridge. Alternatively, the first memory has a table indicating at which address data in the memory is stored, and the storage destination address of the table is information for specifying the type of the memory. I do.

Alternatively, the information output device accesses the memory based on the address information recognized by recognizing the address structure of the memory from the information specifying the type of the first memory. Finally, the first memory is a nonvolatile memory.

The image forming apparatus further includes an image forming medium detachably mounted on an information output device for forming and outputting an image by an electrophotographic method capable of supplying a predetermined amount of toner from a toner holding unit. A cartridge capable of forming an image on the image forming medium by using a toner layer by using a toner, comprising a second memory for updating and storing the state of the cartridge, wherein the second memory is provided in a predetermined area of the second memory. It is characterized in that information for specifying the type of memory is written.

For example, the number of formed images is stored in the second memory. Or,
The second memory has a table indicating at which address data in the memory is stored, and the storage destination address of the table is information for specifying the type of the memory.

Also, for example, the information output device accesses the memory based on address information recognized by recognizing an address structure of the memory from information specifying the type of the second memory. . Alternatively, the second memory is a nonvolatile memory.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an electrophotographic printer will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to a printer, but may be a copying machine or an online printer connected to a network.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a printer main body 10.
And a CPU 2 for controlling the entire printer device 10 provided in the printer control unit. The printer control unit 2 includes a one-chip CPU having a ROM, a RAM, and various I / O control interfaces. . Reference numeral 3 denotes a printer engine unit, and reference numeral 4 denotes an exchange cartridge having an image forming unit including a photosensitive drum and a toner storage unit that stores toner and supplies toner to the image forming unit by a predetermined amount.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an E provided in the exchange cartridge 4.
This is a nonvolatile memory such as an EPROM, and stores the state of the exchange cartridge, that is, the toner storage capacity of the toner storage section, the number of information outputs (prints), and the like.

Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the image forming section and the toner storage section (toner cartridge) are integrated into and detached from the printer main body 10 in units of a replacement cartridge 4, the present embodiment is not limited to the above. The present invention is not limited to this example, and the image forming unit may be independently attached to and detached from the printer main body 10 as a drum cartridge, and the toner storage unit may be separately attached and detached as a toner cartridge.

In this case, the drum cartridge is provided with a non-volatile memory for storing drum cartridge status information indicating the life of the photosensitive drum such as the number of prints, and the toner cartridge indicates the toner cartridge status such as the toner capacity and the remaining toner amount. A nonvolatile memory for storing information is separately provided.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an interface line between the nonvolatile memory 5 and the CPU 2. The detailed configuration of the nonvolatile memory 5 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 2 and 3 are memory map diagrams showing the data structure of the nonvolatile memory according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a memory map of a non-volatile memory in which "A" is stored as a memory type information at a predetermined address (address "1" in the example of FIG. 2), and FIG. The memory map of the nonvolatile memory in which “B” is stored as the type information of the memory at the address “l”) is shown.

The data structure differs between FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, and (DATA1) is assigned to address n in the memory of FIG.
In the memory of FIG. 3, it is stored at address n + 1. In this embodiment, the data structure of the memory is stored in the predetermined memory area in this way, so that the data structure of the memory can be specified by examining the predetermined memory area.

This data structure is referred to as a CP in this embodiment.
A data storage table corresponding to the type information of the memory is provided in the ROM provided in U2, and the data in the nonvolatile memory is read by referring to the data storage table. The data content of the nonvolatile memory can be read and analyzed as follows.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data storage table stored in the ROM in the CPU 2 according to the present embodiment. The data storage table according to the present embodiment is a conversion table indicating which address (address) each data indicated by the data name in FIG. 4 is stored for each memory type.

As shown in FIG. 4, it is shown at which address certain data is stored in the memory type "A" and the memory type "B". By referring to this conversion table, desired data can be obtained. It is configured so that it can be easily identified at which address it is stored.

By updating this table, it is possible to provide a printer main body that can support exchange cartridges equipped with all types of nonvolatile memories.

For example, (DATA1) is at address n when the memory type is "A", and is (n + 1) when the memory type is "B".
(DATA3) is the address (n + 2) for the memory type “A” and n for the memory type “B”.
It can be easily identified that the address is stored.

In this embodiment having the above configuration, prior to performing image forming processing and image output processing (printing processing), the state of the replacement cartridge 4 is grasped, and When it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is low or when the image forming amount (the number of printed sheets) has reached a predetermined amount in order to estimate the life of the photosensitive drum, it is problematic to use the replacement cartridge 4. If there is no, an image forming process is executed and a known information output process (printing process) is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the replacement cartridge 4 should be replaced, control is performed such as displaying a message prompting replacement of the replacement cartridge 4.

The read control of the nonvolatile memory of the exchange cartridge 4 for this purpose will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the exchange cartridge discrimination control of this embodiment.

First, in step S100, the CPU 2 reads the memory type information stored in the specific area of the non-volatile memory 5 in the replacement cartridge 4 in which the memory type information is stored, ie, the address l.

Next, in step S101, the ROM of the CPU 2
Memory type information registered in the data storage table stored in the
This is compared with the read memory type information. In the subsequent step S102, it is determined whether or not the result of the comparison indicates that the memory type information registered in the data storage table matches the memory type information read from the mounted replacement cartridge 4.

If the replacement cartridge 4 mounted with the two types of memory matching each other has a non-volatile memory registered in the data storage table, step S
Proceeding to 103, it is determined in step S103 which data storage table to use. Then, necessary data is read from the non-volatile memory 5 using the determined data storage table, and it is determined whether or not the replacement cartridge 4 can be used as it is.

For example, when the memory type information of the nonvolatile memory is “A”, the data storage table of FIG.
It can be seen that ATA1 is stored at address n.

On the other hand, if the two memory type information do not match in step S102 and the nonvolatile memory mounted on the mounted replacement cartridge 4 is not the memory type registered in the data storage table, step S104
To determine that the cartridge is unidentifiable. Then, for example, it is notified that the cartridge is an unidentifiable cartridge, and the user is alerted. Thereafter, control is performed to continue the image forming process, for example. This control will select an appropriate one according to the device.

By controlling in this way, it is possible to appropriately cope with a plurality of types of nonvolatile memories.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the type of the memory is stored in the specific address of the nonvolatile memory 5 mounted on the exchange cartridge 4, and the printer main body recognizes this memory type. It is possible to switch the method of accessing the memory by doing so, and it is possible to support a plurality of types of memories. The printer can refer to this data structure table by storing a table indicating the data structure of its own memory in the nonvolatile memory 5 of the exchange cartridge 4 and a pointer address of this table at a specific address. Access to the memory is also possible.

[0041]

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which a data storage table can be generated using exchange cartridge storage information even for an exchange cartridge that is not registered in the data storage table.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a memory map of the nonvolatile memory of the exchange cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the basic configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above, and therefore, different points from the first embodiment will be described below.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 30 denotes a memory configuration of a nonvolatile memory provided in the replacement cartridge according to the second embodiment, and reference numeral 31 denotes an example of a data storage table developed on the RAM of the CPU of the printer main body. ing.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the second embodiment, memory type information is stored in a specific storage area (address 1) of the nonvolatile memory 30 mounted on the exchange cartridge. In addition, the following address (l +
1) stores memory structure address information, that is, a head address of a memory area in which a storage address of DATA is stored, for example, an address m.

On the other hand, a memory area indicated by an address m (address m) which is a head address of a memory area in which a data storage address of the nonvolatile memory is stored.
Is the storage address (n) of (DATA1), and the address (m + 1) is the storage address (n +
1), the storage address (n + 2) of DATA3 is stored at the address (m + 2), and the storage addresses are stored up to DATAn in the following order.

The CPU 2 has a memory 5 of the exchange cartridge 4.
The storage information at the address "1" which is the specific address of "1" is read to obtain the memory type information "C". This is compared with the memory type information in the data storage table on the ROM shown in FIG.

If the memory type information in the data storage table on the ROM matches the memory type registered in the data storage memory, the registered data storage table is used in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, necessary data is read from the nonvolatile memory of the exchange cartridge 4.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment, when the memory type information in the data storage table on the ROM does not match the memory type registered in the data storage memory,
That is, if the cartridge is not registered in the data storage table, the CPU 2 further reads out the storage information at the specific address (l + 1) in the nonvolatile memory 5 of the replacement cartridge 4. Here, an address m storing the storage address of each data is stored.

The CPU 2 uses the address m to set the DATA
The area where (n) is stored can be known. Therefore, data is sequentially read from this address m and RA
By developing as a conversion table of a new data type in the data storage table on M, FIG.
It is possible to generate a data storage table as shown in FIG. 31 and to perform desired access control thereafter to access desired data.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, a table indicating the data structure of its own memory is stored in the non-volatile memory which is the state storage memory of the cartridge.
By storing the pointer address of this table at a specific address, the printer can refer to this data structure table and can access an unknown memory.

[0051]

[Other Embodiments] The present invention relates to a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader,
Printer, etc.)
The present invention may be applied to an apparatus including one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and the like).

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide 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. Or a CPU or MPU) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium,
Needless to say, this is achieved. 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.
In addition, by the computer executing the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code,
The operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

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. , The CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By storing memory type information for specifying a memory type in a specific area of the state storage memory, and by recognizing the memory type on the information output device main body side, it is possible to optimize an access method to the state storage memory, A plurality of types of cartridges and state storage memories can be supported.

The printer can refer to this data structure table by storing a table indicating the data structure of its own memory in the cartridge state storage memory and storing the pointer address of this table at a specific address. Access to an unknown memory becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a memory map diagram showing a horizontal structure of a nonvolatile memory according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a memory map diagram showing a data structure of a nonvolatile memory according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data storage table stored in a ROM in a CPU according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining exchange cartridge discrimination control according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a memory map of a nonvolatile memory of a replacement cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer control part 2 CPU 3 Printer engine part 4 Exchange cartridge 5 Non-volatile memory 6 Printer engine part 8 Interface line 10 Printer main body

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An information output apparatus for forming and outputting an image by an electrophotographic method, comprising: an image forming unit for forming an image on an image forming medium using a toner layer; and an image forming unit holding a predetermined amount of toner. And a state storage memory for storing the state of the image forming unit and the state of the toner holding unit, and specifies a type of the memory in a predetermined area of the state storage memory. An information output device wherein information is written. 2. An information output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image forming means, said toner holding means, and said state storage memory are mounted on a removable cartridge. 3. An address recognizing means for recognizing an address structure of the state storage memory from information for specifying a type of the state storage memory, and accessing the memory based on the address information recognized by the address recognizing means. 3. The information output device according to claim 2, wherein the state of the cartridge can be identified. 4. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the address recognition means includes a table indicating at which address the data in the state storage memory corresponding to the information specifying the type of the state storage memory is stored. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein an address is information for specifying a type of the memory, and the address recognizing means reads a storage address of the table, refers to the table, and recognizes a storage address of necessary data. Information output device. 5. A table indicating a data structure of the state storage memory and a pointer address of the table are stored in a predetermined area of the state storage memory, and correspond to information for specifying a type of the state storage memory. Generating a table indicating at which address data in the state storage memory is stored, updating the table of the address recognizing means and generating the table of the updated address recognizing means; 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the storage memory is accessible.
An information storage device according to claim 1. 6. The information output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit includes a photosensitive drum and forms an image on the photosensitive drum. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner holding unit includes a toner storage unit that supplies the toner held by the image forming unit in accordance with a formed image. Information output device. 8. The information output device according to claim 1, wherein said state storage memory is a nonvolatile memory. 9. The information output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of images for which information has been output is stored in the state storage memory. 10. The information output device according to claim 1, wherein a toner storage capacity is stored in the toner storage section in the state storage memory. 11. A cartridge which is removably mounted on an information output device having an image forming means for forming an image on an image forming medium with a toner layer and supplies toner to said image forming means. A cartridge comprising a first memory for updating and storing, wherein information for specifying a type of the memory is written in a predetermined area of the first memory. 12. The information output device according to claim 11, wherein the first memory stores a remaining life of the cartridge. 13. The first memory has a table indicating at which address data in the memory is stored, and the storage destination address of the table is information for specifying the type of the memory. The cartridge according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: 14. The information output device accesses the memory based on address information recognized by recognizing an address structure of the first memory from information specifying a type of the first memory. Item 14. The cartridge according to Item 13. 15. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the first memory is a nonvolatile memory. 16. An image forming medium which is removably mounted on an information output apparatus for forming and outputting an image by an electrophotographic method capable of supplying a predetermined amount of toner from a toner holding means, wherein the toner supplying means is provided. A cartridge capable of forming an image on the image forming medium with a toner layer by using a toner, comprising a second memory for updating and storing a state of the cartridge, wherein the second memory is provided in a predetermined area of the second memory. A cartridge in which information for specifying a type of a memory is written. 17. The information output apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the number of formed images is stored in the second memory. 18. The second memory has a table indicating at which address data in the memory is stored, and the storage destination address of the table is information for specifying the type of the memory. The cartridge according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: 19. The information output device accesses the memory based on address information recognized by recognizing an address structure of the memory from information specifying a type of the second memory. Item 18. The cartridge according to Item 18. 20. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the second memory is a nonvolatile memory.