JP2001343870A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and an image forming method by which an image can efficiently be formed with allowable qualities different in user in the image formation on and after the nearly empty state of a cartridge. SOLUTION: In the image forming device of an electrophotographic system having a replaceable cartridge, the number of cumulative prints whose image qualities on and after the nearly empty state of the cartridge are stored as evaluation information, thus the image formation is controlled on the basis of the evaluation information after the cartridge is replaced next time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of feeding back evaluation information on image quality of a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, a printer, and a copying machine, a consumable member such as a developing unit including a toner or a photosensitive drum is used as a cartridge, and when the life of the cartridge expires, the cartridge is replaced. The form is known. As the life of the cartridge approaches, the image quality deteriorates and its variation increases. At the near end of the cartridge (the minimum amount of toner required to obtain an image quality equivalent to that of a new cartridge in a normal image forming operation. If the amount of toner is less than that, some trouble or deterioration in image quality may occur). There is a method of setting to stop, but depending on the user, there is a case where it is desired to continue image formation regardless of a slight image quality defect.
It is not preferable to make such a setting uniformly. On the other hand, some users may not be allowed to lower the image quality even slightly.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of efficiently forming an image up to an allowable image quality which differs depending on a user in image formation after the near end of a cartridge. To provide.

[0004]

The object of the present invention has been attained by the following constitutions.

[0005] 1. Image forming means, evaluation input means for inputting evaluation information for the image formed by the image forming means, storage means for storing the evaluation information input by the evaluation input means, and storage in the storage means An image forming apparatus having control means for controlling image formation by the image forming means based on evaluation information, and an image forming method thereof.

[0006] 2. The image forming means has a replaceable cartridge, has a remaining life detecting means for detecting a remaining life of the cartridge, and the storage means stores the remaining life and the evaluation information in association with each other. 2. The image forming apparatus and the image forming method thereof according to the above item 1.

[0007] 3. 3. The image forming apparatus and image forming method according to claim 2, wherein the remaining life detecting unit includes a counter that counts the number of accumulated images formed after the replacement of the cartridge.

[0008] 4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a selection unit that can select a first control of the image forming unit based on the evaluation information and a second control of the image forming unit based only on the remaining life. An image forming apparatus and an image forming method thereof.

[0009] 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the evaluation input unit includes a continuation input unit for continuing image formation by the image forming unit.

[0010] 6. The image forming apparatus and the image forming method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the evaluation input unit includes a stop input unit that stops image formation by the image forming unit.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 100 is a bus connecting each means, 10 is a control unit as control means, 20 is an image forming unit as image forming means, 30 is an operation unit such as a touch panel for inputting instructions by a user, Reference numeral 40 denotes a storage unit as storage means, and reference numeral 50 denotes a cumulative print counter as a counter for counting the number of cumulative image formations.

The control section 10 is provided as a control board at an appropriate location of the image forming apparatus, and controls a sequence of operations of each unit and an image formation after the near end of the cartridge described later.

The image forming section 20 is a means for forming an image as a hard copy from read data of a document from a document and image data as electronic data, and may employ a known method. When the image forming unit 20 is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a charger for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum around the photosensitive drum, a photosensitive member for uniformly charging the exposure corresponding to the image data An exposure device that irradiates a drum to form an electrostatic latent image, a developing device that applies toner to the electrostatic latent image and develops the image, a transfer electrode that transfers the developed toner image to transfer paper, and a transfer where the toner image is transferred It comprises a separation electrode for separating the paper from the photosensitive drum, a cleaner for scraping off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum after the transfer paper is separated, and other members. Of these members, the developing device and the photosensitive drum that contain the toner, which is a consumable member, are set as the cartridges 21 that can be replaced when the life is over. Further, the cartridge 21 is provided with a toner remaining amount sensor 22 for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the developing device by an optical method such as a photo interrupter. Here, the toner remaining amount sensor 22 has a function as remaining life detecting means for detecting the remaining life of the cartridge. Toner remaining sensor 22
Is provided in the cartridge 21 in the present embodiment, but may be provided in an appropriate place of the image forming unit 20. In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 20
Has described the case of the electrophotographic system, but the invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, an ink jet printer.

The operation unit 30 is an input means such as a liquid crystal touch panel for inputting an instruction by a user. In the present invention, the remaining amount of toner (= remaining life of the cartridge) is determined by a preset near-end toner amount. It has a function of an evaluation input unit for inputting evaluation information of a formed image after the toner remaining amount sensor 22 detects that there is. The operation unit 30 as an evaluation input unit is an OK button 32 that is pressed by the user when the image quality is acceptable (no problem), and is unacceptable (problem) as the image quality due to blurring, a decrease in density, or the like. In some cases, the NG button 33 is pressed by the user. In the present embodiment, the OK button 32 and the NG button 33 are used as the evaluation input means of the image evaluation information.
Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and a multi-stage evaluation input button may be provided.

The evaluation information of the image after the near end of the cartridge 21 input by the user as described above is used for controlling the image formation after the near end of the next cartridge after the replacement.

More specifically, the cumulative number of prints (cumulative prints) formed from the time when the cartridge 21 is replaced to the time when the NG button 33 is pressed is counted by the cumulative print counter 50. Is stored in the evaluation information memory 41 in the storage unit 40 as evaluation information, and the cumulative number of prints by the cumulative print counter 50 since the next cartridge is replaced is stored in the evaluation information memory 4.
When the evaluation information (the cumulative number of prints in the previous cartridge) stored in the storage unit 1 is reached, control such as stopping image formation is performed. At this time, if the control to stop the image formation is not preferable, the user can press the OK button 32 to continue the image formation again (the OK button 32).
Also functions as a continuation input means). If the user becomes unacceptable regarding image quality before the evaluation information (cumulative number of prints) stored in the evaluation information memory 41 is reached, the user may press the NG button 33 to stop image formation. Yes (the NG button 33 also functions as a stop input means).

The mode selection button 31 of the operation unit 30 controls the above-described control of the cartridge of the present invention after the near end.
"Allowable image quality determination mode" performed by the user's evaluation information in the use after the near end of the previous cartridge,
These buttons are used to select other modes related to image formation (such as “image quality maintenance mode”, “extended life mode”, and “normal mode”, which will be described later). After being stored in the selection memory 42 and after the near end of the cartridge, the image forming section 20 forms an image in the stored mode.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the mode selection relating to the image formation described with reference to FIG. Reference numerals are shown in FIG.
It is similar to that of This mode selection can be arbitrarily performed by the user and can be performed at any time.
This is done by pressing the 0 mode selection button. The mode in which the button is pressed is stored in the mode selection memory 42 of the storage unit 40, and is stored in the near-end of the cartridge (the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge 21 is a preset near-end toner amount to, for example, the toner when the cartridge is replaced with a new cartridge). (When the toner remaining amount sensor 22 detects the minimum amount of toner amount that can provide normal image quality by normal image formation when the amount is 20% with the amount being 100%)
Thereafter, the image forming unit 20 is controlled in the selected mode to form an image. First, an image forming mode after the near end is selected (S11), the selected mode is stored (S12), and the process ends.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the "image quality maintaining mode" which is an example of the mode in the mode selection described in FIG. Similarly, reference numerals are the same as in FIG.

First, the time when the toner remaining amount in the cartridge 21 reaches the preset near-end toner amount by the toner remaining amount sensor 22 is defined as near-end detection. A determination is made (S21). When near-end is not detected (N
O) repeats step S21. If the near end is detected (YES), the remaining amount of toner becomes the end level 1 to 5%, for example, when the toner amount at the time of replacement with a new cartridge is 100%, and becomes 5%. It is determined whether or not a value corresponding to a level at which image quality cannot be obtained is detected (S22). In the case of detecting the end level 1 (YES), if the image formation is continued as it is, the image quality before the near end cannot be maintained due to blurring or a decrease in density, so that the operation of the image forming unit 20 is stopped (S23). When the operation is stopped, the operation unit 30 or another display unit displays, for example, "Toner is empty. Replace the cartridge immediately. To continue the operation, change the mode." (S24). If the user presses the OK button 32 as a continuation input unit, the image formation is continued while the image quality is degraded.

On the other hand, if the end level 1 is not detected (NO), the necessary amount of toner is secured near the developing sleeve by stirring the toner in the cartridge 21 (S2).
5) Preliminary cleaning of the photoreceptor drum is performed to adjust the conditions on which electric charges are likely to be placed (S26), and the developing bias is adjusted to adjust the toner adhesion (S27).
Image formation is performed so as to maintain image quality (S28). The operation (toner agitation, preliminary cleaning, bias adjustment, etc.) for maintaining the image quality after the near end at the previous level is referred to as a near end mode.

This image quality maintaining mode is a mode for maintaining the image quality before the near end and after the near end up to the end level 1 equally. After the near end, although the image forming speed decreases, the image quality can be maintained by performing the above control.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a "life extension mode" which is an example of the mode in the mode selection described with reference to FIG. Similarly, reference numerals are the same as in FIG.

First, it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge 21 has reached a near end (S31).
If no near-end is detected (NO), step S
Repeat 31. When near-end is detected (YES)
Next, when the remaining amount of toner becomes 2%, for example, when the toner amount becomes 0% when the toner amount when replaced with a new cartridge is set to 100%, it corresponds to a level at which image formation cannot be performed by any method. It is determined whether or not it has been detected (S32). In the case of end level 2 detection (YES),
If the image formation is continued as it is, only a blank sheet is output, so the operation of the image forming unit 20 is stopped (S33). When the operation is stopped, a message such as "Toner is exhausted. Replace the cartridge immediately" is displayed on the operation unit 30 or another display unit (S34).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that end level 2 has not been detected (NO), the toner save mode for saving toner consumption such as thinning out the number of print dots or lowering the toner density is set. Control is performed (S35). At this time, a message such as "operating in toner save mode" is displayed on operation unit 30 or other display means (S36). Then, when receiving an instruction to form an image, the image forming section 20 forms an image in the toner save mode (S37).

This life extension mode is a mode selected when it is desired to extend the cartridge replacement interval even if the image quality is deteriorated after the near end of the cartridge and to save the cartridge.

FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart of an example of the mode in the mode selection described in FIG. 2 "normal mode". Similarly, reference numerals are the same as in FIG.

First, it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge 21 has reached a near end (S41).
If no near-end is detected (NO), step S
Repeat 41. When near-end is detected (YES)
Next, it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner has detected the end level 2 (synonymous with the description of FIG. 4) (S42). If the end level 2 is detected (YES), the operation of the image forming unit 20 is stopped (S43) because the image cannot be formed. When the operation is stopped, a message such as "Toner is exhausted. Replace the cartridge immediately" is displayed on the operation unit 30 or another display unit.

On the other hand, if the end level 2 is not detected in step S42 (NO), the message "toner amount is low on the operation unit 30 or other display unit.
Image quality is decreasing. Is displayed (S45). Then, image formation is performed by the same operation as before the near end (S4).
6).

In the normal mode, until the toner amount in the cartridge 21 falls below the end level 2, image formation is performed as in the case before the near end, so that the image quality gradually decreases.

FIG. 6 shows the "permissible image quality determination mode" of the present invention.
9 is an example of a flowchart at the time of using the first (K-th) cartridge in which evaluation information is stored. Similarly, reference numerals are the same as those in FIG.

First, an image is formed from a state where the remaining amount of toner is 100% (S51). At this time, the cumulative print counter 50 is operated from the beginning. The remaining amount of toner in the cartridge 21 gradually decreases, and after the near-end detection by the remaining toner sensor 22 or irrespective of the near-end detection, the user determines whether or not the obtained image is unacceptable (has a problem) ( S52). If it is acceptable (no problem), the user does not press the NG button 33 as the evaluation input unit, so that the image formation is continued as it is (return to S51). When the NG button 33 is pressed, the cumulative print number (cumulative image formation number) counted by the cumulative print counter 50 at the time when the NG button 33 is pressed is set to COUNT.
It is stored in the evaluation information memory 41 as T1. COUNT
1 is stored, the image formation is continued (S5).
4) In the image formation at this time, a near-end mode is executed to maintain the image quality (see FIG. 3). At the same time, the message "Image quality is decreasing. OK button if there is no problem, N if there is a problem.
Press G button. Operation unit 3
0 or other display unit (S55). According to the display, it is determined whether or not the OK button 32 as the evaluation input means has been pressed by the user (S56). O
If the K button 32 has been pressed (YES), step S
Returning to step 54, image formation is continued. If the OK button 32 has not been pressed (NO), it is next determined whether the NG button 33 has been pressed (S57). NG button 33
If is not pressed (NO), the flow returns to step S54 to continue image formation. When the NG button 33 is pressed (YES), it is determined that the image quality is no longer allowed even in the near-end mode, and the operation is stopped (S58). At the same time, a message such as "Please replace the cartridge" is displayed on the operation unit 30 or another display unit. At this time, the cumulative number of prints as the cumulative number of image formations since the new cartridge is stored in the evaluation information memory 41 as COUNT2 (S510).

FIG. 7 shows the "permissible image quality determination mode" of the present invention.
9 is an example of a flowchart at the time of using a second (K + 1) th cartridge for storing evaluation information in FIG. Similarly, reference numerals are the same as those in FIG.

As in FIG. 6, image formation is performed from the state where the remaining amount of toner is 100% (S61). At this time, the cumulative print counter 50 is operated from the beginning. The remaining amount of toner in the cartridge 21 gradually decreases, and after the near-end detection by the remaining toner sensor 22 or irrespective of the near-end detection, the user determines whether or not the obtained image is unacceptable (has a problem) ( S6
2). If it is allowable (no problem) (NO), the user does not press the NG button 33 as the evaluation input means. Next, in the second (K + 1) -th cartridge, the cumulative print number is the cumulative print number COUNT 1 stored in the evaluation information memory 41 when the first (K-th) cartridge is used.
It is determined whether it is less (S63). If not (YES), the process returns to step S61 to continue image formation. If not less (NO), the mode is switched to the near-end mode and the image formation is continued (S65). On the other hand, if the NG button 33 is pressed in step S62 (YE
S) Since the image quality is unacceptable, even if the cumulative number of prints of the cartridge does not exceed COUNT1, the image formation is continued in the near-end mode on the assumption that it has exceeded the count (S65). In the image formation in the near-end mode, it is determined again whether the image quality is acceptable (no problem) (S
66). If it is not allowable (YES), step S610
Move to If allowed (NO), the cumulative number of prints
It is determined whether it is less than COUTN2 (S6).
7). If not (YES), the process returns to step S65,
Image formation in the near-end mode is continued. If it is not low (NO), the operation unit 30 or other display unit displays "During image quality degradation. To continue, press the OK button."
Is displayed (S68). Next, it is determined whether the OK button 32 has been pressed to continue the image formation as it is (S69). If the OK button is pressed and the continuation is confirmed (YES), the process returns to step S65, and the image formation in the near-end mode is continued. If the OK button has not been pressed (NO), a message such as "Press the NG button to stop operation" is displayed on the operation unit 30 or another display unit (S61).
0) Then, it is determined whether the NG button 33 for that is pressed (S611). If the button has not been pressed, the process returns to step S65, and the image formation in the near-end mode is continued. When the NG button 33 is pressed (YE
S), the operation of the image forming section 20 is stopped (S612), and at the same time, a message such as "Toner is out. Replace the cartridge" is displayed on the display section (S613), and the user is prompted to replace the cartridge.

As described above, the evaluation information of the used cartridge is stored before the cartridge, and the evaluation information (in this case, the accumulated number of prints COUNT1 and COUNT) is stored in the image forming process of the cartridge.
Based on 2), by controlling to change the image forming mode, warn the user, or perform the operation of promoting the judgment, it is possible to efficiently perform the image forming in accordance with the allowable range of the image quality which differs depending on the user. Became possible.

In the present embodiment, the control using only the evaluation information of the previously used cartridge has been described. However, the average value, the standard deviation, etc. of the evaluation information of the past plural times may be used. .

[0038]

According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of efficiently forming an image up to a permissible image quality depending on the user in image formation after the near end of the cartridge can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of mode selection related to image formation described in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an “image quality maintaining mode” which is an example of a mode in the mode selection described in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a “life extension mode” which is an example of a mode in the mode selection described in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart of an example of a mode in the mode selection described in FIG. 2 “normal mode”.

FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart when the first (K-th) cartridge that stores evaluation information in the “permissible image quality determination mode” of the present invention is used.

FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart at the time of using a second (K + 1) th cartridge for storing evaluation information in the “permissible image quality determination mode” of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control part 20 Image forming part 21 Cartridge 22 Toner residual amount sensor 30 Operation part 31 Mode selection button 32 OK button 33 NG button 40 Storage part 41 Evaluation information memory 42 Mode selection memory 50 Cumulative print counter

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image forming unit, an evaluation input unit for inputting evaluation information for an image formed by the image forming unit, a storage unit for storing evaluation information input by the evaluation input unit, and the storage A control unit for controlling image formation by the image forming unit based on the evaluation information stored in the unit. 2. The image forming means has a replaceable cartridge, and has a remaining life detecting means for detecting a remaining life of the cartridge, and the storage means associates the remaining life with the evaluation information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is stored. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the remaining life detecting unit includes a counter that counts the number of accumulated images formed after the replacement of the cartridge. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit configured to select a first control of the image forming unit based on the evaluation information and a second control of the image forming unit based only on the remaining life. 4. The image forming apparatus according to 2 or 3. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said evaluation input means includes a continuation input means for continuing image formation by said image forming means. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation input unit includes a stop input unit for stopping image formation by the image forming unit. 7. An image forming step of forming an image, an evaluation input step of inputting evaluation information for an image formed in the image forming step, and a storage for storing the evaluation information input in the evaluation input step. And a control step of controlling the next image formation based on the evaluation information stored in the storage step. 8. A cartridge replacement step of replacing a member consumed by forming an image in the image forming step as a cartridge, and a remaining life detecting step of detecting a remaining life of the cartridge, wherein the storing step includes: 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the evaluation information and the remaining life are stored in association with each other, and the control step controls the next image formation based on the evaluation information and the remaining life stored in the storing step. 2. The image forming method according to 1., 9. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein the remaining life detecting step includes a counting step of counting the number of accumulated images formed after the replacement of the cartridge. 10. The image forming method according to claim 7, further comprising a selection step of selecting whether to perform the control step. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the evaluation information includes a continuation evaluation for continuing the image forming process.
11. The image forming method according to any one of items 10 to 10. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the evaluation information includes a stop evaluation for stopping the image forming process.
12. The image forming method according to any one of items 11 to 11.