JP2002074288A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of performing stable communications between an image forming means and a control means, and being provided with an image forming means whose productivity is high. SOLUTION: A printer in which a process cartridge 21 equipped with a memory 58 and an antenna 49 is installed so as to be exchangeable is provided with an antenna 47 for performing communication in a non-contact state with the antenna 49, and for receiving the data of the cartridge and an image formation control circuit 23 for controlling image formation based on the data received from the antenna 47. In this case, the cartridge 21 receives the supply of a power in a non-contact state from the antenna 47.

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.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of apparatus, there has been an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile. Among them, an image forming apparatus using a process cartridge having a storage unit is disclosed in
-160680.

The process cartridge disclosed in the above publication integrates a photosensitive drum, a charger, a developing device, a cleaner, and the like, and can be easily attached to and detached from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Further, a non-volatile semiconductor memory is provided as storage means. The memory stores the total rotation time of the photoconductor drum, counts the number of prints, detects whether the photoconductor drum has reached the end of its life, and stores the number of pixels printed to detect the amount of toner used. Or A cartridge having a memory in the process cartridge and using useful information on the process cartridge for improving usability of the image forming apparatus is called an intelligent cartridge. A combination of a non-volatile memory and a transmission / reception unit for non-contact communication is called a memory tag. This memory tag is mounted on the process cartridge.

[0004]

However, in the above conventional example, since the memory is connected to the image forming apparatus by a connector, a signal to the memory is weak, and even a slight contact failure of the connector causes a malfunction. Therefore, a method of connecting the image forming apparatus main body and the memory by electromagnetic coupling in a non-contact manner and performing two-way communication through the electromagnetic coupling means to prevent a problem of poor contact of the connector is considered. Can be However, in electromagnetic coupling, electromagnetic waves leak from the coupling portion. There are international standards for electromagnetic waves leaking from devices, and the intensity of electromagnetic waves must be reduced below a certain limit. For example, in Japan, radio equipment that emits extremely weak electromagnetic waves and is exempt from receiving radio station licenses is specified in Article 6 of the Radio Law Enforcement Regulations,
At a distance of 3 meters from the radio equipment of the radio station,
In a frequency band where the electric field intensity is 322 MHz or less, the frequency is specified to be 500 microvolts or less per meter and in a frequency band exceeding 322 MHz and 10 GHz or less, it is specified to be 35 microvolts or less per meter.

Further, in image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers, the intensity of electromagnetic waves radiated by the apparatus itself is more strictly regulated than the Radio Law. In the United States, FFC (Federal Comm.
regulations under the Subscription J, part 15 of the U.S. Communication Commission. In Japan, there is also voluntary regulation by the Council for the Free Control of Interference by Information Technology Equipment, etc. VCCI.

[0006] In order to clear these restrictions, the transmission power is inevitably weakened.

Further, in the case of non-contact connection, there arises a problem of how to use power supply energy when transmitting from the process cartridge side. It is conceivable to incorporate a battery into the memory tag attached to the process cartridge,
In this case, when the process cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus and discarded, there is a problem that it is necessary to remove only the battery due to environmental pollution, or a problem that the cost of the battery is increased.

It is also conceivable to receive a weak radio wave generated by the transmission means of the image forming apparatus, store the energy in a capacitor, and use the energy when the memory tag transmits the energy. However, it is very weak when it comes to power that can receive weak radio waves and transmit with that energy,
Even if the image is received by the image forming apparatus, the power becomes buried in noise. In order to store as much energy as possible in the capacitor, it is necessary to prepare a large-capacity capacitor and transmit it from the image forming apparatus in advance for a long time to charge the capacitor. Further, in communication with the memory tag, it is necessary to confirm whether or not the communication partner is the intended communication partner before transmitting / receiving data in order to prevent interference with other communication means. , Information must be transmitted and received several times longer than the original data length.

Therefore, even if energy is stored in the capacitor, even if a sufficient transmission output is obtained at the beginning of communication from the memory tag, there is a problem that the output drops at the end of communication.

[0010] Such a method may be usable in applications where communication is infrequent. However, the memory used for the process cartridge needs to be written each time one page is printed, and the amount of data to be read / written is large, so that it is necessary to keep the memory constantly communicable during printing. In such an application, a method in which the use of the memory is sporadically limited after charging the capacitor for a long time is not suitable. In addition, a capacitor having a large capacity increases the cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to enable stable communication between image forming means and control means, and Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can include an image forming unit with high productivity.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a memory tag having a communication means capable of performing stable communication for a long time without having an energy storage means in the memory tag and having a communication means capable of withstanding the frequent communication. An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge with sufficient information necessary for operation, service, and maintenance of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus.

One of the ways to achieve this goal is
It is conceivable that a carrier wave is constantly transmitted from the image forming apparatus side during communication, and the memory tag is moved while utilizing the energy received by the carrier wave.

However, if the carrier is left unnecessarily emitted, energy is wasted.

Therefore, a second object is to provide means for outputting a carrier wave only during a period necessary for communication.

Further, when transmitting from a memory tag, if a carrier wave is constantly emitted from the image forming apparatus side, transmission at the same frequency causes interference. In addition, if the frequency is changed, radio waves cannot be emitted efficiently unless the resonance frequency of the antenna is changed.

Therefore, a third object is to provide means for efficiently transmitting data from a memory tag. Therefore, when transmitting the memory tag, the carrier wave emitted from the image forming apparatus side is directly modulated.

In order for the memory tag to directly modulate the carrier wave emitted from the image forming apparatus, a method of changing the load impedance of the antenna on the memory tag side can be considered. However, this requires that the antenna on the image forming apparatus side and the antenna on the memory tag side are electromagnetically coupled.
The electromagnetic coupling between the antennas decreases sharply with distance.

However, if the distance between the antennas is small, a collision occurs when the process cartridge is attached and detached.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide means for reducing the distance between the antenna on the image forming apparatus side and the antenna on the memory tag side and preventing a collision problem when the process cartridge is attached or detached.

When a carrier is sent from the image forming apparatus to the memory tag, sending a carrier means starting to supply power to the power supply of the memory tag, and turning off the carrier means supplying power to the power of the memory tag. It is to stop. At the start and stop of the power supply of the memory tag, it is necessary to prevent the memory and its surrounding logic circuits from malfunctioning due to power supply voltage fluctuations.

In order to ensure that the reset circuit operates at the time of power supply, it is necessary to slowly raise the power supply voltage so that the power supply voltage does not exceed the operating voltage of the memory before the reset function starts to work.

In addition, even when the power supply is stopped, the memory tag is subjected to a process of suspending the memory when the power supply voltage drops.
This situation is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-063795. It takes some time from the detection of the power supply voltage drop in the memory tag to the stop of the memory, and if the power supply voltage drop is sharp, the memory cannot be stopped reliably.

This is a problem that occurs because a capacitor capable of storing power energy is not provided inside the memory tag.

Therefore, a fifth object is to provide a means for gradually increasing and decreasing the intensity of the carrier wave at the start and stop of the transmission of the carrier wave to the memory tag, and to prevent a malfunction of the memory tag. is there.

[0026]

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit and a control unit, wherein the image forming unit stores information related to the image forming unit. Storage means for storing, and first communication means for transmitting the image forming unit related information, wherein the control unit communicates with the first communication means in a non-contact manner, and A second communication unit for receiving information; and a control unit for controlling image formation based on the image forming unit related information received from the second communication unit.
The communication means receives power supply from the second communication means in a non-contact manner.

Thus, it is possible to realize an image processing means having communication means capable of stably communicating for a long time without having a large-capacity power storage means and enduring even if the communication frequency is high.

[0028] The first communication means is supplied with power from the second communication means by a carrier wave.

The second communication means supplies power by outputting a carrier wave to the first communication means even while receiving the image forming unit related information from the first communication means. And

The second communication means includes a carrier control means for controlling the output timing of the carrier.

This makes it possible to output a carrier only during a period necessary for communication.

[0032] The first communication means transmits the image forming unit related information by modulating a carrier wave received from the second communication means.

As a result, transmission can be performed efficiently using the communication means.

For modulating the carrier, the load impedance of the antenna provided in the first communication means is changed.

[0035] The apparatus is characterized in that the apparatus further comprises a distance adjusting means for setting a distance between the first communication means and the second communication means to a predetermined distance or less.

The distance adjusting means includes an elastic member which is urged by coming into contact with the image forming means.

This makes it possible to reduce the distance between the communication means so that no collision problem occurs when the image forming means is attached or detached.

[0038] The second communication means includes means for relaxing rising and falling of the carrier wave.

This makes it possible to prevent malfunction of the storage means.

An image forming method using an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit and a control unit, wherein the image forming unit stores information relating to the image forming unit, and stores the information relating to the image forming unit. A first communication unit for transmitting, wherein the control unit communicates with the first communication unit in a non-contact manner, and a second communication unit for receiving the image forming unit related information;
Control means for controlling image formation based on the image forming unit related information received from the communication means, wherein power is supplied to the first communication means from the second communication means in a non-contact manner. It is characterized by.

[0041]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the relative arrangement of components described in this embodiment, formulas, numerical values, etc., unless otherwise specified,
It is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

(First Embodiment) First, an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 3a denotes a photosensitive drum which is scanned and exposed by a laser beam 9 modulated based on an image signal inputted to a laser scanner unit 14. A charging roller 3b charges the photosensitive drum 3a uniformly. A developing roller 3c develops an electrostatic latent image formed by scanning and exposing the photosensitive drum 3a. Photosensitive drum 3a, charging drum 3
b, the developing roller 3c is included in the process cartridge 3.

The process cartridge 3 further includes a toner hopper 3e for storing toner and a cleaner 3d for collecting excess toner on the drum. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory tag 21 is attached to a wall surface 3f of the process cartridge 3. The communication antenna unit 22 on the main body side is attached to the position 8a facing the nonvolatile memory tag 21.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a transfer roller, which picks up the image from the paper supply cassette 2 by the paper supply roller 12 and transfers the developed image to the recording paper P at the image transfer timing by the registration roller 25.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred onto the recording paper by heat and pressure. Reference numeral 6 denotes a paper transport roller, and reference numeral 7 denotes a paper discharge roller, which discharges the recording paper on which the fixing process has been completed to the outside of the main body 1.

Hereinafter, the image forming process will be described.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 3a is charged by the charging roller 3b, and a latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3a scanned by the laser scanner unit 14. An image obtained by developing the latent image with the developing roller 3c is transferred to paper by the transfer roller 4. On the other hand, the paper is fed from the paper cassette 2 by the paper feed roller 12 and sent to the photosensitive drum 3a at a timing by the registration roller 25. The paper on which the image has been transferred at this transfer position is fixed by the fixing device 5, discharged from the discharge roller 7 to the outside of the image forming apparatus (main body) 1, and stacked on the tray 8.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of an image forming control apparatus for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 23 denotes an image forming control circuit.
The CPU 13 and the drive circuit 26, which are formed by a one-chip microcomputer, are mounted therein. A main motor 25 drives the photosensitive drum 3a, the paper feed roller 12, the registration roller 24, other rollers, the fixing device 5, and the like.

A scanner motor 15 is included in the laser scanner unit 14 shown in FIG. A paper feed clutch 16 controls the paper feed roller 12 shown in FIG. A registration clutch 17 controls the driving of the registration roller 25 shown in FIG.

A high voltage unit (HVT) 18 supplies a high voltage to the charging roller 3b, the developing roller 3c and the transfer roller 4 in FIG.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a fixing device heater driving circuit, and the fixing device 5
Is driven in the heater. The image forming control circuit 23 includes a main motor 14, a scan motor 15, and a paper feed clutch 1.
6, the resist clutch 17, the high-pressure unit 18, the fixing device heater drive circuit 19, and the like are controlled to control the image forming apparatus 1 to form an image.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a nonvolatile memory attached to the process cartridge 3, which stores the usage time of the photosensitive drum 3a and the like, and is used for determining the life of the photosensitive drum 3a.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a communication antenna unit for performing communication with the memory tag 21, and an antenna coil is molded.

Reference numeral 70 denotes a communication unit in which a modulation / demodulation circuit and the like are integrated into an IC and mounted on a printed circuit board.

The high-voltage unit 18 has three types of high-voltage power supplies for charging, developing, and transferring the drum 3a.

For charging, the output of the high voltage alternating current (HVAC) 27 and the output of the high voltage direct current (HVDC) 28 are superimposed, and the output is sent from the terminal 29 to the charging roller 3b. The transfer output is a switching output of a high voltage direct current plus (HVTR +) 30 and a high voltage direct current minus (HVTR-) 31. This output is sent from the terminal 32 to the transfer roller 4. For development, a high voltage alternating current (DBAC) 33 and a high voltage direct current (DBDC) 34 are superimposed and sent from a terminal 35 to the developing roller 3c.

The communication unit 70 of the image forming apparatus main body will be described in more detail.

An IC 40 includes a modulation / demodulation circuit for performing communication. Reference numeral 41 denotes a serial signal interface unit with the CPU 13. The CS terminal is a chip select signal input, the SK terminal is a serial clock input, the DO terminal is a serial signal output, and the DI terminal is a serial signal input terminal.

As the serial signal, the address designation of the memory, the designation of the read / write, and the data stored in the memory and the data read from the memory are time-sequentially put on the same signal line.

Reference numeral 42 denotes an encoder, 43 denotes a protocol controller, 44 denotes a decoder, 45 denotes a high-frequency oscillator and modulator for transmission, and 46 denotes a demodulator for reception.

The serial signal from the CPU 13 is converted into a protocol suitable for communication by the protocol controller 43, loaded into the encoder 42, and output from the transmission modulator 45 as a high-frequency signal. The received data is demodulated from a high frequency to a baseband signal by a demodulator 46, decoded into a serial signal suitable for the CPU 13 by a decoder 44, and sent from the interface unit 41 to the CPU 13.

The CAE signal 73 sent from the CPU 13 to the high-frequency oscillator for transmission and the modulator 45 is a carrier enable signal, and performs on / off control of the carrier for transmission.

The high frequency signal is supplied to the coil 47 and the capacitor 48.
Are transmitted and received as electromagnetic waves from the tank circuit. The coil is hermetically sealed in a flat mold case as shown in FIG. 3, and forms a communication antenna unit 22. The electric wire 71 is pulled out from the coil 47 and the connector 7 is
2 are connected. This connector is connected to the communication unit 70.

Next, the memory side will be described. Memory tag 2
First, there is a tank circuit composed of a coil 49 and a capacitor 50 for transmitting and receiving a high-frequency signal.

A rectifier circuit 51, a transmission modulator 52, and a demodulator 53 are connected to this tank circuit.

The output of the rectifier circuit 51 is connected to a power supply 54 to supply power to the memory IC.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a decoder, 55 denotes a protocol controller, 56 denotes an encoder, 57 denotes a memory interface circuit, and 58 denotes a nonvolatile memory such as a memory EEPROM or a ferroelectric memory. In particular, ferroelectric memory is excellent in durability against writing, writing time is short,
Because of low power consumption, it is suitable for a memory tag mounted on a cartridge. The memory stores the manufacturer name of the cartridge, the serial number of the cartridge, the date of manufacture, and the like, in addition to the rotation time of the photosensitive drum, the number of prints, the number of pixels printed, and the like.

When the signal is demodulated from a high frequency into a baseband signal by the demodulator 53, the signal is converted by the decoder 54 into a signal suitable for sending to a memory under the control of the protocol controller 55.

The memory interface circuit 57 divides the data into addresses and data, and executes a read / write operation with the memory 58 in accordance with a read / write command.

The data read from the memory 58 is sent from the memory interface 57 to the encoder 56, converted into a protocol suitable for communication, and sent from the transmission modulator 52 to the tank circuit. In the memory tag 21, an IC 59 in which a modulation demodulator and a memory are integrated, a coil 49, and a capacitor 50 are hermetically sealed in a flat mold case to constitute the memory tag 21 as shown in FIG.

Next, the circuit of the transmitting high-frequency oscillator and the modulator 45 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

The output of the high frequency oscillator 80 is applied to the amplitude modulator 81
The power is amplified by the transistor 82, the power is amplified by the transistor 82, the direct current is cut by the capacitor 83, the harmonic component is removed by the low-pass filter 84, and supplied to the tank circuit formed by the antenna coil 47 and the capacitor 48.

The power supply of the transistor 82 is the transistor 8
5 are supplying. The transistor 85 is controlled by a transistor 86, and the transistor 86 is controlled by a carrier enable signal CAE73 from the CPU 13. In FIG. 4, when the CAE signal is at a low level, the transistor 86 is turned off and the transistor 85 is turned on.

Reference numerals 87 to 91 denote resistors, 92 denotes a zener diode, and 93 and 94 denote capacitors.

When the CAE signal 73 goes low to turn on the transistor 85, a current flows into the capacitor 93 via the resistors 90 and 91, the base potential of the transistor 85 gradually rises, and the emitter potential of the transistor 85 rises accordingly. I do. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a change in the emitter potential of the transistor 85. This potential rise reaches a plateau when the Zener voltage of the Zener diode 92 is reached. The time of the voltage rise is determined by the time constant of the resistors 90 and 91 and the capacitor 93.

When the CAE signal 73 becomes high level, the transistor 86 is turned on, the voltage of the zener diode 92 is reduced, and the electric charge stored in the capacitor 93 is discharged through the resistor 91.

The emitter potential of the transistor 85 decreases as shown by the falling curve in FIG.

As the emitter potential of the transistor 85 changes, the current flowing through the transistor 82 changes, and the intensity of the radio wave radiated from the coil 47 increases and decreases according to the curve shown in FIG.

As described above, the intensity of the carrier radiated from the antenna coil 47 by turning on and off according to the CAE signal 73 can be changed slowly. As a result, the circuit inside the memory tag can be started reliably and without malfunction of the memory at the time of start-up, and a time to suspend the memory can be secured at the time of start-up.

Next, the transmission / reception circuit of the memory tag 21 will be described with reference to FIG.

96 and 97 are capacitors, 98 is a resistor, 9
9 is an FET and 100 is a modulator. The rectifier 51 also functions as a rectifier for power supply and a detector for reception.

When the FET 99 is driven by the output of the modulator 100 at the time of transmission on the memory tag side, the impedance of the tank circuit formed by the coil 49 and the capacitor 50 changes. When the FET 99 moves in the ON direction, a large amount of current is consumed in the tank circuit. As a result, the load impedance seen from the coil 47 side electromagnetically coupled to the coil 49 decreases, and the voltage across the coil 47 decreases. . Thus, if the coupling between the coil 47 and the coil 49 is strong to some extent, the modulation signal on the memory tag side can be detected on the image forming apparatus main body side.

In this way, the memory tag can return the modulated wave from the memory tag side while receiving the carrier wave from the main body communication unit 70 and receiving the power energy. In addition, it is not necessary to have an oscillator on the memory tag side, and the productivity of the memory tag can be improved.

Originally, in the state of the memory tag for the process cartridge to which only a weak radio wave is supplied from the main body due to radio wave regulation for the image forming apparatus, the memory tag has no energy storage means and no oscillator, so that the energy loss is small and weak. Tags can be transmitted using radio waves effectively.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a state of reading data from the memory tag.

FIG. 7A shows transmission information from the main body, b) transmission information of the memory tag, c) CAE signal, and d) the voltage waveform of the envelope of the carrier seen at both ends of the coil 47.

101 is a command, 102 is a memory tag 2
1 is key data for accessing 1, 103 is an address of the memory 58 to be accessed, 104 is a memory tag response, and 105 is read data.

First, the main body side CPU 13 outputs the CAE signal 73 prior to the start of communication with the memory tag. Then Figure 4
The carrier gradually rises as described in (1). Next, the main body designates the command 101 to the memory tag and gives the key data 102. At this time, the carrier d) is amplitude-modulated. In FIG. 7D), the state where the modulation is applied is omitted by a dotted line. The modulation degree of the amplitude modulation is set as low as about 10%. This is because the use of the energy of the carrier wave as the power source on the memory tag side may cause the carrier wave to be interrupted if the degree of modulation is large, at which time the power source of the memory tag may be momentarily cut off.

The key data 102 is always added together with the command 102, and the memory tag 21
2 is compared with the key data stored in its own memory, and if the key data is different, the response is rejected as an unauthorized access. Following the key data 102, the read address of the memory 58 is specified. If the key data matches, the memory tag 21 returns a response 104 and subsequently the data 10 of the specified address in the memory 58 is returned.
Send 5

The memory tag 21 is the communication unit 70 of the main body.
The state of amplitude modulation applied to the carrier wave from is also shown in abbreviated dotted line.

When the necessary communication is completed, the CPU 13
The E signal 73 is turned off, and the carrier wave from the main body communication unit gradually decreases. At the time of communication, a carrier is emitted regardless of whether the main body is transmitting or receiving, but the carrier is turned off immediately after the communication is completed, so that there is an effect of suppressing waste of power consumption.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described.

In the first embodiment, as shown at 22 in FIG. 2, the antenna unit on the image forming apparatus main body side has a wall surface 8a.
However, in this case, the distance between the antenna of the main body and the memory tag cannot be made too large.

FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the output voltage of the power supply 60 in the memory tag 21 and the distance between the antennas. The vertical axis represents the voltage, and the horizontal axis represents the distance.

When the distance is within 5 mm, the coupling between the coils 47 and 49 is tight, so that the power is efficiently transmitted to the memory tag. A voltage exceeding 5 V is generated at the end of the rectifier 51, but the excess is stabilized by the power supply circuit 60.

When the distance between the antennas is short, the modulation at the time of transmission on the memory tag side is easy to apply, and the S / N of the reception signal on the main body side is easy.
Good ratio.

However, when the cartridge 3 is mounted on the main body, the cartridge 3 performs a complicated rotating motion and is mounted while positioning the center of the photosensitive drum 3a. Therefore, if the distance between the antennas is reduced, the main body antenna 22 and the memory tag 21 may collide.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a contrivance was made to make the distance between antennas as close as possible within 5 mm. FIG.
(A) is a diagram of the antenna unit 22 viewed from the side, (b)
Is a view of the antenna unit 22 as viewed from the front.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a bent leaf spring, 112 denotes a plastic eyelet, and 113 denotes a screw.

The antenna unit 22 is fixed to the bent leaf spring 110 with a plastic eyelet 112. The leaf spring 110 is fixed to the main body wall surface 8a with screws 113.

An area 111 surrounded by a broken line is an area in the antenna unit 22 where an actual antenna exists. The memory tag 21 also comes to the area within this broken line.

Since the inductance of the antenna changes due to the influence of a magnetic material such as a sheet metal, an antenna region 111 is provided.
Non-magnetic plastic eyelets are used for fixing the antenna unit.

When the cartridge 3 is mounted, the memory tag 21 comes into contact with the antenna unit 22 near the area 111 surrounded by the broken line from right to left in FIG.
Press. On the other hand, the antenna unit 22 is
Is pushed to the memory tag 21 side. Accordingly, the cartridge 3 can be positioned at a position suitable for image formation in a state where the antenna unit 22 and the memory tag 21 are in contact with each other, and the antenna unit 22 or the memory tag 2 can be positioned.
The distance between them can be kept at 5 mm or less without causing a collision that would destroy 1.

(Other Embodiments) The present invention relates to:
The present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, and the like), or may be applied to a device including one device (for example, a copier, a facsimile device, and the like).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and 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. When the computer executes the readout program codes, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program codes. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the 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.

[0110]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing stable communication between the image forming unit and the control unit and having an image forming unit with high productivity.

For example, it is possible to equip the process cartridge with a memory tag having communication means capable of performing stable communication for a long time without having the energy storage means in the memory tag and withstanding even if the communication frequency is high. This memory sufficiently stores information necessary for the operation, service, and maintenance of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus, and the usability of the image forming apparatus can be improved by using the information. Further, it is possible to output a carrier only during a period necessary for communication. Further, by changing the impedance of the antenna of the memory tag, it is possible to perform efficient transmission from the memory tag. Also,
It is possible to reduce the distance between the antenna on the image forming apparatus side and the antenna on the memory tag side and to prevent a collision problem from occurring when the process cartridge is attached or detached. Further, a means is provided for gradually increasing and decreasing the intensity of the carrier wave at the start and stop of the transmission of the carrier wave to the memory tag, thereby preventing the memory tag from malfunctioning.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a communication antenna unit and a memory tag.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a high-frequency oscillator for transmission, a modulator 45, and its periphery.

FIG. 5 is an emitter voltage waveform diagram of a transistor 85.

FIG. 6 is a transmission and reception circuit diagram of the memory tag 21.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a situation in which data is read from a memory tag 21.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram when the communication antenna unit 22 is attached to the main body.

FIG. 9 shows a communication antenna unit 22 and a memory tag 21;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a distance between the power supply and an output voltage characteristic of a power supply 60 inside the memory tag 21.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus (main body) 2 Process cartridge 3a Photosensitive drum 3b Charging roller 3c Developing roller 3f Wall surface of cartridge 3 4 Transfer roller 5 Fixer 8 Discharge tray 8a Main body side wall surface 9 Light beam 12 Feed roller 13 CPU 18 High voltage power supply Unit 21 Cartridge memory tag 22 Communication antenna unit 23 Image formation control device 40 Modulation demodulation IC 48 Capacitor 47 Coil 49 Coil 50 Capacitor 59 Modulation demodulation and IC 110 Leaf spring 112 Plastic eyelet 113 Screw

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06K 17/00 G06K 19/00 Q 19/07 B41J 29/00 E H01Q 1/24 G03G 15/00 556 7 / 00 G06K 19/00 HF terms (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ06 CG15 HT13 2H071 BA04 BA16 BA20 BA34 DA06 DA08 DA13 DA15 DA34 EA08 5B035 AA11 BA01 BB09 BC03 CA12 CA23 5B058 CA15 CA22 KA02 KA04 KA05 A05 A02 FC5

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit and a control unit, wherein the image forming unit stores image forming unit related information, and first communication for transmitting the image forming unit related information. Means, and the control unit communicates with the first communication means in a non-contact manner, the second communication means for receiving the image forming unit related information, and the control unit receives the information from the second communication means. Control means for controlling image formation based on the image forming unit-related information, wherein the first communication means receives power supply from the second communication means in a non-contact manner. apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first communication unit receives power supply from said second communication unit by a carrier wave. 3. The power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the second communication unit supplies power by outputting a carrier wave to the first communication unit even while receiving the image forming unit related information from the first communication unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image forming unit is replaceable with respect to said image forming apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second communication unit includes a carrier control unit that controls output timing of a carrier. 6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first communication means transmits said image forming unit related information by modulating a carrier wave received from said second communication means.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a load impedance of an antenna provided in said first communication unit is changed for modulating said carrier wave. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a distance adjusting means for reducing a distance between said first communication means and said second communication means to a predetermined distance or less. The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said distance adjusting means includes an elastic member which is urged by coming into contact with said image forming means. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second communication means includes means for reducing rise and fall of said carrier wave. 11. An image forming method using an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit and a control unit, wherein the image forming unit stores image forming unit related information; A first communication unit for transmitting information; a second communication unit for performing non-contact communication with the first communication unit and receiving the image forming unit related information; And control means for controlling image formation based on the image forming unit-related information received from the second communication means. The power supply from the second communication means to the first communication means in a non-contact manner. An image forming method.