JP2003005590A - Image forming device and control method for the same, control program and memory device storing the same as well as automatic cartridge ordering system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which uses attachable and detachable recording material cartridges and makes automatic ordering of the cartridges possible by surely detecting whether the exchange of the recording material cartridges is needed or not. SOLUTION: When the number of printed sheets is the prescribed number M of sheets or above between the number N of the printed sheets at the point of the time the remaining amount of recording materials attains a prescribed value or below and the number L of the printed sheets at the last point of the time the remaining amount of the recording materials before the same is the prescribed value or below, i.e., only in the case of N-L>=M, judgment is made that the ordering of the cartridges is necessary, by which the sure detection of whether the ordering is necessary or not is made possible without providing the cartridges with memories or without providing the main body of the image forming device with additive circuits for accessing the memories.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and its control method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus using a removable recording material cartridge and its control method. The present invention also relates to a control program for the image forming apparatus and a storage medium storing the control program. The present invention further relates to an automatic ordering system for cartridges used in an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers, copying machines, facsimile machines, digital multifunction machines having at least a printing function,
In an apparatus having an image forming function (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as an image forming apparatus), consumables, particularly recording materials such as ink and toner, and consumables used for image forming processing such as a photoconductor are A cartridge structure that is integrated with mechanical parts and is detachable from the main body is widely used.

Specifically, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, a process cartridge in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a recording material are integrally made into a cartridge is used in an ink jet type image forming apparatus. Ink tank cartridges and cartridges in which an ink tank and an inkjet head are integrated are widely used.

Such a cartridge (hereinafter referred to as a recording material cartridge) is constructed so that the user can easily attach / detach it, and the maintenance of the apparatus can be carried out by the user himself without a serviceman. Therefore, for example, when the toner in the cartridge is used up, the user can immediately return to a printable state by obtaining a commercially available cartridge, which is convenient for the user.
Further, there is a merit that the manufacturer can save the labor of dispatching a service person.

In an image forming apparatus using such a recording material cartridge, if the recording material such as toner or ink runs short, the quality of the output image may deteriorate. Therefore, the remaining amount of the recording material is detected. A device that emits a signal prompting replacement of a cartridge has been conventionally proposed.

[0006] As a recording material remaining amount detecting means,
There are known an antenna method, a vibrating element, a magnetic permeability sensor, a pixel counting method for counting the number of dots of an image to be printed, storing the accumulated number in a memory, and estimating the remaining amount of toner.

Further, as a conventional technique for detecting and warning the cartridge replacement time, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-18576.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1 discloses an image forming apparatus having means for additionally storing information corresponding to the remaining amount of toner.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-212956 proposes an electrophotographic recording apparatus which calculates information relating to the life of a cartridge and writes the information in a memory.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-230172 proposes an image forming apparatus that stores characteristic information of a unit and the amount of the unit used in a nonvolatile storage medium provided in a replacement unit (cartridge). There is.

Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-106227, a proposal is made of an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge is provided with a non-volatile storage means to read drum usage amount and toner remaining amount detection information and inform the user of the cartridge life from the information. Has been done.

[0011]

However, even if the conventional image forming apparatus has a recording material remaining amount detecting function,
When the amount of toner becomes less than a predetermined amount, the user can only be warned, and the cartridge cannot be automatically ordered from the store.

With the spread of computer networks in recent years, the number of cases in which image forming apparatuses are connected to a computer network for use is increasing. Also, the use of the Internet has become common, and the environment in which the Internet can be accessed via a network to which an image forming apparatus is connected is no longer a special environment.

In such an environment, when it is judged that the recording material cartridge needs to be replaced, by accessing the site of a consumable goods sales company provided on the Internet,
It is possible to order the cartridges automatically. If automatic ordering becomes possible, it will save the user the trouble of going to the store himself or using the mail order to complete the purchase procedure, and the possibility of obtaining a new cartridge before the cartridge becomes completely unusable. Since the cost is high, the user's labor is saved and convenience is great.

When it is attempted to automatically order a cartridge, it is important not only to accurately determine the timing but also to prevent an erroneous order. For example, if an order is always placed when it is determined that the remaining amount of recording material is below a predetermined value, an erroneous order may be placed.

That is, when the warning that the remaining amount of the recording material falls below the predetermined value is first issued, the recording material in the cartridge may be unevenly distributed. Generally, the cartridge is once removed from the apparatus main body. If you shake the cartridge several times and then re-insert it, the warning is often cleared. In particular, this tendency is remarkable in the recording material cartridge in the electrophotographic system. Therefore, many users continue to use the same cartridge for some time after this. However, since there is no doubt that the amount of recording material in the cartridge is low, the remaining amount warning is issued again within a short period of time. In this way, if the warning about the decrease in the remaining amount of the same cartridge is issued a plurality of times, and if it is determined that the remaining amount of the recording material is less than the predetermined value, the order should be placed without fail.
Orders after the first time are likely to be incorrect.

In order to avoid this problem and place an accurate order, for example, a memory is provided in the cartridge, a unique number (cartridge ID identification information) is recorded in this memory, and this cartridge can be replaced. When it is determined that the cartridge ID is required, the cartridge ID identification information may be read out from the memory and notified to the distributor's site. This way, you can detect multiple orders for the same cartridge,
Avoid duplicate orders.

However, when this method is adopted, not only is it necessary to provide a memory for each cartridge, but it is also necessary to add a circuit component for accessing the memory to the image forming apparatus. , The overall cost increase will be great.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to reliably detect the necessity of replacement of a recording material cartridge in an image forming apparatus using a removable recording material cartridge and a control method thereof. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of automatically ordering a cartridge and a control method thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control program that realizes the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention and a computer-readable storage medium that stores the control program.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic cartridge ordering system using the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

[0021]

That is, the gist of the present invention is an image forming apparatus using a removable recording material cartridge, wherein the remaining amount of the recording material contained in the recording material cartridge is below a predetermined value. When the remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of recording material is less than a predetermined value is detected by the remaining amount detecting means, the output processing is finally performed. When the storage unit that stores the number of output processes (L) performed and the remaining amount detection unit newly detect that the remaining amount of the recording material is equal to or less than the predetermined value,
If the number of output processes (N) at that time and the number of output processes (L) stored in the storage unit satisfy N−L ≧ M (M is a predetermined natural number), an order for the recording material cartridge is instructed. And an order signal output unit that outputs an order signal to perform the image forming apparatus.

Another aspect of the present invention is to order an image forming apparatus of the present invention and a computer apparatus that receives an order signal output from the image forming apparatus and receives a preset order of a recording material cartridge. A recording material cartridge ordering system having a host computer that transmits a signal or a signal based on an ordering signal.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of controlling an image forming apparatus using a removable recording material cartridge, wherein the remaining amount of the recording material contained in the recording material cartridge is
When the remaining amount detecting step of detecting that the amount is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the number of output processes performed by the image forming apparatus, and the remaining amount of the recording material detected in the remaining amount detecting step are less than or equal to the predetermined value When the storage step of storing the output processing count (L) at the time of the last output processing in the storage means and the remaining amount detection step newly detect that the remaining amount of the recording material has become equal to or less than a predetermined value. , Output processing count at that time (N)
And the output processing count (L) stored in the storage step satisfies NL ≧ M (M is a predetermined natural number),
And an order signal output step of outputting an order signal for instructing the ordering of the recording material cartridge, and a control method of the image forming apparatus.

Another aspect of the present invention is a control program for an image forming apparatus using a removable recording material cartridge, wherein the remaining amount of the recording material contained in the recording material cartridge is below a predetermined value. The program of the remaining amount detecting step for detecting the above, the number of output processing performed by the image forming apparatus, and the last output processing in the state where the remaining amount of the recording material is detected to be less than or equal to a predetermined value in the remaining amount detecting step. When the storage process program for storing the output processing number (L) in the storage means in the storage means and the remaining amount detection step newly detect that the remaining amount of the recording material is equal to or less than the predetermined value, When the number of output processes (N) at the time point and the number of output processes (L) stored in the storage step satisfy N−L ≧ M (M is a predetermined natural number), an order for the recording material cartridge is instructed. Output order signal Order signal output process program,
And a control program for the image forming apparatus.

Another aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for an image forming apparatus using a removable recording material cartridge, wherein the recording medium included in the recording material cartridge is A program for the remaining amount detection step that detects that the remaining amount is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the number of output processes performed by the image forming apparatus, and the remaining amount of recording material in the remaining amount detection step is less than or equal to the predetermined value. And a program for a storage step for storing the output processing count (L) when the output processing was last performed in the storage means in the storage means, and the remaining amount detection step newly sets the remaining amount of the recording material to a predetermined value or less. When it is detected that the output processing count (N) at that time and the output processing count (L) stored in the storage step satisfy NL ≧ M (M is a predetermined natural number). If An order signal output process program that outputs an order signal that instructs the order of the recording material cartridge,
And a storage medium characterized by having.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below in detail based on its preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a laser beam printer will be described as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and a process cartridge including a photoconductor, toner, etc. as a recording material cartridge will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus and a recording material cartridge.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a laser beam printer as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 is a process cartridge mounted in the printer body. The process cartridge 100 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a cartridge) includes a cylindrical photosensitive drum 1 as a latent image carrier, a charging roller 2 as a charging device, a developing sleeve 3, a developing unit 6,
The cleaning unit 9 and mechanical parts (not shown) are integrated. The cartridge 100 is configured to be easily removable from the printer body.

Further, the printer main body conveys the exposure device 101 having a light source such as a semiconductor laser, a reflection mirror 102, a transfer device 103, a fixing device 109, a cassette 105 for stocking a recording medium such as paper, and the recording medium into the apparatus. It has a control unit 12 that controls the printer as a whole, including a transport device 106 that operates and a later-described automatic ordering process.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 2. The control unit 12 generates an exposure signal based on print data received from an external device, controls the exposure device 101, and forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is the developing unit 6
Is developed and visualized by the recording material (toner) 7 supplied from the developing sleeve 3 through the developing sleeve 3. Specifically, the toner is held in a thin layer on the surface of the developing sleeve 3, and a developing bias is applied to the sleeve 3 to perform the developing. The image on the photosensitive drum 1 visualized by the developer in this way is transferred to the recording medium 104 by the transfer device 103. And
The visible image formed by the developer transferred to the recording medium 104 is conveyed to the fixing device 109 together with the recording medium 104 and fixed by heat and / or pressure to form a recorded image. On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 without being transferred to the recording medium 104 is scraped off by the blade 5 of the cleaning unit 9 and accumulated in the cleaning unit 9.
After that, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged again by the charging roller 2, and the above-described image forming process is repeatedly executed until the print data is completed.

The cartridge 100 is replaced by the user when the toner 7 stored in the developing unit 6 becomes small enough to interfere with image formation, or when the photosensitive drum 1 reaches the end of its life. .

Next, the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism in the printer of this embodiment will be described. In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the remaining amount detecting mechanism of the recording material to be used is basically capable of detecting that the remaining amount of the recording material (toner 7 in the present embodiment) is below a predetermined value. , Any configuration can be used. Specifically, a capacitance detection type, a type using a magnetic sensor, a configuration for detecting the weight of the recording material, a light transmission type, etc. can be used. Further, the recording material to be printed on the recording medium is not limited to the toner, and for example, ink used in an inkjet printer or the like is also envisioned. In that case, for example, a sensor provided with an LED and a phototransistor provided at the bottom of an ink tank (container for storing ink) is used.
A mechanism for detecting the remaining amount of ink based on the difference in the intensity of reflected light detected (photoelectrically converted) by the phototransistor with respect to the incident light of the ED is assumed. Further, a mechanism for grasping (detecting) the remaining amount by combining the detection of the remaining amount by the sensor and the counting of dots (the number of print data pixels) is also envisioned. In this embodiment, the case of using the capacity detection method will be described.

That is, the antenna-shaped electrode 11 for detecting the capacity is provided in the developing unit 6, and an AC voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 3 which is a toner carrier from a power source (not shown). Then, the capacitance between the electrode 11 and the developing sleeve 3 is obtained by, for example, a capacitance detection circuit provided in the controller 12. It has a reference capacitance value corresponding to the capacitance value measured for the toner capacity to be detected in advance,
An output from a reference capacitor (not shown) (denoted as Vth) is compared, and when the detection result of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 becomes Vth or less, it is determined that the toner remaining amount becomes a predetermined value or less. . It should be noted that in the present embodiment, Vth is the output that is the recording material amount that allows printing of about 300 remaining sheets (printing without white spots in the output result) in a standard print pattern (image ratio 5%). And

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration relating to the control unit 12 in FIG. 1 and an automatic ordering operation described later.
In the figure, the control unit 12 of the printer body includes an input / output port (I / O port) 28 and a read-only memory (R).
OM) 25 and random access memory (RAM) 26
A CPU 24 as a control circuit, a non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) 27 for storing a count value and the like described later,
It has a print detection circuit 29 for detecting a print on the process cartridge 100 and a capacitance detection circuit 30. I / O port 28, ROM 25, RAM 26,
The CPU 24 and NVRAM 27 are connected to each other via the system bus 23.

Further, the display / operation unit 40 having a display panel for displaying the printer status, messages to the user, etc., and keys for inputting various settings, etc.
It is connected to the O port 28. Further, the I / O port 28 is provided with a network interface so that it can communicate with various devices on the network 90. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the host computer 50 that supplies print data to the printer is connected to the network 90.
Also, the devices listed in the network 90
A gateway device 60 for connecting to 0 is connected. Further, the host computer 50 has a display device 51.
Further, an input device (keyboard, mouse, etc.) not shown is connected.

In the present embodiment, the computer (sales site) 80 of the shop to which the cartridge is ordered.
Is communicably connected to the printer, the host computer 50, or the gateway device 60 via the Internet 70. The connection form between the printer and the store site is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 2, and the host computer 50 and the store site 80 may exist on the same network, for example. Also, the host computer 50 is not a network interface,
It may be connected via a local interface such as a so-called serial or parallel interface.

As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, whether directly or indirectly through another computer, is only required to be able to communicate with at least the shop site, and its connection form. Is optional. Further, other external devices to be connected and their connecting methods are also arbitrary, and can be appropriately changed according to the application (printer, copier, facsimile machine, etc.) in which the image forming apparatus is used and the environment in which it is used.

In the control unit 12, the print detection circuit 2
When a print is performed using the cartridge 100, the reference numeral 9 generates a detection signal for each page, and the I / O port 2
Output to 8. Instead of using the print detection circuit 29, the cartridge 100 may be provided with a means for generating the above-mentioned detection signal and input to the I / O port 28. The electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 detects the electrostatic capacitance between the developing sleeve 3 and the antenna electrode 11 in the toner unit 6 inside the cartridge 100 as described above, and outputs the information regarding the remaining toner amount to the I / O port 38. . When it detects that the detected capacitance is below the output of the reference capacitor provided inside the circuit, it outputs a cartridge replacement timing detection signal to the I / O port 38. Information regarding the remaining amount of toner detected by the electrostatic capacity detection circuit 30 is output to the display panel of the display / operation unit 40 through the I / O port 28.

(Cartridge Order Necessity Determination Process) Next,
The principle of the cartridge order necessity determination process, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows changes in the output value of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 when the cartridge is used. In FIG. 3, the cartridge is replaced with a new cartridge at the number of prints a, then at the time of the number of prints c, the cartridge is once removed, shaken several times, and then reattached, and finally used up to the number of prints e, The change in output when a new cartridge is replaced is shown.

As shown in the figure, the capacitance detection circuit 30
Output does not change linearly with the amount of toner consumed, and the output value shows a constant value until the toner is considerably consumed. The output value decreases after reaching the quantity. Then, a toner amount warning (toner LO
W display). In the present embodiment, as described above, the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 displays the toner LOW when the detection result becomes equal to or lower than the reference potential Vth. Therefore, the toner LOW display is performed when the number of prints b. Then, after printing up to the number c of sheets in that state, the cartridge is removed and shaken several times, and the detection result of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 becomes Vth or more again, and the toner LOW
The display is canceled. After that, when the number of sheets d is printed, the toner LOW display is made again.

Conventionally, when the detection output of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 becomes equal to or lower than the reference determination value Vth, a message is displayed on the display / operation unit 40 to inform that the process cartridge replacement time is due. Had.

In the present invention, the capacitance detection circuit 30
In addition to the fact that the detection output of is less than or equal to the reference determination value Vth and the number of prints at that time and the last number of prints that the toner LOW display of the previous cartridge is more than a predetermined number, the cartridge is automatically ordered. .

That is, the number of prints when the detection output of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 becomes the reference judgment value Vth or less is N, and finally the detection output of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 is the reference judgment value Vth or less. If the number of sheets is L, N-
The cartridge is automatically ordered only when L ≧ M (M is a predetermined number).

Explaining in detail with reference to FIG. 3, first, the number of prints a, c, e is the above-mentioned number of prints L, respectively.
Further, the print numbers b and d correspond to the print number N, respectively. Further, the predetermined number M is the number of sheets from the time when the toner LOW is displayed until the white spot occurs in the output result (in the present embodiment, when the image ratio of 5% is the standard image,
(300 sheets) or more, and a value smaller than the number of printable sheets before the toner LOW display is made on a normal new cartridge, and in this embodiment, it is set to 600 sheets.

In the example of FIG. 3, the cartridge is replaced with a new cartridge when the number of prints is a, and when the number of prints is b, the detection result of the electrostatic capacity detection circuit 30 becomes Vth or less, and the toner LOW display is made. Is done. Applying to the above formula of N−L ≧ M, b−a ≧ M
If so, order the cartridge automatically. As shown in FIG. 3, since b−a ≧ M, the cartridge is automatically ordered with the number of prints b.

Thereafter, when the cartridge is detached at the time when the number of prints c is used in a state where the toner LOW is displayed without being replaced and the cartridge is shaken several times and then reinstalled, the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit The detection result of 30 exceeds Vth, and the toner LOW display is canceled.
Then, when the number of printed sheets reaches d, the detection result of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 becomes Vth or less again, and the toner L
OW display is performed. With respect to the number of prints d, the number of prints c is the number of prints for which the detection output of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 is the reference determination value Vth or less at the end.
If −c ≧ M is satisfied, the cartridge is automatically ordered. However, when the cartridge is shaken and reloaded, the toner LOW display is made earlier than when a new cartridge is loaded, so that d−c <M, and no order is placed at the time when the number of printed sheets d. . in this way,
In the present invention, the cartridge is provided with a memory,
It is possible to reliably detect the necessity of ordering without providing an additional circuit for memory access in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Next, the print operation of the image forming apparatus using the cartridge order necessity determination process described with reference to FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the block diagram of FIG. In the following description, the automatic order processing to the store site 80 is performed by the host computer 50 receiving the order signal output from the printer and accessing the store site 80 from the host computer 50. However, instead of the host computer 50, the gateway device 60 may perform the automatic order processing, or the printer itself may have a communication function with the store site 80 so that the printer itself accesses the store site 80 to automatically place an order. May be configured to perform.

The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed by the CPU 24 of the control unit 12 executing the program stored in the ROM 25 and using the necessary constituent elements. In FIG. 4, first, when the cartridge 100 is mounted and the power of the printer main body is turned on, initialization processing is performed. In the initialization process, the capacitance detection circuit 3
If the output check of 0 is made and the toner capacity drop detection signal is output, the toner LOW display is displayed, and if it is a normal capacity detection signal, the information regarding the remaining amount is displayed / operation unit 4 respectively.
Display to 0. As is known in the art, the initialization process is also performed when the opened main body cover is closed, when there is a reset instruction, and the like, other than when the power is turned on. When the initialization process is completed, the printer is ready for printing (print ready) and waits for a print instruction from the host computer 50 or a command input via the display / operation unit 40 (step S10).

When there is a print instruction from the host computer 50, print processing is started (step S1).
2). Then, the print detection circuit 29 generates a detection signal every time one page is printed by the process cartridge 100. The CPU 24 detects this detection signal via the I / O port 28 and increments the total number of prints stored in a predetermined area of the NVRAM 27 by 1 for each detection signal (step S14).

In step S16, the detection result of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 is checked, and when it becomes Vth or less, the toner LOW is displayed (step S18). When the detection result of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 exceeds Vth, step S18 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S24.

When the toner LOW is displayed, it is determined whether or not to order the cartridge next. First, NVRA
Using the number of prints L stored in M27, that is, the number of prints when the last toner LOW display state was last printed, and the current total number of prints N also stored in NVRAM 27, NL ≧ M It is determined whether or not it is satisfied.

When NL ≧ M is satisfied, a signal indicating that a cartridge order is required is output to the host computer 50 via the I / O port 28. Receiving this signal, the host computer 50 uses the preset IP address or URL to access the store site 80 to place an order for the cartridge. Of course, before actually placing an order, a dialog such as "The printer has run out of toner, so I will order a new cartridge. Are you sure?" Is displayed on the display device 51 of the host computer 50, and the user's Arbitrary ordering procedures are possible, such as performing the actual ordering process only when the approval is obtained.

In step S20, if NL <M, the cartridge order signal is not output and the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, it is checked whether printing of all pages related to the print job from the host computer 50 has been completed. If there is a page that has not been printed yet, the process returns to step S12 to print the next page. If the printing of the final page has already been completed, the print processing ends.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the process when the cartridge is attached / detached in the printer according to the present embodiment. First, it is checked whether or not the cartridge has been removed, and if it has not been removed, nothing is done and the process waits (step S100). The removal and installation of the cartridge depends on whether the cartridge is present or not (ON / OF
It can be determined by providing a switch of F) on the printer main body and detecting the value by the CPU 24 of the control unit 12. When the cartridge is removed, it is checked whether or not the toner LOW is being displayed at that time (step S110), and if the toner LOW is being displayed,
The value of the number of prints L stored in the NVRAM 27 is replaced with the current total number of prints N (step S12).
0). If the toner LOW is not displayed, nothing is done and the process proceeds to step S130.

In step S130, it is checked whether or not the cartridge is mounted, and if it is not mounted, the process stands by without doing anything. When the mounting of the cartridge is detected,
It is checked whether or not the detection result of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 30 is Vth or less (whether the remaining toner amount is small) (step S140). When the detection result of the capacitance detection circuit 30 is Vth or less, the toner LOW display is performed (step S15).
0), otherwise turn off the toner LOW display (step S160) and return to step S100. In this way, the number of prints L stored in the NVRAM 27 is updated.

[0055]

Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the value of the predetermined number M is fixedly set assuming the image ratio (printing ratio) is 5%. However, for example, the number of dots of the image to be printed is set. When the present invention is applied to a printer capable of counting the number of prints and further storing the accumulated value in a memory, by changing the value of M according to the print pixel number information, it is possible to more accurately determine the necessity of ordering. Will be possible.

That is, a well-known structure for counting the number of dots of an image printed on the control unit 12 is added. For example, if the image ratio is 15%, the predetermined number M is 300, and if the average image ratio is 2%. The predetermined number value M is set to 1000. That is, by using the cumulative value information of the number of image dots as the print pixel number information and changing the predetermined number M based on the cumulative value information, it is possible to more accurately determine the necessity of ordering.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), a device composed of one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile). Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) recording a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to supply a computer of the system or apparatus ( Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the CPU or MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
By executing the program code read by the computer, 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 code.
Needless to say, this also includes the case where the above-mentioned processes perform part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

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

When the present invention is applied to the above storage medium, the storage medium stores the program code corresponding to the above-described flowchart (shown in FIG. 4 and / or FIG. 5).

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus using a removable recording material cartridge, printing is performed between the time when the remaining amount of recording material is below a predetermined value and the last time when the remaining amount of recording material is below a predetermined value. Only when the number of printed sheets exceeds a predetermined number, it is determined that the ordering of the cartridge is necessary without deciding that the cartridge needs to be ordered without providing a memory in the cartridge or an additional circuit for accessing the memory in the main body of the image forming apparatus. It becomes possible to detect the failure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a laser printer as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control unit 12 and its related peripheral elements in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a principle of a cartridge order necessity detection process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming process according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process at the time of attaching / detaching a cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03G 21/18 G06F 3/12 K 5C062 G06F 3/12 H04N 1/00 106C H04N 1/00 106 G03G 15/00 556 F Term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AQ06 HK15 HK16 HV13 HV26 LL03 2H027 DA44 DA45 DB01 DD02 DE04 DE07 EJ08 EJ13 EJ15 HB02 HB13 HB15 2H071 BA04 BA13 BA17 BA33 A05 A19 A02 A02 A06 A59 A02 A02 AD06 DA15 DA02 DA06 DA15 DA22 DA22 DA06 DA15 DA10 DA22 AA02 AA05 AB42 AC41 AC42 AC58 BA04 BD06

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus using a detachable recording material cartridge, and a remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of the recording material contained in the recording material cartridge is below a predetermined value. The number of output processes performed by the image forming apparatus, and the output process when the last output process is performed in a state where the remaining amount detection unit detects that the remaining amount of the recording material is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Storage means for storing the number of times (L), and the number of output processings (N) at that time when the remaining amount detecting means newly detects that the remaining amount of the recording material is below a predetermined value. If the output processing count (L) stored in the storage means satisfies NL ≧ M (M is a predetermined natural number), an order signal for outputting an order signal for instructing the order of the recording material cartridge Output means, and Image forming apparatus. 2. The same recording material cartridge is continuously used from the time when the predetermined natural number M first detects that the remaining amount of the recording material with respect to the recording material cartridge becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the value is larger than the number of times of output processing that is considered to cause white spots in the output result when the output is continued. 3. A removal detecting means for detecting attachment / detachment of the recording material cartridge, and when it is detected that the cartridge has been removed,
When the remaining amount detecting means is performing the detection, and then when it is detected that the recording material cartridge is mounted, when the remaining amount detecting means stops the detection,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an updating unit that updates the output processing count (L) with the output processing count stored in the storage unit. 4. A print pixel number detecting means for detecting the print pixel number of the output result, and a threshold value changing means for changing the predetermined number M according to the print pixel number information. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The threshold value changing means uses cumulative value information of the number of print pixels as the print pixel number information, and changes the predetermined number M based on the cumulative value information. Image forming apparatus. 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a network interface unit, wherein the order signal output unit outputs the order signal via the network interface unit. The image forming apparatus described. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, and an order of the recording material cartridge set in advance by receiving the order signal output from the image forming apparatus. A recording material cartridge ordering system having a host computer that transmits the order signal or a signal based on the order signal to a computer device that receives the order signal. 8. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus using a removable recording material cartridge, the remaining amount detection detecting that the remaining amount of the recording material contained in the recording material cartridge is below a predetermined value. Step, the number of output processes performed by the image forming apparatus, and the last output process performed when the remaining amount of the recording material is detected to be equal to or less than a predetermined value in the remaining amount detecting step. When the storage step of storing the output processing count (L) in the storage means and the remaining amount detection step newly detect that the remaining amount of the recording material has become equal to or less than a predetermined value, the output at that time point An order for instructing the order of the recording material cartridge when the number of processing times (N) and the number of output processing times (L) stored in the storing step satisfy N−L ≧ M (M is a predetermined natural number) Output signal And a step of outputting an order signal according to claim 1. 9. The same recording material cartridge is continuously used from the time when the predetermined natural number M is detected for the first time that the remaining amount of the recording material with respect to the recording material cartridge is below a predetermined value. 9. The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the value is larger than the number of times of output processing that is considered to cause white spots in the output result when the output is continued. 10. A removal detecting step of detecting attachment / detachment of the recording material cartridge, and when it is detected that the cartridge is removed,
When the remaining amount detecting step does the detection and when it is detected that the recording material cartridge is mounted thereafter, the remaining amount detecting step stops the detection, and is stored in the storage means. 10. The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an updating step of updating the output processing count (L) with the output processing count. 11. A print pixel number detecting step of detecting the print pixel number of the output result, and a threshold value changing step of changing the predetermined number M according to the print pixel number information. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 8. 12. The image according to claim 11, wherein the threshold value changing step uses cumulative value information of the number of print pixels as the print pixel number information, and changes the predetermined number M based on the cumulative value information. Control method of forming apparatus. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising network interface means, and the order signal output step outputs the order signal via the network interface means. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to any one of items. 14. A control program for an image forming apparatus using a detachable recording material cartridge, the remaining amount detection for detecting that the remaining amount of the recording material contained in the recording material cartridge is below a predetermined value. The program of the process, the number of output processes performed by the image forming apparatus, and the output process performed last in a state where the remaining amount of the recording material is detected to be equal to or less than a predetermined value in the remaining amount detection step. A program of a storage step of storing the output processing count (L) in the storage means in a storage means, and a time point when the remaining amount detection step newly detects that the remaining amount of the recording material is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In the case where the number of output processing (N) and the number of output processing (L) stored in the storage step satisfy NL ≧ M (M is a predetermined natural number) To An order signal output process program that outputs an order signal to instruct,
A control program for an image forming apparatus, comprising: 15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for an image forming apparatus using a removable recording material cartridge, wherein the remaining amount of the recording material contained in the recording material cartridge is not more than a predetermined value. The program of the remaining amount detecting step to detect that the remaining amount of the recording material is detected, the number of output processes performed by the image forming apparatus, and the remaining amount of the recording material is detected to be equal to or less than a predetermined value in the remaining amount detecting step. In the storage step, a program of a storing step for storing the output processing number (L) when the output processing is last performed in the state, and the remaining amount detecting step newly sets the remaining amount of the recording material to a predetermined value or less. When it is detected that the output processing number (N) at that time and the output processing number (L) stored in the storage step are N−L ≧ M (M is a predetermined natural value). If it meets), apply a signal output step of a program of outputting the order signal to instruct the order of the recording medium cartridge,
A storage medium having: