JP2004009435A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To administer the operation time information of each component unitarily, and to rewrite the data to a normal value by a user in the case incorrect data are written in an operation time integrating means in a printer comprising replaceable component having the operation time integrating means for predicting the lifetime. <P>SOLUTION: The printer comprises a printing counter for each replaceable component such as an image controller, an engine controller and a developing drum, and a means for displaying the all printing counter values on a status printing. A rewriting means for changing an arbitrary printing counter value according to a command from a panel or a host PC is provided. A means for utilizing not only the printing counting value as the operation time information but also a measured electrified time of a mechanical unit such as a hard disc as breakdown predicting information is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an output device such as a laser beam printer connected to a host computer via a bidirectional interface.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Color laser beam printers capable of multi-valued printing have more paper parts and more complicated printing mechanisms than conventional monochrome laser beam printers. The difference in the life of each replacement part is increasing, and it is expected that the parts will be replaced more frequently.
[0003]
A color laser with a function to provide a print counter to the developing drum cartridge, which is the main part and the main part of printing, and to indicate the end of the replacement life with a message on the operation panel to prompt the user to replace the part Printers are on sale.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if the number of prints (that is, the operation time) is recorded for each replacement part, a conventional printer has a function that allows the user to confirm at any time that each recording element is operating normally. Did not. If the number of prints is rewritten due to a latent defect of the recording element or sudden noise from inside or outside, the printing apparatus recognizes that the printing is over-used even though it is a good product, and the risk of malfunction may not be denied.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has a function capable of displaying all information in a unified manner by test printing operation time information of a storage unit provided in each part of a printing apparatus. However, when an incorrect value is held in the operation time information of some parts, a means for allowing the user to arbitrarily correct the incorrect information is provided.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the printing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, in the printing apparatus, the operation time holding means of the printing apparatus printing unit control means, the operation time holding means of the printing apparatus image generation unit control means, the operation time holding means of various replacement parts, and the storage information of each operation time holding means are all test printed. By having a reading means that can be printed and a rewriting means that can arbitrarily rewrite the contents of each operation time holding means, the operation time information of replacement parts can be centrally managed, and the operation time can be held even if the standard life has not been reached. A replacement part that has become unusable due to a malfunction of the means can be made usable again.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, a configuration of a color laser beam printer suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the printer to which this embodiment is applied is not limited to a color laser beam printer, but may be a printer of another printing method such as an LED printer.
[0008]
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied, and shows a case of a color laser beam printer (CLP).
[0009]
In the figure, reference numeral 1600 denotes a CLP main body, which receives code data and image data described in a printer language sent from an external host computer 3000 and, based on these data, outputs one page of magenta, cyan, yellow, and black. A controller 1000 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a “controller”) for generating multi-valued image data, and a laser beam modulated according to input multi-valued image data is scanned on a photosensitive drum to form a latent image. And a printer engine 1500 (hereinafter referred to as an engine) for performing recording by a series of electrophotographic processes in which the image is transferred onto a recording sheet and then fixed. Reference numeral 1530 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation, an LCD display, and the like are arranged.
[0010]
The controller 1000 and the printer engine 1500 are connected by an interface signal line 1200. The main interface signals include / RDY, / PRNT, / TOP, / LSYNC, VDO7 to VDO0, and VCLK, which will be briefly described below.
[0011]
The / RDY signal is a signal sent from the engine to the controller, and indicates that the engine is ready to start a printing operation or to be able to continue the printing operation whenever the engine receives a / PRRNT signal described later. It is. The / PRNT signal is a signal sent from the controller to the engine, and is a signal for instructing the start of the printing operation or the continuation of the printing operation.
[0012]
The / TOP signal is a synchronization signal in the sub-scanning (vertical scanning) direction, and is sent from the engine to the controller.
[0013]
The / LSYNC signal is a synchronization signal in the main scanning (horizontal scanning) direction, and is sent from the engine to the controller. The VDO7 to VDO0 signals are image signals sent from the controller to the engine and indicate image density information to be printed by the engine. VDO7 is represented by the most significant bit, and VDO0 is represented by the least significant eight bits. In the engine, the VDO7 to VDO0 signals are printed at the maximum density of the developing toner color at FFH, and are not printed at 00H. These are sent out in synchronization with the transfer synchronization signal VCLK. Next, the operation of the printer engine 1500 will be described with reference to FIGS. Upon receiving the / PRNT signal from the printer controller 1000, the printer engine 1500 rotates the photosensitive drum 1506 and the transfer drum 1508 in the direction of the arrow by driving means (not shown). Subsequently, charging of the roller charger 1509 is started, and the potential on the photosensitive drum 1506 is uniformly charged to a predetermined value. Next, the recording paper 1528 is supplied from the recording paper cassette 1510 to the transfer drum 1508 by the paper supply roller 1511. The transfer drum 1508 is formed by stretching a dielectric sheet on a hollow support, and rotates at the same speed as the photosensitive drum 1506 in the direction of the arrow. When the recording sheet 1528 is supplied to the transfer drum 1508, the recording sheet 1528 is held by a gripper 1512 provided on a support of the transfer drum, and the recording sheet 1528 is transferred to the transfer drum by an attraction roller 1513 and an attraction charger 1514. Adsorb to 1508. At the same time, by rotating the support 1515 of the developing device, the developing device 1516M containing magenta toner as the first toner among the four developing devices 1516M, 1516C, 1516Y, and 1516Bk supported by the support 1515 is moved. The photosensitive drum 1506 is opposed to the photosensitive drum 1506. Reference numeral 1516C denotes a developing device containing cyan toner, 1516Y denotes a developing device containing yellow toner, and 1516Bk denotes a developing device containing black toner.
[0014]
On the other hand, the printer engine 1500 detects the leading end of the recording paper 1528 attracted to the transfer drum 1506 by the detector 1517, generates a vertical synchronization signal / TOP at a predetermined timing, and sends it to the controller 1000. Upon receiving the first / TOP signal for the print page, the controller 1000 reads out the magenta data, which is the first print color, from the image data stored in the page memory in the RAM 19 at a predetermined timing. The read 8-bit image data D7 to D0 are sent to the printer engine as image signals VDO7 to VDO0 in synchronization with the VCLK signal.
[0015]
The VDO7 to VDO0 signals output from the controller are input to a pulse width modulation circuit 1501 as shown in FIG. 4 and become a laser drive signal VDO having a pulse width (256 steps) corresponding to the level, and transmitted to a laser driver. At the time of development, which will be described later, the amount of adhered toner can be adjusted in accordance with the pulse width of the laser drive signal VDO, whereby 256 shades of each color are reproduced. Next, in FIG. 4, a laser beam 1527 from a laser diode 1503 driven in accordance with the laser drive signal VDO is deflected by a rotary polygon mirror 1504 which is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow by a motor (not shown), and is arranged on the optical path. After passing through the formed imaging lens 1505, the photosensitive drum 1506 is scanned in the main scanning direction to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 1506. At this time, the beam detector 1507 detects the scanning start point of the laser beam, and generates a / LSYNC signal, which is a horizontal synchronization signal for determining an image writing timing of main scanning, from the detection signal.
[0016]
The main scanning operation described above is repeated, and a magenta latent image for one page is formed on the photosensitive drum 1506.
[0017]
Returning to FIG. 3, the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1506 is developed by the developing device 1516M containing the above-mentioned magenta toner, and becomes a magenta toner image.
[0018]
The magenta toner image is transferred by a transfer charger 1519 to a recording sheet 1528 that is attracted to a rotating transfer roller 1508. At this time, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1506 without being transferred is removed by the cleaning device 1525. With the above operation, a magenta toner image for one page is formed on the recording paper 1528.
[0019]
Next, the support 1515 of the developing device is rotated so that the developing device 1516C containing the cyan toner as the second toner is opposed to the photosensitive drum 1506. Subsequently, as in the case of magenta, the leading end of the recording paper 1528 rotating while being attracted to the transfer roller 1508 is detected by the detector 1517, and a vertical synchronization signal / TOP is generated and sent to the controller 1000. In response, the controller 1000 reads cyan data from the page memory 19. Hereinafter, by the same operation, the cyan toner image is transferred onto the recording paper 1528 so as to overlap the magenta toner image.
[0020]
Further, similarly, a yellow toner image as the third toner and a black toner image as the fourth toner are transferred onto the recording paper 1528 in a superimposed manner, and become a full-color toner image.
[0021]
The recording paper 1528 onto which all the four color toner images have been transferred is separated from the transfer drum 1508 by the separation claw 1521 via the separation charger 1520, and is supplied to the fixing device 1523 by the conveyance means 1522. At this time, the transfer drum cleaner 1526 cleans the surface of the transfer drum.
[0022]
The toner image on the recording paper is melted and fixed by being heated and pressed by the fixing device 1523, and becomes a final color output image. Then, the recording paper on which recording has been completed is discharged to a paper discharge tray 1524.
[0023]
In FIG. 5, 3000 is a host computer, and 2000 is a host computer control unit. The host computer control unit 2000 includes a CPU 2001 for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets and the like) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 2003, and The CPU 2001 comprehensively controls each device connected to the bus 2004.
[0024]
The program RO of the ROM 2003 stores a control program of the CPU 2001, the font ROM of the ROM 2003 stores font data and the like used in the document processing, and the data ROM of the ROM 2003 stores the document processing ROM. For example, various data (for example, overlay form data, background image data, and external characters) used when performing the operation are stored. A RAM 2002 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 2001. A keyboard controller (KBC) 2005 controls key input from a keyboard 3001 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 2006 controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 3002. Reference numeral 2007 denotes a disk controller (DKC) for accessing the external memory 3003 such as a hard disk (HD) storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, and editing files, and a floppy (R) disk (FD). Control. A printer controller (PRTC) 2008 is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 2009 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500.
[0025]
The CPU 2001 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 200, and enables WYSIWYG on the CRT 3002. Further, the CPU 2001 opens various registered windows based on a command specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 3002, and executes various data processing.
[0026]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. If the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention is applicable to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, and a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.
[0027]
In the printer 1500, a printer CPU 1001 communicates with various devices connected to a system bus 1005 based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM of a ROM 1003 or a control program or the like stored in an extension ROM module 1004. It controls access in general and outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 1007 connected via a printing unit interface 1006. The program ROM of the ROM 1003 stores a control program of the CPU 1001 and the like. The font ROM of the ROM1003 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information, and the dataROM of the ROM1003 stores overlay forms and external character information used on the host computer. .
[0028]
The CPU 1001 can communicate with the host computer via the input unit 1008, and can notify the host computer 2000 of information in the printer and the like. A RAM 1002 functions as a main memory, a work area, a page memory, and the like of the CPU 1001, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an expansion RAM module connected to an expansion boat (not shown). Note that the RAM 1002 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, and the like. The access to the expansion ROM module 1004 such as the IC card described above is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 1009. The extension ROM module 1004 is connected as an option, and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 1010 denotes an image generation unit that assists the CPU 1001 in generating print data by calculation. It has a function to perform high-speed processing of print data using logic circuits for enlargement / reduction, rotation, color conversion, and superimposition. Reference numeral 1530 denotes the above-described operation unit in which switches for operation, an LCD display, and the like are arranged.
[0029]
The number of the above-mentioned extension modules is not limited to one, and at least one or more is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages can be connected. May be configured. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.
[0030]
The present invention realizes a function in which a user can arbitrarily set execution timing of a density adjustment process for guaranteeing print image quality in a print system including these units.
[0031]
The details of each embodiment will be described below.
[0032]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same numbers are added to the blocks already described in the conventional example, and the description is omitted.
[0033]
Reference numeral 1 denotes a color laser beam printer according to the present embodiment, which includes an image generating unit 2 and a printing unit 3.
[0034]
The image generation unit includes an image generation unit control unit 4 that generates print image data 104 that expresses a print image according to the amount of laser beam irradiation based on print data 101 from the host computer 3000. The components of the image generation unit control means are the same as those of the controller 1000 described above. Further, there is a print counter 5 composed of a non-volatile memory for holding the number of prints as operation time information of the image generation unit control means 4.
[0035]
In the printing unit, a printing unit control unit 6 for controlling the entire printing mechanism, a print counter 7 including a nonvolatile memory for holding the number of prints as operation time information of the printing unit control unit 6, a toner cartridge 1515, and a developing drum cartridge 8 Having. 3 and 4 exist, but are omitted here. Further, in the developing drum cartridge 8, there is a printer counter 9 composed of a non-volatile memory for holding the number of prints as operation time information of the drum cartridge.
[0036]
Hereinafter, the flow of processing in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0037]
When “Status Print” for outputting the setting value information of the printing apparatus 1 is printed by a command from the panel 1530 or the host PC 3000, the “Number of printouts that have been made since the image generation unit 2 was exchanged” is printed there. “Count”, the number of sheets printed out after unpacking the printing apparatus 1 “Printer Controller Paper Count”, the number of sheets printed out after replacing the developing drum cartridge 8 “Developing Drum Paper Count”, Is printed.
[0038]
The user or the service person can predict the arrival time until the specified life (replacement time) by looking at it.
[0039]
Further, even when the value of the printer counter is garbled due to an installation environment of the printing apparatus or a nonstandard noise from the inside, the user or the serviceman can recognize the malfunction. At this time, the user or serviceman can arbitrarily rewrite the data stored in the print counters 5, 7, and 9 in each unit by using the print counter rewrite command 103 or 102 from the panel 1530 or the host PC 3000 to return the data to a normal value. Can be done.
[0040]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same numbers are added to the blocks already described in the conventional example, and the description is omitted.
[0041]
Reference numeral 21 denotes a color laser beam printer according to the present embodiment, which includes an image generating unit 22 and a printing unit 3.
[0042]
The operation of the image generation unit control unit 23 and the image generation unit control unit 23 that generates print data 104 that expresses a print image by the amount of laser beam irradiation based on the print data 101 from the host computer 3000 in the image generation unit There is a print counter 5 composed of a non-volatile memory that holds the number of prints as time information, and a hard disk 24 that realizes functions such as a printer data spool and a font cache to enhance the functions of the printing apparatus. The hard disk 24 is made operable by issuing a power_ON command 201 as necessary by the image generation unit control means 24, and the power supply of the hard disk 24 can be shut off when it is unnecessary.
[0043]
Reference numeral 25 denotes an HDD operation time measuring means including a timer and a non-volatile memory, which can measure, accumulate, and record the energized time of the hard disk 24.
[0044]
The printing unit 3 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.
[0045]
Hereinafter, the flow of processing in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0046]
When “Status Print” for outputting the setting value information of the printing apparatus 1 is printed by a command from the panel 1530 or the host PC 3000, the “Image Controller Paper” “Count”, the number of sheets printed out after unpacking the printing apparatus 21 “Printer Controller Paper Count”, the number of sheets printed out after replacing the developing drum cartridge 8 “Developing Drum Paper Count”, The integrated value “HDD operation time” of the operation time of the hard disk 24 is printed.
[0047]
The user or the service person can predict the arrival time until the specified life (replacement time) by looking at it.
[0048]
In many cases, a 2.5-inch hard disk is used as a hard disk used in the printing apparatus due to the installation space condition in the printing apparatus. Notebook PCs are the main application of 2.5-inch hard disks, and if they are continuously energized for a long period of time, the product life will be short, and it is recommended by the manufacturer to adopt a method of switching the power supply every day Have been. However, in the case of a printing apparatus used as a center machine in an office, assuming a facsimile function, there is a possibility that the printing apparatus is used in a continuous power-on state for 24 hours. In this case, it is only necessary to adopt a method of sequentially controlling the power supply of the hard disk by setting the energy saving mode. However, if the energization time of the HDD can be integrated and the temporary print display can be performed, the user can predict the failure of the HDD. .
[0049]
Further, even when the value of the printer counter is garbled due to an installation environment of the printing apparatus or a nonstandard noise from the inside, the user or the serviceman can recognize the malfunction. At this time, the user or serviceman can arbitrarily rewrite the data stored in the print counters 5, 7, and 9 in each unit by using the print counter rewrite command 103 or 102 from the panel 1530 or the host PC 3000 to return the data to a normal value. Can be done.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the printing apparatus, the operation time holding means of the printing apparatus printing unit control means, the operation time holding means of the printing apparatus image generation unit control means, the operation time holding means of various replacement parts, and the operation time holding means By having a reading unit that can print all stored information on a test print and a rewriting unit that can arbitrarily rewrite the contents of each operation time holding unit, it is possible to centrally manage the operation time information of replacement parts and predict component failure This has the effect of simplifying the estimation of the replacement time and enabling the replacement part which has become unusable due to a malfunction of the operating time holding means before the specified life has been reached, to be usable again.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printing system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a color laser beam printer.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an optical unit of a color laser beam printer.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a host computer.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a laser beam printer control system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 21 Color laser printer 2, 22 of each embodiment Image generation unit 3 of each embodiment Printing unit 4, 23 of each embodiment Image generation unit control means 5, 7, 9 Print counter 6 Printing unit control means 8 Developing drum Cartridge 24 Hard disk 25 HDD operation time measuring means 1000 Printer control unit 1001 Printer CPU
1002 Printer RAM
1003 Printer ROM
1004 External memory 1005 Printer system bus 1006 Printing unit interface 1007 Printing unit 1008 Host interface 1009 Printer memory controller 1010 Image generation unit 1200 Interface signal line 1500 Color printer engine 1501 Pulse width modulation circuit 1502 Laser driver 1503 Laser diode 1504 Rotating polygon mirror 1505 Image lens 1506 Photosensitive drum 1507 Beam detector 1508 Transfer drum 1509 Roller charger 1510 Paper cassette 1511 Paper roller 1512 Gripper 1513 Suction roller 1514 Suction charger 1515 Developing device support 1516 Each color developing device 1517 Recording paper edge detector 1518 Optical Unit 1519 transfer charger 1520 separation charger 1521 separation claw 15 Second conveying unit 1523 fixing apparatus 1524 discharge tray 1525 cleaning apparatus 1526 transfer drum cleaner 1527 laser beam 1528 operating section 1600 recording paper 1530 color printer 2000 host computer control unit host 2001 host CPU
2002 Host RAM
2003 Host ROM
2004 Host system bus 2005 Keyboard controller 2006 CRT controller 2007 Host memory controller 2008 Printer controller 3000 Host computer 3001 Keyboard 3002 CRT
3003 Host external memory

Claims (2)

It is a high-quality multi-color printing device represented by a color laser beam printer capable of multi-color printing of print data from the host computer,
Printing unit control means for controlling the printing mechanism,
Image generation unit control means for generating a print image,
The developing unit is configured to be roughly divided into a developing drum cartridge in which a toner is formed into a cartridge so that maintenance is easy, and
Each of the main components of the replaceable printing apparatus has a non-volatile storage element capable of holding operation time information such as the number of prints or energization time, and prints the element operation time information, which is the content of each storage element, by test printing. A multi-color printing device characterized by having a displayable function. The printing apparatus has a function capable of arbitrarily modifying the information stored in each of the main element operation time storage elements by a user or a service person according to a command from a printer operation panel or a host computer. apparatus.

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