JP2005178177A - Image forming apparatus, and consumable material storage cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a gap exists between a manufacturer of a product and a user who does not want to recycle a cartridge with a large amount of information remaining automatically written in a storage area inaccessible by the user. <P>SOLUTION: Nonvolatile memory is provided with a first memory area for storing information associated with the cartridge, and a second memory area for storing information associated with the status of the use of an image forming apparatus; the first memory area is made read-only on the user's side, and made readable/writable on the side of the image forming apparatus; and the second memory area is made readable/writable on both the user's side and the side of the image forming apparatus. Thus, in the formation of an image, the necessary information can be collected; the user can grasp the stored information in the memory; and the information associated with the user can be deleted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cartridge of an image recording apparatus having a memory and a method for reading and writing to the memory of the image recording apparatus. Applied to machine, FAX, etc.

The memory of the cartridge stores information such as the number of printed sheets, the serial number, the characteristics and amount of the consumable member, and determines the printing conditions to automatically set the optimum image conditions and improve the image quality. Making it possible. In addition, the usage status and failure information of the user are stored in the collection-type cartridge, and the manufacturer can trace the quality by feeding back the collected cartridge information to the product. Feedback on the design.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-258268

  According to the prior art, as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-258268, a user can obtain a print image without doing anything by incorporating a memory into the cartridge and storing conditions relating to printing. Can do.

  Furthermore, as the price of non-volatile memories has been reduced and the capacity has been increased, it has become possible to supply a higher quality image at a lower cost by storing more information in the cartridge memory.

  However, in recent years, there are some users who believe that the privacy of users is violated because IC tags, RFIDs, and wireless ICs, which are being downsized, are embedded in everything.

  While product manufacturers consider it to be more user-friendly and provide high-quality services, some users still have a large amount of information automatically written to a storage area that the user cannot access. It is believed that gaps will begin to arise between users and product manufacturers who do not wish to recycle cartridges.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points. A first memory area for storing information about a cartridge in a non-volatile memory of a consumable material storage cartridge with a memory attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, and an image A second memory area for storing information related to the usage status of the forming apparatus is provided. The first memory area is a read-only area for the user and a read / write area for the image forming apparatus. By making the user and the image forming apparatus readable / writable areas, it is possible to collect necessary information at the time of image formation, and the user can grasp the stored information in the memory and collect information related to the user. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus and a consumable material storage cartridge that can be deleted.

According to the present invention,
A first memory area for storing information relating to the cartridge and a second memory area for storing information relating to the use status of the image forming apparatus in a non-volatile memory of a consumable material storage cartridge with a memory attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus With
The first memory area is an area where the user is read-only and the image forming apparatus can read and write, and the second memory area is an area where both the user and the image forming apparatus can read and write.
At the time of image formation, it is a configuration that can collect necessary information,
In addition, the user can grasp the stored information in the memory and can delete information related to the user.

  Furthermore, by providing the second memory area with a password setting function, user information is highly confidential and cartridge management for each user is possible.

  As described above, if the present invention is organized and summarized, it can be integrated into the following configurations.

(1) In a consumable material storage cartridge such as a developer that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus having an image forming apparatus and a built-in storage unit,
The built-in storage means includes
A user can only read information, and the image forming apparatus has a first storage area in which information can be written and read;
Both the user and the image forming apparatus have a second storage area in which information can be written and read,
In the first storage area, at least information about the consumable material storage cartridge is stored,
In the second storage area, user information including the use state of the image forming apparatus can be stored.
The image forming apparatus includes a unit capable of changing an image forming condition according to information in the first storage area or both the first and second storage areas. .

(2) The information writing operation of the built-in storage unit to the second storage area includes a second storage area access operation selection unit that is executed for the first time by a user's selection. The image forming apparatus according to (1), further comprising: a second storage area information deleting unit that can delete information in the storage area.

(3) In the first storage area of the built-in storage unit, at least the consumable material storage cartridge manufacturing number, information on image forming characteristics in the consumable material storage cartridge, and information on the amount of consumable material are stored.
In the second storage area,
Arbitrary names of user settings, header and footer information, and set density information can be stored. (4) The image forming apparatus according to (2) (4) In the second storage area of the built-in storage unit Is
Having a unique number registration means that allows the user to register a unique number;
Only after the unique number of the consumable material storage cartridge matches the unique number input to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus according to (2), wherein an image forming operation and access to the second storage area are enabled.

(5) In a consumable material storage cartridge such as a developer that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus having an image forming apparatus and a built-in storage unit,
The built-in storage means includes
A user can only read information, and the image forming apparatus has a first storage area in which information can be written and read;
Both the user and the image forming apparatus have a second storage area in which information can be written and read,
In the first storage area, at least information about the consumable material storage cartridge is stored,
In the second storage area, user information including the use state of the image forming apparatus can be stored.
The image forming apparatus includes a consumable material storage having means capable of changing an image forming condition in accordance with information in the first storage area or both the first and second storage areas. cartridge.

(6) The operation of writing information to the second storage area of the built-in storage means includes a second storage area access operation selection means that is executed for the first time by a user's selection. The consumable material storage cartridge according to (5), further comprising: a second storage area information deleting unit that can delete information in the storage area.

(7) In the first storage area of the built-in storage means, at least the consumable material storage cartridge manufacturing number, information on image forming characteristics in the consumable material storage cartridge, and information on the amount of consumable material are stored.
In the second storage area,
The consumable material storage cartridge according to (6), wherein an arbitrary name set by the user, header and footer information, and set density information can be stored.

(8) In the second storage area of the built-in storage means,
Having a unique number registration means that allows the user to register a unique number;
Only after the unique number of the consumable material storage cartridge matches the unique number input to the image forming apparatus,
The consumable material storage cartridge according to (6), wherein an image forming operation and access to the second storage area are enabled.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the non-volatile memory of the consumable material storage cartridge with a memory attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus has the first memory area for storing information about the cartridge, and the image forming apparatus. A second memory area for storing information related to the usage status is provided. The first memory area is a read-only area for the user and the image forming apparatus is a readable / writable area. By forming the forming device in a readable / writable area, it is possible to collect necessary information during image formation, and the user can grasp the information stored in the memory and delete information related to the user. Is possible.

  Furthermore, by providing the second memory area with a password setting function, user information is highly confidential and cartridge management for each user is possible.

  It is also possible to automatically arrange consumables by storing the telephone number of the cartridge manufacturer, the Internet URL, etc. in the first memory area.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1, 2 and 3 show the first embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for electrical explanation. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the printing operation, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the case of accessing the cartridge memory.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a printer main body, and reference numeral 102 denotes a cartridge containing consumables for the printer. The cartridge is electrically connected to the engine portion 110 so that a printing operation can be performed. The cartridge 102 is composed of an IC part consisting of a memory 122 and a communication part, and a consumable part 105, and 104 is a first memory area in which cartridge-specific information is stored. In the second memory area, Information related to the user is stored. Here, hereinafter, the first memory is referred to as a first memory, and the second memory is referred to as a second memory. The first memory stores, for example, the cartridge manufacturing number, the print consumable material characteristic information, the remaining amount of consumable material, etc., and the second memory is connected to the user ID number, print image preference, etc. The printer manufacturing number and the like can be stored. A communication control unit 107 performs communication from the printer engine, memory access control, and the like.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes an engine portion of the printer, which is connected to the cartridge 102 by 108 and 109 so that communication and power supply can be performed. Reference numeral 119 denotes a communication line with the computer. The image data is received at 120, the data is expanded into a bitmap at 121, and sent to the image forming unit 112. The printer control unit 113 responds to the print request. Then, the image forming unit is driven to start the printing operation. Reference numeral 118 denotes an operation panel which displays the status of the printer and the like, and can display the contents of the cartridge memory and the like as will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the printing operation. In 202, the presence / absence of a cartridge is detected. In 204, the user checks whether access to the cartridge memory is permitted. If access is permitted, the information written in the second memory in 205. To collect. If access is not permitted, the second memory is not accessed and only the information in the first memory of the cartridge is collected. The user can input permission / denial of access to the cartridge second memory from the operation panel or the computer. In 207, it is checked whether there is any abnormality in the information in both memories. For example, if the amount of consumable material varies greatly despite the same cartridge, it is checked in 213 whether there is any abnormality. In 208, an appropriate print condition is set based on information collected from the cartridge memory (number of prints, amount of consumables, development characteristics, print settings, printer body number, etc.). If a print command is received at 209, a print operation is performed at 211. If a print command is not received at 209, a check is made at 210 to see if there is a change in the printer state. If there is no change, the process waits until a print command is received. If the user is permitted to access the cartridge memory when the printing operation is finished in 211 and 212, the information in the 216 second memory and the 217 first memory is updated.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining access to the cartridge memory. In 302, a command for accessing the cartridge memory is sent from the operation panel or the computer. In 304, whether there is a request for collecting information on the cartridge memory, in 305, whether there is a request for additional correction of cartridge memory information, and in 306, the cartridge. Select whether or not to request deletion of memory information contents. If there is a request to collect cartridge memory information at 304, the information in the first memory and the second memory is displayed on the operation panel or computer. In 305, when there is a request for additional correction of cartridge memory information, the correction can be additionally displayed on the operation panel or the computer. If there is a cartridge memory information deletion request in 306, the user information in the cartridge memory can be deleted.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the user can grasp what information is stored in the cartridge memory and can also optimize the printing conditions. It is. Further, the user can delete the information part related to the user and send it to the recycler.

  In the second embodiment, the second memory area of the cartridge is used so that a password can be set for each cartridge and the cartridge can be managed.

  4, 5 and 6 show a second embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram for electrical explanation. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the printing operation, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the case of accessing the cartridge memory.

  Here, the description will focus on the points different from the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, a password verification unit is added to 623, and a name and password that can be set by the user are stored in the second memory area 603.

  In FIG. 5, the password for accessing the cartridge memory is checked at 503. The password can be input when the cartridge is first installed in the printer. If the correct password is not input at 503, a configuration in which a printing operation cannot be performed is shown as an example.

  In FIG. 4, 405 also has a configuration in which access to the cartridge memory is denied when a correct password is not input, as in 503.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the user can set a password in the second memory area open to the user provided in the cartridge, and the printer has a function of verifying the password. By setting a password for each cartridge, the user can enhance the confidentiality of user information stored in the cartridge memory, and can manage the cartridge and the like.

  Note that the confidentiality can be further increased by physically separating the cartridge first memory and the second memory.

Electrical block diagram for explaining the first embodiment Flowchart explaining the first embodiment Flowchart explaining the first embodiment Flowchart explaining the second embodiment Flowchart explaining the second embodiment Electrical block diagram for explaining the second embodiment

Explanation of symbols

101, 601 Image forming apparatus 102, 602 Cartridge 122, 622 Cartridge memory 103, 603 Second memory area 104, 604 First memory area 110, 610 Printer engine unit

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus and a consumable material storage cartridge such as a developer that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus having a built-in storage unit,
The built-in storage means includes
A user can only read information, and the image forming apparatus has a first storage area in which information can be written and read;
Both the user and the image forming apparatus have a second storage area in which information can be written and read,
In the first storage area, at least information about the consumable material storage cartridge is stored,
In the second storage area, user information including the use state of the image forming apparatus can be stored.
The image forming apparatus includes means for changing an image forming condition in accordance with information in the first storage area or both the first and second storage areas. . The operation of writing information into the second storage area of the built-in storage means has second storage area access operation selection means that is executed for the first time by the user's selection. Alternatively, the user can store the information in the second storage area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second storage area information deleting unit that can delete the information. The first storage area of the built-in storage means stores at least the consumable material storage cartridge manufacturing number, information on image forming characteristics in the consumable material storage cartridge, and information on the amount of consumable material,
In the second storage area,
3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an arbitrary name of user setting, header and footer information, and set density information can be stored. In the second storage area of the built-in storage means,
Having a unique number registration means that allows the user to register a unique number;
Only after the unique number of the consumable material storage cartridge matches the unique number input to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an image forming operation and access to the second storage area are enabled. In an image forming apparatus and a consumable material storage cartridge such as a developer that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus having a built-in storage unit,
The built-in storage means includes
A user can only read information, and the image forming apparatus has a first storage area in which information can be written and read;
Both the user and the image forming apparatus have a second storage area in which information can be written and read,
In the first storage area, at least information about the consumable material storage cartridge is stored,
In the second storage area, user information including the use state of the image forming apparatus can be stored.
The image forming apparatus includes a consumable material storage unit that can change an image forming condition according to information in the first storage area or both the first and second storage areas. cartridge. The operation of writing information into the second storage area of the built-in storage means has second storage area access operation selection means that is executed for the first time by the user's selection. Alternatively, the user can store the information in the second storage area. The consumable material storage cartridge according to claim 5, further comprising: a second storage area information deleting unit that can delete the information. The first storage area of the built-in storage means stores at least the consumable material storage cartridge manufacturing number, information on image forming characteristics in the consumable material storage cartridge, and information on the amount of consumable material,
In the second storage area,
7. The consumable material storage cartridge according to claim 6, wherein an arbitrary name set by the user, header and footer information, and set density information can be stored. In the second storage area of the built-in storage means,
Having a unique number registration means that allows the user to register a unique number;
Only after the unique number of the consumable material storage cartridge matches the unique number input to the image forming apparatus,
The consumable material storage cartridge according to claim 6, wherein an image forming operation and access to the second storage area are enabled.

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