JP2005227739A - Image forming apparatus in which color printing mode and monochromatic printing mode can be switched - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus displaying the replacement position of developing units which are toner cartridges in a way easily understandable to users. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with an image carrier with a latent image formed thereon and a developing device (50) mounted with a plurality of the developing units storing developer in an attachable and detachable manner. The image forming apparatus has a display means (95) which operates in a monochromatic printing mode when the monochromatic developing units are mounted in a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device and which operates in a color printing mode when the developing units for a plurality of colors are mounted in the plurality of the mounting positions of the developing device and further which displays the residual quantity of the developer in the developing units, an identification symbol display means (202) with color information which inscribes the identification symbols corresponding to the plurality of the mounting positions of the developing device installed adjacent to the display means together with the color information of the plurality of the colors, and a control means which controls the display of residual quantity information (201) of the respective developing units to the display means (95) correspondingly to the identification symbols (1k, 2c, 3m, and 4y) with the color information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a color printer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine that forms an image using electrophotographic technology, and in particular, by improving the remaining amount display of a developer in a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode, The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that displays a replacement position of a developing unit, which is a toner cartridge, in an easy-to-understand manner for a user.

  An image forming apparatus that forms an image using an electrophotographic technique provided in a color printer or the like includes an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed according to image data, and a charging unit that charges the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier And an exposure unit for exposing the outer peripheral surface of the charged image carrier in accordance with image data to form an electrostatic latent image, and supplying toner as a developer to the electrostatic latent image to develop the toner image A developing device; and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image onto a transfer target medium. The developing device includes a developing unit holder that detachably holds a developing unit that accommodates a plurality of color toners, and that brings an appropriate developing unit close to the image carrier in accordance with the development timing. This developing unit holder is usually a developing rotary whose rotation is controlled. When performing color printing, developing units of a plurality of color toners, for example, four colors (yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, black K) are mounted on the developing rotary. When performing monochrome printing, for example, monochrome printing, a black developing unit is mounted on the developing rotary.

  As such an image forming apparatus, a color printing mode can be set by installing four color developing units, or a monochrome printing mode can be set by mounting only a black developing unit. Both modes can be appropriately switched by the user. It has been proposed. For example, Patent Documents 1, 2, 3 and the like.

  In Patent Documents 1 and 3, the color printing mode is set when a development unit of four colors is attached to the development rotary, and the black development unit is attached only to the attachment position of the black development unit of the development rotary. An image forming apparatus that is set to a monochrome printing mode when a developing unit is not mounted at a CMY mounting position is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a black developing unit can be mounted at an arbitrary mounting position of the developing rotary. According to this image forming apparatus, by reading the color information of the developer from the memory provided in the developing unit, it is detected which color developing unit is mounted at which position of the developing rotary, and the detection is performed. Based on the determined position, rotation control of the development rotary in the development process is performed. Specifically, in Patent Document 2, when a CMYK four-color development unit is installed, it operates as a color printer, and when only a black development unit is installed, it operates as a black monochrome printer. It is described. It is described that an arbitrary number of 1 to 4 black developing units can be mounted, and when a plurality of black developing units are mounted, the frequency of replacing the developing units can be suppressed.

Further, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus in which a black developing unit is mounted at all four mounting positions of the developing rotary so that the monochrome printing mode can be set, and the number of replacement of the developing unit can be reduced. For example, it is patent document 4. FIG. According to this image forming apparatus, a black developing unit is mounted at all four mounting positions of the color printing development rotary, and the memory provided in the developing unit is read to detect the mounting position, color information, and toner remaining amount. By using the black developing units in order, the frequency of replacement of the developing units in the monochrome printing mode can be suppressed even if the developing device is downsized.
JP 2003-43773 A (published February 14, 2003) JP 2002-351190 A (released on December 4, 2002) Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-160059 JP 2003-316106 A (published on November 6, 2003)

  The image forming apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 3 operate as a color printing mode when a four-color (CMYK) development unit is attached to the development rotary, and the black development unit is attached to the black position of the development rotary. Only when it operates as a monochrome print mode. Therefore, in order to switch to the monochrome printing mode, the black development unit can be mounted only at the black position, and it is not permitted to mount the black development unit at another position. There is a problem that there is no flexibility or flexibility and the convenience of the user is lowered.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 2, in a monochrome printing mode in which only one color developing unit is mounted on the developing apparatus, black or other single color development is performed at an arbitrary position among the four developing unit mounting positions. Permits the unit to be installed. However, there is no description on how to notify the development unit to be replaced when the user is notified of the replacement of the development unit due to toner exhaustion or the like.

  Further, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 4 is also permitted to mount four black development units at four mounting positions, but develops when the toner runs out in both the color printing mode and the monochrome printing mode. There is no description as to how to notify the development unit to be replaced when notifying the user of the unit replacement.

  Therefore, the present invention operates in the color printing mode by mounting a plurality of color developing units, operates in the monochrome printing mode by mounting any number of single color developing units, An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of displaying the remaining amount of developer with improved convenience of developing unit management such as addition and replacement.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier on which a latent image is formed, and a developing device to which a plurality of developing units storing a developer are detachably mounted. In the image forming apparatus provided,
The image forming apparatus includes:
When one or a plurality of developing units of the same color are mounted at the mounting position of the developing device, the printer operates in a monochrome printing mode.
When a plurality of color development units for color printing are respectively mounted at a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device, the color printing mode is operated.
And a display means for displaying the remaining amount of developer in the developing unit;
An identification symbol notation unit with color information, which is provided alongside the display unit, and represents the identification symbols corresponding to a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device together with the color information of the plurality of colors;
Control means for controlling display of the remaining amount information of each developing unit on the display means in correspondence with the identification symbol with color information.

  In the first aspect, in a preferred embodiment, in the monochrome printing mode, the control means designates the replacement position of the developing unit and designates the identification symbol of the identification symbol with color information on the display means. Display control is performed, and in the color printing mode, the replacement position of the development unit is controlled to be displayed on the display means by designating color information of the identification symbol with color information.

  In the first aspect, in another preferred embodiment, the identification symbol with color information is written at a mounting position of the developing device.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, an image carrier on which a latent image is formed, a developing device to which a plurality of developing units storing a developer are detachably mounted, In an image forming apparatus comprising storage means for storing developer color information and remaining amount information,
The image forming apparatus includes:
When one or more developing units of the same color are mounted at the mounting position of the developing device, the printer operates in a monochrome printing mode.
When a plurality of color developing units are mounted at a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device, respectively, the color printing mode is operated.
Further, color information and remaining amount information corresponding to the developing unit mounted at the mounting position of the developing device is acquired from the storage unit, and developer remaining amount information data corresponding to the mounting position, and the monochrome printing Mode data indicating the mode or color printing mode is appropriately output to a host computer communicably provided in the image forming apparatus, and the remaining amount information is displayed on the host computer in correspondence with the identification symbol with color information. It is characterized by having a control means.

  According to the first and second aspects, the remaining amount information of the developer of each developing unit is displayed in association with the identification symbols with color information defined corresponding to the plurality of mounting positions of the developing device. As a result, in both the color printing mode and the monochrome printing mode, the developing unit whose remaining amount is displayed can be directly associated with the mounting position. Therefore, it is possible to improve convenience in managing the replacement of the developing unit by the user.

  Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the development unit to be replaced is displayed with an identification symbol specified in the monochrome print mode and displayed with color information specified in the color print mode, which is suitable for each mode. It is possible to show direct relevance, and to inform the user of the exchange object in an easy-to-understand manner.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the matters described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

  FIG. 1 is a main configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a laser beam printer 10 will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus. The printer 10 in FIG. 1 shows a configuration in the color printing mode.

  The printer 10 includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, a developing device 50, a primary transfer unit 60, and an intermediate transfer body 70 along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 20 that is an image carrier that carries a latent image. And a cleaning unit 75. Further, the printer 10 includes a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, a display panel 95 that outputs various information to a user, and a control unit 100 that controls these units.

  The photosensitive drum 20 has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, is rotatable about a central axis, and rotates clockwise as indicated by an arrow. The charging unit 30 charges the photosensitive drum 20, and the exposure unit 40 irradiates the charged photosensitive drum 20 with a beam from a light source such as a built-in laser or LED array to form a latent image by static electricity. Beam irradiation of the exposure unit 40 is controlled by a drive signal modulated based on image information input from a host computer.

  The developing device 50 is a developing rotary that has mounting positions 50a to 50d in which developing units 51 to 54 that store toner as a developer are detachably mounted, and is rotatable with respect to a central shaft 50e. The developing device 50 is rotated to bring the necessary developing units 51 to 54 close to the photosensitive drum 20, and the developer is supplied to the photosensitive drum 20 on which the latent image is formed, so that the latent image becomes an image by the developer. Developed. In the example of FIG. 1, developing units 51 to 54 that respectively store black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y developers are mounted at the mounting positions 50 a to 50 d of the developing device 50, respectively, and the color printing mode is set. In the printing process, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 20 and developed with each developer in the order of CMYK. Accordingly, for each color latent image forming and developing process, the developing device 50 rotates clockwise to bring a developing unit of an appropriate color close to the photosensitive drum 20 and sequentially performs development.

  The primary transfer unit 60 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 20 to the intermediate transfer body 70. The intermediate transfer member 70 is, for example, an endless belt in which an aluminum vapor deposition layer is formed on the surface of a PET film and a semiconductive paint is formed on the surface thereof, and is driven to rotate at the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive drum 20. In a color print job, the CMYK images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70, and in a monochrome print job, a single color image is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70. Then, the secondary transfer unit 80 transfers the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 to a printing medium such as paper, and the fixing unit 90 welds the toner image transferred onto the printing medium to the medium and becomes permanent. The print medium is ejected out of the printer.

  The cleaning unit 75 is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the charging unit 30 and has a cleaning blade 76 that comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 and remains on the photosensitive drum 20 after the primary transfer. The developer (toner) to be removed is removed by the cleaning blade 76.

  Each of the developing units 51 to 54 is detachable from the developing device 50, and the developing unit stores color information and remaining amount information of the developer so that the printer can recognize the state of the mounted developing unit. A storage medium, for example, a non-contact type nonvolatile memory is provided. Then, after the power is turned on or after the developing unit is mounted on the developing device, information in the nonvolatile memory of the developing unit is read out. Further, the developer remaining amount information is updated in the nonvolatile memory of the developing unit after development.

  When the CMYK developing units 51 to 54 are respectively attached to the developing device 50 at predetermined positions, the attached state is recognized by reading information from the nonvolatile memory, and the printer 10 operates as a color printing mode. . In the color printing mode, print job data described in a language for color printing is supplied from the host computer, and in the order of CMYK, formation of an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20, development by a developing unit of the corresponding color, The transfer of the toner image onto the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60 is repeated. Then, after the CMYK toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70, the color image on the intermediate transfer body is transferred to a printing medium such as paper by the secondary transfer unit 80, and is fixed by the fixing unit 90, and outside the printer. Discharged.

  Even when a CMYK development unit is installed as shown in FIG. 1, when the monochrome print mode is instructed from the host computer and the print job data is supplied, the development unit of only black, for example, designated as monochrome Development is performed to form a monochrome image on the print medium.

  2 to 4 are main configuration diagrams of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In these drawings, a configuration in a black monochrome printing mode (a printing mode using only one color developer) is illustrated. Show. 2 to 4, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 2, in the developing device 50, the black developing unit 51 is mounted only in the black mounting position 50a. In this case, the black color information is read from a non-volatile memory provided in the developing unit 51, which will be described later, and the black developing unit 51 is mounted at the mounting position 50a and the other mounting positions are set. Is detected by the control unit 100 that the developing unit is not mounted, and the monochrome printing mode is detected. Similarly, when one black developing unit is mounted at a mounting position other than the black mounting position 50a, the control unit 100 detects the mounting state and is in the black monochrome printing mode. It is detected. The same applies to the case where a developing unit of a color other than black is mounted. In this case, it is detected that the monochrome printing mode is in the color of the mounted developer. When it is detected that the mode is the monochrome printing mode, the mode information is notified to the printer driver of the host computer, and accordingly, print job data is supplied from the host computer in the language for monochrome printing.

  In the example of FIG. 3, in the developing device 50, in addition to the black mounting position 50a, the black developing units 51 and 53 are mounted at the magenta mounting position 50c. The CMY three-color developing units for color can be mounted only at predetermined mounting positions 50b, 50c, and 50d, respectively, by physical engagement means described later. On the other hand, the black developing unit can be mounted in any of the four mounting positions 50a to 50d. As shown in FIG. 3, when the black developing units 51 and 53 are mounted at the black mounting position 50a and the magenta mounting position 50c, the color information of the nonvolatile memory provided in the developing unit is obtained. It is read out, its mounting state is detected in the control unit, and it is detected that it is the black monochrome printing mode.

  Since the two black development units 51 and 53 are mounted, in monochrome printing, one of the development units is rotationally controlled to the position of the photosensitive drum 20, and the development process is executed. Further, the remaining amount of toner information in the non-volatile memory of each of the developing units 51 and 53 is maintained, the remaining amount information is read, and the display panel 95 serving as a display unit corresponds to each mounting position 50a to 50d. The presence or absence of the development unit and the remaining amount of toner are displayed.

  The two black developing units can be mounted at two arbitrary positions, and in any case, the black developing mode operates.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the developing units 51 to 54 for black are mounted at all mounting positions of the developing device 50. Also in this case, the color information of the non-volatile memories of the four developing units is read and the control unit 100 determines the monochrome printing mode. Each time the developing process is executed, the remaining toner information is written in the nonvolatile memory of the used developing unit, and the current remaining toner information is maintained. Further, the memory of the mounted developing unit is read, and the developer remaining amount of each developing unit corresponding to the mounted position is displayed on the display panel 95 in a manner described later.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the control unit 100 in the present embodiment. The control unit 100 is supplied with print job data from a host computer, performs predetermined image processing, generates an engine control signal and an image signal, and controls display on the display panel 95, and each unit of the print engine An engine controller 102 for controlling the engine. The main controller 101 includes an interface 112 that receives print job data from the host computer, an image memory 113 that stores image data in the print job data, image processing such as halftone processing, setting of display modes, automatic determination, It includes a CPU 111 that performs display control of the display panel, and a memory unit 114 that includes a nonvolatile memory 114a, a RAM, and a ROM 114b.

  The non-volatile memory 114a stores print mode information indicating whether the printer is in a color print mode or a monochrome print mode. The print mode is determined by the main controller 101 according to the information from the memory of the developing unit attached to the developing device when the power is turned on, and the determined print mode information is written in the nonvolatile memory 114a.

  In addition to the CPU 120, the engine controller 102 controls the drive of driving the memory unit 116, the serial interface 121, the main body side memory 122, the input / output port 123, the charging unit 30, the exposure unit 40, and the developing device 50. Circuits 124, 125, and 126, and a drive control circuit group 128 that drives the primary transfer unit 60, the secondary transfer unit 80, the fixing unit 90, the display panel 95, and the cleaning unit 75. Further, an HP detection unit 31 that detects the home position of the developing device 50 is provided.

  The engine controller 102 is supplied with a control signal for controlling the printing process and an image signal for controlling exposure beam irradiation from the main controller 101, and controls each unit. The developing units 51 to 54 attached to the developing device 50 have developing unit side memories 51a to 54a, respectively. These memories are composed of nonvolatile memories such as FeRAM and EEPROM, for example, and store information such as developer color information, current developer remaining amount information, and development unit ID (identification information). When these memories are composed of FeRAM, they can be accessed without contact via the serial interface 121. When they are composed of EEPROM, they can be accessed by physically connecting the serial interface 121. . When the power is turned on or when the development unit is replaced or additionally installed, the engine controller 102 accesses these development unit side memories 51a to 54a to check whether or not the development unit is installed, color information, current remaining amount information, identification information, etc. Read. In addition, during the development process, the developer remaining amount information is updated in the memory of the development unit that has completed the development process. The color information and remaining amount information of the developer may be held and updated in the main body side memory 122 in the engine controller or the memory unit 114 in the engine controller. That is, when the development unit is newly installed or replaced, the user inputs and sets the installation position and color information of the development unit, and whenever the main controller 101 generates an image signal for printing, The developer remaining amount information of the developing unit may be calculated and updated and stored in the memory. However, in that case, each time the developing unit is replaced, the user needs to reset the remaining amount of the replaced developing unit.

  The main body side memory 122 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, for example, and stores parameter values for engine control. In the non-volatile memory 116a in the memory unit 116, information on whether or not the developing unit is mounted at the four mounting positions of the developing device, and color information and identification information of the mounted developing unit are read. Information is stored. Then, these pieces of information are transmitted from the CPU 120 in the engine controller 102 to the CPU 111 in the main controller 101, and based on these pieces of information, the CPU 111 determines the print mode, controls the remaining amount display of the developer, and the like.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a rotation operation of the developing device. FIG. 6 shows three positional relationships between the developing device 50 to which the four developing units 51 to 54 are mounted and the photosensitive drum 20. 6A shows a home position, FIG. 6B shows a development and memory access position, and FIG. 6C shows a mounting position of the developing unit. The developing device 50, which is a developing rotary, is rotated by a pulse motor (not shown) around a center shaft 50e, and a support frame 55 (including mounting positions 50a to 50d) for holding the developing unit is provided on the rotating shaft 50e. Is fixed.

  The home position in FIG. 6A is a position detected by the home position detector 31 (FIG. 5), and is a reset position for controlling the rotation of the developing rotary. At this position, since the developing unit is not in a position aligned with the attachment / detachment hole 37 (FIG. 6C), the developing unit is prevented from being replaced even if the developing unit replacement panel is opened.

  6B, the developing roller of the developing unit 54 is brought close to the photosensitive drum 20, and the developer of the developing unit 54 is supplied to the photosensitive drum 20. Further, at this position, the memory 53a of the development unit 53 that has completed the development process is accessed in a non-contact manner by the serial interface 121, information in the memory 53a is read, and the developer remaining amount information is updated. In the case of non-contact access, there is no need to apply physical force to the developing device even if it is accessed during the development process. Therefore, such access does not affect the development process.

  The attachment / detachment position in FIG. 6C is a position where the rotation is controlled when the replacement panel of the developing unit is opened and the replacement button is pressed, and the developing unit 51 can be replaced through the replacement hole 37 at this position. For example, each time the replacement button is pressed, the developing device 50 is controlled to rotate by 90 °, and the developing units are sequentially controlled to rotate to the attachment / detachment position. Alternatively, when the replacement of the developing unit is selected when the toner end is detected, the developing device 50 is controlled to rotate to the position of the developing unit that has become the toner end or the unmounted position in response to the replacement button. . Instead of the replacement button, four mounting position buttons corresponding to the four mounting positions may be provided. In that case, when the mounting position button corresponding to the mounting position to be replaced is pressed, the mounting position is rotationally controlled to the attaching / detaching position corresponding to the replacement hole 37.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing the engaging means of the developing device and the developing unit. FIG. 7A shows the engagement structure of the cyan developing unit 52 and the support frame 55 at the mounting position 50b, so that the convex portion 52b of the developing unit 52 and the concave portion 52c of the support frame 55 are engaged with each other. Is formed. FIG. 7B shows the engagement structure between the magenta developing unit 53 and the support frame 55 at the mounting position 50c. FIG. 7C shows the relationship between the yellow developing unit 54 and the support frame 55 at the mounting position 50d. Each composite structure is shown. Similarly in these, convex portions 53b and 54b are provided on the developing unit side, and concave portions 53c and 54c are provided on the support frame 55 side, and are engaged with each other. FIG. 7D shows the structure of the black developing unit 51 and the support frame 55 at the mounting position 50a. The black developing unit 51 is not formed with a convex portion, and accordingly, the supporting frame 55 is not formed with a concave portion. Each developing unit is inserted or pulled out in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and is mounted or removed.

  As can be understood from the engaging means shown in FIG. 7, the CMY developing units 52, 53, 54 are provided with convex portions 52b, 53b, 54b at different positions, respectively, and mounting positions 50b, The concave portions 52c, 53c, and 54c are provided at positions corresponding to the convex portions in the portions 50c and 50d, and the CMY developing units can be mounted only at predetermined positions by these engaging means. It can not be installed except at the determined position. By using such physical engagement means, in the color printing mode, it is ensured that the CMYK development units are mounted at the determined positions in the determined order, and the high-speed printing and high image quality of color printing are ensured. Is secured. On the other hand, since the convex portion is not formed on the black developing unit 51, the black developing unit 51 can be mounted at any mounting position 50b, 50c, 50d in addition to the black mounting position 50a.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the printing mode determination operation in the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a determination table in print mode determination. The determination table of FIG. 9 shows which of the K, C, M, and Y developing units is mounted at the mounting positions of black, magenta, cyan, and yellow. When the power is turned on (S10), the control unit 100 which is a control unit of the printer 10 rotates the developing device 50 to the memory access position, accesses the non-volatile memory of the developing unit attached to the developing device, and develops the developing unit. Identification information, developer color information, remaining amount information, and the like are read (S12). If it is recognized that black K, magenta M, cyan C, and yellow Y developing units are mounted at four mounting positions (black, magenta, cyan, and yellow mounting positions) of the developing device ( S14), the main controller 101 of the control unit 100 determines the color printing mode and writes the data in the nonvolatile memory 114a (S16). Further, the main controller 101 of the control unit does not have the four color development units attached, but if it is recognized that the black development unit is attached at any of the four attachment positions (S18). ), The black monochrome printing mode is determined, and the data is written in the nonvolatile memory 114a (S20).

  The determination so far is as shown in the determination table of FIG. In other words, since only CMY developing units of predetermined colors can be mounted at the four mounting positions, the CMYK developing units are rotated in advance when it is determined that the color printing mode (Case R in FIG. 9). It will be installed in the order of direction. Therefore, in the four development processes in the color printing mode, the four developing units of the developing device 50 need only be rotated in order to be close to the photosensitive drum 20, and high-speed printing with high image quality is possible. If the CMYK development unit can be mounted in any position, in order to develop in the order of CMYK for high image quality, it is necessary to bring the CMYK development unit close to the photosensitive drum while moving the developing device back and forth in the rotation direction. There is a risk that the developing speed may decrease with complicated rotation control.

  On the other hand, the black monochrome printing mode (cases B to Q in FIG. 9) is determined regardless of how many black development units are mounted at any mounting position. That is, there is no restriction on the mounting position of the black developing unit, and therefore the user is allowed to mount an arbitrary number of black developing units at arbitrary positions, so that convenience can be improved.

  If it is recognized that only the CMY development unit is mounted (S22), it is determined that the monochrome printing mode is in the developer color of the mounted development unit (S24). ). In this case, since the CMY developing units can be mounted only at predetermined mounting positions, it is a condition that only one developing unit is mounted.

  When the user opens the developing unit replacement panel according to the toner end display or at a desired timing, presses the developing unit replacement button to instruct unit replacement, and closes the replacement panel after replacing the developing unit (S26), the control The unit 100 executes the determination operations in steps S12 to S24 described above.

  In FIG. 7, if the above convex portions are not provided in the CMY developing units other than black, an arbitrary number of the developing rollers can be mounted at arbitrary positions. In such a configuration, a monochrome print mode can be set by mounting a plurality of CMY development units other than black.

  Although not described in the determination table of FIG. 9, when all CMYK development units are not installed, when any of CMY development units is installed in addition to a plurality of black development units. However, the black monochrome printing mode may be determined. In this case, the above-described information is read from the memory of the mounted black developing unit, and the remaining amount information is displayed on the display panel 95 corresponding to the mounted position.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the remaining toner amount display control. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a mounting state of the developing unit and a display example of the display panel in the black monochrome printing mode. Further, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of the display panel in the monochrome printing mode and the color printing mode.

  In the black monochrome printing mode, it is permitted to mount an arbitrary number of developing units at the four mounting positions. In this case, the developing units mounted on the developing device have the same color, and specifying the developing unit by the color information in the color printing mode is not a direct specification. Therefore, when notifying the replacement of the development unit when the remaining amount of toner is zero, if the mounting position of the development unit to be replaced is specified by the color information of the mounted development unit in the color print mode, the specified color information is mounted. Since the black development unit is not directly associated, the user cannot easily specify the mounting position of the replacement development unit. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the identification symbol notifying means 202 with color information is provided in addition to the display panel 95 that displays the remaining amount of developer of each developing unit. The identification symbol notifying means 202 with color information indicates the identification symbols corresponding to the plurality of mounting positions of the developing device together with the color information of the plurality of colors for the color printing mode. Then, the developer remaining amount of each developing unit is displayed in correspondence with the identification symbol with color information. Further, in the present embodiment, when the developer remaining amount is zero and the replacement of the development unit is notified, in the monochrome printing mode, the identification symbol of the identification symbol with color information is designated and displayed on the display panel 95. In the color printing mode, the color information of the identification symbol with color information is designated and displayed on the display panel 95. The identification symbol with color information is also written at the position where the developing rotary is mounted.

  11A and 11B show examples of display on the display panel 95 in the monochrome printing mode in which four black developing units are mounted. Along with the display panel 95, identification symbols “1, 2, 3, 4” corresponding to a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device are combined with color information “k, c, m, y” of a plurality of colors for the color printing mode. An identification symbol notation means 202 with color information to be described is provided. This identification symbol notation means 202 with color information is provided by, for example, silk printing or sticking a seal on the surface of the printer main body. Therefore, the notation unit 202 may use black “1”, cyan “2”, magenta “3”, and yellow “4”. That is, the color information may be expressed in KCMY colors of the identification symbols “1, 2, 3, 4”.

  On the other hand, the display panel 95 has, for example, a minimum display area and a monochrome display from the viewpoint of cost reduction. Accordingly, the remaining amount display 201 of each developing unit is displayed in monochrome corresponding to the identification symbol with color information associated with the mounting position.

  In the display example 95A-1 in FIG. 11A, the display 200 which is the black (K) monochrome printing mode and the remaining amount 201 of each developing unit are shown corresponding to the identification symbol with color information. In this display example, the remaining amount of all the development units is 100%. In the display example 95A-2, it is displayed that the remaining amount of the developing unit at the mounting position “2” is 0% (201C), and accordingly, the message “K2 toner exchange” is displayed on the display panel 95. Is displayed. This “K2 toner exchange” is the designation of the development unit to be replaced by designating the identification symbol of the identification symbol with color information.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship among the display panel, the identification symbol notation means with color information, and the mounting position of the developing device. The display panel 95 shown in FIG. 13 displays the same display as the display example 95A-2 shown in FIG. When the user opens the development unit replacement panel 130 of the printer main body 10 in response to the message “K2 toner exchange”, the installation doors (attachment / detachment opening / closing means) 56k, 56c, 56m and 56y are provided, and an attachment / detachment instruction means 132 having an exchange button group for moving the mounting door 56 to the exchange hole 37 (FIG. 6C) is provided. On the mounting door 56 corresponding to the mounting position of the developing device 50, identification symbols 1k, 2c, 3m, and 4y with color information are written by printing or the like. Similarly, the four replacement buttons of the attachment / detachment instruction means 132 are also displayed. The identification symbols 1k, 2c, 3m, and 4y with color information are printed or the like. Further, an identification symbol with color information is also printed on the developing device 50 even when the mounting door 56 is opened.

  Therefore, when “K2 toner exchange” is displayed on the display panel 95, the user pushes down the replacement button 2c, which is the attachment position designation means of the attachment / detachment instruction means, relying on the identification symbol “2” corresponding to the attachment position. Then, the replacement door 56c labeled “2c” of the developing device 50 is moved to the replacement hole 37 (FIG. 6C) not shown, and the replacement door 56c of “2c” is opened to replace the black development unit. it can. In other words, in the monochrome printing mode, the message “K2 toner exchange” on the display panel can be directly associated with the mounting position of the developing device by relying on the identification symbol “2”, and the developing unit can be easily replaced. be able to.

  In FIG. 13, even when the attaching / detaching instruction means 132 is only a button for instructing to rotate 90 degrees, each time the developing device is rotated 90 degrees by pushing down the button, the color information of the replacement door 56 through the replacement hole 37 (FIG. 6C). By confirming the attached identification symbol, it is possible to determine the replacement position in direct association with the identification symbol “No. 2” shown on the display panel 95.

  In the display example 95B-1 in FIG. 11B, the remaining amount display 201 of less than 100% of the developing unit is performed corresponding to each mounting position, and in the display example 95B-2, the remaining of the developing unit at the cyan position is displayed. A message indicating that the amount has reached 0% is displayed 201Y, and accordingly, a message 203 “K4 toner exchange” is displayed on the display panel. In this case, the user depresses the replacement button labeled “4y” of the attachment / detachment instruction unit 132 shown in FIG. 13, thereby replacing the label indicated by “4y” at the position of the replacement hole of the developing device. The black developing unit can be replaced by moving the door 56y and opening the replacement door.

  FIG. 11C shows an example in which three black developing units are mounted. The display example 95C-1 corresponds to the identification symbols 1k, 3m, and 4y of the identification symbol notation unit 202 with color information. The remaining amount of toner is displayed as 100%, and 201C that the developing unit is not mounted is displayed at the position of the identification symbol 2c. In the display example 95C-2, a display 201M indicating that the remaining amount of the developing unit at the position of the identification symbol 3m is 0% is displayed, and accordingly, a message 203 "K3 toner exchange" is displayed. Therefore, the user can open the “3 m” replacement door 56 m of the developing device 50 and replace the black developing unit at the correct mounting position by using the identification symbol “3” as described above.

  FIG. 11D shows an example in which two black development units are mounted. In display example 95D-1, the remaining amount of toner is displayed corresponding to identification symbols 1k and 3m, and identification symbols 2c and 4y are displayed. Corresponding to, the development unit not installed is displayed. In the display example 95D-2, it is displayed that the developing unit at the position of the identification symbol 1k has a remaining amount of 0%, and accordingly, “K1 toner exchange” is displayed. Therefore, the user can replace the developing unit at the correct mounting position by relying on the identification symbol “1”.

  In FIG. 12E, color CMYK developing units are mounted at four mounting positions of the developing device 50. Accordingly, in the display example 95E-1, the display 200 indicating the color printing mode is performed, and the remaining amount of each developing unit is 100% corresponding to the identification symbols 1k, 2c, 3m, and 4y with color information. Is displayed 201. Also, in the display example 95E-2, it is indicated that the cyan developing unit has a remaining amount of 0%, and accordingly, the message display 203 of “C toner exchange” is performed. That is, the color information of the identification symbol with color information is designated, and the position of the development unit to be replaced is specified.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the user opens the replacement panel 130 in response to the message “C Toner Exchange” and depresses the replacement button labeled “2c” on the attachment / detachment instruction unit 132, The mounting door 56c labeled “2c” of the developing device 50 can be moved to the position of the replacement hole. Then, the mounting door 56c can be opened to replace the cyan developing unit. As described above, in the color printing mode, the development unit to be exchanged is displayed with the color information designated, so that the development unit can be exchanged with respect to the mounting position of the development device directly associated with the color information. This makes it easy for the user to replace the developing unit.

  FIG. 12F shows an example in which a cyan developing unit is installed at the cyan mounting position of the developing device and the cyan monochrome printing mode is set. In the display example 95F-1, a display 200C indicating the cyan monochrome printing mode and a display 201C of the remaining amount of the developing unit 100% corresponding to the identification symbol 2c with color information are performed. Also, in the display example 95E-2, it is displayed that the remaining amount of the cyan developing unit is 0%, and accordingly, the mounting position of “2” is designated by the message “C2 toner exchange”. A display 203 is instructed to replace the cyan developing unit. In this case, the developing unit can be easily replaced by relying on the identification symbol “2c”.

  As described above, in the monochrome printing mode, the identification symbol of the identification symbol with color information is designated to designate the development unit to be replaced, and in the color printing mode, the color information is designated to designate the development unit to be exchanged. Therefore, even if the display panel 95 is a monochrome display, the replacement development unit can be easily associated directly.

  Returning to FIG. 10, when the CPU 111 in the main controller 101 of the control unit 100 determines that the color printing mode is selected (S30), the display panel 95 is displayed as shown in the display example of FIG. The remaining amount of toner in the developing unit for each color is displayed (S36). When the remaining amount of toner in any of the developing units becomes zero, color information is designated and display control of the developing unit replacement message is controlled (S38). ). If the CPU 111 determines that the print mode is black (S32), the CPU 111 displays the remaining amount of toner in the developing unit corresponding to the mounting position identification symbol on the display panel 95 (S40). When the remaining amount of toner in the developing unit becomes zero, an identification symbol (n = 1, 2, 3, 4) is designated to control the display of a developing unit replacement message (S42). When the CPU 111 determines any one of the CMY monochrome printing modes (S34), the developing unit corresponding to the identification symbol of the mounting position on the display panel 95 is the same as in the black monochrome printing mode. The remaining amount of toner is displayed (S44), and when the remaining amount of toner in any of the developing units becomes zero, the identification unit (n = 1, 2, 3, 4) is designated to control the display of the developing unit replacement message. (S46).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the notation unit 202 for the identification symbol with color information is provided in addition to the display panel 95, and the remaining amount of toner is displayed on the monochrome display panel corresponding to the identification symbol. The mounting position of the development unit to be replaced is specified by an identification symbol in the monochrome printing mode, and is specified by color information in the color printing mode. In addition, since the same identification symbol with color information is written at the mounting position of the developing device, the position of the developing unit to be replaced can be directly related and confirmed in any printing mode.

  In addition to the numbers “1, 2, 3, 4”, the identification symbol is a letter such as “W, X, Y, Z” or an abstract symbol such as “▲, ■, ●, ×”. May be. Each symbol is expressed in CMYK color, and CMYK color information is given.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of the toner remaining amount of the developing unit by the printer driver of the host computer. The printer 10 is connected to the host computer 1 so as to be communicable directly or via a network in a wired or wireless manner. The printer driver 2 installed in the host computer 1 identifies the position of the developing unit on the display 3. The remaining amount of toner can be displayed corresponding to the symbol and color information.

  When the main controller 101 acquires the identification information, color information, toner remaining amount information and the like of the developing units 51 to 54 in the engine 103 via the engine controller 102 when the power is turned on and the like, and detects the monochrome print mode Together with the mode data, the remaining amount of toner data is notified to the printer driver 2 in association with the identification symbol corresponding to the mounting position of the developing unit. When the main controller 101 detects the color printing mode, the main controller 101 notifies the printer driver 2 of the remaining toner data in association with the mode data and the color information of the developing unit. Further, when the mounting state of the developing unit is changed or when the remaining toner information is updated, such information is notified to the printer driver.

  The printer driver 2 performs the displays 4A and 4B shown in FIG. 14 according to the notified data. That is, as shown in the display example 4A, in the black monochrome printing mode, the remaining amount display corresponding to the display 200 to that effect and the display 212 of the colored identification symbols 1k, 2c, 3m, and 4y. 201 is performed by the printer driver. When the remaining amount becomes 0%, the position of the development unit to be replaced is designated by an identification symbol, and for example, a message 203 “Please replace the second K toner” is displayed. Further, as shown in display example 4B, in the color printing mode, the remaining amount display 201 corresponds to the display 200 to that effect and the display 212 of colored color information symbols K, C, M, and Y. Is done. When the remaining amount becomes 0%, the color information of the development unit to be replaced is designated, and for example, a message 203 “Please replace C toner” is displayed.

  On the display 3 of the host computer 1, the position of the developing unit is indicated by an identification symbol in the monochrome printing mode as shown in the display examples 4A and 4B shown in the figure, and the developing unit is displayed in the color printing mode. Therefore, it is easy to intuitively specify the developing unit.

  According to this embodiment, in the monochrome printing mode, the position of the developing unit to be replaced is set to “C toner position in color printing mode, for example,“ Please replace K toner at the C toner position ”. The position of the replacement target can be directly identified as “Please replace the second K toner” without providing the identification in “”, and an easy-to-understand display can be provided to the user.

  In the above-described example, the identification symbol “1, 2, 3, 4” corresponding to the mounting position is used as the identification symbol notation unit 202 with color information, and the color information “k, c, m, y” for the color printing mode is used. However, it is also possible to display the color information directly on the identification symbol as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the display panel 95 has a “200 in color” message and a remaining amount 201 of each developing unit as well as a black “1”, a cyan “2”, and a magenta color. “3” and yellow “4” are displayed. Thereby, it is possible to grasp at a glance which color toner is mounted at which position and how much toner is remaining.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15B, the color information identification notation means 202 displays the color information in the circle represented in a circle, and the identification codes “1, 2” corresponding to the mounting position are outlined. 3, 4 ”may be displayed. Also in this case, it is possible to grasp at a glance which toner of which color is mounted at which position and how much toner is remaining. The example of FIG. 15B shows a state in which the cyan toner mounted at the mounting position “2” is empty.

  These notations may also be indicated by silk printing or stickers. For example, the display panel 95 is displayed in color together with a remaining amount display (95E-1, 95E-2) and a message (200, 203). It may be.

  Further, when the replacement panel 130 of the printer 10 is opened, the attaching / detaching instruction means 132 is indicated (see FIG. 13). In this notation, the identification symbols “1, 2, 3, 4” corresponding to the mounting positions are colored. It can also be displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 16, black (K) color “1”, cyan (C) color “2”, magenta (M) color “3”, and yellow (Y) color “4” are displayed. Yes. By indicating the attachment / detachment instruction unit 132 in this way, the user can easily grasp which toner color developing unit is attached at which attachment position.

  The above-described printer 10 has been described in the case of a so-called four-cycle system that includes a single photosensitive drum 20 for a plurality of development units. For example, a so-called tandem system in which each development unit has a photosensitive drum 20. The present invention can be applied even to the printer 10, and the same effects can be obtained.

1 is a main configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. (In color printing mode) 1 is a main configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. (In monochrome printing mode) 1 is a main configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. (In monochrome printing mode) 1 is a main configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. (In monochrome printing mode) It is a block diagram of the control unit 100 in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows rotation operation | movement of a developing device. It is a figure which shows the engaging means of a developing device and a developing unit. It is a flowchart figure which shows the printing mode determination operation | movement in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the determination table in printing mode determination. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of toner remaining amount display control. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a mounting state of a developing unit and a display example of a display panel in a black monochrome printing mode. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a mounting state of a developing unit and a display example of a display panel in a color print mode and a cyan monochrome print mode. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the display panel, the identification symbol description means with color information, and the mounting position of the developing device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a toner remaining amount of a developing unit by a printer driver of a host computer. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of the display panel 95. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the attachment / detachment instruction | indication means 132. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10: printer, 20: image carrier, 50: developing device, 50a to 50d: mounting positions 51 to 54: developing unit, 51a to 54a: memory of developing unit 95: display panel, 100: control unit, 202: color information Identification symbol notation means

Claims (16)

In an image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier on which a latent image is formed; and a developing device to which a plurality of developing units that store developer are detachably mounted.
The image forming apparatus includes:
When one or a plurality of developing units of the same color are mounted at the mounting position of the developing device, the printer operates in a monochrome printing mode.
When a plurality of color development units for color printing are respectively mounted at a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device, the color printing mode is operated.
And a display means for displaying the remaining amount of developer in each of the developing units;
An identification symbol notation unit with color information, which is provided alongside the display unit, and represents the identification symbols corresponding to a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device together with the color information of the plurality of colors;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls display of the remaining amount information of each developing unit on the display unit in association with the identification symbol with color information. In claim 1,
The developing unit has storage means for storing color information and remaining amount information of the developer stored therein,
The control unit obtains remaining amount information stored in the storage unit of the developing unit mounted at the mounting position of the developing device, and the remaining amount of each developing unit corresponding to the identification symbol with color information An image forming apparatus that controls display of information on the display unit. In claim 1,
In the monochrome printing mode, the control means controls the display of the replacement position of the developing unit on the display means by designating the identification symbol of the identification symbol with color information, and in the color printing mode, An image forming apparatus characterized in that the display position of the developing unit is controlled on the display unit by designating color information of the identification symbol with color information. In an image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier on which a latent image is formed; and a developing device to which a plurality of developing units that store developer are detachably mounted.
The image forming apparatus includes:
When one or a plurality of developing units of the same color are mounted at the mounting position of the developing device, the printer operates in a monochrome printing mode.
When a plurality of color development units for color printing are respectively mounted at a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device, the color printing mode is operated.
An image forming apparatus, wherein an identification symbol with color information is written at a mounting position of the developing device. In an image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier on which a latent image is formed; and a developing device to which a plurality of developing units that store developer are detachably mounted.
The image forming apparatus includes:
When one or a plurality of developing units of the same color are mounted at the mounting position of the developing device, the printer operates in a monochrome printing mode.
When a plurality of color development units for color printing are respectively mounted at a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device, the color printing mode is operated.
Furthermore, it has attachment / detachment instruction means for moving the attachment position of the developing device to the attachment / detachment position of the development unit,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that an identification symbol with color information is written on the mounting position specifying means of the attachment / detachment instruction means. In claim 4 or 5,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the identification symbol with color information is written on an attaching / detaching opening / closing means provided at each mounting position of the developing device so as to be recognized by a user. In claim 1,
The control means appropriately outputs developer remaining amount information data corresponding to the mounting position and mode data indicating the monochrome printing mode or the color printing mode to a host computer provided to be communicable with the image forming apparatus. Then, each remaining amount information is displayed on the host computer corresponding to the identification symbol with color information,
Further, the control means designates an identification symbol of the identification symbol with color information in the monochrome printing mode and displays it on the host computer in the monochrome printing mode, and displays in the color printing mode in the color printing mode. An image forming apparatus, wherein color information of an identification symbol with color information is designated and displayed on the host computer. An image carrier on which a latent image is formed; a developing device in which a plurality of developing units that store the developer are detachably mounted; and storage means that stores color information and remaining amount information of the developer. In the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
When one or a plurality of developing units of the same color are mounted at the mounting position of the developing device, the printer operates in a monochrome printing mode.
When a plurality of color developing units are mounted at a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device, respectively, the color printing mode is operated.
Further, color information and remaining amount information corresponding to the developing unit mounted at the mounting position of the developing device is acquired from the storage unit, and developer remaining amount information data corresponding to the mounting position, and the monochrome printing mode Or mode data indicating whether the color printing mode or not is appropriately output to a host computer that is communicable with the image forming apparatus, and the remaining amount information is displayed on the host computer in correspondence with the identification symbol with color information. An image forming apparatus comprising: means. In claim 8,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the identification symbol with color information is written at a mounting position of the developing device. In claim 8,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the developing unit includes the storage unit. An image carrier on which a latent image is formed; a developing device in which a plurality of developing units that store the developer are detachably mounted; and storage means that stores color information and remaining amount information of the developer. In the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
When one or a plurality of developing units of the same color are mounted at the mounting position of the developing device, the printer operates in a monochrome printing mode.
When a plurality of color developing units are mounted at a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device, respectively, the color printing mode is operated.
Further, in the monochrome printing mode, the replacement position of the developing unit is designated as the identification symbol corresponding to the plurality of mounting positions and the identification symbol with color information having color information of the plurality of colors. And a control means for displaying the replacement position of the developing unit on the host computer by designating the color information of the identification symbol with color information in the color printing mode. An image forming apparatus. An image carrier on which a latent image is formed; a developing device in which a plurality of developing units that store the developer are detachably mounted; and storage means that stores color information and remaining amount information of the developer. In a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus operates in a monochrome printing mode when one or a plurality of developing units of the same color are mounted at the mounting position of the developing device, and the color forming is performed at the plurality of mounting positions of the developing device. It operates in a color printing mode when a plurality of color development units are respectively mounted, and further obtains color information and remaining amount information corresponding to the development unit mounted at the mounting position of the developing device from the storage means, Control means for outputting developer remaining amount information data corresponding to the mounting position and mode data indicating the monochrome printing mode or the color printing mode;
A host computer comprising display means for displaying remaining amount information of the developing unit corresponding to an identification symbol with color information. An image carrier on which a latent image is formed; a developing device in which a plurality of developing units that store the developer are detachably mounted; and storage means that stores color information and remaining amount information of the developer. A host computer connected to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus operates in a monochrome printing mode when one or a plurality of developing units of the same color are mounted at the mounting position of the developing device, and the color forming is performed at the plurality of mounting positions of the developing device. Operates in color printing mode when multiple color development units are installed,
In the monochrome printing mode, the replacement position of the development unit is designated by the identification symbol corresponding to the plurality of mounting positions and the identification symbol with color information having the color information of the plurality of colors. A host computer comprising: display means for displaying and displaying the replacement position of the developing unit by specifying color information of an identification symbol with color information in the color printing mode. In an image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier on which a latent image is formed; and a developing device to which a plurality of developing units containing a developer are detachably mounted.
The image forming apparatus includes:
When one or a plurality of developing units of the same color are mounted at the mounting position of the developing device, the printer operates in a monochrome printing mode.
When a plurality of color developing units for color printing are mounted at a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device, the color printing mode operates.
Further, a display for displaying the remaining amount of developer in each of the developing units corresponding to an identification symbol with color information indicating identification codes corresponding to a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device together with the color information of the plurality of colors. An image forming apparatus comprising: means. To a host computer connected to an image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device in which a plurality of developing units that store the developer are detachably mounted; and a storage unit that stores developer color information and remaining amount information;
Acquiring remaining amount information corresponding to the developing unit mounted at the mounting position of the developing device from the storage unit;
And a step of displaying the remaining amount information of the developing unit on the display of the host computer in correspondence with an identification symbol with color information. A developing device in which a plurality of developing units that store the developer are detachably mounted; and storage means for storing the color information and the remaining amount information of the developer. Operates in monochrome printing mode when a plurality of developing units of the same color are mounted, and operates in color printing mode when a plurality of color developing units are mounted at a plurality of mounting positions of the developing device. To the host computer connected to the image forming device,
In the monochrome printing mode, the replacement position of the development unit is designated by the identification symbol corresponding to the plurality of mounting positions and the identification symbol with color information having the color information of the plurality of colors. Displaying on the display of the host computer, and in the color printing mode, executing the step of displaying the replacement position of the developing unit on the display by designating color information of an identification symbol with color information. Driver program.

Images