JP2005257816A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a consumption article such as an image forming unit from being loaded to a wrong position in a printer using the consumption article to which an FID tag is fitted. <P>SOLUTION: An antenna 31 is arranged at an image formation part 2, the RFID tag 30 communicating by wireless through the antenna 31 are arranged at image forming units (toner set C2) of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K), and replacement previous notice information of the corresponding image forming units is written to the RFID tags 30. When the printer performs print processing, it is confirmed whether the replacement previous notice information is included in information read through the antenna 31 and even when the information is included, the remaining use period of the corresponding image forming unit is measured to replace the image forming unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus using a consumable item such as an image forming unit to which an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag is attached.

  In recent years, the importance of recycling consumables has also increased in printer apparatuses (printing apparatuses) from the viewpoint of environmental protection. For example, an image forming unit (toner set) that is filled with toner and used is one of consumables that can be reused by refilling the toner. There are also companies that collect, refill, and resell used image forming units.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, when the toner in a cartridge (toner set) attached to a printer device is consumed, the cartridge is sent to a recycling factory as used, and the cartridge is subjected to a recycling process. Records the history of playback processing and the device number of the installed printer. On the other hand, when the user who has received the regenerated cartridge attaches the regenerated cartridge to the printer, the user confirms the recording and uses the regenerated toner cartridge.

Further, when a toner cartridge is used and the toner in the cartridge runs short of a predetermined amount or less, a toner replacement notice is generated and a replacement notice is written on the RFID tag of the cartridge. When the printer apparatus is turned on, the RFID tag information is read as an initial process, and if there is a replacement notice, a warning for promoting replacement is issued.
JP 2002-318511 A

  However, in the case of a color printer, a cartridge is used for each color, and a plurality of cartridges are set at predetermined positions determined for each color. However, there is a case where a cartridge that has sufficient toner and does not require replacement is erroneously mounted at the mounting position of the cartridge in which the replacement notice is recorded. For this reason, even though there is sufficient toner originally, a warning of replacement notice is issued in the wrongly mounted state and stored in the control unit of the printing apparatus. In this case, the replacement promotion warning is not canceled even though the cartridge is re-installed at the correct position and returned to a state where there is sufficient toner, so that a usable cartridge is accidentally replaced and discarded. .

  Therefore, the present invention provides a printing apparatus that does not replace consumables that do not require replacement even when a consumable such as a toner set is mounted at an incorrect position.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus that has a plurality of units of different types, and that the units are mounted at positions corresponding to the respective types to perform image forming processing and sequentially print images on recording paper. An RFID tag disposed in the unit and retaining and storing individual attributes of the unit; and disposed in the vicinity of the one or more units, each of the one or more units having one or more RFID tags; An antenna that transmits and receives information transmitted and received by the RFID tag in a non-contact manner, and the individual unit has a different mounting position of the RFID tag for each type, and the RFID tag A printing apparatus that is maintained in a state in which transmission and reception can be performed with respect to the antenna in a state where a unit is installed at a proper position according to the type in the printing apparatus. It can be achieved by subjecting.

  The unit is a developing unit that uses recording materials having different colors according to the type, and the printing unit includes a measuring unit that measures the remaining amount of toner stored in the developing unit, and the measuring unit includes: When a sufficient remaining amount is measured, it is provided with notifying means for notifying abnormality when replacement notice information is recorded in the corresponding RFID tag.

The unit is an image forming unit that forms an image using recording materials of different colors according to the type.
The unit is a paper feeding unit that can store recording sheets of different sizes.

  The replacement notice is issued, for example, when it reaches about 1% of the total use period, and then the replacement display for the image forming unit is performed. Even when such an image forming unit is erroneously attached to the usable mounting position of the image forming unit, the remaining usage period is measured as well as the replacement notice. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a sufficiently usable image forming unit from being erroneously replaced.

  Furthermore, the RFID tag is configured to notify an abnormality when the mounting position of the unit is incorrect based on the distance from the antenna. By configuring in this way, it is possible to measure an installation position error, a residual toner amount, and the like using an existing antenna and RFID tag, and a dedicated mechanism and electronic circuit can be omitted.

  The present invention is configured as described above, so that by using one or more antennas and RFID tags, it is possible to detect an error in inserting a unit without printing, and replace consumables by mistake. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that does not need to be performed.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that can notify a user of an abnormality without performing a useless operation for detecting an error position by using one or more antennas and an RFID tag.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, the printer apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 2, a duplex printing transport unit 3, and a paper feeding unit 4. Here, the image forming unit 2 has a configuration in which four image forming units 5 to 8 are arranged side by side, and magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), They are arranged in the order of black (K). Among these, magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y) image forming units 5 to 7 are used for color printing by subtractive color mixing, and black (K) image forming unit 8. Is used at the time of color printing and is used for monochrome printing when used alone.

  Here, each of the image forming units 5 to 8 includes a drum set C1 and a toner set C2, and has the same configuration except for the developer (color) stored in the developing container. Therefore, for example, the configuration will be described using the image forming unit 7 for yellow (Y) as an example. The drum set C1 contains a photosensitive drum, a charger, and a cleaner, and the toner set C2 contains a developing roll and toner. The toner set C2 is attached with an RFID tag to be described later.

  The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 9 is made of, for example, an organic photoconductive material. In the vicinity of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 9, a charger 10a, a print head 10b, a developing roll 10c, a transfer device 10d, and a cleaner 10e are provided. They are arranged sequentially.

  The photosensitive drum 9 rotates in the direction of the arrow. First, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 9 is uniformly charged by applying a charge from the charger 10a. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 9 by optical writing based on print information from the print head 10b, and a toner image is formed by development processing by the developing roll 10c. At this time, the toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 9 is made of yellow (Y) toner stored in the developing container 10c. The toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 9 in this way reaches the position of the transfer unit 10d as the photosensitive drum 9 rotates in the direction of the arrow, and directly below the photosensitive drum 9 in the direction of the arrow. Transferred to moving paper.

  On the other hand, the paper is transported by the paper feed unit 11, the standby roll 12, the transport belt 13, the drive roll 14, etc. constituting the paper feed unit 4. The unloaded paper is sent to the standby roll 12 and further sent onto the conveying belt 13 at a timing coincident with the toner image, and reaches the transfer device 10d. Then, the toner image is transferred by the transfer device 10d, and the sheet on which the toner image is transferred moves on the conveyor belt 13 in the direction of the arrow as the conveyor belt 13 moves, and the fixing unit 15 performs heat fixing processing.

  In addition to the yellow (Y) toner image, not only the yellow (Y) toner image but also magenta (M) and cyan (C) toner images transferred by the drum set C1 and toner set C2 of other colors are transferred to the upper surface of the paper. Then, color printing according to the subtractive color mixture described above is performed.

  The above-mentioned paper includes not only the paper carried out from the paper feeding unit 11 but also the paper fed from the MPF tray 16, and in this case, the paper is carried in by the paper feeding roller 16a and printed by the above-mentioned route. Processing is performed.

  The fixing unit 15 is composed of heat rolls 15a and 15b. While the paper P is nipped and conveyed between the heat rolls 15a and 15b, the toner images of, for example, a plurality of colors transferred onto the paper are melted. Heat-fixed to P. The paper on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 15 is conveyed upward or leftward on the paper surface via the switching plate 17.

  On the other hand, the transport unit 3 for duplex printing is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body, and is a unit to be mounted when duplex printing is performed by the printer apparatus 1 of the present example, and a plurality of transport rolls 18a to 18e are disposed therein. Has been. In the case of duplex printing, the paper is once sent upward by the switching plate 17. When the trailing edge of the paper reaches the transport roll 19, for example, the paper transport is stopped and the paper is transported in the reverse direction. By this control, the sheet is conveyed downward on the left side of the switching unit 17 set at the position indicated by the dotted line, is carried into the sheet conveyance path of the duplex printing conveyance unit 3, and is conveyed by the conveyance rolls 18a to 18e. It reaches the standby roll 12 and is sent to the transfer device at the same timing as the toner image as described above, and the toner image is transferred to the back side of the paper. Note that reference numeral 31 shown in the figure denotes an antenna described later disposed in the image forming unit 2.

  Next, an outline of the appearance of the printer apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. A discharge roller 20 is provided on the upper portion of the printer apparatus 1, and printed matter is output from the discharge roller 20, and the printed matter is accumulated in the discharge stacker 21. In addition, the front cover 22, the MPF tray 16, the side cover 23, and the paper feed tray 4 are included. An operation panel 24 is provided above the printer, and the operation panel 24 includes an operation unit 24a composed of a plurality of keys and a display unit 24b for displaying an operation menu.

FIG. 3 shows how the toner set C2 is removed from the printer apparatus 1. This figure shows a state where the front cover 22 is opened and the toner set C2 is removed (Embodiment 1).
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the RFID tag disposed in the toner set C2 (image forming units 5 to 8) and the antenna 31 disposed in the image forming unit 2. The positional relationship of is shown.

  FIG. 4 shows a straight line when the image forming units 5 to 8 are mounted at regular positions in the printer apparatus 1 and the RFID tags arranged in the respective units are installed in a corresponding positional relationship with respect to the antenna 31. The RFID tag is attached to a different position corresponding to each color of the image forming unit in a system using the antenna 31 having a typical shape (hereinafter referred to as a linear antenna system).

  Each color toner set C2 is provided with an RFID tag, for example, a magenta (M) toner set C2 is provided with an RFID tag 30M, and a cyan (C) toner set C2 is provided with an RFID tag 30C. The yellow (Y) toner set C2 is provided with an RFID tag 30Y, and the black (K) toner set C2 is provided with an RFID tag 30K.

  As shown in the figure, each RFID tag 30M, 30C, 30Y, 30K is provided with an antenna (not shown), and between this antenna and a single antenna 31 provided in the image forming unit 2. Wireless communication is performed to exchange data and supply power to each of the RFID tags 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a control circuit of the printer apparatus 1, which is composed of an MPU (microprocessor unit) 32, an RFID controller 33, and an EEPROM 34. The MPU 32 performs communication control with the RFID tags 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K performed through the RFID control unit 33 and the antenna 31 described above.

  The MPU 32 is supplied with a toner remaining amount detection signal from a sensor installed in the toner set C2. For example, information on the remaining amount of toner remaining in the magenta (M) toner set C2 is supplied from the remaining amount sensor 35M, and information on the remaining amount of toner remaining in the cyan (C) toner set C2 is supplied from the remaining amount sensor 35C. Similarly, the remaining amount information of yellow (Y) is supplied from the remaining amount sensor 35Y, and the remaining amount information of black (K) is supplied from the remaining amount sensor 35K.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the memory configuration of the EEPROM 34. The serial number (8 bytes) of the main body of the printer apparatus 1 and count data of the total counter, drum counter K, drum counter Y, drum counter C, and drum counter M are stored. These count data are counted based on signals supplied from, for example, a paper discharge sensor under the control of the MPU 32.

  Further, the MPU 32 sends information on the remaining amount of toner in each toner set C2 supplied from each remaining amount sensor 35M, 35C, 35Y, 35K to the RFID tags 30M, 30C, 30Y, via the EEPROM 34 and the RFID control unit 33. Record at 30K.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the memory configuration of the RFID tags 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K, which includes an IC tag information unit 36, a TS (toner set) information backup unit 37, and a TS counter information unit 38, and includes a TS counter. The information unit 38 includes a plurality of TS counter information “1”, “2”,..., “6”.

  The IC tag information section 36 has a storage area of 8 blocks. For example, a copy prevention code as individual information is recorded in the block “1”, and magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow is recorded in the block “2”. A color code indicating the type of color material included in the toner set of (Y) and black (K) is recorded, and recycle information indicating the number of times of toner filling and the like is recorded in the block “3”. Also, a check code for checking the recording data is recorded in the block “8”.

  On the other hand, each TS counter information section 38 has a storage area of 8 blocks. For example, block “17” records information on the TS counter at the time of occurrence of the toner-free notice, and block “18” stores the remaining amount of toner. Information is recorded, information of TS counter A is recorded in block “19”, and information of TS counter B is recorded in block “20”. Further, information of check code A is recorded in block “23”, and information of check code B is recorded in block “24”.

In the above configuration, the processing operation of this example will be described below.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of this example, which is executed when the printer apparatus 1 is powered on. First, when the printer apparatus 1 is turned on, a toner set C2 detection process is performed (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1). This toner set C2 detection process is a process of acquiring information from the RFID tag 30 (30M, 30C, 30Y, 30K) disposed in each toner set C2 using the single antenna 31 described above. Specifically, the processing is in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG.

  That is, if the RFID tags 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K shown in FIG. 4 are properly aligned with the antenna 31, information is read from the RFID tags 30M, 30C, 30Y, and 30K (S1-1). Then, the presence / absence of the toner set C2 is determined (S1-2). Here, when the image forming units 6 and 7 are inserted incorrectly as shown in FIG. 10 or when the toner set C2 is not attached, the RFID tags of the image forming units 6 and 7 are separated from the antenna and cannot transmit / receive (S1- 2 is NO), “no toner set” is displayed on the display unit 24b (S1-3 TS no flag set). In this case, the user confirms this display and responds by mounting the toner set C2 at the corresponding position.

  On the other hand, when the toner set C2 is normally mounted (YES in S1-2), a toner shortage state is detected from the remaining amount information read from the RFID tag (block 18) at this time (S1-4). Is YES), a flag indicating no toner (S1-5) is set.

  This process simplifies the process for detecting the abnormality of the toner set by utilizing the positional relationship between the antenna 31 and the RFID tags 30 (30M, 30C, 30Y, 30K).

Next, when the information stored in the RFID tag (block 18) is not short of the remaining amount of toner (NO in S1-4), the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner set C2 is detected (S1-6).
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the toner remaining amount detection process. First, information on the remaining amount of toner remaining in the toner set C2 is read from the above-described remaining amount sensor 35 (35M, 35C, 35Y, 35K) (S1-41). Next, it is determined from the read information whether the toner remaining amount is 75% or more (S1-42). If the toner remaining amount is 75% or more (S1-42 is YES), the toner remaining amount display “75%” is displayed. The above is performed (S1-43). On the other hand, if the toner remaining amount is not 75% or more (S1-42 is NO), the determination (S1-44) is executed next.

  In this determination (S1-44) as well, information on the remaining amount of toner in the toner set C2 read from the remaining amount sensor 35 (35M, 35C, 35Y, 35K) is read. Next, it is determined from the read information whether the remaining amount of toner is 50% or more. If the remaining amount of toner is 50% or more (YES in S1-44), the remaining amount of toner is displayed as "50% or more". (S1-45). On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner is not 50% or more (NO in S1-44), the same determination as above is repeated while lowering the detection level of the remaining amount of toner.

  That is, whether the remaining amount of toner is 20% or more (S1-46), whether the remaining amount of toner is 10% or more (S1-48), whether the remaining amount of toner is 5% or more (S1-50), It is sequentially determined whether the remaining amount of toner is 2% or more (S1-52) and the remaining amount of toner is 1% or more (S1-54), and the corresponding detection results are displayed (S1-47, S1). -49, S1-51, S1-53, S1-55). If the remaining amount of toner is less than 1% (S1-56), a replacement notice to be described later should be issued, so the process proceeds to the determination shown in FIG. Processing (S1-7) is performed. That is, it is confirmed whether or not the counter value at the time when the no-toner notice is issued is stored in the RFID tag block 17 of the unit identified as having less than 1% of the remaining amount of toner. Therefore, it is determined that there is no notice return, and the process returns (NO in S1-7). However, if there is no counter value in the block 17 of the RFID tag, the notice of no toner is canceled by improper TS installation. It is determined that it has been done (S1-7 is YES), and it becomes an illegal TS (S1-8 illegal TS flag set). As a result, the determination S2 shown in FIG. 8 is NO and the printing operation is not executed. In this case, the display unit 24b displays a display indicating that the apparatus is abnormal, and the user determines that it is abnormal.

  On the other hand, in the process of FIG. 9, any of the flags of no TS (S1-3), no toner (S1-5), and illegal TS (S1-8) is not set, and the toner set C2 becomes normal (S2 YES), the printing process is started (S3), the paper is supplied from the paper feeding unit 4 described above, and color printing is performed on the paper by the image forming units 5 to 8 of the image forming unit 2. Then, TS control is performed (S4).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the TS control. First, the paper on which the printing process has been performed is detected by a paper discharge sensor (S4-1), and the TS counter of the RFID tag 30 is incremented by 1 (S4-2). Then, the toner remaining amount detection process described above is performed (see FIG. 11), and it is determined whether a replacement notice is in progress (S4-3). That is, it is determined whether the TS counter value when the replacement notice is generated is written in the block 17 of the RFID tag.

  Here, if the counter value at the time of occurrence of the replacement notice is not yet set (NO in S4-4), it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner is less than 1% (S4-5). Then, if the remaining amount of toner is less than 1%, the TS counter value at the time of replacement notice is changed to the block of the RFID tag in order to replace the toner set C2 after the printing process of a predetermined sheet (for example, 100 sheets) is finished. 17 is written (S4-6). On the other hand, if the TS counter value at the time of occurrence of the replacement notice has already been written (YES in S4-4), it is determined from the counter value whether a predetermined number of sheets have been printed (S4-7). If the printing process for the predetermined sheet is not performed (NO in S4-7), the printing process is further continued. If the printing process for the predetermined sheet is performed (YES in S4-7), the toner set C2 is replaced. In order to do so, the printing process is stopped, and a control flag for displaying that fact is set (S4-8). Thereafter, in the control S5 in FIG. 8, it is determined that the TS is normal. If the TS exchange (S4-8 flag) is not set in the TS control in FIG. 12 (S5 is YES), the print processing (S3), TS If the detection (S4) is continuously executed and the TS exchange occurs (S4-8), the TS abnormality (S5 is NO), and the TS detection process (S1) and the normality determination (S2) are performed on the new toner set C2. It is executed until it is exchanged.

  As described above, in this example, by repeating the processing shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, when the toner in the toner set C2 is insufficient, a replacement notice is issued, and the toner set C2 for which the replacement notice is being issued is mounted. Even when the normal toner set C2 is erroneously mounted at the power position, by performing the above-described processing or determination (S1-1 to S1-8), it is possible to detect an abnormal mounting of the apparatus, and to detect the incorrect mounting position. The problem that the toner set C2 is mounted can be solved.

Further, it is possible to determine the erroneous mounting of the toner set C2 without looking at the printing result, and it is possible to detect the erroneous mounting of the toner set C2 without performing one defective print.
In this example, the TS counter is used. However, the number of print dots may be counted from the print data, and processing may be performed based on the count data.
(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 shows a system using a refractive antenna when a toner set C2 of an appropriate color is set at a correct position in the printing apparatus and an RFID tag is installed at a regular position (hereinafter referred to as a refractive antenna system). The RFID tags 30 (30M, 30C, 30Y, 30K) are arranged as shown in the figure corresponding to the colors of the image forming unit (toner set), and the processes shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 are performed. repeat. Further, when the RFID tag 30 (30M, 30C, 30Y, 30K) is erroneously attached as shown in FIG. 13, the processing shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 is repeated in the same manner, and the toner set C2 at the wrong attachment position is repeated. Can solve the problem of wearing. Further, it is possible to determine the erroneous mounting of the toner set C2 without looking at the printing result, and it is possible to detect the erroneous mounting of the toner set C2 without performing one defective print.
(Embodiment 3)
Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 shows a configuration when an appropriate color toner set C2 is set at a correct position in the printing apparatus and an RFID tag is installed at a normal position. The linear antenna system is used to form an image forming unit (toner set). ) RFID tags 30 (30M, 30C, 30Y, 30K) are respectively arranged as shown in the figure, and the processes shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 are repeated. Further, when the RFID tag 30 (30M, 30C, 30Y, 30K) is erroneously attached, the process shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 is repeated in the same manner, and there is a problem that the toner set C2 is attached at an incorrect attachment position. Solvable.

Further, it is possible to determine the erroneous mounting of the toner set C2 without looking at the printing result, and it is possible to detect the erroneous mounting of the toner set C2 without performing one defective print.
(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 shows a configuration when an image forming drum unit C1 of an appropriate color is set at a correct position in a printing apparatus and an RFID tag is installed at a normal position. A linear antenna method or a refractive antenna method is used. The RFID tags 40 (40M, 40C, 40Y, 40K) corresponding to the respective colors of the image forming drum unit C1 are arranged as shown in the figure, and the RFID tags 40 (40M, 40C, 40Y, 40K) are erroneously provided. Even when the image forming drum unit C1 is mounted, it is possible to identify erroneous mounting only by identifying whether the MPU 32 can exchange information of the RFID tag, and the problem of mounting the image forming drum unit C1 at an incorrect mounting position can be solved. Further, it is possible to determine whether the image forming drum unit C1 is erroneously mounted without looking at the print result, and to detect the erroneous mounting of the image forming drum unit C1 without performing one defective print.
(Embodiment 5)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 16 schematically shows the configuration of the sheet feeding unit when the additional sheet feeding unit 4 is mounted in a plurality of stages at the lower part of the printer apparatus and the detachable and replaceable sheet feeding units 11 are installed in four stages. When a paper feed unit of an appropriate paper type is set at a correct position in the printing apparatus and an RFID tag is installed at a regular position, a linear antenna method or a refraction antenna method is used for each size of the paper feed unit 11. When the corresponding RFID tag 50 (50A3, 50B4, 50A4, 50B5) is arranged as shown in the figure, and the paper feed unit having the RFID tag 50 (50A3, 50B4, 50A4, 50B5) is installed by mistake However, the MPU 32 can identify whether or not the RFID tag information can be exchanged, so that the erroneous mounting can be identified, and the problem that the paper feeding unit is mounted at the wrong mounting position can be solved. Further, it is possible to determine whether the paper feed unit is erroneously installed without looking at the print result, and to detect the erroneous attachment of the paper feed unit without performing one defective print.
(Embodiment 6)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the configuration in which the position where the paper feeding unit 11 is mounted is determined for each type is shown. However, in the sixth embodiment, a plurality of paper feeding units that can be mounted in any stage. The case of a configuration that can be replaced and mounted on the (mounting portion) will be described. FIG. 17 schematically shows the configuration of the sheet feeding unit when the additional sheet feeding units 4 are mounted in a plurality of stages at the lower part of the printer apparatus and the detachable and replaceable sheet feeding units 11 are installed in the same manner as FIG. It is shown. An RFID tag corresponding to each size of the paper feed unit 11 using a linear antenna system capable of transmitting and receiving when a paper feed unit of any paper type is set at a correct position in the printing apparatus and an RFID tag is installed at a regular position 50 '(50A3', 50B4 ', 50A4', 50B5 ') are arranged at the same position of each unit as shown in the figure, and are basically the same as the memory structure of the RFID tag shown in FIG. However, FIG. 18 shows a memory configuration of the RFID tag in the paper feeding unit.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the memory structure of the RFID tag 50 '(50A3', 50B4 ', 50A4', 50B5 '). The IC tag information section 36b, the paper feed information backup section 37b, and the paper feed counter information section 38b. The paper feed counter information section 38b is made up of paper feed counter information consisting of 8 blocks.

  The IC tag information section 36b has a storage area of 8 blocks. For example, a copy prevention code as individual information is recorded in the block “1”, and the sizes of A3, B4, A4, and B5 are classified in the block “2”. A size code is recorded, and a check code for checking the recording data is recorded in the block “8”. The MPU 32 reads the size code information stored in the block 2 transmitted from the RFID tag of each unit via the antenna 31 for each unit, and reads what type (size) of any stage (mounting unit). Identify whether a paper feed unit is installed.

  On the other hand, each of the paper feed counter information sections 38b has a storage area of 8 blocks. For example, remaining amount information is recorded in the block “18”. In the present embodiment, the replenishment amount of paper that is replenished to the paper feed unit at a time is defined as the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the paper feed unit, and replenishment during the process is limited. The remaining amount information is reset to an initial value number value (for example, 500) every time a sheet is replenished in units of a maximum storage number (for example, 500 sheets) of each sheet feeding unit. Each time a sheet is fed from the sheet feeding unit for printing, the remaining amount information in the block 18 of the RFID tag of the corresponding sheet feeding unit is counted down and rewritten and updated. Further, the MPU 32 reads the remaining amount data and displays the remaining amount of paper of each sheet feeding unit on the operation panel 24. With such a configuration, the amount of paper remaining in each paper feed unit can be displayed very accurately in units of one sheet, regardless of which stage (mounting unit) the paper feed unit is installed.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tandem type printer device used for describing the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an appearance of a printer device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state where a toner set is removed from a printer device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an RFID tag disposed in a toner set and an antenna disposed in an image forming unit. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control circuit of the printer apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the memory structure of EEPROM. It is a figure explaining the memory structure of an RFID tag. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a toner set detection operation. It is a figure explaining a mounting mistake. It is a flowchart explaining remaining amount detection. It is a flowchart explaining TS control. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an RFID tag disposed in a toner set and an antenna disposed in an image forming unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an RFID tag disposed in a toner set and an antenna disposed in an image forming unit. It is a figure which shows the structure of the RFID tag arrange | positioned by the image forming drum unit, and the antenna arrange | positioned by the image forming drum unit. It is a figure which shows the structure of the RFID tag arrange | positioned at the paper feed unit, and the antenna arrange | positioned at the paper feed unit. It is a figure which shows the other structure of the RFID tag arrange | positioned at the paper feed unit, and the antenna arrange | positioned at the paper feed unit. It is a figure explaining the memory structure of the RFID tag arrange | positioned at the paper feed unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer apparatus 2 ... Image forming part 3 ... Conveyance unit for double-sided printing 4 ... Paper feed part 5-8 ... Image forming unit 9 ... Photosensitive drum 10a ... Charging Device 10b ... Print head 10c ... Developing roll 10d ... Transfer device 11 ... Feeding unit 12 ... Standby roll 13 ... Conveying belt 14 ... Drive roll 15 ... Fixing unit 16 ... MPF trays 18a to 18e ... transport roll 19 ... transport roll 20 ... paper discharge roller 21 ... paper discharge stacker 22 ... front cover 23 ... side cover 24 ... Operation panel 30, 30M, 30C, 30Y, 30K ... RFID tag 31 ... Antenna 32 ... MPU (microprocessor unit)
33 ... RFID controller 34 ... EEPROM
35, 35M, 35C, 35Y, 35K ... remaining amount sensor 36 ... IC tag information unit 37 ... backup unit 38 ... TS counter information unit 40 ... RFID tag 41 ... tag mounting base 42 ... cam 50 ... RFID tag 60 ... motors 61, 62, 64 ... gear 65 ... spring drive shaft 66 ... detection spring

Claims (5)

In a printing apparatus that has a plurality of units of different types, the units perform image forming processing by being mounted at positions corresponding to the respective types, and sequentially print images on recording paper.
An RFID tag disposed on the unit and storing and storing individual attributes of the unit;
The one or more units are arranged in the vicinity of the one or more units, and each of the one or more units has one or more RFID tags, and has an antenna that transmits and receives information transmitted and received by the RFID tags in common without contact. ,
The individual unit has a different attachment position of the RFID tag for each type,
The RFID tag is maintained in a state in which each unit can be transmitted and received with respect to the antenna in a state where each unit is installed at a proper position according to the type in the printing apparatus. apparatus.   The unit is a developing unit that uses recording materials of different colors according to the type, and the printing unit includes a measuring unit that measures the remaining amount of toner stored in the developing unit, and the measuring unit is sufficient. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an informing unit configured to notify an abnormality when replacement notice information is recorded in the corresponding RFID tag when the remaining amount is measured.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit is an image forming unit that forms an image using recording materials having different colors depending on the type.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit is a paper feeding unit that stores recording sheets of different sizes. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag performs abnormality notification when the mounting position of the unit is incorrect based on a distance from the antenna.

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