JP2006276709A - Image forming apparatus, and control system therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately reflecting the use of a non-genuine article in lease charge even if a user uses the non-genuine article. <P>SOLUTION: An ID chip 10 is mounted on an ink cartridge 1. A serial number peculiar to the cartridge is stored in the ID chip 10 so as to discriminate whether the cartridge is a genuine one when it is loaded in a main body apparatus. When the loaded ink cartridge is the non-genuine one, a unit price per print is set higher than when the ink cartridge is the genuine one in the main body apparatus, whereby output using the non-genuine one is reflected in the lease charge. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, and a management system thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for charging when a genuine consumer agent (consumable) is used or not. Is.

JP 2000-194238 A JP 2001-75455 A

  In image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimile machines, users sometimes use toner or ink other than genuine products (hereinafter referred to as non-genuine products), which causes troubles such as image defects and malfunctions. Yes.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the use of non-genuine products, a technique for restricting the use of non-genuine products by attaching a barcode or a specific shape to a toner bottle or ink cartridge is disclosed in, for example, the above-mentioned patent document. Proposed by 1 or 2.

  However, some users may use a non-genuine product or may wish to use it for cost reduction after recognizing a trouble caused by the use of a non-genuine product. In such a case, if the image forming apparatus is leased, the leasing source will take the risk of equipment malfunction due to the use of non-genuine products. However, with conventional image forming devices, the user uses non-genuine products. In such a case, there was a problem that the lease fee could not be properly reflected.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems in a conventional image forming apparatus, and to provide an image forming apparatus that can appropriately reflect the lease fee when a user uses a non-genuine product and a management system thereof. And

  According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which an information storage unit is mounted on a storage member that stores an image forming agent such as toner or ink, and the information stored in the information storage unit can be read. This is solved by identifying whether the storage member is a genuine product or a non-genuine product based on the information stored in the storage means, and setting a device usage fee according to the identification result.

Further, it is preferable that information can be written in the information storage means.
The information storage means is preferably an ID chip.
Further, it is preferable that information capable of identifying a unique storage member is stored in the information storage means.

Further, it is preferable that the information storage means store the amount of use or the remaining amount of the image forming agent.
Further, it is preferable that the device usage fee when the storage member is a non-genuine product is set higher than the device usage fee when the storage member is a genuine product.

  In addition, there is a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of an image forming agent in the storage member, and the detection unit does not detect the absence of the image forming agent even when the ink consumption amount in the storage member reaches a predetermined value. It is preferable to determine that the image forming agent in the storage member is a non-genuine image forming agent.

Further, when the image forming agent in the storage member is a non-genuine image forming agent, it is preferable to set higher than the apparatus usage fee when the image forming agent is genuine.
In addition, when the plurality of storage members are provided, and the plurality of storage members are all non-genuine products, or when the image forming agents in the plurality of storage members are all non-genuine, It is preferable to set higher than the apparatus usage fee when the storage member is a genuine product or when the image forming agent is genuine.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of the storage members and one of the plurality of storage members is a non-genuine product or there is a storage member that stores at least one non-genuine image forming agent, the apparatus usage fee is charged. It is preferable to set higher than the apparatus usage fee when the storage member is a genuine product or when the image forming agent is genuine.

Further, it is preferable that the apparatus usage fee is set according to the number of the storage members that are non-genuine products or the number of the storage members that store non-genuine image forming agents.
Further, it is preferable that the apparatus usage fee is a print unit price per output sheet.

The apparatus usage fee is preferably an image forming agent fee per output sheet.
Further, it is preferable that the device usage fee is a maintenance fee per output.
Moreover, it is preferable to provide display means for displaying the set device usage fee.

Further, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus is an ink jet system and the storage member is an ink cartridge.
Further, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic system and the storage member is a toner bottle.

  Further, it is preferable that the amount of the image forming agent that has not been used for actual image formation is detected, and the image forming agent that has not been used for actual image formation is excluded from the charge.

  Further, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus is an ink jet system, and the image forming agent not used for the actual image formation is an ink used for maintenance such as idle ejection.

  Further, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic system, and the image forming agent that has not been used for actual image formation is residual toner that has not been transferred to a recording medium.

  According to the present invention, the object includes an image forming apparatus with a communication function and a management apparatus capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus via a communication line, and the apparatus usage fee in the image forming apparatus is In the image forming apparatus management system managed by the method, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is used as the image forming apparatus.

Further, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus transmits the identification result, an apparatus usage fee and an output number set according to the identification result to the management apparatus.
Further, the image forming apparatus transmits information read from the information storage unit of the storage member and the number of output sheets to the management device, and the management device determines whether the storage member is a genuine product based on the received information. It is preferable to identify whether or not the image forming agent stored in the storage member is genuine, and transmit the identification result and information on the apparatus usage fee set based on the identification result to the image forming apparatus. .

  Further, when the device usage fee is changed, the changed device usage fee information is transmitted from the management device to the image forming device, and the image forming device calculates the device usage fee based on the received device usage fee information. It is preferable to update.

  According to the image forming apparatus and its management system of the present invention, the storage member is a genuine product or a non-genuine product based on the information stored in the information storage means mounted on the storage member that stores the image forming agent. Since the device usage fee can be set according to the identification result, even when the user uses a non-genuine product, it can be appropriately reflected in the device usage fee such as a lease fee.

Even when refill ink or refill toner is used, it can be appropriately reflected in the apparatus usage fee.
In addition, the present invention can be applied to various lease fee setting methods. Moreover, the user can confirm the usage fee by displaying the set fee on the display means.

  The present invention can be applied to an inkjet apparatus and an electrophotographic apparatus. In addition, by removing ink and toner that have not been used for actual image formation from the object of charging, it is possible to bring benefits to the user.

In addition, the lease fee and the like can be grasped and managed by the administrator by managing the communication line, and the management cost can be reduced.
Further, by making it possible to update the changed usage fee via the communication line, it is possible to flexibly cope with changes in the lease fee and the like.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an inkjet image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of an ink jet copying apparatus which is an example of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in this figure, the ink jet copying apparatus 100 of this example has a configuration in which a printer unit 20 is disposed at the lower part of the apparatus, a scanner unit 30 is disposed at the upper part of the apparatus, and a paper discharge unit 40 is provided therebetween. It is also possible to configure as a multi-function machine having a printer function and a FAX function.

  The scanner unit 30 is provided with a scanning unit 32 below the contact glass 31 so that the scanning unit 32 can travel. The scanner unit 30 guides reflected light from a document illuminated by a light source to a CCD 33 via a mirror lens or the like, and reads a document image. Is done. A pressure plate 34 is provided above the contact glass 31 so as to be openable and closable.

  In the printer unit 20, a paper feeding unit 21 is disposed below, and an ink jet engine 25 and an ink cartridge mounting unit 35 are disposed above the printer unit 20. The paper feeding unit 21 is provided with a paper cassette 22 for storing a recording medium such as transfer paper, a paper feeding means 23 for feeding paper one by one from the paper cassette 22, and the like. A recording paper conveyance path from the paper feeding section 21 to the paper discharge section 40 is formed as shown by a one-dot chain line in the figure, and a conveyance roller 24 is appropriately installed at a predetermined position in the recording paper conveyance path, so that the paper is discharged. The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 41 by the paper roller 29.

  The ink jet engine 25 employs a paper transport system using an electrostatic adsorption belt 26, and can feed paper more stably than a conventional roller transport system. The carriage 27 carries a print head 28, and performs printing by reciprocating in the main scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the drawing of FIG. 2). The print head 28 has a nozzle row length of 1.27 inches which is wider than the conventional one, and in this example, one head for each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk). 4 head configuration. However, the number of heads is not limited to this, and a two-head configuration of two heads with two colors may be used.

  The ink-jet copying apparatus 100 of this example is equipped with each color ink cartridge 1 separately from the print head, and the ink in the cartridge 1 is supplied to the print head 28 via a supply tube (not shown). A method of mounting each color ink cartridge separately from the head is a method suitable for business use because a large-capacity type cartridge corresponding to an increase in ink consumption accompanying an increase in printing speed can be used. Further, in this example, two black (Bk) ink cartridges with large consumption can be mounted, and a total of five ink cartridges are combined with the other yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink cartridges. The ink cartridge 1 is set in the cartridge mounting portion 35.

  2A and 2B show the appearance of the ink cartridge 1, wherein FIG. 2A is a side view and FIG. 2B is a perspective view. On the front side of the cartridge, a notch 3 is formed in a recessed shape. When the ink cartridge 1 is set in and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 35, the cartridge 1 is held in such a manner that a finger is caught between the corner portion 4 of the notch portion 3 and the corner portion 2 at the upper end of the cartridge and pinched. Easy to work.

  An ink bag (not shown) is built in the ink cartridge 1, and an ink supply pipe 5 connected to the ink bag is provided on the rear surface of the cartridge. The ink supply tube 5 is filled with rubber, and an ink supply needle (not shown) protruding from the printer body penetrates the ink supply tube 5 and the tip of the needle enters the ink bag. Can be supplied. When the ink supply needle is pulled out (the cartridge is removed), the rubber of the ink supply pipe 5 closes the hole of the needle, and the ink does not leak.

  Now, the ink cartridge 1 of this example incorporates an ID chip 10 as information storage means. The ID chip 10 is connected to the control means of the inkjet copying apparatus 100 via a connector (not shown) provided on the main body side when the ink cartridge 1 is set in the cartridge mounting portion 35. Thus, the copying apparatus main body is configured to be able to read information stored in the ID chip 10 of the ink cartridge and to write information into the ID chip 10. As the ID chip 10, a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM can be used.

  In this example, as information to be held in the ID chip 10, data such as a serial number unique to the cartridge, manufacturing date and time, ink consumption (or ink remaining amount), and the like are stored. In this example, the serial number is used as identification information indicating that the cartridge is a genuine product. With this serial number, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted, the ink cartridge is a genuine product. It is possible to determine whether or not. The serial number or the like may be encrypted as necessary. The ink consumption is rewritten as the ink is consumed.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the ink jet copying apparatus 100 is set as a lease property, and is programmed not only to be genuine ink cartridges 1 but also to non-genuine ink cartridges to permit the apparatus operation. However, the lease fee is programmed to be different depending on whether a genuine product is used as an ink cartridge or a non-genuine product. As an example, 4 yen per copy or print is set when using genuine ink cartridge 1, and 9 yen is set per copy or print when using non-genuine ink cartridge. .

  The control for making the lease charge different between when a genuine product is used as the ink cartridge and when a non-genuine product is used will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the ink cartridge is set in the cartridge mounting portion 35 in S1. When the cartridge is set, it is determined in S2 whether or not the ink cartridge is a genuine product. If the cartridge is genuine, the process proceeds to S3 and the print unit price is set to 4 yen. On the other hand, if the cartridge is a non-genuine product, the process proceeds to S4, and the print unit price is set to 9 yen. Then, the print unit price set on the operation panel (not shown) of the copying apparatus 100 is displayed (S5). Next, it waits for the enter key to be pressed (S7), and when the enter key is pressed, printing is executed (S8). On the other hand, if the enter key is not pressed, it is determined that the reset button is pressed (S8), and if the reset button is pressed, this process is terminated.

  In this way, the lease fee can be different between when genuine ink cartridges are used and when non-genuine ink cartridges are used. It can be reflected appropriately.

  In the apparatus of this example, a total of five ink cartridges can be set in the mounting portion 35. Therefore, if all the five cartridges are genuine products, the price is 4 yen per piece, and not 1 yen per non-genuine product If all of the five cartridges are non-genuine, the setting may be 9 yen per sheet. If even one non-genuine product is used, it can be set to 9 yen per sheet. These settings can be set by a service person from an operation panel (not shown). Of course, the price and the setting method thereof are merely examples, and are not limited to the examples described here.

  By the way, there are various methods for setting the lease fee. For example, a counter fee system is used, and a maintenance fee (about 3-4 yen / sheet) is collected depending on the number of copies used, and the ink fee is not included. There is. In the case of this counter fee system, the maintenance fee is the same in the conventional apparatus regardless of whether genuine ink cartridges or non-genuine ink cartridges are used. However, when non-genuine ink cartridges are used, the rate of occurrence of abnormal images and failures is high, and even if the cost of maintenance is high at the leasing source, it cannot be prospered for the lease fee.

  However, with the application of the present invention, in the above counter fee system, the maintenance fee can be different between when a genuine product is used as an ink cartridge and when a non-genuine product is used. It is possible to reflect. The control in this case is performed by setting the print unit price setting in S3 and S4 to the maintenance fee setting (for example, 2 yen / sheet for genuine products, 4 yen / sheet for non-genuine products) in the flowchart of FIG. It can be easily handled. Of course, the display of the print unit price in S5 can be changed to the maintenance unit price. Furthermore, it is possible to control the maintenance fee to be increased stepwise according to the number of non-genuine cartridges.

  In addition, there is a method called a fixed fee method as a method for setting a lease fee. For example, a fixed fee is set by a five-year contract, and a maintenance fee, a part fee, etc. are included in this. However, consumables such as ink are not included. In the case of this fixed fee system, it can be handled by the control of FIG. In other words, the maintenance fee is not collected from the user, but the maintenance fee (increased maintenance cost when using a non-genuine ink cartridge) can be included in the print unit price. Even when genuine ink cartridges are used, the lease fee can be appropriately reflected. In addition, the present invention can be applied to various lease fee setting methods.

  Next, a description will be given of correspondence to a genuine ink cartridge filled with non-genuine ink (hereinafter referred to as refill ink). Refill ink is a genuine ink cartridge that has been filled with non-genuine ink (refilled). The container (cartridge) is genuine, but the ink inside is non-genuine. That's it. When such refill ink is used, troubles such as image defects and failures may occur due to differences in ink quality. Therefore, it is preferable to set (make different) the lease fee as in the case of using a non-genuine ink cartridge.

  In the present embodiment, ink consumption data is stored in the ID chip 10 built in the ink cartridge 1, and a counter for storing the ink consumption of the cartridge is provided on the apparatus main body side. Ink consumption amount is stored in an individual cartridge that can be identified by a serial number unique to the cartridge. On the other hand, an ink jet image forming apparatus is usually provided with a remaining amount detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of ink in the ink cartridge, and the apparatus of this example is also provided with an arbitrary remaining amount detecting means. Yes (in this case, the remaining amount detecting means here may be one that detects whether or not there is remaining ink, or may be one that detects the amount of remaining ink literally. Either a method provided on the ink cartridge side or a method provided on the main body device side may be used).

  Accordingly, regarding one ink cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 35, when the ink consumption has reached a predetermined value, the remaining amount of ink is present (when no remaining amount is detected or the remaining amount is not detected). If it is greater than or equal to a predetermined value), it is determined that the ink is a refill ink. For copying / printing using refill ink, a lease fee different from that when using genuine ink (genuine cartridge) is set. The control will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, a method of detecting the presence or absence of ink in the cartridge will be described as the ink remaining amount detecting means.

  In FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the ink cartridge is set in the cartridge mounting portion 35 in S11. When the cartridge is set, it is determined in S12 whether or not the ink cartridge is a genuine product. If the cartridge is genuine, the process proceeds to S13. On the other hand, if the cartridge is a non-genuine product, the process proceeds to S14, and the print unit price is set to 9 yen. In S13, it is determined whether or not the ink consumption has reached a predetermined value. If the ink consumption has not reached the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S15 and the print unit price is set to 4 yen. On the other hand, if the ink consumption reaches a predetermined value in S13, the presence / absence of ink in the cartridge is determined (S16). If there is no ink remaining, ink out is displayed on the operation panel (S17) and the process returns. If the remaining amount of ink is present in S16, the remaining amount of ink is present even though the ink consumption has reached a predetermined value. Therefore, the ink is recognized as a refill ink (S18), and the print unit price is 8 yen. (S19). Since the processing after the display of the print unit price in S20 is the same as that in S5 and subsequent steps in FIG.

  In this way, the lease fee can be changed according to the refill ink used, so even if the refill ink is filled in a genuine ink cartridge, it can be appropriately reflected in the lease fee. It becomes.

  Note that the fee setting is an example and is not limited to the amount illustrated here. Also, increase the fee when refill ink is used for all five cartridges, increase the fee when even one refill ink is used, or depending on the number of cartridges using refill ink Various controls such as increasing the lease fee in stages are possible. In addition, for various lease fee setting methods such as the counter fee system and fixed fee method described above, it is possible to apply fee settings when using refill ink (including not only print unit price but also maintenance fee settings). is there.

  Further, by storing the remaining amount of ink in the ID chip 10 built in the ink cartridge 1, the same control as when the ink consumption is stored can be performed. In this example, since individual cartridges can be identified by data (for example, serial numbers) stored in the ID chip 10, the amount of ink that can be stored in the cartridge can be grasped by the main body of the apparatus. By subtracting the consumed amount from the amount of ink that can be stored in the cartridge, it is possible to calculate the remaining ink amount in one cartridge.

  Incidentally, in an inkjet image forming apparatus, a maintenance operation called idle ink discharge or refresh is generally performed. In such a maintenance operation, ink is consumed, but the ink is not due to actual image formation (copying or printing). Therefore, it is advantageous for the user to exclude the ink consumed by the maintenance operation from being charged. Therefore, for example, in the counter fee system described above, the collection fee (ink fee) may be reduced by the amount of ink consumed by the maintenance operation with respect to the ink fee collected separately from the maintenance fee. Since the amount of ink consumed by the maintenance operation is known in advance as the amount of ink used for one maintenance, the amount of ink consumed by the total maintenance operation can be calculated based on the number of maintenance operations performed. Further, in the above-mentioned fixed fee method, the ink fee collected as a consumable item fee may be reduced by the amount of ink consumed by the maintenance operation. In other lease fee setting methods, when collecting the ink fee, the amount of ink consumed by the maintenance operation may be reduced.

Next, a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of a full-color printer as an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in this figure, the full-color printer 200 of this example is a so-called tandem type in which four (for four colors) image forming units 210Y, 210C, 210M, and 210Bk are arranged along the upper side of the intermediate transfer belt 202. It is a full color printer. The color image forming units 210Y, 210C, 210M, and 210B have the same configuration, and devices necessary for the electrophotographic process are arranged around the photosensitive drum 201.

  The yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toner images formed on the photoconductive drum 201 in the color image forming units 210Y, 210C, 210M, and 210Bk are arranged to face the photoconductive drums 1 of the color image forming units. The image is electrostatically transferred by being sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 202 by a transfer roller 203 serving as a primary transfer unit.

  On the other hand, the uppermost sheet is fed from one of the four-stage sheet feeding cassettes 210 a, b, c, and d by the separation feeding unit 211, and conveyed to the registration roller pair 213 by the conveyance roller pair 212. The sheet is sent from the registration roller pair 213 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 202, and the toner images of each color are collectively transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 204 serving as a secondary transfer unit. The sheet after transfer of the toner image is sent to the fixing device 206 by the conveyance belt 205, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device 206. The sheet on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 207 and stacked.

  A waste toner storage unit 208 and an electrical / control unit 209 are provided on the sides of the four-stage sheet cassettes 210a, b, c, and d. Further, on the upper surface of the apparatus, there is provided a toner bottle setting unit 215 for storing toner bottles 214Y, 214C, 214M, and 214Bk that store toners of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black.

  The toner in each color toner bottle 214 is supplied to the developing device 216 of each color image forming unit 210 by supply means (not shown), in this example, toner supply means using a Mono pump. Further, the transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 201 after the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 202 is removed by the cleaning unit 220 and sent to the waste toner storage unit 208 by a conveyance unit (not shown). In the waste toner storage unit 208, waste toner removed and collected by the cleaning device 218 of the intermediate transfer belt 202 and the cleaning device 219 of the transport belt 205 is transported and stored by a transport unit (not shown).

  An operation unit 217 is provided adjacent to the toner bottle setting unit 215 on the upper surface of the main body. The operation unit 217 is provided with a liquid crystal panel as a display unit, a keyboard as an input unit, and the like. The conditions for image formation can be input, and the status of the apparatus is displayed on the display unit. Exchange of information with the image forming apparatus is facilitated.

  In the second embodiment, each color toner bottle 214 incorporates an ID chip (not shown), and is connected via a connector (not shown) provided in each color bottle mounting portion of the toner bottle set portion 215 of the main body. It is connected to the control means (arranged in the electrical / control unit 209) of the full-color printer 200. As a result, the printer main body can read information stored in the ID chip of the toner bottle 214 and can write information in the ID chip.

  The information held in the ID chip is the same as that in the first embodiment, and stores the serial number unique to the toner bottle, the date and time of manufacture, the toner consumption (or toner remaining amount) data, and the like. In this example, the serial number is used as identification information indicating that the toner bottle is a genuine product. Based on this serial number, when the toner bottle 214 is attached, the printer main body is a genuine product. It is possible to determine whether or not. The serial number or the like may be encrypted as necessary. The toner consumption amount is rewritten as the toner is consumed.

  Also in the second embodiment, the full-color printer 200 is set as a leased item, and is programmed not only to be genuine toner bottles 214 but also to allow operation of the apparatus with non-genuine toner bottles. However, the lease fee is programmed to be different when a genuine product is used as a toner bottle and when a non-genuine product is used. The control for making the lease fee different between when a genuine product is used as the toner bottle and when a non-genuine product is used is the same as the control in the first embodiment (in the flowchart of FIG. The description is omitted.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, the lease fee can be different depending on whether a genuine product is used as a toner bottle or a non-genuine product, so that the user can use a non-genuine product toner bottle. It is possible to properly reflect the lease fee even when using.

  In the apparatus of this example, since a total of four toner bottles can be set in the setting unit 215, the print unit price per non-genuine product is 1 yen, for example, compared to the case where all four toner bottles are genuine products. A higher setting is possible. If even one non-genuine product is used, all four can be set to the same charge as the non-genuine product. These settings can be set by an operation unit 217 (not shown) by a service person. Of course, the price and its setting method are arbitrary.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, in the counter fee system, it is possible to make the maintenance fee different between the case where a genuine product is used as a toner bottle and the case where a non-genuine product is used. Can be reflected. Similarly, the maintenance fee (increased maintenance cost when using non-genuine toner bottles) can be included in the print unit price in the fixed fee method, so the user used a non-genuine toner bottle. Even in this case, the lease fee can be appropriately reflected. In addition, the present invention can be applied to various lease fee setting methods.

  Next, a description will be given of the handling of a genuine toner bottle filled with non-genuine toner (hereinafter referred to as refill toner). The refill toner is a non-genuine toner that is filled (refilled) into the bottle after consuming the toner from the genuine toner bottle. The container (bottle) is genuine, but the toner inside is non-genuine. That's it. When such refill toner is used, troubles such as image defects and breakdowns may occur due to differences in toner quality. Therefore, it is preferable to set (make different) the lease fee as in the case of using a non-genuine toner bottle.

  In the second embodiment, a toner consumption amount data is stored in an ID chip built in the toner bottle 214, and a counter for storing the toner consumption amount of each toner bottle is provided on the apparatus main body side. A toner consumption amount in a toner bottle (individual bottles can be identified by a serial number unique to the toner bottle) is stored. On the other hand, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usually provided with a remaining amount detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of toner in the toner bottle, and the apparatus of this example is also provided with an arbitrary remaining amount detecting means. (The remaining amount detecting means here may be one that detects whether or not there is remaining toner, or may literally detect the amount of remaining toner. Either the method provided on the toner bottle side or the method provided on the main body device side may be used.

  Therefore, regarding a certain toner bottle attached to the toner bottle setting unit 215, when the toner consumption amount reaches a predetermined value, there is a remaining amount of toner (when no remaining amount is detected or the remaining amount is not detected). Is greater than or equal to a predetermined value), it is determined that the toner is a refill toner. For copying / printing using refill toner, a lease fee different from that when using genuine toner (genuine toner bottle) is set. The control in that case is the same as the control in the first embodiment (the ink cartridge may be replaced with a toner bottle in the flowchart of FIG. 4), and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In this way, the lease fee can be changed according to the refill toner used, so even if the refill toner is filled in a genuine toner bottle, it can be appropriately reflected in the lease fee. It becomes.

  Note that the fee setting is an example and is not limited to the amount illustrated here. Also, increase the charge when using refill toner for all four bottles, increase the charge when using at least one refill toner, or depending on the number of bottles using refill toner Various controls such as increasing the lease fee in stages are possible. In addition, for various lease fee setting methods such as the counter fee system and fixed fee method described above, it is possible to apply fee settings when using refill toner (including not only the print unit price but also maintenance fee settings). is there.

  Also, by storing the remaining amount of toner in the ID chip built in the toner bottle 214, the same control as when the amount of toner consumption is stored is possible. In this example, since individual toner bottles can be identified by data (for example, serial number) stored in the ID chip, the amount of toner that can be stored in the toner bottle can be grasped by the apparatus main body. By subtracting the amount of toner consumption from the amount of toner that can be stored in the toner bottle, it is possible to calculate the remaining amount of toner in one toner bottle.

  By the way, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, toner (which is carried and fixed on a sheet) that does not become an actual image remains on the photosensitive drum 201, the intermediate transfer belt 202, the conveyance belt 205, and the like. It is advantageous for the user to remove these residual toners from the charge target. Therefore, for example, in the counter fee system described above, the collection fee (toner fee) may be reduced by the amount of residual toner with respect to the toner fee collected separately from the maintenance fee. Further, in the above-mentioned fixed fee system, the amount of residual toner may be reduced from the toner fee collected as a consumable item fee. In other lease fee setting methods, when collecting a toner fee, it is sufficient to reduce it by the amount of residual toner.

  In this example, the waste toner storage unit 208 is provided with a full sensor (not shown), so when the waste toner storage unit 208 becomes full, the amount of residual toner up to that point can be determined. In addition, instead of the full sensor, sensors of any configuration that can detect the amount of toner in the waste toner storage unit 208 may be provided.

Next, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus management system will be described.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a construction example of an image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention. As shown in this figure, an ink jet copying apparatus 100 or a full color printer 200 as an image forming apparatus is connected to a management center 301 via a communication line 300. Needless to say, the inkjet copying apparatus 100 or the full-color printer 200 includes a communication unit. As the communication line 300, a normal telephone line, the Internet, a predetermined LAN, or the like can be used. The management center 301 is provided with an arbitrary computer such as a management server. Although FIG. 6 shows a configuration example in which only one image forming apparatus is connected, a plurality of image forming apparatuses can be connected for centralized management.

  In such a system, the image forming apparatus 100 (200) transmits predetermined management information to the management center 301 via the communication line 300, and the management center 301 receives the image forming apparatus 100 based on the received management information. (200) is managed.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 100 (200) displays information such as whether or not a mounted ink cartridge or toner bottle is a genuine product, information such as a set print unit price / ink or toner charge / maintenance charge, and the number of output sheets. Transmit to the management center 301. The management center 301 calculates a lease fee based on the received information and charges the user of the image forming apparatus. Here, as described in the above embodiments, the lease fee is calculated differently when a genuine ink cartridge or toner bottle is used and when a non-genuine product is used, and the user is charged. Therefore, even when a non-genuine ink cartridge or toner bottle is used or when refill ink or refill toner is used, the lease fee can be appropriately reflected. Of course, various lease fee setting methods can be supported.

  When the ink cartridge 1 (toner bottle 214) is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (200), the image forming apparatus reads information on the ID chip 10 built in the cartridge or bottle, and the information is read from the management center 301. You may send to. In this case, for example, based on the serial number of the installed ink cartridge or toner bottle, the management center 301 identifies whether the cartridge or bottle is a genuine product, and whether it is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. May be transmitted from the management center 301 to the image forming apparatus 100 (200). Then, based on the information received from the management center (whether the cartridge or bottle is a genuine product), the print unit price, ink fee (toner fee), or maintenance fee may be set on the image forming apparatus side.

  Alternatively, in the image forming apparatus 100 (200), the image forming apparatus reads information on the ID chip 10 incorporated in the cartridge or the bottle, and transmits the information to the management center 301. In the management center 301, the cartridge or bottle is a genuine product. The print unit price, ink charge (toner charge), or maintenance charge is set in the management center 301, and the setting information is sent from the management center 301 to the image forming apparatus 100 (200). Also good.

  Further, for example, ink (toner) consumption information stored in the ink cartridge (toner bottle) is transmitted to the management center 301, and based on the information, whether the ink or toner in the cartridge or bottle is a genuine product or a refill product is determined. It is also possible to make a determination on the management center 301 side.

  When the print unit price, maintenance unit price, or other lease fee settings are changed, the changed fee setting information is transmitted from the management center 301 to the image forming apparatus 100 (200), and the image forming apparatus 100 ( 200), by updating the charge setting based on the received information, it becomes possible to flexibly cope with changes in the lease charge and the like.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus management system of the present embodiment, when a non-genuine ink cartridge or toner bottle is used in the image forming apparatus, or when refill ink or refill toner is used, it is appropriate. It is possible to understand and manage the lease fee at the management center. In addition, management costs can be reduced by managing the communication line.

  In addition, the management center identifies the genuine / non-genuine ink cartridges and toner bottles installed in the image forming device, and determines whether the ink or toner used is genuine or refilled. The genuine product and the non-genuine product can be identified with higher accuracy. In addition, the control burden on the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by the example of illustration, this invention is not limited to this. The shape and configuration of the ink cartridge and the toner bottle are arbitrary, and the information storage means built in them can be of an appropriate form.

  The number of ink and toner colors and the number of ink cartridges and toner bottles in the image forming apparatus are also arbitrary. A configuration for detecting the amount of ink or the amount of toner in the cartridge or toner bottle is also arbitrary. The lease fee setting method, the print unit price, the maintenance unit price, and the like are examples, and can be set as appropriate.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of an inkjet copying apparatus according to the present invention. It is the side view and perspective view which show the external appearance of the ink cartridge used for the inkjet copying apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control corresponding to ink cartridge use of a genuine product or a non-genuine product. It is a flowchart which shows the control corresponding to use of pure or non-genuine ink. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the full-color printer which concerns on this invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a construction example of an image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Ink cartridge (housing member)
10 ID chip (information storage means)
25 Inkjet engine 100 Inkjet copying apparatus 200 Full color printer 208 Waste toner container 210 Image forming unit 214 Toner bottle (housing member)
217 Operation unit 300 Communication line 301 Management center

Claims (24)

In an image forming apparatus in which an information storage unit is mounted on a storage member that stores an image forming agent such as toner or ink, and the information stored in the information storage unit can be read.
It is possible to identify whether the storage member is a genuine product or a non-genuine product based on information stored in the information storage means, and to set a device usage fee according to the identification result Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information can be written in the information storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information storage unit is an ID chip. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information capable of identifying a unique storage member is stored in the information storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information storage unit stores a used amount or a remaining amount of the image forming agent. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an apparatus usage fee when the storage member is a non-genuine product is set higher than an apparatus usage fee when the storage member is a genuine product. A detection unit that detects the presence or absence of an image forming agent in the storage member, and the detection unit does not detect the absence of the image formation agent even when the ink consumption in the storage member reaches a predetermined value; The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming agent in the storage member is determined to be a non-genuine image forming agent. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the image forming agent in the storage member is a non-genuine image forming agent, the image forming agent is set higher than a device usage fee when the image forming agent is genuine. apparatus. A plurality of the storage members are provided, and when the plurality of storage members are all non-genuine products or when the image forming agents in the plurality of storage members are all non-genuine, the apparatus usage fee is charged to the storage member. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is set to be higher than an apparatus usage fee when the image forming apparatus is a genuine product or the image forming agent is a genuine product. A plurality of the storage members are provided, and when the plurality of storage members are at least one non-genuine product or there is a storage member that stores at least one non-genuine image forming agent, the device usage fee is stored in the storage unit. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 8, wherein the image forming apparatus is set higher than the apparatus usage fee when the member is a genuine product or when the image forming agent is genuine. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an apparatus usage fee is set according to the number of storage members that are non-genuine products or the number of storage members that store non-genuine image forming agents. . 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus usage fee is a print unit price per output sheet. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus usage fee is an image forming agent fee per output sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus usage fee is a maintenance fee per output. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a set apparatus usage fee. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an ink jet type, and the storage member is an ink cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic system, and the storage member is a toner bottle. The amount of the image forming agent that has not been used for actual image formation is provided so as to be detectable, and the image forming agent that has not been used for actual image formation is not charged. The image forming apparatus described in 1. 19. The image according to claim 18, wherein the image forming apparatus is an ink jet system, and the image forming agent that has not been used for the actual image formation is an ink that has been used for maintenance such as idle ejection. Forming equipment. 19. The image according to claim 18, wherein the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic system, and the image forming agent that has not been used for the actual image formation is residual toner that has not been transferred to a recording medium. Forming equipment. In a management system for an image forming apparatus, including an image forming apparatus with a communication function and a management apparatus capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus via a communication line, and managing a device usage fee in the image forming apparatus by the management apparatus,
21. An image forming apparatus management system using the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 as the image forming apparatus. The management system according to claim 21, wherein the image forming apparatus transmits the identification result, an apparatus usage fee and an output number set according to the identification result to the management apparatus. The image forming apparatus transmits information read from the information storage unit of the storage member and the number of output sheets to the management device, and the management device determines whether the storage member is a genuine product based on the received information. Or identifying whether the image forming agent stored in the storage member is genuine, and transmitting the identification result and information on the apparatus usage fee set based on the identification result to the image forming apparatus. The management system according to claim 21. When the device usage fee is changed, the changed device usage fee information is transmitted from the management device to the image forming device, and the image forming device updates the device usage fee based on the received device usage fee information. The management system according to claim 21, wherein:

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