JP2006301328A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of continuing image forming operation even if toner of a specific color runs out in color image forming operation. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with a residual quantity detecting means for detecting the residual quantity of the toner, a memory tab 12 for storing the residual quantity of the toner, and a control means for forming the image by substituting the toner of the color assigned in the output in order to form the intrinsic color image or mixing the same with the toner of the other color. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a color copying machine or a color printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of continuing a printing operation even when a specific color toner is used up.

In a conventional image forming apparatus that forms a color image with colored toner, depending on what is printed, the toner of a specific color may be lost in a short period of time compared to other color toners. Even if there was enough toner left, the work had to be interrupted until the next toner arrived. In order to solve this problem, a technique has been proposed in which a new color image signal composed of a plurality of color components including a black component is generated in accordance with the degree of the variable black component, and the continuous operation of image formation is enabled (for example, , See Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-191903 A

However, in the above-described conventional technology, if the toner for realizing the black component runs out, it is impossible to avoid interruption of work until the next toner arrives.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of continuing an image forming operation even when toner of a specific color is used up in the color image forming operation. To do.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus that forms a color image with toner in a color designated for output, and a remaining amount for detecting the remaining amount of toner for each color. Depending on the detection means and the remaining amount of each toner detected by the remaining amount detection means, the toner of the color designated for output to form the original color image is replaced with another color toner, or other And control means for forming an image by mixing with toners of different colors.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when the remaining amount of one of the toners detected by the remaining amount detecting unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the control unit The toner is replaced or mixed with reference to the remaining amount of toner.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the control unit compares the expected amount of use of the toner of each color designated for output and compares the remaining amount of toner of each color for use. When there is a toner with a large amount of toner and a small amount of remaining toner, and a toner with a small amount of toner to be used and a large amount of remaining toner, substitution or mixing of the toner with a small amount of remaining toner and the toner with a large amount of remaining amount It is characterized by performing.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when the remaining amount of the toner is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the control unit controls the toner to form a preset color. It is characterized by performing substitution or mixing.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, a storage unit that records a change in the remaining amount of toner is provided, and when the remaining amount detecting unit detects that any of the toner is used up, The remaining amount of toner of all colors is recorded in the storage unit, and the control unit predicts the amount of toner used thereafter based on the information recorded in the storage unit. It is characterized by performing substitution or mixing so as to suppress the amount of toner used.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the remaining amount of the toner serving as a control start trigger and the on / off of the control by the substitution or mixing are set. The remaining amount designation means is provided.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a control method designating unit for setting the alternative or the control method based on the mixing is provided. To do.

According to the present invention, by controlling the amount of toner used, it is possible to lengthen the replacement cycle of toner that is used in large amounts. Therefore, even if the toner of a specific color is used up in the color image forming operation, the image forming operation is continued. can do.
Also, by controlling the remaining amount of toner while checking the current toner usage status, it is possible to realize a control method that is effective when a past use history cannot be used, such as when the user uses toner for the first time. . Further, by referring to the current toner remaining amount as needed, it is possible to correct the remaining toner usage state predicted using the past usage history, and to perform fine residual toner control.
Further, when the past toner usage history is used, it is possible to grasp the toner usage status and its tendency for each color of the user, and use it as a guideline for toner control.
In addition, by allowing the user to arbitrarily set the toner remaining amount that triggers toner control and the toner remaining amount control on / off, it is possible to arbitrarily set the timing and method that the user wants to perform toner control. More control options are available.
In addition, by allowing the user to set the toner control method and timing, it is possible to perform residual toner control suitable for the application.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. As an example of the process cartridge 10, FIG. 1 shows the periphery of a photosensitive member and its unit adopting a four-drum tandem imaging system. Each of the photoconductor units 1, 2, 3, 4 has a configuration in which a photoconductor, a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit, which will be described later, are integrally coupled.
Each of the photoconductor units 1, 2, 3, 4 can be replaced by releasing each stopper. Arranged in the order of sheet conveyance from the lower right, M (magenta), C (cyan), Y (yellow), and K (black). Each photoconductor unit 1, 2, 3, 4 is incompatible with each color and cannot be interchanged between colors.
The transfer unit 5 is laid out so as to be in contact with all the photoconductors of the photoconductor units 1, 2, 3, and 4. Transcript. Further, the transfer unit 5 is configured to be pulled out by tilting a release lever (not shown). The transfer unit 5 is detached and attached at the time of replacement.
FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the photoconductor units 1 to 4 in which the photoconductor 6, the charging unit 7, the developing unit 9, and the cleaning unit 11 are integrally coupled. This is configured to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge 270 includes a remaining amount detecting unit capable of measuring the remaining amount of toner. The remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining amount detecting means is stored in the memory tab 12 as a storage means for storing the remaining amount of toner, and that information is called up and used when controlling the remaining amount of toner.
In this image forming apparatus configured as described above, the toner of the color specified for output is replaced with the toner of another color in order to form the original color image, or the toner is mixed with the toner of the other color. The amount of toner consumed for each color is controlled by providing control means for forming the toner. Specifically, when writing the output image data to the photoconductor, the color component is changed (for example, M is set to Y) or the pixel value is changed (for example, 122 is set to 50). Control consumption.
Details of this control will be described below.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, when any remaining amount of toner becomes a certain amount or less, substitution or mixing is performed as needed with reference to the remaining amount of other toner. Specifically, Compare the used amount of each color of the toner specified for output to form the original color image, and compare the remaining amount of each color of the toner, and the amount of toner used and the remaining amount of the remaining amount of toner. When there is a toner with a small amount and a large remaining amount, the use of the toner with a small remaining amount and the usage amount of a toner with a large remaining amount are switched to perform the above-described control by substitution or mixing.
Assume that the toner remaining amount ratio is, for example, the amount shown in FIG. 3, and the color conversion method at this time is performed in the toner remaining amount control flow of FIG. In FIG. 4, first, in step S <b> 1, the numbers of color 1 to color 3 are assigned in order from the color having the largest remaining toner amount. In the case of FIG. 3, C: color 1, M: color 3, and Y: color 2 (K is not considered in this example). Next, the color ratios of the CMYK usage amounts designated for output in step S2 are set in order from ratio 1 to ratio 3 in descending order.
If CMYK (128, 50, 20, 0) is designated as a value indicating the usage amount of CMYK, the ratio 1: C (128), the ratio 2: M (50), and the ratio 3: Y (20) are obtained. FIG. 5 shows the correspondence between the color number and the ratio number thus determined (step S3), and the output is performed using CMYK (128, 20, 50, 0) obtained by converting the CMYK values of M and Y. (Step S4).
Therefore, since the replacement cycle of the toner that is used in a large amount can be lengthened, the image forming operation can be continued even if the toner of the specific color is used up in the color image forming operation. In the first embodiment, the color after conversion is not known until output, but the ratio of the designated color itself is not changed, so that the color tone can be maintained as it is.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, when any remaining amount of toner becomes a certain amount or less, replacement or mixing is performed as needed with reference to the remaining amount of other toner. Specifically, when the remaining amount of toner decreases, replacement or mixing is performed using toner so as to form a preset color. As shown in FIG. 6, the color after the toner remaining amount control and the value indicating the amount of CMYK used are set in advance. The user can change this color. First, the user sets a color after this toner remaining amount control. At this time, inequality and equality with respect to the remaining amount of toner in FIG. In other words, when the respective formulas are applied, each set color is formed.
Next, the priority order of the colors to be used is assigned to which one is used as the color after the toner remaining amount control from the toner remaining amount. As prioritization conditions, numbers are assigned under the condition that toners with a small amount of toner are not used and toners with a large amount of toner are used. For example, when the remaining amount of toner is shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 7 gives priority to FIG. A value indicating the amount of CMYK used for output is converted in descending order of priority for each color. Be careful not to apply another color to a similar color by giving it a width.
Therefore, since the replacement cycle of the toner that is used in a large amount can be lengthened, the image forming operation can be continued even if the toner of the specific color is used up in the color image forming operation. In the second embodiment, gradation cannot be handled, but since the color is converted into a preset color, an odd color is not assigned to the converted color.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, it is considered that the toner is used in the same tendency even after the toner is used up, and the color number of the first embodiment of the present invention and the second embodiment of the present invention are used. This is a remaining amount control method in which priorities are set with reference to the history so far. In this example as well, the toner of the color specified for output is replaced with another color toner to form an original color image, or an image is formed by mixing with other color toners to form each color toner. By controlling the consumption amount, it is possible to lengthen the replacement cycle of the toner that is used a lot, so that the image forming operation can be continued even if the toner of a specific color is used up in the color image forming operation.
Further, by using the past toner usage history, it is possible to grasp the toner usage status and its tendency for each color of the user, and it can be used as a guideline for toner control.
Here, setting of the remaining amount of toner, setting of on / off of control, and timing and method of control in the first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described. The user sets the amount of toner remaining when the toner remaining amount control of the image forming apparatus is to be performed. This remaining amount designation means is preferably set by a touch panel or a button while looking at the screen. Further, it is desirable that the remaining toner ratio can be visually displayed as shown in FIG. For example, the user can decide to perform toner control when the remaining amount of toner becomes 20% or less. Further, in this image forming apparatus, the user can determine whether or not to perform the remaining toner control by looking at the remaining toner ratio.
In this way, by allowing the user to arbitrarily set the toner remaining amount that triggers toner control and the toner remaining amount control on / off, it is possible to arbitrarily set the timing and method for the user to perform toner control. Therefore, the choice of the control method spreads.
Moreover, in the 1st-3rd embodiment of this invention, the timing and method of control by substitution or mixing can be set arbitrarily. In this case, the user inputs a toner control method (first to third embodiments of the present invention). This control method designating means is preferably input by a touch panel or a button, and it is desirable that the toner control method is an interface that allows selection from a predetermined range. Thus, by allowing the user to set the toner control method and timing, it is possible to perform residual toner control suitable for the application.
As described above, according to the present invention, by controlling the amount of toner used, it is possible to lengthen the replacement cycle of toner that is used in large amounts. The operation can be continued.

Also, by controlling the remaining amount of toner while checking the current toner usage status, it is possible to realize a control method that is effective when a past use history cannot be used, such as when the user uses toner for the first time. . Further, by referring to the current toner remaining amount as needed, it is possible to correct the remaining toner usage state predicted using the past usage history, and to perform fine residual toner control.
Further, when the past toner usage history is used, it is possible to grasp the toner usage status and its tendency for each color of the user, and use it as a guideline for toner control.
In addition, by allowing the user to arbitrarily set the toner remaining amount that triggers toner control and the toner remaining amount control on / off, it is possible to arbitrarily set the timing and method that the user wants to perform toner control. More control options are available.
In addition, by allowing the user to set the toner control method and timing, it is possible to perform residual toner control suitable for the application.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the photoconductor and the unit of the image forming apparatus which is the best mode for carrying out the invention. FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of photoconductor units 1 to 4. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a remaining toner ratio. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in toner remaining amount control of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 is a table showing the results of toner remaining amount control in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a table showing toner remaining amounts and colors after toner remaining amount control for the toner remaining amounts. FIG. 4 is a table showing the priority order when the ratio of the remaining amount of toner is that in FIG. 3.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 2, 3, 4 Photosensitive unit, 5 Transfer unit, 6 Photoconductor, 7 Charging unit, 9 Developing unit, 10 Process cartridge, 11 Cleaning unit, 12 Memory tab, 270 Toner cartridge

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus that forms a color image with toner in a color designated for output,
A remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of toner for each color;
In accordance with the remaining amount of each toner detected by the remaining amount detecting means, the toner of the color designated for the output to form the original color image is replaced with another color toner, or the other color toner Control means for forming an image by mixing with
An image forming apparatus comprising:   When the remaining amount of any of the toners detected by the remaining amount detecting unit falls below a predetermined amount, the control unit refers to the remaining amount of other toner and performs replacement or mixing of the toner. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The control means compares the expected use amount of the toner of each color designated for output and the remaining amount of toner of each color, and compares the amount of toner to be used with a small amount of toner and the amount of toner to be used. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when there is a toner having a small amount and a large remaining amount, the toner having the small remaining amount and the toner having a large remaining amount are replaced or mixed.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the remaining amount of toner becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the control unit substitutes or mixes the toner so as to form a preset color. apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that records a change in the remaining amount of toner, and when the remaining amount detecting unit detects that any toner has been used up, The remaining amount is recorded in the storage unit, and the control unit predicts a subsequent toner usage amount based on the information recorded in the storage unit, and suppresses the usage amount of the toner of the color predicted to be large. An image forming apparatus that performs substitution or mixing.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a remaining amount designation unit configured to set the remaining amount of the toner serving as a control start trigger and the on / off of the control by the substitution or mixing. An image forming apparatus.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control method designating unit for setting a control method based on the alternative or the mixing.

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