JP2008134463A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which does not waste toner filled into a cartridge while protecting a developing unit. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus, when a color cartridge is newly attached in a temporary help mode, it is judged whether the cartridge is new, when it is judged that the cartridge is new (S506:Yes), the toner empty is released for the cartridge (S509), and even when it is judged that the cartridge is not new (S506:No), the toner empty is released (S509) when the remaining amount of the toner is a predetermined amount or more (S507:Yes). Even when the remaining amount of the toner does not reach the predetermined amount (S507:No), the toner empty is released (S509) when the temporary help mode is not obtained (S508:No), however the toner empty is not released when the temporary help mode is obtained (S508:Yes). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for eliminating waste of toner filled in a cartridge while protecting a developing device.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers that are widely used have a consumable such as toner (hereinafter simply referred to as “toner”) by mounting a toner cartridge (hereinafter simply referred to as “cartridge”). Get replenished. The toner filled in the cartridge is consumed every time printing is performed, and is eventually consumed (toner empty).
Attempting to print in a toner-empty state causes a failure of the developing device and contamination in the apparatus. Therefore, when the toner empty is detected, the image forming apparatus needs to be in a print-inhibited state. In this case, the image forming apparatus should cancel the print prohibition state if a cartridge that is not toner empty is mounted, but should not cancel the print prohibition state even if a cartridge that is toner empty is mounted.

For this reason, for example, a technique has been proposed in which a memory is provided in the cartridge, and whether or not the toner is empty is stored in the memory. In this way, it is possible to reliably detect the toner empty and appropriately control the printing prohibited state (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
However, in reality, it is difficult to accurately detect toner empty, and it may be determined that the toner is empty even though the toner remains in the cartridge. Once it is determined that the toner is empty, the print prohibition state is not released even if the cartridge is mounted, which causes user dissatisfaction.

On the other hand, if the removal of the cartridge is detected, the printing prohibition state is canceled and the toner is supplied from the cartridge to the developing device. If the toner density is checked while printing, the toner remaining in the cartridge is used up. be able to. If printing is prohibited only when the toner density does not recover or when the toner density tends to decrease, it is reasonable from the viewpoint of user convenience.
JP 2003-76230 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-100598

  Now, an image forming apparatus that performs color printing usually uses toner of each color and monochrome toner. In such an image forming apparatus, if any one of the color cartridges becomes toner empty, prohibiting all printing does not necessarily match the convenience of the user. For this reason, there is a technique for operating the image forming apparatus in a provisional relief mode in which only color printing is prohibited and monochrome printing is allowed by a user operation.

In this way, it is possible to continue printing when toner remains in the monochrome cartridge, thereby improving user convenience. In particular, at the initial stage of colorization, monochrome printing is usually performed, and only the final output product is printed in color. Therefore, the provisional relief mode that allows only monochrome printing is extremely effective.
However, in recent years, since the need for color printing of photographs, WWW pages, and the like has rapidly increased, the user has forcibly performed color printing despite the provisional monochrome printing.

That is, even if toner empty is detected, color printing is performed until a small amount of toner is removed by detaching the color cartridge, and then the temporary relief mode is finally started.
If used in such a manner, the toner density in the developing device is extremely lowered. Therefore, if printing is performed while checking the toner concentration, failure or internal contamination is caused, which is not desirable from the viewpoint of protecting the developing device.

Further, when color printing is performed after canceling the provisional relief mode, first, image stabilization control must be performed, so that the toner density in the developing device may be further reduced.
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that protects a developing device and does not waste toner filled in a cartridge.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a cartridge having a storage unit for storing the remaining amount of contents, and monochrome printing is performed by mounting a monochrome cartridge and a color cartridge. Image forming apparatus that performs color printing, and determines whether the cartridge is empty or not by detecting means for detecting cartridge attachment and detachment and whether or not the remaining amount of contents is equal to or less than a first reference amount for each cartridge And an empty determination means for determining whether or not the remaining amount of the content is greater than or equal to a second reference amount indicating a remaining amount larger than the first reference amount with reference to the storage unit for each cartridge. In the normal mode in which both monochrome printing and color printing are permitted, the empty judging means judges that one of the color cartridges is empty. Mode transition means for transitioning to either a provisional relief mode in which only monochrome printing is permitted or a print inhibition mode in which both monochrome printing and color printing are prohibited. If it is determined that the remaining amount of the contents of the color cartridge is equal to or greater than the second reference amount or is new after the color cartridge is detected to be attached or detached, the mode is changed to the normal mode. On the other hand, in the print prohibition mode, when any cartridge is detected to be attached or detached, the mode is changed to the normal mode.

  In this way, when it is assumed that the toner amount in the developing device is low due to the transition to the provisional relief mode, a cartridge whose remaining toner amount is less than the first reference amount is mounted. Since the toner is replenished, the developing device can be protected. Further, when the remaining amount of toner in the newly mounted cartridge exceeds the second reference amount in the provisional relief mode, the mode is shifted to the normal mode and color printing is permitted, so that the toner remaining in the cartridge is not wasted. Can be used up.

In addition, the empty determination means determines that the remaining amount of the contents of the cartridge is the first reference amount when the concentration of the contents in the developing device is less than a predetermined concentration after the contents of the cartridge are supplied to the developing device. If it is determined as follows, it is possible to further ensure the protection of the developing device.
In the provisional relief mode, when it is determined that the monochrome cartridge is empty, the mode may be shifted to the print inhibition mode.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a multifunction peripheral (MFP) as an example.
[1] Configuration of the MFP First, the configuration of the MFP according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes an image forming unit 100, a scanner unit 110, and a finishing unit 120.
The scanner unit 110 reads an original and generates image data.
The image forming unit 100 includes a paper feed cassette, a lower paper feed cassette, a manual feed tray, an image forming unit, an intermediate transfer belt, a duplex unit, an engine control unit (not shown), a printer controller unit (not shown), and the like. An image forming unit is provided for each of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners.

Each image forming unit includes a charging unit, an exposure unit, and a developing unit. Each charging unit charges the photosensitive drum. Each exposure unit exposes the photosensitive drum to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing unit develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt.
The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred onto a recording sheet fed from a paper feeding cassette, a lower paper feeding cassette, or a manual feed tray, and is heated and fixed by a fixing device. The duplex unit conveys the recording paper so that the toner images are transferred onto both sides of the recording paper.

  A cartridge is attached to each image forming unit. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the main configuration of the cartridge 2. The cartridge 2 includes stirring blades (not shown) and replenishes toner to the image forming unit. The cartridge 2 includes a toner level detection sensor (not shown) and a nonvolatile memory (CSIC: Customer Specified Integrated Circuit) 201.

The toner level detection sensor detects the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge 2. The nonvolatile memory 201 stores the remaining amount and consumption of toner. The remaining amount of toner stored in the nonvolatile memory 201 is read by the engine control unit. The engine control unit and printer controller unit will be described later.
The finishing unit 120 includes a punch unit, a punch waste box, a folding unit, a stapler, a paper discharge tray, and the like. The punch unit makes punch holes in the recording paper. Punch scraps generated when punch holes are made are collected in a punch waste box. The folding unit folds the recording paper. The stapler uses a needle to bind the recording paper. The recording paper is finally discharged to a paper discharge tray.

[2] Configurations of Engine Control Unit and Printer Controller Next, configurations of the engine control unit and the printer controller will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating main configurations of the engine control unit and the printer controller.
As shown in FIG. 3, the engine control unit 300 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and an interface (IF) control unit surrounded by a broken line in the figure. And extended I / O.

The CPU executes a program using the RAM as a working memory, acquires control information from the interface control unit and the extended I / O, and issues a control command. The interface control unit executes interface processing for accessing the paper discharge device and the image processing controller.
The expansion I / O is connected to a non-volatile memory 201 mounted on a toner density sensor, various sensors, various motors, various solenoids, various clutches, various high voltage power supplies, various relays, a laser diode, and a cartridge.

The printer controller unit 310 includes an image processing controller, a keyboard controller, and an LCD (liquid crystal display) surrounded by an alternate long and short dash line.
The image processing controller receives image data from an external device such as a scanner unit 110, a facsimile (FAX) line, or a computer and performs image processing. The keyboard controller detects a key input by the user. The LCD controller controls the LCD display for the user.

[3] Operation of MFP 1 Next, the operation of the MFP 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation (main routine) of the multifunction machine 1. As shown in FIG. 4, when the power is turned on, the multifunction machine 1 executes an initial operation for starting up (S401).
Next, input / output processing using a keyboard controller or LCD controller is executed (S402). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the start key is pressed (ON). If the start key is confirmed (S403: Yes), it is determined whether or not printing is permitted. When printing is permitted (S404: Yes), a printing flag is set (S405), and printing control is executed (S406).

After printing control (S406) is completed, and if No in steps S403 and S404, whether toner printing (S407), mode control (S408), and other controls (S409) are executed, and whether printing is completed Confirm. If printing has not been completed (S410: No), the process proceeds to step S406 and printing is continued.
When printing is completed (S410: Yes), the printing flag is reset (S411), and the process proceeds to input / output processing (S402).

[4] Toner control (S407)
Next, regarding the details of the operation of the multifunction device 1, first, the toner control (S407) will be described separately for the case of color and the case of monochrome.
(A) In the case of color First, the case of color will be described. The following processing is executed for each color of C, M, and Y. For example, the following counters are individually provided for each of C, M, and Y.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of toner control relating to color.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the multifunction device 1 detects that the door of the image forming unit 100 is closed by various sensors (S501: Yes), the data stored in the nonvolatile memory 201 of the cartridge 2 is stored. Is read (S502). If the data can be read normally, it is determined that the cartridge is normally mounted (S503: Yes), and it is confirmed whether or not the unmounted flag is set.

The non-installed flag indicates whether or not a new cartridge is installed in the multifunction device 1. If the non-installed flag is set (S504: Yes), the non-installed flag is reset (S505), and the toner remaining amount of the mounted cartridge 2 is confirmed from the data read from the nonvolatile memory 201.
If it is determined from the remaining amount of toner that the cartridge 2 is not new (S506: No), it is checked whether the remaining amount of toner is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. If the remaining amount of toner does not reach the predetermined amount (S509: No), it is confirmed whether or not the temporary relief mode is set.

When it is determined that the cartridge 2 is new (S506: Yes), when it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount (S507: Yes), or when it is determined that the cartridge is not in the temporary repair mode (S508: No) ) Cancels toner empty (S509), and sets a predetermined value in the counter (S510).
As will be described later, when the toner empty is released, the provisional relief mode is also released. However, in the provisional relief mode, toner empty is not canceled unless a new cartridge is mounted. This prevents the developing device from being soiled or broken.

The counter is used to detect toner empty as will be described later.
After a predetermined value is set in the detection counter (S510), when it is determined that the provisional relief mode is set (S508: Yes), or when it is determined that the unmounted flag is not set (S504: No), Refer to the printing flag.
If the printing flag is set (S511: Yes), the toner density in the developing device is detected (S512). If the toner density is equal to or higher than the predetermined density (S513: Yes), a sufficient amount of toner is accumulated in the developing device, so that the toner supply from the cartridge to the developing device is stopped (S514), and a predetermined value is stored in the counter. Is set (S515). This predetermined value is the initial value of the counter, similar to the predetermined value in step S510.

  When the toner density in the developing unit is less than the predetermined density (S513: No), toner supply from the cartridge to the developing unit is started (S516), and the counter is decremented by 1 (S517). As a result of the subtraction, if the counter becomes 0 (S518: Yes), that is, if the toner density continues to be less than the predetermined density despite the toner replenishment, it is determined that the toner is empty ( S519).

Now, when the door is not closed (S501: No) or when the cartridge is not properly mounted (S503: No), the unmounted flag is set (S520), and the toner from the cartridge to the developing device is set. Supply is stopped (S521).
After step S515, S519, or S521, or when the printing flag is not set (S511: No), or when the counter is not 0 (S518: No), the process returns to the main routine.

(B) Monochrome Next, the case of monochrome will be described. In the case of monochrome, the same processing as that in the case of color is performed, while the determination processing regarding the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge is omitted.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of toner control relating to monochrome.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the multifunction device 1 detects that the door is closed (S601: Yes), it reads data from the nonvolatile memory 201 (S602). If it can be read normally, it is determined that the cartridge is normally mounted (S603: Yes).

Next, if the unmounted flag is set (S604: Yes), the unmounted flag is reset (S605), the toner empty is canceled (S606), and a predetermined value is set in the counter (S607).
After the predetermined value is set in the detection counter (S607), or when it is determined that the unmounted flag is not set (S604: No), the printing flag is referred. If the printing flag is set (S608: Yes), the toner density is detected (S609). If the density is equal to or higher than the predetermined density (S610: Yes), toner supply is stopped (S611), and a predetermined value is set in the counter. (S612).

When the toner density is less than the predetermined density (S610: No), toner supply is started (S613), and the counter is subtracted (S614). When the counter reaches 0 (S615: Yes), it is determined that the toner is empty (S616).
When the door is not closed (S601: No) or when the cartridge is not normally mounted (S603: No), an unmounted flag is set (S617), and toner supply is stopped (S618).

After step S612, S616, or S618, or when the printing flag is not set (S608: No), or when the counter is not 0 (S615: No), the process returns to the main routine.
[5] Mode control (S408)
Next, mode control will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of mode control.

As shown in FIG. 7, it is first determined whether or not the black cartridge is toner empty. If the black cartridge is toner empty (S701: Yes), a transition is made to the print inhibition mode (S702). All printing is prohibited in the print prohibit mode.
If the black cartridge is not toner empty (S701: No), and if any of the color cartridges is toner empty (S703: Yes), whether or not the user of the multifunction device 1 or the administrator permits the provisional relief mode. To check. If the provisional relief mode is not permitted (S704: No), a transition is made to the print inhibition mode (S702).

If none of the color cartridges is toner empty (S703: No), it is confirmed whether or not the temporary relief mode is set. If it is the provisional relief mode (S706: Yes), the mode is changed to the normal mode (S707). Otherwise, keep the current mode.
[6] Modifications Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following modifications can be implemented. .

  (A) Although not described in detail in the above-described embodiment, the provisional relief mode is permitted by displaying a confirmation screen on the operation panel every time toner empty is detected for the color cartridge, and informing the user whether permission is permitted. You may choose. In addition, a setting screen for designating whether or not the precondition relief mode is permitted may be provided separately, and the user or the like may be designated as appropriate. In this way, printing in the provisional relief mode can be enabled in response to an urgent print request from the user or the like.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the provisional relief mode is an operation mode in which only color printing is prohibited and monochrome printing is allowed. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto. An operation mode in which only color printing is permitted and monochrome printing is prohibited when toner empty is detected for only the cartridge may be set as a provisional relief mode.

In recent years, since the demand for color printing has increased, the provision of such a provisional relief mode can further enhance the convenience for the user.
(C) In the above embodiment, in the toner control relating to color, even if the newly installed cartridge is not a new cartridge (S506: No), if the remaining amount of toner is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S507: Yes), the toner Although the empty is canceled (S509), it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this, and the following may be used instead.

  In other words, even if the newly installed cartridge is not new (S506), the determination of the remaining amount of toner (S507) is not performed, and the determination of the provisional relief mode (S508) may be performed immediately. In this way, it is possible to prevent the developing device from being soiled or broken down more reliably.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is useful as an apparatus that eliminates waste of toner filled in a cartridge while protecting a developing device.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view showing a main configuration of a cartridge 2 mounted on a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating main configurations of an engine control unit and a printer controller of the multifunction machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation (main routine) of the multifunction machine 1; 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of toner control (S407) relating to color. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of monochrome toner control (S407). It is a flowchart showing the flow of mode control (S408).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ..... MFP 2 ..... Cartridge 100 .. Image formation part 110 ... Scanner part 120 ... Finishing part 201 ... Nonvolatile memory 300 ... Engine control part 310 ... Printer controller part

Claims (3)

A cartridge having a storage unit for storing the remaining amount of contents, and is an image forming apparatus that performs monochrome printing and color printing by mounting a monochrome cartridge and a color cartridge,
Detection means for detecting cartridge removal;
Empty determination means for determining whether or not it is empty depending on whether or not the remaining amount of contents is equal to or less than a first reference amount for each cartridge;
A remaining amount determining means for determining whether or not the remaining amount of the content is greater than or equal to a second reference amount indicating a remaining amount greater than the first reference amount with reference to the storage unit for each cartridge;
In the normal mode in which both monochrome printing and color printing are permitted, when the empty determination unit determines that any of the color cartridges is empty, the provisional relief mode in which only monochrome printing is permitted, or Mode transition means for transitioning to any one of the print inhibition modes in which both monochrome printing and color printing are prohibited,
In the provisional relief mode, after it is determined that the remaining amount of the contents of the color cartridge is equal to or greater than the second reference amount or is new after the removal of the color cartridge is detected, While transitioning to normal mode,
An image forming apparatus, wherein in a print prohibition mode, transition to a normal mode is made when any cartridge is detected to be attached or detached. The empty determination means is configured to supply the cartridge contents to the developing device, and when the concentration of the contents in the developing device is less than a predetermined concentration, the remaining amount of the cartridge contents is equal to or less than the first reference amount. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is determined to be present. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the provisional relief mode, when it is determined that the monochrome cartridge is empty, the mode is shifted to the print inhibition mode.

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