JP2008152092A - Image forming apparatus and developer storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce downtime due to developer supplying operation when loading a developer storage container in an image forming apparatus, and to prevent deterioration due to aging of toner. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 100 in/from which toner CRG can be loaded/unloaded includes an RF communication part 162 to perform radio communication with several kinds of toner CRG which are not loaded in the image forming apparatus 100, and a system image control part 105 to select the toner CRG which can be used for the image forming apparatus 100 from the several developer storage containers based on information received from the several kinds of toner CRG by the RF communication part 162. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer storage container equipped with a non-contact wireless tag such as an RFID, and an image forming apparatus in which the developer storage container can be mounted.

  In a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the service life is different for each member in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the conventional image forming apparatus is provided with a member having a short service life or a member for supplying consumables such as a developer as a mounting member that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The mounting member is exchanged.

  When replacing such a mounting member, in order to prevent erroneous mounting of the mounting member, and to perform appropriate maintenance management based on management information such as life information, replacement history, and manufacturing information of the mounting member, the mounting member and the image Techniques for performing wireless communication with a forming apparatus main body have been proposed.

  Specifically, a communication unit is provided on the image forming apparatus main body side, and a non-contact wireless tag such as an RFID storing management information is provided on the mounting member so that the communication unit on the image forming apparatus main body side is contactless. It is designed to communicate. A warning is given to the user by, for example, indicating that the mounting member is erroneously mounted or that the mounting member has reached the end of its useful life.

  In this way, by exchanging management information between the image forming apparatus main body and the mounting member, the mounting member can be managed efficiently and simply, and convenience such as maintenance of the image forming apparatus is achieved.

  As a mounting member to which a non-contact wireless tag such as an RFID is attached, a developer storage container such as a toner cartridge or a toner bottle for replenishing toner consumed during image formation is known.

  For example, the temperature change in the transportation and storage environment from the time of manufacture of the toner cartridge to the user is stored as temperature history information, and when set in the image forming apparatus, the toner agitation control time is changed from the temperature history information. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This is because the degree of toner condensation differs depending on the toner storage state, so that the stirring time is changed according to the toner state.

In addition, there is a proposal to make toner uniform by vibrating a piezoelectric element with respect to a toner cartridge mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The purpose of this is to accurately detect the charge amount of the toner by measuring the charge amount of the toner after the piezoelectric element is vibrated for a predetermined time with respect to the toner cartridge in the main body to make the toner uniform. Yes.
JP 2003-263022 A JP 2004-102181 A

  However, in these conventional technologies, a toner cartridge (hereinafter abbreviated as “toner CRG”) and a toner bottle attached to the image forming apparatus are targets, and a non-attached (preliminary) toner CRG placed in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus. No countermeasures have been taken.

  Therefore, even if spare toner CRG is prepared in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus, when the toner CRG is replaced, the downtime due to the stirring operation of the toner in the toner CRG and the operation of supplying the toner to the image forming apparatus is reduced. There was a problem that it occurred.

  Further, in the prior art, when there are a plurality of spare toners CRG, there is a problem in that the toner with the old manufacturing date is not used and remains in a spare state as it is, and the toner deteriorates due to a change with time.

  Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to reduce downtime due to a developer replenishment operation when a developer container (toner CRG, toner bottle, or the like) is attached to an image forming apparatus.

  A second object of the present invention is to prevent deterioration due to aging of toner by preferentially selecting an old developer container when there are a plurality of spare developer containers. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus to which a developer storage container can be attached and detached, and performs wireless communication with a plurality of developer storage containers not attached to the image forming apparatus. A wireless communication unit; and a selection unit that selects a developer storage container that can be used in the image forming apparatus based on information received from the plurality of developer storage containers by the wireless communication unit. .

  The developer storage container according to the present invention is a developer storage container that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the image forming apparatus, and the wireless communication unit. And a vibrating means for vibrating the developer container according to the information received from the printer.

  The developer storage container according to the present invention is a developer storage container that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the image forming apparatus, and the wireless communication unit. And a light emitting means for performing a light emitting operation according to the information received from.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce downtime due to the developer replenishment operation when the developer container is mounted in the image forming apparatus. In addition, when there are a plurality of spare developer containers, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the developer due to aging by preferentially selecting the old developer container.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an automatic document feeder 201, a reading device 202, and an image reproducing device 301.

  In the automatic document feeder 201, a document (not shown) placed on the document placement unit 203 is separated and fed by a paper feed roller 204, guided by a transport guide 206, and transported onto a reading device 202. .

  Further, the original is conveyed at a constant speed by the conveyance belt 208 and is discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge roller 205. During this time, the document is illuminated by the illumination system 209 at the reading position of the reading device 202. The light that illuminates the original is reflected by the reflection mirrors 210, 211, and 212 and is incident on the image reading unit 213. The image reading unit 213 includes a lens, a CCD that is a photoelectric conversion element, a drive circuit for the CCD, and the like.

  There are a scanning reading mode and a fixed reading mode as document reading modes. The flow reading mode is a mode in which the document is conveyed at a constant speed and the illumination system 209 and the reflection mirrors 210, 211, 212 are stopped to read the document. On the other hand, the fixed reading mode is a mode in which an original is placed on the original glass plate 214 of the reading apparatus 202 and the illumination system 209 and the reflection mirrors 210, 211, 212 are moved at a constant speed. Normally, a sheet-like document is read in a flow reading mode, and a bound document is read in a fixed mode.

  The image signal converted by the image reading unit 213 is processed by an image processing unit 102 (to be described later), and is then reproduced on a transfer material (for example, paper or transparent film) by the image reproduction device 301 in units of pages.

  The image signal is modulated into an optical signal by a semiconductor laser (not shown) or the like. The modulated laser light is exposed to a photosensitive drum 309 whose surface is uniformly charged by a primary charger 310 via an optical scanning device 311 having a polygon mirror and mirrors 312, 313, and an electrostatic latent image. Form. The electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image by the toner of the developing device 314, and the toner image is transferred to the transfer material by the transfer charger 315.

  The transfer material is stored in the paper feed cassettes 302 and 304. In the present embodiment, standard paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 302, and tab paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 304. The transfer material from the paper feed cassette 302 is fed by the paper feed roller 303 and conveyed by the conveyance roller 306. Thereafter, the timing of the transfer material with the toner image on the photosensitive drum is adjusted by the registration roller 308, and the transfer material is conveyed to a transfer position between the photosensitive drum 309 and the transfer charger 315.

  On the other hand, the transfer material in the paper feed cassette 304 is fed by the paper feed roller 305, transported by transport rollers 307 and 306, and transported to the transfer position by adjusting the timing with the toner image on the photosensitive drum by the registration roller 308. Is done. The transfer material onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 318 by a conveyance belt 317, and is heated and pressed by a fixing roller 318a and a pressure roller 318b to fix the toner image on the surface. Note that the toner (residual toner) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 309 after the toner image is transferred without being transferred to the transfer material is removed by the cleaning device 316 and used for the next image formation.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, when the single-side mode is set by the user, the transfer material from the fixing device 318 is discharged out of the apparatus (outside the image forming apparatus main body) by the fixing discharge roller 319 and the discharge roller 324. The On the other hand, when the duplex mode is set, the transfer material is transported from the fixing paper discharge roller 319 to the reverse path 325 by the reverse roller 321 via the transport roller 320.

  Further, immediately after the rear end of the transfer material passes through the junction point with the double-sided path 326, the rotation of the reverse roller 321 is reversed so that the transfer material is reversed and conveyed to the double-sided path 326. The transfer material conveyed to the double-sided path 326 is conveyed by rollers 322 and 323, and after being adjusted again with the registration roller 308 via the conveyance roller 306, the toner image is transferred and fixed. After that, it is discharged out of the machine.

  When the front and back surfaces of the transfer material from the fixing device 318 are reversed and discharged outside the apparatus, the transfer material is once transported to the transport roller 320 and immediately before the rear end of the transfer material passes the transport roller 320. The rotation of the transport roller 320 is reversed, and the paper is discharged out of the apparatus by the paper discharge roller 324.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image control unit 105 provided in the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 is entirely controlled by the system controller 151. The system controller 151 mainly plays a role of driving each load in the apparatus, collecting and analyzing information of the sensors 159, and exchanging data with the operation unit 152, that is, the user interface, in addition to the image processing unit 102 described above. ing.

  A CPU 151a and a ROM 151b are mounted inside the system controller 151, and the CPU 151a executes various sequences related to a predetermined image forming sequence by a program stored in the ROM 151b.

  At that time, a RAM 151c is also mounted in order to store rewritable data that needs to be stored temporarily or permanently. The RAM 151c stores a high voltage set value for the high voltage control unit 155, various data, image formation command information from the operation unit 152, and the like.

  In addition to sending the specification setting value data of each unit to the image processing unit 102, the system controller 151 receives a signal from each unit, for example, a document image density signal, and causes the high-voltage control unit 155 and the image processing unit 102 to Perform optimal image formation by controlling.

  The system controller 151 sends the status of the image forming apparatus 100 to the operation unit 152 in addition to obtaining information such as a copy magnification and a density setting value set by the user. For example, the system controller 151 sends data for indicating to the user the number of images formed, information on whether or not images are being formed, the occurrence of a jam, and the location thereof, to the user.

  Further, the system controller 151 and the operation unit 152 perform exchanges for performing a toner-less display, a toner CRG replacement display, a toner CRG preparation display, and a toner CRG agitation display, which will be described later.

  Next, driving of each load in the apparatus and information collection analysis of sensors will be described. In the image forming apparatus 100, DC loads such as a motor and a clutch / solenoid, and sensors such as a photo interrupter and a micro switch are arranged at various locations inside the apparatus. That is, the transfer material is conveyed and each unit is driven by appropriately driving the motor and each DC load, and various sensors monitor the operation.

  Therefore, the system controller 151 controls each motor by the motor control unit 157 based on signals from the various sensors 159, and at the same time, operates the clutch / solenoid by the DC load control unit 158 to perform the image forming operation. It is proceeding smoothly.

  Further, by sending various high-voltage control signals to the high-voltage control unit 155, the primary charger 310, the transfer charger 315, and the developing cylinder 411 of the developing device 314 (FIGS. 4) is applied with an appropriate high pressure. Further, each of the fixing roller 318a and the pressure roller 318b in the fixing device 318 includes a heater 161 for heating the roller, and each heater 161 is ON / OFF controlled by an AC driver 160. .

  Further, the fixing roller 318a and the pressure roller 318b are provided with a thermistor 154 for measuring the temperature thereof. The A / D converter 153 converts the resistance value change of the thermistor 154 according to the temperature change of the fixing roller 318a and the pressure roller 318b into a voltage value, and then inputs it to the system controller 151 as a digital value. Based on this temperature data, the system controller 151 controls the AC driver 160 described above.

  The RF communication unit 162 is for wireless communication with a toner CRG described later, and has communication means (communication IC, antenna) inside. When performing wireless communication, there are a method of performing communication toward a specific partner and a method of performing communication and receiving communication from all toner CRGs.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that wireless communication is performed with a specific toner CRG. An RFID communication IC built in each toner CRG stores a unique ID (not shown). The image control unit 105 realizes communication with a specific partner by specifying the partner's ID. This acquisition of the other party's ID is realized by a method of first performing broadcast and acquiring a response ID.

  FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the image processing unit 102. Image data read by the image reading unit 213 is input to the image processing unit 102, subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing circuit 332, and then input to the memory control circuit 333. Under the control of the CPU 331, the memory control circuit 333 stores input image data in the memory 334, reads out image data for image formation from the memory 334, and outputs it to the image writing unit 103.

  The CPU 331 controls the memory control circuit 333 to store the input image data in the memory 334 and output the image data stored in the memory 334 to the image writing unit 103. Further, the CPU 331 reads out the image data stored in the memory 334, detects an image area in which image data to be actually formed exists in one page of image data, and notifies the image control unit 105 of the detected image area. In addition to the image reading unit 213, data is input to the above-described image processing circuit 332 from an external I / F (interface) 106.

  FIG. 4 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the developing device 314 of FIG. The toner CRG 401 is detachable, and toner is supplied from here. Since the developing unit 314 includes a hopper 404, toner can be supplied even while the developing unit 314 is in operation. When the toner sensor 405 in the hopper detects the absence of toner in the toner CRG 401, the toner transport motor 402 in the cartridge is operated to drive the toner transport screw 403 and supply the toner to the hopper 404.

  When the toner sensor 410 in the developing unit detects the absence of toner, the toner transport motor 409 in the hopper is operated to drive the magnet roller 408 in conjunction with the magnet roller driving clutch 407 and remove the toner in the hopper 404 from the developing unit 314. Supply in. The toner thus supplied into the developing device 314 is guided onto the developing cylinder 411 by the stirring member 414 in conjunction with the developing cylinder clutch 413 by the operation of the main motor 412. The above operation is controlled by the system controller 151.

  FIG. 5A shows an internal configuration diagram of the toner CRG. The toner CRG 500 includes a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as an LED) 501, and the LED 501 is turned on or blinked with the power supplied from the battery 503 or the power supplied through passive communication using the RFID 502. The RFID 502 is for communicating with the image control unit 105, and has a memory and communication means (communication IC, antenna) that can be backed up in the same manner as the RF communication unit 162 of the image control unit 105. The toner CRG has a connector (not shown), and is configured to be able to communicate with the image forming apparatus 100 by wire when it is attached.

  FIG. 5B is a block diagram of the RFID 502. The RFID 502 includes an antenna 508 and an IC chip 509, and operates with power supplied from the battery 503 or power supplied by passive communication via the antenna 508. The IC chip 509 includes a control unit 510, a transmission unit 511, a reception unit 512, a memory unit 513, an A / D conversion unit 514, and an I / O unit 515.

  The control unit 510 controls the entire IC chip. Control unit 510 transmits data to image control unit 105 via transmission unit 511 and antenna 508. Control unit 510 receives data from image control unit 105 via antenna 508 and reception unit 512. In addition, the control unit 510 controls reading / writing of data to / from a memory unit configured by a nonvolatile memory (flash memory or the like).

  The A / D conversion unit 514 is connected to the temperature sensor 507. Control unit 510 acquires temperature data via A / D conversion unit 514. The I / O unit 515 is connected to the LED 501 and the vibrators 504, 505, and 506. The control unit 510 controls lighting of the LED 501 via the I / O unit 515 and controls vibration of the vibrators 504, 505, and 506.

  Further, the vibrators 504, 505, and 506 vibrate with power supplied from the battery 503 or power supplied through passive communication using the RFID 502. As described above, by providing a plurality of vibrators, the toner offset state in the toner CRG 500 is made smooth.

  FIG. 6 shows a toner offset state and a smooth state. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the toner CRG 500 is set in the developing unit 314 with the toner being shifted, there is a problem that accurate toner conveyance cannot be performed. This is because if the toner replenishing port is located at the position 507 in FIG. 6A, the toner is replenished in a state where there is not much toner accumulation at the toner replenishing port even if the toner conveying screw 403 is rotated. Therefore, the toner supply is not stably performed. Similarly, when the toner is fixed in the toner container, the toner supply is not stably performed.

  By making the toner in the toner CRG 500 smooth as shown in FIG. 6B with a plurality of vibrators 504, 505, and 506, accurate toner conveyance can be performed. The plurality of vibrators 504, 505, and 506 use piezoelectric vibrators and are used in an ultrasonic band (about 2 to 10 MHz), so that they cannot be heard by human ears and have a minute vibration effect. The toner fixed inside is separated and the toner is smoothed.

  FIG. 7 shows a state where the toner CRG 500 is packed. Even in a state where the toner CRG 500 is packed, the LED 501 portion of the toner CRG 500 can be visually recognized from the outside by the transmission film 508. As a result, even when the toner CRG 500 is in a packaged state, it is possible to easily grasp the lighting state and blinking state of the LED 501.

  Next, RFID data in the toner CRG will be described with reference to FIG. Data stored in the memory unit 513 in the RFID 502 is stored in a table format. The left side is a written value and the right side is content.

  First, reference numeral 801 denotes the type of toner contained in the toner CRG 500. A: toner (K = black), B: toner (Y = yellow), C: toner (M = magenta), D: toner ( C = cyan). In this example, A: toner (K) is shown. Reference numeral 802 denotes the correspondence of the toner CRG 500. For example, “A” is recorded for the product A, and “B” is recorded for the product B. In this example, the product B is shown.

  Reference numeral 803 denotes a date on which the toner CRG 500 was manufactured. In this example, since it is recorded as 20140615, it indicates that the toner was manufactured on April 15, 2006. Reference numeral 804 denotes a print counter which records the number of times the toner CRG 500 is set in the main body and replenished for printing.

  For example, in the first new state, 0 is recorded, the toner CRG is set in the main body, the count is increased by the number of times of replenishment for printing, and the number of times is written in the print counter 804. Thus, even if the toner CRG 500 is replaced in the middle, the replenishment frequency data of the toner CRG 500 remains recorded in the toner CRG 500.

  The replenishment of the toner CRG 500 is performed when the toner sensor 405 in the hopper shown in FIG. 4 detects the absence of toner, or when the toner sensor 410 in the developing device detects the absence of toner. Each time the paper is supplied once, the print counter 804 is incremented by one. In this example, the print counter 804 is 0, indicating that it is in a new state.

  A remaining amount limiter 805 is recorded as 30000 in this example. This is used in step S1102 of FIG. 11 to be described later for determining whether the remaining amount of toner is low. Specifically, the value of the remaining amount limiter 805 is compared with the value of the print counter 804, and if the relationship of 804 value> 805 is satisfied, it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is small.

  Reference numeral 806 denotes an agitation counter, which indicates the agitation time (vibration time) executed in step S1113 of FIG. The agitation counter 806 is calculated from the difference between the print counter 804 and the remaining amount limiter 805 (see Table 1).

  For example, when the print counter 804 is 10,000, the difference between the remaining amount limiter 805 and the print counter 804 is 20000, and the value of the agitation counter 806 is 120.

  Reference numeral 807 denotes a toner-less limiter serving as a criterion for determining whether or not there is toner, and is a numerical value for determining whether or not the toner CRG can be used in step S1104 and step S1111 of FIG. Whether or not the toner CRG can be used is determined to be a toner present state when the relationship of 804 value <807 is satisfied, and vice versa. In this example, 31000 is recorded, and it is determined that the toner is present from the relationship of 804 value <807 value.

  Reference numeral 808 denotes a toner CRG state, where 0 is a new state, 1 is in use, and 2 is in a used state. When the toner CRG 500 is shipped from the factory, it is in a new state of 0. When the toner CRG 500 is mounted on the developing device 314 and the print counter 804 is updated, the state of 1 is in use. Further, when the value of 804 <807 does not hold, the used state is 2.

  Next, the relationship between the toner CRG 500 and the image control unit 105 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The image control unit 105 performs wireless communication with each of the toner CRGs 901 to 906 via the RF communication unit 162.

  As a sequence, the image control unit 105 makes a data inquiry to the toner CRG 901 in step S910. In response to the data inquiry, the toner CRG 901 transmits the data of items 801 to 807 in FIG. 8 to the image control unit 105. Next, the image control unit 105 makes a data inquiry to the toner CRG 902 in step S912.

  Similarly, data inquiry is made to toner CRG 903 in step S914, toner CRG 904 in step S916, toner CRG 905 in step S918, and toner CRG 906 in step S920.

  In response to each data inquiry, data transmission is performed in steps S913, S915, S917, and S919. However, since the toner CRG 906 is far away from the image control unit 105 and cannot receive radio waves, in this case, data transmission is not performed for the data inquiry 920. The image control unit 105 determines that there is no toner CRG 906 when no data is received for a predetermined time.

  In addition, the image control unit 105 determines the size relationship between the print counter 804 and the tonerless limiter 807 of the data sent from each toner CRG, and sees the relationship of the value of 804 <the value of 807 to see if there is toner. Judge whether. If the toner is present, it is determined that the toner CRG can be used.

  In the example of FIG. 9, it is assumed that the remaining amount of the toner (K) of the product A is small, and it is determined that the toners CRGs 902, 903, and 904 can be used. The toner CRG 901 is in an unusable state because it is in the absence of toner, and the toner CRG 905 cannot be used because the type is toner (M).

  Then, the toner CRG 902 is selected from the toner CRGs 902, 903, and 904 determined to be usable by the image control unit 105 according to the flowchart of FIG. 11 described later, and the LED built in the toner CRG 902 is turned on.

  When the battery 503 in the toner CRG 902 is used, this LED is turned on by receiving a lighting command (S930). In addition, when using the power generated by the RFID passive communication, the lighting command is received from the image control unit 105 at a constant interval, and the blinking state is obtained (S931).

  Next, the sequence of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This sequence is executed by the image control unit 105.

  First, the image control unit 105 determines whether or not the toner CRG 401 attached to the developing device 314 has no toner (S1101). Whether or not toner is present is determined using the relationship between the print counter 804 and the toner-less limiter 807 described above. In other words, the image control unit 105 determines that the toner is present when the relationship of 804 value <807 is satisfied, and determines that the toner is not present in the opposite case (or seeing the CRG state 808). Good).

  If the image control unit 105 determines that there is no toner in step S1101, a search is made as to whether there is a usable toner CRG near the image control unit 105 (S1103). In this toner CRG search, the toner CRG 401 attached to the developing device 314 is excluded from the search target. In other words, as described above, the toner CRG has a connector (not shown) and can communicate with the image forming apparatus 100 by wire when it is attached. The image control unit 105 is attached to the developing device 314 from this wired communication information. The toner CRG 401 is excluded from the search target.

  The search for toner CRG in step S1103 is performed using the sequence described with reference to FIG. 10, and the image control unit 105 receives data from each toner CRG. Then, the image control unit 105 determines whether there is a usable toner CRG based on the received content (S1104).

Here, the image control unit 105 compares the received data from each toner CRG with the toner CRG determined to have a low amount of toner,
(1) Type 801 matches (2) Correspondence 802 is determined to match, and it is checked whether (3) value of print counter 804 <value of limiter 807 without toner is satisfied in the received toner CRG.

  In step S1104, the image control unit 105 determines whether there is a toner CRG to which all of the above (1), (2), and (3) apply. Using the example of FIG. 9, toners CRG 902, 903, and 904 are applicable. If it is determined in step S1104 that there is a usable toner CRG, the image control unit 105 selects an optimum toner CRG (S1105).

In step S1105, the optimum toner CRG condition is:
(4) The manufacturing date 803 is old. (5) The value of the print counter 804 is large. As priorities, (4) the date of manufacture is the first priority item, and (5) the print counter value is large is the second priority item.

  More specifically, the toner CRG 903 is out of the optimal toner CRG selection target because the toner CRG 903 has a newer manufacturing date than the toners CRG 902 and 904. Further, when the toner CRG 902 and the toner CRG 902 are compared with each other, the toner CRG 902 has a larger print counter value than the toner CRG 904, and therefore the image control unit 105 determines that the toner CRG 902 is optimal.

  Conventionally, when there are a plurality of spare toners CRG, there is a problem in that the toner with the old manufacturing date is not used and remains in a spare state as it is, and the toner deteriorates with time. However, as in this embodiment, by preferentially selecting a toner CRG having an old manufacturing date or a large print counter value, it is possible to prevent deterioration due to the change of the toner with time.

  When the optimum toner CRG is selected in step S1105, the image control unit 105 performs LED lighting by communicating an LED lighting request to the selected toner CRG (S1106). Then, as shown in FIG. 12A, the image control unit 105 displays on the operation unit 152, “There is no toner. Replace it with toner CRG whose LED is lit” (S1108). After the toner CRG replacement display is performed in step S1108, the process ends.

  Thus, by turning on the LED of the toner CRG, the user can easily determine which toner CRG should be replaced. Further, since the toner CRG to be replaced here is vibrated in advance and the internal toner is agitated as will be described later, the downtime due to the toner replenishment operation when the toner CRG is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 is reduced. Can be made.

  If it is determined in step S1104 that there is no usable toner CRG, the image control unit 105 indicates that “no toner is present. Replace it with toner CRG” as shown in FIG. The information is displayed on the operation unit 152 (S1107). After the toner CRG replacement display is performed in step S1107, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1101 that there is toner, it is determined whether the remaining amount of toner is low (S1102). Whether the remaining amount of toner is low is determined using the relationship between the print counter 804 and the remaining amount limiter 805 described above. That is, the image control unit 105 determines that the remaining amount of toner is low when the relationship of 804 value> 805 is satisfied.

  If it is determined in step S1102 that the remaining amount of toner is low, the image control unit 105 receives data from each toner CRG as in step S1103 (S1110). As in step S1104, the image control unit 105 determines whether there is a usable toner CRG (S1111). The judgment criteria are the same as in S1104.

  If it is determined in step S1111 that there is a toner CRG to which all of the above (1), (2), and (3) apply, the image control unit 105 selects an optimal toner CRG (S1112) as in S1105. Then, the image control unit 105 vibrates the plurality of vibrators 504, 505, and 506 in FIG. 5 described above by communicating a toner vibration request to the toner CRG selected in step S1112 (S1113).

  As described above, the vibration of the toner CRG is vibrated in advance to stir the toner in the toner CRG, so that the downtime due to the toner replenishment operation when the toner CRG is attached to the image forming apparatus can be reduced. .

  Further, the plurality of vibrators 504, 505, and 506 change the vibration time based on the value of the agitation counter 806 shown in FIG. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the vibration time from being too short and the toner in the toner CRG from being sufficiently agitated and becoming in a non-uniform state, and preventing the vibration time from being too long and consuming power wastefully. .

  Then, the image control unit 105 causes the LED of the toner CRG to blink by communicating an LED blink request to the toner CRG selected in step S1112 (S1114). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12C, the image control unit 105 displays on the operation unit 152, “There is little toner. The vibrating operation is being executed with the toner CRG whose LED is lit.” (S1115). Then, after the toner CRG vibration is displayed in step S1115, the process is terminated.

  As described above, the image control unit 105 vibrates the toner CRG and displays on the operation unit 152 that the vibration operation is being performed, thereby preventing the toner CRG from vibrating suddenly and causing the user to be confused. Can do. Further, the image control unit 105 causes the LED of the toner CRG to blink, so that the user can easily determine which toner CRG should be replaced next.

  If it is determined in step S1111 that there is no usable toner CRG, the image control unit 105, as shown in FIG. 12D, “There is little toner. Prepare toner CRG. Is displayed on the operation unit 152 (S1116). After the toner CRG preparation display is performed in step S1116, the process ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the downtime due to the toner replenishment operation when the toner CRG 500 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, when there are a plurality of spare toners CRG, the old toner CRG is preferentially selected, so that deterioration due to the change of the toner with time can be prevented. In the present embodiment, the toner CRG is described as an example of the developer container, but a toner bottle, a toner pack, or the like may be used.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the image control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the image processing part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner CRG according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a toner state in a toner CRG according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a packaging state of toner CRG according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating data stored in an RFID in a toner CRG according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating wireless communication between an image control unit in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a toner CRG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating wireless communication between an image control unit in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a toner CRG. It is a flowchart of the main sequence which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the display of the operation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 102 Image processing part 105 Image control part (selection means)
151 System controller 151a CPU
151b ROM
151c RAM
152 Operation unit 153 A / D converter 154 Thermistor 155 High voltage control unit 156 High voltage unit 157 Motor control unit 158 DC load control unit 159 Sensors 160 AC driver 161 Heater 162 RF communication unit (wireless communication means)
201 Automatic Document Feeder 202 Reading Device 301 Image Reproducing Device 331 CPU
332 Image processing circuit 333 Memory control circuit 334 Memory 500 Toner CRG (Developer container)
501 LED (light emitting means)
502 RFID (wireless communication means)
503 battery 504 to 506 vibrator (vibration means)

Claims (12)

An image forming apparatus in which a developer container can be attached and detached,
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with a plurality of developer storage containers not mounted on the image forming apparatus;
Selection means for selecting a developer storage container usable in the image forming apparatus based on information received from the plurality of developer storage containers by the wireless communication means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a developer storage container to be replaced next from the plurality of developer storage containers.   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit gives an instruction to vibrate the vibration unit provided in the developer storage container to the developer storage container selected by the selection unit. Forming equipment.   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit gives an instruction to the developer storage container selected by the selection unit to emit light from the light emitting unit provided in the developer storage container. Forming equipment. The wireless communication means receives information on the date of manufacture from the plurality of developer storage containers,
The selection unit selects a developer storage container having the oldest manufacturing date from the plurality of developer storage containers based on information on the manufacturing date received by the wireless communication unit. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1. The wireless communication means receives information on the presence or absence of a developer from the plurality of developer storage containers,
The selection means does not select a developer storage container that is assumed to be free of developer as a developer storage container to be replaced next, based on the information on the presence or absence of the developer received by the wireless communication means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The wireless communication means receives information on the color of the developer from the plurality of developer storage containers,
The selection unit selects a developer storage container to be replaced next from the plurality of developer storage containers based on information on the color of the developer received by the wireless communication unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A developer storage container detachable from the image forming apparatus,
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the image forming apparatus;
Vibration means for vibrating the developer container in accordance with information received from the image forming apparatus by the wireless communication means;
A developer storage container characterized by comprising: Having storage means for storing developer remaining amount data;
9. The developer storage container according to claim 8, wherein the vibration unit changes a vibration time according to the remaining amount data of the developer stored in the storage unit. A developer storage container detachable from the image forming apparatus,
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the image forming apparatus;
Light emitting means for performing a light emitting operation in accordance with information received from the image forming apparatus by the wireless communication means;
A developer storage container characterized by comprising:   11. The developer container according to claim 10, wherein the light emitting means is a light emitting diode (LED). Power generation means for generating electromotive force by wireless communication from the image forming apparatus and supplying the generated power;
The developer container according to claim 10, wherein the light emitting unit emits light by the electric power from the power supply unit.

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