JP2008275681A - Color image forming apparatus, and printing control method and program for color image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color image forming apparatus etc. allowing a user to freely select a consumable unit to be used, by avoiding any limit more than it is necessary for a printing operation using a toner cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: A printing operation is limited only when a genuine-or non-genuine product determination means which determines whether a consumable unit attached so as to be replaceable is a genuine product or not, determines that at least one of the consumable units 8Y, 8M, and 8C, and 10Y, 10M, and 10C other than the consumable units 8K and 10K used for forming a toner image on an image carrier 11K disposed furthest downstream in the moving directions of a conveying body 7 among a plurality of image carriers 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K, is a non-genuine product. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) which is a multi-function digital multifunction peripheral in which these functions are integrated, a printing control method for the color image forming apparatus, and a printing control program.

  In the color image forming apparatus as described above, a consumable unit such as a toner cartridge or an imaging unit is used. These consumable units have consumables such as toner consumed by repeated printing operations for printing data to be printed, and photosensitive drums whose performance deteriorates due to repeated printing operations. When all the items are consumed or when the product reaches the end of its life, it is replaced with a new consumable unit.

  Regarding the consumable unit of the image forming apparatus, there are a genuine product provided by the manufacturer of the image forming device and a non-genuine product provided by a third party called a third party. A non-genuine product is often manufactured by filling a consumable unit of a genuine product that has been used with a new consumable product manufactured by a third party or by replacing it with a new consumable product. For example, in the case of a toner cartridge, a genuine toner cartridge that has run out of toner is often collected by a third party and refilled with independently produced toner and shipped as a compatible product in many cases.

  By the way, in a general tandem type color image forming apparatus, consumables such as imaging units and toner cartridges of respective colors are set in order along the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt toward the secondary transfer position. Each of these mounting positions is mounted so as to be exchangeable. During printing, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum in each imaging unit, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum as an image carrier at a position (upstream side) far from the secondary transfer position. To the toner image on the photosensitive drum at a position close to the secondary transfer position (downstream side), and then transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt in a superimposed state in order.

  In this case, the toner charge amount distribution has a certain extent, and the toner with a small charge amount or the reversely charged toner is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt, and then the contact portion with the downstream photosensitive drum. When the intermediate transfer belt passes, it may be reversely transferred and moved to the photosensitive drum.

  However, the toner that has moved to the photoconductive drum is collected by the cleaning blade of the imaging unit. However, if the amount of toner that has been reversely transferred is too large, the cleaning blade will exceed its performance limit, causing wiping residue and destroying the imaging unit. There are things to do. In the case of a cleanerless system, the toner that has moved to the photosensitive drum is collected as it is by the developing device, and there is a problem that color mixing occurs and a normal color image cannot be formed or the interior of the imaging unit is stained. May occur.

  If it is a genuine toner, the quality is guaranteed and the charge amount distribution is sharp, so there is little possibility of such a problem. However, in the case of non-genuine toner manufactured by a third party supplier, such a problem may occur because there are variations in quality and there are also problems in matching with the image forming apparatus. Concerned.

  In many cases, the non-genuine imaging unit is one in which a photosensitive drum and a developer (toner / carrier) are independently manufactured by a third party. For example, when the photosensitive drum is not a genuine product manufactured by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus but is manufactured by a third party, charging performance and sensitivity may be inferior to those of a genuine photoconductor drum.

  If a non-genuine photosensitive drum is used, fog toner may adhere to the photosensitive drum. In this case, unexpected fog toner may contaminate the inside of the machine or may be mixed in another developing device. In particular, as in the case of the toner cartridge, the toner of the upstream imaging unit is developed by the downstream imaging unit. It is easy to mix colors in the vessel.

Therefore, conventionally, there has been provided a technique for prohibiting printing when a non-genuine consumable unit is mounted on an image forming apparatus (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-195705 A

  However, with respect to the photosensitive drum disposed closest to the secondary transfer position on the upstream side of the secondary transfer position to the paper, a toner cartridge or an imaging unit used to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum. Even if a consumable unit such as a non-genuine product is not a genuine product, there is no possibility of problems such as reverse transfer and color mixing because there is no photoreceptor drum or the like downstream.

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a non-genuine consumable unit is mounted, printing is uniformly prohibited. For this reason, there is a possibility that the user's free selection is hindered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a color image that allows a user to freely select a consumable unit by avoiding an unnecessarily limited printing operation using the consumable unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing control method and a printing control program for a forming apparatus, a color image forming apparatus.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) Toner images of a plurality of colors respectively formed on a plurality of image carriers arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the conveyance body are sequentially transferred onto the conveyance body or paper. Consumables for each color having image forming means for performing printing operation of print target data, and consumables that are used to form a toner image on each image carrier and are consumed by repeating the printing operation The genuine / non-genuine discriminating means for discriminating whether the unit is a genuine product or a non-genuine product and the genuine / non-genuine discriminating means, the most of the moving direction of the conveying body among the plurality of image carriers Only when it is determined that at least one of the consumable units other than the consumable unit for forming the toner image on the image carrier disposed on the downstream side is a non-genuine product, printing by the image forming unit is performed. Action Color image forming apparatus characterized by comprising: a limiter for controlling means.
(2) When at least one of the consumable units for each color is determined to be non-genuine by the genuine / non-genuine determination means, display means for displaying a warning screen to that effect The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is provided.
(3) A consumable unit used for forming a toner image on an image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport member among the plurality of image carriers is a black consumable unit. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
(4) The color image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the restriction of the printing operation is prohibition of printing.
(5) The color image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the restriction on the printing operation is restriction on an executable printing mode and / or restriction on a printing speed.
(6) Toner images of a plurality of colors respectively formed on a plurality of image carriers arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the conveyance body are sequentially transferred onto the conveyance body or paper. And a consumable unit for each color having a consumable that is used to form a toner image on each image carrier and is consumed by repetition of the printing operation. Determining whether the product is a genuine product or a non-genuine product, and forming a toner image on the image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport member among the plurality of image carriers. And a step of restricting the printing operation only when it is determined that at least one of the consumable units other than the consumable unit is a non-genuine product. Print control method.
(7) Toner images of a plurality of colors respectively formed on a plurality of image carriers arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the conveyance body are sequentially transferred onto the conveyance body or paper. And a consumable unit for each color having a consumable that is used to form a toner image on each image carrier and is consumed by repetition of the printing operation. Determining whether the product is a genuine product or a non-genuine product, and forming a toner image on the image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport member among the plurality of image carriers. Only when at least one of the consumable units other than the consumable unit is determined to be non-genuine, the step of restricting the printing operation is executed on the computer of the color image forming apparatus. Because the print control program.
(8) Toner images of a plurality of colors respectively formed on a plurality of image carriers arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the conveyance body are sequentially transferred onto the conveyance body or paper. Consumables for each color having image forming means for performing printing operation of print target data, and consumables that are used to form a toner image on each image carrier and are consumed by repeating the printing operation The genuine / non-genuine discrimination means for determining whether the unit is a genuine product or a non-genuine product, and at least one of the consumable units other than the black consumable unit by the genuine / non-genuine discrimination means. A color image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that restricts a printing operation by the image forming unit only when it is determined that one of the two is a non-genuine product.
(9) When the genuine / non-genuine determining means determines that at least one of the consumable units for each color is non-genuine, display means for displaying a warning screen to that effect The color image forming apparatus according to claim 8, which is provided.
(10) The color image forming apparatus according to (8) or (9), wherein the limitation of the printing operation is prohibition of printing.
(11) The color image forming apparatus according to (8) or (9), wherein the restriction of the printing operation is restriction of an executable printing mode and / or restriction of a printing speed.
(12) Toner images of a plurality of colors respectively formed on a plurality of image carriers arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the conveyance body are sequentially transferred onto the conveyance body or paper. And a consumable unit for each color having a consumable that is used to form a toner image on each image carrier and is consumed by repetition of the printing operation. Only when it is determined that at least one of the consumable unit other than the black consumable unit and the step of determining whether it is genuine or non-genuine is non-genuine A print control method for a color image forming apparatus.
(13) sequentially transferring a plurality of color toner images respectively formed on a plurality of image carriers arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the conveyance body onto the conveyance body or onto the paper; And a consumable unit for each color having a consumable that is used to form a toner image on each image carrier and is consumed by repetition of the printing operation. Only when it is determined that at least one of the consumable unit other than the black consumable unit and the step of determining whether it is genuine or non-genuine is non-genuine A printing control program for causing a computer of the color image forming apparatus to execute

  According to the invention described in item (1) above, consumption other than the consumable unit for forming a toner image on the image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport member among the plurality of image carriers. Only when it is determined that at least one of the product units is a non-genuine product, the printing operation by the image forming means is limited, so that the upstream toner is reversely transferred to the downstream image carrier. It is possible to prevent problems such as destruction of the imaging unit on the downstream side due to the color mixing and color mixing due to mixing of the upstream toner into the developing unit of the imaging unit on the downstream side. On the other hand, even if the consumable unit for forming the toner image on the image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport body among the plurality of image carriers is a non-genuine product, the printing operation is limited. Therefore, it can be used in the same way as a genuine product, and the user can make a free choice in consideration of price, quality, and the like.

  According to the invention described in item (2) above, the user can know that a non-genuine consumable unit is installed by displaying the warning screen.

  According to the invention described in (3) above, it is possible to use a non-genuine product for the black consumable unit which is generally most consumed, and the range of free selection by the user can be further increased.

  According to the invention described in (4) above, the consumables other than the consumable unit for forming the toner image on the image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport member among the plurality of image carriers. The printing operation is prohibited when it is determined that at least one of the product units is a non-genuine product.

  According to the invention described in (5) above, the consumables other than the consumable unit for forming the toner image on the image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport member among the plurality of image carriers. When at least one of the product units is determined to be a non-genuine product, the available print modes and / or the print speed are limited.

  According to the invention described in the above item (6), the upstream toner is reversely transferred to the downstream image carrier, thereby preventing the downstream imaging unit from being destroyed or mixed. On the other hand, even if the consumable unit for forming the toner image on the image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport body among the plurality of image carriers is a non-genuine product Since the printing operation is not limited, it can be used in the same way as a genuine product, and the user can make a free selection in consideration of the price, quality, and the like.

  According to the invention described in (7), the process for performing the printing operation of the print target data, the process for determining whether the plurality of consumable units are genuine products or non-genuine products, and the plurality of image carriers At least one of the consumable units other than the consumable unit for forming the toner image on the image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport body is determined to be a non-genuine product. Only in this case, it is possible to cause the computer of the color image forming apparatus to execute processing for restricting the printing operation.

  According to the invention described in (8) above, the printing operation by the image forming means is limited only when at least one of the consumable units other than the black consumable unit is determined to be a non-genuine product. Therefore, it is possible to use a non-genuine product for the consumable unit for black that is most commonly consumed, and the user makes a free choice regarding the consumable unit for black in consideration of price and quality. be able to.

  According to the invention described in item (9) above, the user can know that a non-genuine consumable unit is mounted by displaying the warning screen.

  According to the invention described in item (10), the printing operation is prohibited when it is determined that at least one of the consumable units other than the black consumable unit is a non-genuine product.

  According to the invention described in the above item (11), when at least one of the consumable units other than the black consumable unit is determined to be a non-genuine product, the limitation of the print mode that can be used and / or Alternatively, the printing speed is limited.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (12), it is possible to use a non-genuine product for the most commonly consumed black consumable unit, and the user takes into account the price and quality, etc. Free choices can be made regarding product units.

  According to the invention described in item (13) above, the process of performing the printing operation of the print target data, the process of determining whether the plurality of consumable units are genuine or non-genuine, and the consumption for black Only when at least one of the consumable units other than the product unit is determined to be a non-genuine product, the process of restricting the printing operation can be executed by the computer of the color image forming apparatus.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a tandem MFP, which is a multifunction digital multi-function peripheral, is used as the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, a paper discharge tray 5, and the like.

  The scanner unit 2 includes a CCD sensor 6 and reads a document set on an automatic document feeder or platen glass (both not shown).

  The image forming unit 3 performs a printing operation of printing image data of a document read by the scanner unit 2 or print data transmitted from the outside on a sheet. In this embodiment, the imaging unit 10Y 10M, 10C and 10K, toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C and 8K, an intermediate transfer belt 7, an exposure unit 14, a polygon mirror 15, a transport roller 18, a secondary transfer roller 19, a fixing device 20, and the like.

  The imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are for forming a toner image by revealing an electrostatic latent image with toner. The imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are formed by the secondary transfer roller 19 from the upstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 7. In order toward the next transfer position, those corresponding to the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are provided. Accordingly, the black (K) imaging unit 10K is arranged at a position closest to the secondary transfer position (position at the most downstream side). Each of the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K is a photosensitive drum 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K as a rotatable image carrier, charging chargers 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K for charging them, and a photosensitive drum. Developing units 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K that form toner images by attaching toner to electrostatic latent images formed on the surfaces of the body drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K are provided. It is configured as one unit.

  The photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K included in the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are consumables that gradually deteriorate in performance due to repeated printing operations and eventually reach the end of their lives. For this reason, each of the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K is a consumable unit that is replaced with a new imaging unit when the consumable reaches the end of its life, and is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 in a replaceable manner. The replacement is performed by opening the front door 21 of the image forming apparatus 1. Each imaging unit 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K is provided with a memory chip 22, and information about the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K is registered in the memory chip 22, respectively. .

  The toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K store toners corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. Supply to imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C and 10K.

  The toner of each color accommodated in the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K is a consumable that is consumed by repeating the printing operation. Therefore, each of the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K is a consumable unit that can be replaced with a new toner cartridge when the toner runs out, and can be replaced by opening the front door 21 of the image forming apparatus 1. It is attached to. Each of the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K is provided with a memory chip 9 in which information about the toner cartridge is registered, which will be described in detail later.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 is a toner image of each color formed on the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K of the four imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K. It is stretched around the drive roller 16 and the driven roller 17 and is driven to rotate counterclockwise by the rotation of the drive roller 16.

  The exposure unit 14 irradiates the charged photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K of the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K with laser light, and thereby exposes the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  The polygon mirror 15 deflects the laser light emitted from the exposure unit 14 to scan the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K.

  The transport roller 18 transports the paper supplied from the paper supply unit 4 to the secondary transfer position. The secondary transfer roller 19 transfers the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 17 onto the sheet conveyed by the conveying roller 18, and the fixing device 20 is transferred to the sheet. The toner image is fixed.

  The paper feed unit 4 stores paper for each type, and when a print instruction is given, the paper is taken out from the paper feed unit 4 one by one and conveyed to the secondary transfer position by the conveyance roller 18.

  The recording paper on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 20 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 5.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K include the above-described photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K, developing units 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K, and chargers 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K. In addition, the cleaning blades 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K, toner recovery screws 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K are included.

  The cleaning blades 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K are for performing sliding cleaning on the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K, respectively.

  The toner collection screws 23Y, 23M, 23C and 23K are for collecting the toner scraped off from the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C and 11K by the cleaning blades 22Y, 22M, 22C and 22K, respectively.

  Since the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K, the developing devices 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K, and the chargers 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K have already been described, description thereof will be omitted.

  In the imaging units 10Y, 10M, and 10C as described above, the toner with a small charge amount or the reversely charged toner is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7, and then is transferred to the downstream side photosensitive drums 11M, 11C, and 11K. When the intermediate transfer belt 7 passes through the contact portion, it may be reversely transferred and moved to the photosensitive drum. The toner that has moved to the photosensitive drums 11M, 11C, and 11K is collected by the cleaning blades 22M, 22C, and 22K. However, if the amount of the toner that has been reversely transferred is large, the performance limit of the cleaning blades will be exceeded, and wiping residue will occur. However, there is a risk that the imaging units 10M, 10C, and 10K may be destroyed or color mixing may occur. The quality of the genuine toner is strictly controlled so that there is no large variation in the charge distribution, but the quality of the non-genuine toner is not always constant and the charge distribution may vary. In the case of a toner cartridge filled with genuine toner, it is considered that there is a relatively high possibility that the above problems will occur.

  Further, in the non-genuine imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, for example, when the photoconductor drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K are independently manufactured by a third party, In comparison, charging performance and sensitivity may be inferior, fog toner adheres to the photosensitive drum, and there is a risk of contamination within the apparatus by fog toner and color mixing due to mixing with other developing devices.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, control as described later is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an MFP controller unit 26, an engine control unit 27, a storage unit 28, an operation panel unit 29, and a front panel in addition to the scanner unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the front door 21 described above. A door opening / closing sensor 30 is provided.

  Since the scanner unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the front door 21 have already been described, description thereof will be omitted.

  The MFP controller unit 26 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 in an integrated manner, and includes a CPU 261, a ROM 262, and the like.

  The CPU 261 implements control performed by the MFP controller unit 26 by executing a program stored in the ROM 262. Specifically, in addition to controlling the scanner unit 2, the engine control unit 27, the storage unit 28, the operation panel unit 29, etc., in this embodiment, the following control is performed. That is, the CPU 261 determines whether the consumable units such as the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K and the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K that are mounted are genuine products based on the information from the engine control unit 27. It is determined whether it is a non-genuine product. In this embodiment, the genuine product refers to a product provided by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus, and the non-genuine product refers to a product provided by a third party other than the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. Say.

  Further, when the CPU 261 determines that at least one of the mounted consumable units is not a genuine product, the consumable unit determined to be not the genuine product has a secondary transfer position upstream of the secondary transfer position. It is determined whether the unit is a consumable unit other than a consumable unit for forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum 11K of the imaging unit 10K disposed closest to (most downstream). That is, in this embodiment, the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are in order of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (from the vicinity of the secondary transfer position to the paper toward the upstream side. Y), the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, and 8C corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) and at least one of the imaging units 10Y, 10M, and 10C are non-genuine products. Is determined, and the printing operation for the image forming unit 3 is controlled via the engine control unit 27 based on the result.

  The engine control unit 27 communicates with the MFP controller unit 26 and controls the printing operation by the image forming unit 3 in accordance with a command from the MFP controller unit 26. In this embodiment, when the front door opening / closing sensor 30 that detects opening / closing of the front door 21 transmits a signal indicating that the front door 21 has been opened / closed, the engine control unit 27 transmits the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M. , 8C and 8K memory chips 9, and further, the reproduction information described later is read by communicating with the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K memory chips 22, and the read reproduction information is sent to the CPU 261. Yes.

  The storage unit 28 includes a recording medium such as a hard disk or a non-volatile memory, and stores image data of the original read by the scanner unit 2, other data, various programs, and the like.

  The operation panel unit 29 is used for the user to perform input operations and provide various screens and messages to the user. The operation panel unit 29 includes a key input unit including a plurality of keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, and a mode setting screen. And a touch panel display (not shown) for displaying messages and the like. In this embodiment, when a consumable unit such as a toner cartridge is a non-genuine product, a warning screen is displayed on the display unit as a restriction on the printing operation.

  The front door opening / closing sensor 30 is a sensor that detects the opening / closing operation of the front door 21, and transmits an opening / closing detection signal to the engine control unit 27 when the opening / closing operation of the front door 21 is detected.

  Next, address mapping of the memory chip 9 provided in the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the memory address mapping 91 of FIG. 4, the memory chip 9 is composed of three types of storage areas with different addresses, and each can store information of up to 8 bits.

  The storage area of addresses 00h to 1Fh is an area (ROM area) in which subsequent writing is prohibited when data is written at the time of manufacture, and is only readable (ROM area), and is filled with a model identification code indicating the type of the toner cartridge. A color identification code indicating the color of the toner being stored, a filling amount identification code indicating the amount of toner being filled, and the like are stored.

  The storage area at addresses 20h to 2Fh is an area (RAM area) in which the image forming apparatus 1 can be freely written. Mainly regarding the state during the printing operation such as the number of rotations of the toner supply screws 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K. Temporary information is written.

  The storage areas at addresses 30h to 3Fh are areas (OTP areas) that can be rewritten only once by the image forming apparatus 1, and the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, or 8K have been exhausted in the past because the stored toner has been consumed. Reproduction information indicating whether or not has been written is written. In this reproduction information, if the toner cartridge has never been emptied in the past, all the bits are set to “1”. On the other hand, if the toner cartridge is emptied once, all the bits are set to “0” by the image forming apparatus 1. It is configured to be rewritten. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 reads the reproduction information, and when all the bits are “1”, the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the toner cartridge is a genuine product, and all the bits are “0”. In this case, since it is considered that the toner cartridge once emptied is filled with toner manufactured by a third party, it is determined that the toner cartridge 8 is a non-genuine product.

Note that the memory mapping of the memory chip 22 provided in the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K is the same as that of the memory chip 9 of the toner cartridge, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.
[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In this embodiment, when the user opens and closes the front door 21, the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the consumable unit has been replaced, and the installed consumable unit is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. It is determined whether the product is a product, and display of a warning screen and permission or prohibition of a printing operation are determined based on the determination result.

  In the following example, only the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K will be described as determining whether they are genuine products or non-genuine products, but only the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K. The determination may be performed, or both the toner cartridge and the imaging unit may be determined.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process from when the user opens / closes the front door 21 until a decision is made to permit or prohibit the printing operation.

  When the user opens / closes the front door 21, the front door opening / closing sensor 30 detects the opening / closing (step S 50), and transmits a front door opening / closing signal to the engine control unit 27.

  Upon receiving the front door opening / closing signal, the engine control unit 27 reads the reproduction information stored in each of the memory chips 9 of the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K (step S51), and the reproduction information is read from the CPU 261 of the MFP controller unit 26. (Step S52).

  The CPU 261 that has received the reproduction information performs the following operation in accordance with a control program stored in a recording medium such as the ROM 262. That is, first, it is determined whether each of the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K is a genuine product or a non-genuine product based on the reproduction information, and it is also determined whether all the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are genuine products (step S53). .

  If all are genuine products (YES in step S53), the process proceeds to step S57 and permission for printing operation is determined. On the other hand, if at least one of the toner cartridges is a non-genuine product (NO in step S53), a warning screen indicating the fact is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation panel unit 29 in order to notify the user (NO in step S53) ( Step S54).

  As a result, the user can know that a non-genuine toner cartridge is installed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the non-genuine product is a yellow, magenta or cyan toner cartridge 8Y, 8M, or 8C (step S55), and all the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, and 8C are determined. Is a genuine product, in other words, if only the black toner cartridge is a non-genuine product (NO in step S55), there is a risk that a malfunction such as a failure or color mixing of the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K may occur. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S57, and permission for the printing operation is determined. On the other hand, if a non-genuine product is included in the yellow, magenta, or cyan toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, and 8C (YES in step S55), there is a possibility that a failure or color mixture may occur. Determine prohibition of operation.

  When the determination of permission or prohibition of the printing operation is made, the engine control unit 27 controls the image forming unit 3 according to the determination, and the printing operation is executed or prohibited.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 11K of the black imaging unit 10K disposed closest to the secondary transfer position on the upstream side of the secondary transfer position to the paper by the secondary transfer roller 19 is provided. Consumable units other than the consumable unit for forming a black toner image, in other words, at least one of toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C or imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C for yellow, magenta, and cyan are non-genuine. If it is a product, it is decided to cancel printing. As a result, the non-genuine toner supplied from the non-genuine toner cartridge is reversely transferred to the downstream photoconductor drums 11M, 11C, and 11K, and the downstream imaging unit is destroyed. It is possible to prevent color mixing due to mixing of the toner of the imaging unit into the developing unit of the imaging unit on the downstream side. On the other hand, even if the black toner cartridge 8K or the black imaging unit 10K is a non-genuine product, the printing operation is not limited. Therefore, the black toner cartridge can be used in the same manner as a genuine product, and is generally the most consumed toner for black. Coupled with the fact that non-genuine products can be used for the cartridge 8K and the imaging unit 10K, the user can make a free choice in consideration of the price, quality, and the like.

  In this embodiment, since the imaging unit having the photosensitive drum disposed closest to the secondary transfer position on the upstream side of the secondary transfer position to the sheet is the black imaging unit 10K, the black toner cartridge is used. Although it is possible to use consumable units such as 8K and black imaging unit 10K even if they are non-genuine products, what color is the photosensitive drum arranged closest to the upstream side of the secondary transfer position? Accordingly, the toner color of the consumable unit that is permitted to be used even if it is a non-genuine product is changed accordingly.

  In the above embodiment, the toner cartridge is determined to be genuine or non-genuine based on whether or not the toner in the toner cartridge has been emptied even once in the past. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any standard may be used as long as it can discriminate between genuine and non-genuine consumable units.

  In the above embodiment, it is configured to determine whether or not the consumable unit is a genuine product when the front door 21 is opened and closed, and to perform control based on the determination. However, the timing of determination and control is not limited to this. It is good also as a structure performed when this is actually mounted | worn.

  In the above-described embodiment, printing is restricted as a restriction on printing operations for non-genuine consumable units. However, the printing is not limited to this. For example, printing is prohibited in the high image quality mode and double-sided mode. Occurrence of problems may be prevented by restricting executable print modes such as prohibition of printing, prohibition of printing on non-genuine paper, or limiting the printing speed.

  In the embodiment, the tandem type MFP using the intermediate transfer belt 7 is exemplified as the image forming apparatus. However, for example, the sheet is sucked on the belt and conveyed to each unit, and the toner image is directly formed on the sheet. A superimposing transfer type may be used. Although the MFP is exemplified as the image forming apparatus, it is needless to say that the present invention is applicable to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a printer as long as the image forming apparatus uses a consumable unit. .

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of an imaging unit. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a main part of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating address mapping of a memory chip provided in a toner cartridge used in the present embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 2 ... Scanner part 3 ... Image forming part 4 ... Paper feed part 7 ... Conveyance body 8Y ... Toner cartridge 8M for yellow ... Toner cartridge 8C for magenta ... Cyan toner cartridge 8K ... Black toner cartridge 10Y ... Yellow imaging unit 10M ... Magenta imaging unit 10C ... Cyan imaging unit 10K ... Black imaging unit 11Y -Yellow photosensitive drum 11M-Magenta photosensitive drum 11C-Cyan photosensitive drum 11K-Black photosensitive drum 21-Front door 26-MFP controller 27- Engine control unit 28 ... storage unit 29 ... operation panel unit 30 ... front door opening / closing sensor 261 ... CPU
262 ... ROM

Claims (13)

Printing is performed by sequentially transferring a plurality of color toner images respectively formed on a plurality of image carriers arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the conveyance body on the conveyance body or on the paper. Image forming means for performing printing operation of the target data;
Whether the consumable unit for each color having a consumable used for forming a toner image on each image carrier and consumed by repeating the printing operation is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. Genuine / non-genuine discrimination means to discriminate,
Consumable units other than the consumable unit for forming a toner image on the image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport body among the plurality of image carriers by the genuine / non-genuine discrimination means. Control means for restricting the printing operation by the image forming means only when at least one of them is determined to be a non-genuine product,
A color image forming apparatus comprising:   When the genuine / non-genuine determining means determines that at least one of the consumable units for each color is non-genuine, the display means displays a warning screen to that effect. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The consumable unit used for forming a toner image on an image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport member among the plurality of image carriers is a black consumable unit. The color image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2.   The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restriction of the printing operation is prohibition of printing.   The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the limitation of the printing operation is a limitation of an executable printing mode and / or a limitation of a printing speed. Printing is performed by sequentially transferring a plurality of color toner images respectively formed on a plurality of image carriers arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the conveyance body on the conveyance body or on the paper. Performing a printing operation of the target data; and
Whether the consumable unit for each color having a consumable used for forming a toner image on each image carrier and consumed by repeating the printing operation is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. A step of determining;
Among the plurality of image carriers, at least one of the consumable units other than the consumable unit for forming a toner image on the image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport member is a non-genuine product. Only when it is determined that the printing operation is limited,
A printing control method for a color image forming apparatus. Printing is performed by sequentially transferring a plurality of color toner images respectively formed on a plurality of image carriers arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the conveyance body on the conveyance body or on the paper. Performing a printing operation of the target data; and
Whether the consumable unit for each color having a consumable used for forming a toner image on each image carrier and consumed by repeating the printing operation is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. A step of determining;
Among the plurality of image carriers, at least one of the consumable units other than the consumable unit for forming a toner image on the image carrier disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transport member is a non-genuine product. Only when it is determined that the printing operation is limited,
Is a print control program for causing a computer of a color image forming apparatus to execute. Printing is performed by sequentially transferring a plurality of color toner images respectively formed on a plurality of image carriers arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the conveyance body on the conveyance body or on the paper. Image forming means for performing printing operation of the target data;
Whether the consumable unit for each color having a consumable used for forming a toner image on each image carrier and consumed by repeating the printing operation is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. Genuine / non-genuine discrimination means to discriminate,
Control that restricts the printing operation by the image forming means only when at least one of the consumable units other than the black consumable unit is determined to be non-genuine by the genuine / non-genuine discrimination means. Means,
A color image forming apparatus comprising:   When the genuine / non-genuine discrimination means determines that at least one of the consumable units for each color is non-genuine, the display means displays a warning screen to that effect. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 8.   The color image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the limitation of the printing operation is prohibition of printing.   The color image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the restriction of the printing operation is restriction of an executable printing mode and / or restriction of a printing speed. Printing is performed by sequentially transferring a plurality of color toner images respectively formed on a plurality of image carriers arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the conveyance body on the conveyance body or on the paper. Performing a printing operation of the target data; and
Whether the consumable unit for each color having a consumable used for forming a toner image on each image carrier and consumed by repeating the printing operation is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. A step of determining;
Limiting the printing operation only when it is determined that at least one of the consumable units other than the black consumable unit is a non-genuine product,
A printing control method for a color image forming apparatus. Printing is performed by sequentially transferring a plurality of color toner images respectively formed on a plurality of image carriers arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the conveyance body on the conveyance body or on the paper. Performing a printing operation of the target data; and
Whether the consumable unit for each color having a consumable used for forming a toner image on each image carrier and consumed by repeating the printing operation is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. A step of determining;
Limiting the printing operation only when it is determined that at least one of the consumable units other than the black consumable unit is a non-genuine product,
Is a print control program for causing a computer of a color image forming apparatus to execute.

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