JP2008292993A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely acquire recording paper information by moving an ID memory attached to a package of recording paper to a tray when setting the recording paper into paper tray. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with: respective paper feed parts; a nonvolatile storage means with a non-contact type nonvolatile storage member attached to the package of transfer paper; and an information reading means for acquiring information from the nonvolatile storage means. Thus, the recording paper information is optimized by acquiring the information on the transfer paper from the nonvolatile storage means attached to the package of the transfer paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which an information reading unit from a non-contact non-volatile storage unit is mounted on each sheet feeding unit.

  In recent years, non-contact non-volatile storage means (hereinafter referred to as ID memory) is increasingly attached to products for the purpose of simplifying logistics and inventory management.

  On the other hand, even in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method that widely adopts a cartridge method so that a user or a service person can easily replace a consumable or a consumable part, information on the cartridge, recycling, and remaining consumables In order to manage the amount and the like, those equipped with an ID memory have come to be used.

The ID memory stores cartridge usage time, remaining amount data of consumables in toner and the like, and is used for determining cartridge replacement timing.
In the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is proposed to install an ID memory on a recording sheet, acquire characteristic information of the recording sheet from the ID memory, and perform processing such as optimization of printing conditions.
JP 2006-258947 A

  However, when the ID chip is mounted on the recording paper, the cost of the recording paper is significantly increased. Further, since the ID chip portion has a protrusion, the rollers and belts in the transport path are damaged, and the life of those components is greatly reduced. In addition, when the user needs to rewrite the recording paper information and change the type of the recording paper, the operation is complicated and an operation error is likely to occur.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reliably acquire recording paper information by moving an ID memory attached to a recording paper package to the tray when the recording paper is set in a paper feed tray.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, each sheet feeding unit, a non-volatile storage means including a non-contact type non-volatile storage member attached to a transfer paper package, and an information reading means for acquiring information from the non-volatile storage means In the image forming apparatus, the recording sheet information is optimized by acquiring information about the transfer sheet from a nonvolatile storage unit attached to the package of the transfer sheet. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the information acquisition by the nonvolatile storage means is a recording paper size.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when the recording paper size information is changed after the information acquisition, the recording paper size information is automatically re-acquired and the information changes. If not, it is determined that the nonvolatile storage means has not been replaced, and the information is returned to the initial state.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when there is no recording paper after the information is acquired, the recording paper information is automatically returned to the initial state.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the guidance is provided to the operation unit or the like if the number of recording paper used is equal to or less than the number of recording paper packages even when there is no recording paper after information acquisition. It is characterized in that it is displayed and the recording paper information is confirmed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when the number of recording paper used reaches the number of packages after information acquisition, the recording paper information is automatically returned to the initial state. To do.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when the number of used recording sheets reaches the number of packages after information acquisition, a guidance display is displayed on the operation unit to confirm the recording sheet information. It is characterized by.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when the recording paper setting direction is changed after the information acquisition, the recording paper information is automatically re-acquired and the information changes. If not, guidance is displayed on the operation unit or the like, and the recording paper information is confirmed.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the non-volatile storage means attached to the transfer paper package shares a distribution / inventory management tag.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the nonvolatile memory means has a structure that can be easily set in the paper feeding device.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the non-volatile storage means has a space for discarding the non-volatile storage means in the paper feed tray.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the non-volatile storage means is configured to be able to acquire the recording paper set information of the paper feed tray even in the sleep state, and the paper feed tray is pulled out. In some cases, only the control unit necessary for the operation of the non-volatile storage means is activated to obtain and update information.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the acquisition of the recording paper information from the nonvolatile storage means is performed when the power is turned on and when the paper feed tray is set.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when a plurality of pieces of transfer paper information are read from the nonvolatile storage unit, the new information is given priority.

  According to the present invention, when the recording paper is set in the paper feed tray, the recording paper information can be reliably acquired by moving the ID memory attached to the recording paper packaging to the tray.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The system of the image forming apparatus uses a controller board 501 that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus, an operation unit board 502 of the image forming apparatus connected to the control board 501, an HDD 503 that stores image data, and an analog line. Communication control device interface board 504, LAN interface board 505, FAX control unit 506, IEEE1394 board, wireless LAN board, USB board, etc. 507 connected to general-purpose PIC bus, and controller via PCI bus An engine control board 510 connected to the engine control board, an I / O board 513 for controlling I / O of the image forming apparatus connected to the engine control board, a scanner board (SBU) 511 for reading a copy original (image), and an image De Consisting of LDB board or the like 512 to write the data on the drum.

  A reading unit 300 that optically reads a document scans the document with a document illumination light source, and forms a document image on the CCD 521. The original image, that is, the reflected light of light irradiation on the original is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 520 to generate R, G, B image signals.

  The CCD 521 is a three-line color CCD, generates R, G, and B image signals and inputs them to the analog ASIC on the SBU board. The SBU board includes an analog ASIC and a circuit that generates drive timings for the CCD and analog ASIC. The output of the CCD is converted into R, G, B image data inside the analog ASIC, shading correction is performed, and an image data processor IPP (Image Processing) is output via an image data bus at an output I / F (interface) 520. Processor; hereinafter simply described as IPP).

  IPP is a programmable arithmetic processing means for performing image processing, and performs gradation processing and the like. The image data transferred from the SBU to the IPP is corrected by the IPP for signal deterioration due to quantization of the optical system and the digital signal (signal deterioration of the scanner system) and written in the frame memory 521.

  The system control board 501 includes a ROM that controls the CPU and the system controller board, a RAM that is a working memory used by the CPU, a lithium battery, an NV-RAM that includes an SRAM backup and a clock, and a system controller. An ASIC for controlling the CPU periphery, such as a system bus control of the board, frame memory control, and FIFO, and its interface circuit are mounted.

  The system controller has functions of a plurality of applications such as a scanner application, a facsimile application, a printer application, and a copy application, and controls the entire system.

  The input of the operation board 502 is decoded and the setting of this system and the contents of the status are displayed on the display unit of the operation unit.

  The PCI bus is connected to other units, and image data and control commands are transferred in a time division manner through the image data bus / control command bus.

  The communication controller device interface board 504 is a communication interface board between the communication control device and the controller 501. The LAN interface board 505 is connected to an in-house LAN. This is a communication interface board between an in-house LAN and a controller. Communication with an external device is performed via the LAN interface board 505.

  The HDD 503 is used as an application database for storing system application programs and device activation information of printers and image forming process devices, and as an image database for storing image data of read images and written images, that is, image data and document data. .

  The operation unit board 502 is equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, LCD, and ASIC (LCDC) for controlling key input. In the ROM, a control program for the operation board 502 for controlling input reading and display output of the operation board 502 is written. The RAM is a working memory used by the CPU. Through communication with the system controller 501, the panel is operated to perform input for the user to input system settings, and display and input control for displaying the setting contents and status of the system to the user.

  The black (B), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) write signals output from the work memory of the system controller 501 are the LDB (Laser Diode control Board) B, Y, M, Input to C LD writing circuit. The LD write circuit performs LD current control (modulation control) and outputs the result to each LD.

  The engine control unit 510 mainly performs image creation control of the image forming apparatus, and includes a CPU, an IPP that performs image processing, a ROM that includes a program necessary to control copying and printing, a RAM that is necessary for the control, And NV-RAM.

  The NV-RAM includes an SRAM and a memory that detects power-off and stores it in the EEPROM.

  It also has a serial interface that sends and receives signals to and from other CPUs that perform control.

  The I / OASIC is an ASIC that controls a nearby I / O (counter, fan, solenoid, motor, etc.) on which an engine control board is mounted.

  The I / O control board 513 and the engine control board 510 are connected via a synchronous serial interface.

  A sub CPU is mounted on the I / O control board 513 and performs I / O control of the image forming apparatus. The detection of a new process cartridge is also detected when the door is opened or closed. When the door SW connected to the I / O board is opened, there is a possibility that the cartridge has been replaced, so confirmation is performed and the result is transmitted to the engine control unit.

  The interface circuit 515 accesses the memory of the cartridge via this interface when the contact type memory tag is used in the interface circuit with the memory tag mounted on the cartridge. The non-contact communication means 516 is equipped with a transmission / reception antenna in an interface unit when a non-contact type memory tag is used. Communication with the main body control unit is performed by an asynchronous serial interface. The non-contact communication means 516 modulates the signal output from the main body side to a predetermined signal for transmission and sends it to a transmission / reception antenna installed in a paper feed unit or the like. Non-contact non-volatile storage means (ID chip) on the unit side, such as a paper feed tray, in FIG. send.

  The solar panel 522 functions when performing communication in a non-energized state after performing photoelectric conversion with light energy and charging the storage battery.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a non-contact ID chip.

  FIG. 2 shows a communication interface between the non-contact communication circuit 9 on the main body side and the non-contact communication circuit 10 on the process cartridge side.

The CPU 11 on the main body side and the non-contact communication circuit 9 are connected by a serial interface, and signals are transmitted and received between the non-contact communication circuit 9 and the main body CPU 11 by this serial communication interface. The non-contact communication circuit 9 on the main body side has the same circuit configuration as the non-contact communication circuit 10 on the process cartridge side. The non-contact communication circuit 9 modulates the signal output from the CPU 11 on the main body side into a predetermined signal for transmission and sends it to the transmitting / receiving antenna. The non-contact communication circuit 10 on the process cartridge side amplifies the reception signal received by the reception antenna 8 by the reception circuit 12 and sends it to the demodulation circuit 4. The demodulating circuit 4 demodulates a predetermined signal for transmission and sends it to the control circuit. The control circuit 2 transmits the signal stored in the nonvolatile memory to the nonvolatile memory 1.
If the signal received from the main body is a command to transmit the contents of the nonvolatile memory 1, the control circuit 2 transmits the contents of the nonvolatile memory 1 to the modulation circuit 3. The modulation circuit 3 modulates a predetermined signal for transmission and sends it to the transmitting / receiving antenna 7.

  The non-contact communication circuit 9 on the main body side amplifies the reception signal received by the reception antenna by the reception circuit and sends it to the demodulation circuit. The demodulating circuit demodulates to a predetermined signal for transmission, then sends it to the control circuit, and sends it to the main body CPU.

  Note that the non-contact communication circuit 9 on the main body side can be installed only in the vicinity of each paper feed tray, and the communication control circuit can be used in common, and the antenna can be switched during communication.

  The power supply circuit rectifies the electromagnetic waves of the receiving antenna 8 and supplies power.

  The nonvolatile ID chip stores the following information necessary for controlling the process cartridge.

  Memory in the main unit, such as recording paper product number, date of manufacture, recording paper type, recording paper thickness, recording paper color information, number of sheets, number of ID chip recycling, upper limit of number of recycling, storage period, number of accesses to ID chip, etc. In the case where information on various recording papers is registered, the characteristics of the recording paper can be acquired only by the recording paper product number.

  The power supply circuit 12 has a storage battery, photoelectrically converts light energy from the solar 13 and stores it, and supplies it to the CPU 11.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of a control example of this system.

  When the power is turned on and when the set of the paper feed tray containing the recording paper is recognized, the non-contact information reading means (hereinafter referred to as ID reader) provided in the paper feed unit is accessed to check whether the ID chip is mounted (S1). : Claim 1 or Claim 10). If the corresponding tray is “no recording paper” when the setting of the paper feed tray is detected, the ID chip mounting confirmation may be omitted.

  In the case of manual paper feed, it may be controlled to check the ID chip attachment when a tray operation or a set of recording paper is detected.

  In a state where the power is not turned on (S1: No), the power is switched to a storage power source such as a storage battery (S1 '), and then the same processing as the above (S1) is performed (S1' ').

  When the ID chip is recognized (S2: Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 9 or Claim 13), the memory unit of the ID chip is accessed to acquire various data (S3: Claim 2 or Claim 3). The various data is the recording paper size, but may be other information such as recording paper weight, recording paper thickness, recording paper type (for example, plain paper or OHP paper), recycled paper, and the like. . Further, the various data may be recycled recording paper information. After acquiring various data, if characteristic information about various recording sheets is stored in the memory of the image forming apparatus itself, only the product number and model number information is acquired from the ID chip, and the characteristic value uses the memory data in the apparatus You can also. When a plurality of ID chip data are read at once (S4: claim 14), a process for giving priority to new information is performed (S4-2).

  Next, various data of the recording paper is acquired from the ID chip, and the remaining recording paper is determined (S5: Claim 4).

  If there is no recording paper, it is determined whether or not the recording paper is less than the package capacity (number of sheets) (S6: Claim 5). Is displayed to prompt confirmation of whether or not to replenish (S7). If it is determined that initialization is possible (S8-1), the recording paper information setting is automatically initialized (S9). If it should not be initialized, a recording paper replenishment display is performed (S8-2).

  Next, when the number of recording sheets reaches the package capacity (number) (S10), the recording sheet information is automatically initialized (S11: Claim 6). At the same time, guidance is displayed on the operation unit or the like (S12: Claim 8) to prompt the user to confirm the recording paper information. The nonvolatile storage means attached to the package is a tag for distribution / inventory management (claim 9). Further, the tag is structured to be easily set in the paper feeding device (described later in FIG. 4) (claim 10).

  Furthermore, it is a feature of the present invention that the tag has a space for disposal in the paper feed tray.

  By the way, the tag is configured to be able to acquire the recording paper set information of the paper feed tray even in the sleep state, and when the paper feed tray is pulled out, only the control unit necessary for the operation of the nonvolatile storage means is activated. It is also characterized by acquiring and updating information (claim 12).

  FIG. 4 is an example of a paper feed tray having an ID chip installation and disposal space.

  In this tray, an ID chip is installed on the paper feed mechanism side and the front side to improve workability. The discard space is installed on the opposite side of the paper feed mechanism to prevent erroneous reading of the ID chip. However, the reading mechanism generally supports anti-collision, and there is no problem even if a plurality of ID chips are read.

  Each of the above-described embodiments is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The purpose or effect for each claim is described below. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the information acquisition method from the nonvolatile storage means is a recording paper size.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the recording paper size information is changed after the acquisition of the information according to the first aspect, the recording paper size information is automatically re-acquired. The purpose is to return the information to the initial state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when there is no recording paper after the acquisition of the information according to the first aspect, the recording paper information is automatically returned to the initial state.

  In claim 5, even if the recording paper is used up after the acquisition of the information of claim 1, if the number of recording paper used is equal to or less than the number of recording paper packages, a guidance is displayed on the operation unit or the like to confirm the recording paper information. The purpose is to do.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention aims to automatically return the recording paper information to the initial state when the number of recording paper used reaches the number of packages after the acquisition of the information described in the first aspect.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the number of used recording sheets reaches the number of packages after the acquisition of the information described in the first aspect, the object is to display a guidance on the operation unit or the like and confirm the recording sheet information.

  In claim 8, when the recording paper setting direction is changed after the information acquisition of claim 1, the recording paper information is automatically re-acquired, and when the information is not changed, a guidance display is displayed on the operation unit or the like. The purpose is to confirm the recording paper information.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the non-volatile storage means attached to the transfer paper package according to the first aspect is to share a distribution / inventory management tag.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention aims to have a structure in which the non-volatile storage means according to the first aspect can be easily set in the paper feeding device.

  The object of the present invention is to have a space for discarding the nonvolatile storage means according to claim 1 in the paper feed tray.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the non-volatile storage means according to the first aspect is configured to be able to acquire the recording paper set information of the paper feed tray even in the sleep state, and when the paper feed tray is pulled out, the nonvolatile storage means operates. The purpose is to start up only the necessary control unit and acquire and update information.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the invention, the recording paper information acquisition method from the non-volatile storage means according to the first aspect is intended to be performed when the power is turned on and when the paper feed tray is set.

  The object of the present invention is to give priority to new information when a plurality of pieces of transfer paper information are read from the nonvolatile storage means according to claim 1.

1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the non-contact-type ID chip of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the example of control of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the paper feed tray which has the installation and discard space of ID chip of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

300 Reading Unit 501 Controller Board 502 Operation Unit Board 503 HDD
504 Communication control device interface board 505 LAN interface board 506 Control unit 507 USB board etc. 510 USB board etc. 511 Scanner board (SBU)
512 LDB board 513 I / O board

Claims (14)

An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet storage unit; a nonvolatile storage unit including a non-contact nonvolatile storage member attached to a transfer paper package; and an information reading unit that acquires information from the nonvolatile storage unit In
An image forming apparatus characterized in that recording paper information is optimized by acquiring information relating to transfer paper from a non-volatile storage unit attached to the transfer paper package.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition by the nonvolatile storage unit is a recording paper size.   If the recording paper size information is changed after the information acquisition, the recording paper size information is automatically re-acquired. If the information has not changed, it is determined that the nonvolatile storage means has not been replaced. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information is returned to an initial state.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when there is no recording paper after obtaining the information, the recording paper information is automatically returned to an initial state.   3. The recording sheet information is confirmed by displaying a guidance on an operation unit or the like and confirming the recording sheet information if the number of recording sheets used is less than or equal to the number of recording sheet packages even when there is no recording sheet after the information acquisition. The image forming apparatus described.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the number of used recording sheets reaches the number of packages after the acquisition of information, the recording sheet information is automatically returned to the initial state.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the number of recording sheets used reaches the number of packages after obtaining the information, guidance information is displayed on the operation unit and the recording sheet information is confirmed.   When the recording paper setting direction is changed after the information acquisition, the recording paper information is automatically re-acquired. When the information has not changed, the guidance is displayed on the operation unit and the recording paper information is confirmed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile storage means attached to the transfer paper package shares a tag for distribution / inventory management.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile storage unit has a structure that can be easily set in a sheet feeding device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile storage unit has a space for discarding the nonvolatile storage unit in a paper feed tray.   The non-volatile storage means is configured to be able to acquire the recording paper set information of the paper feed tray even in the sleep state. When the paper feed tray is pulled out, only the control unit necessary for the operation of the non-volatile storage means is activated. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is updated and acquired.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording sheet information is acquired from the non-volatile storage means when the power is turned on and when the paper feed tray is set.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a plurality of pieces of transfer paper information are read from the nonvolatile storage unit, the new information is prioritized.

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