JP2009139746A - Image forming apparatus and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, etc., provided with various consumables and with a large degree of freedom and high user friendliness regarding the management of service life of the consumables. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus executing an image formation by using the provided consumable is provided with: a warning means for giving a warning for end of service life for the consumables when the used amount of the consumables reaches an end of service life value set to the image forming apparatus; and a resetting means for varying the end of service life value based on the user's instruction by receiving a user's instruction varying the end of service life value when the warning for end of service life is given or at any timing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including various consumables, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a high degree of freedom and high user convenience for managing the life of consumables.

  In general, in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, consumables such as a toner as a developing material, a photosensitive member on which development is formed, and a transfer unit that transfers the development to a printing medium are used. When a predetermined life is reached, control is performed to issue a warning to the user to replace the consumables that have reached the end of their life.

  Such a consumable product that has reached the end of its life is usually not in a completely unusable state, but is in a state where it can be used if the possibility that the output quality is reduced is allowed, and the image forming apparatus that allows the use without replacement. Has also been proposed.

The following Patent Document 1 describes a device that notifies a user that printing using a consumable member that has reached the end of its life is performed, and prevents printing with print quality contrary to the user's intention. When the service life is reached, a service life reaching screen is displayed, and printing is performed when the print enable switch is pressed without replacing the cartridge.
JP 2007-199549 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, when printing is continued using a consumable item that has reached the end of its life, a warning message is issued each time a predetermined number of prints are performed, and the user performs an operation each time. For example, it is necessary for the user to perform the operation, and the operation is complicated and not always convenient. Depending on the purpose of use, there is a case where it is desired to continue to use the consumables without worrying about the deterioration of the output quality. Considering such needs, the conventional life control has little flexibility for the user. It was. In particular, for users who are familiar with the device, the convenience of life management is not high.

  Also, a warning message about the life of a consumable is usually of a level that prompts the user to replace the consumable, and does not indicate how much the consumable can be used. But user convenience was not good.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including various consumables, which has a high degree of freedom and high user convenience for life management of consumables.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that performs image formation using a provided consumable, and the usage amount of the consumable is set in the image forming apparatus. A warning means for issuing a lifetime warning of the consumable when the lifetime value is reached, and receiving a user instruction to change the lifetime value when issuing the lifetime warning or at an arbitrary timing, Resetting means for changing the lifetime value based on a user instruction.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, a preferred aspect is characterized in that the change of the lifetime value by the resetting means is performed within a use limit value of the consumable item.

  Further, in the above-described invention, a preferable aspect thereof is that the warning means provides information on image formation that can be performed using the consumable when the life warning is given, by the number of predetermined media on which image formation is performed. It is characterized by providing.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, a preferred aspect is characterized in that the warning means displays the life warning on a display device provided in the image forming apparatus and / or a host device of the image forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an image forming apparatus that performs image formation using a provided consumable, wherein the amount of the consumable used is the image forming apparatus. A warning process for issuing a life warning for the consumable when the life value set in the above is reached, and a user instruction to change the life value when the life warning is given or at an arbitrary timing And a resetting step of changing the lifetime value based on the user instruction.

  Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, such an embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals or reference symbols.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram according to an embodiment of a printer which is an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The printer 2 shown in FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. For each of the consumables provided in the apparatus, the user can freely set the timing for issuing a warning that the lifetime has been reached. It is intended to improve the degree of freedom and user convenience of life management.

  A host computer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a host device that makes a print request to the printer 2 and transmits print data including image data and control commands to the printer 2 based on a user operation or the like. The host computer 1 can be configured by a so-called personal computer.

  The printer driver 11 in the host computer 1 is a part that receives data from an application (not shown) in the host computer 1 and generates the print data to be transmitted to the printer 2. The printer driver 11 includes a program for instructing processing related to the above functions and a control device (not shown) of the host computer 1 that executes processing according to the program. A display device 12 such as a display is provided in the host computer 1.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer 2 is a so-called four-cycle laser printer including a controller 21, a mechanical controller 28, a mechanism unit 33, an operation unit 22, and the like.

  The controller 21 receives the print data transmitted from the host computer 1, interprets the control command included in the data, and performs predetermined processing on the image data included in the data to the mechanical control 28 side. Generate the data to provide. As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 21 includes an I / F 23, a CPU 24, a RAM 25, a ROM 26, an engine I / F 27, and the like.

  The I / F 23 is a part that receives the print data transmitted from the host computer 1, and the ROM 26 is a part that stores various programs for controlling the printer 2. The RAM 25 is a memory for storing the received print data and the like, and the image data of each page on which the printing process is performed by the mechanism unit 33 is handed over to the engine I / F 27 from here.

  The CPU 24 controls various processes performed in the printer 2. In particular, the CPU 24 interprets the process for storing the image data included in the received print data in the RAM 25 and the control command included in the print data. It manages the process of instructing the mechanical control 28 to perform an appropriate printing process, the process of controlling the operation unit 22 that forms an interface with the user, and the like. The printer 2 is characterized by the control related to the life of the consumables performed by the CPU 24, and the specific contents thereof will be described later. The processing executed by the CPU 24 is mainly performed according to a program stored in the ROM 26.

  Next, the engine I / F 27 reads out the pixel data stored in the RAM 25 at a predetermined timing when printing is performed by the mechanism unit 33, performs a predetermined process on the pixel data, and then transfers the data to the mechanical controller 28 side. This is the part that controls the interface between the controller 21 and the engine side. Although not shown in the figure, the engine I / F 27 includes a memory for temporarily storing data, a decompression unit, a screen processing unit, and the like. The pixel data read from the RAM 25 is compressed data. Decompression and screen processing to convert to dot data. Further, the engine I / F 27 is specifically composed of an ASIC.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the mechanical control 28 includes a CPU 29, a RAM 30, a ROM 31, an NVRAM 32, and the like, and controls the operation of each unit of the mechanism unit 33 described later. Note that, at the time of the control related to the life of the consumables performed by the CPU 24 described above, the life information of each consumable stored in the mechanical controller 28 is notified to the controller 21 and the stored life information is updated according to an instruction from the controller 21.

  The NVRAM 32 is a non-volatile memory, and stores information that should remain without being lost even when the printer 2 is turned off. And here, the lifetime information of each consumable is stored. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating life information of consumables. FIG. 2 illustrates life information about the transfer unit 34 that is one of the consumables of the printer 2 provided in the mechanism unit 33. In this way, the printer 2 stores life information in the form of a life management table for each consumable.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the life management table includes items of “life determination index”, “product limit value”, “near end value”, and “current value”. The “life determination index” is an index value item for determining the lifetime of the consumable item. In the example of the transfer unit 34 shown in FIG. 2, two indexes, that is, the drive time of the drive motor and the number of print pages are provided. You can see that it is managed. Further, the “product limit value” is a limit life value (end value) based on the product specification of the consumable item, and is a value that does not use more than this value. In the example of the transfer unit 34, a value of 100,000 (seconds) is set as the drive motor drive time, and a value of 80,000 (sheets) is set as the number of print pages. This product limit value is predetermined and registered.

  The “near end value” is a lifetime value that gives a warning to the user that the lifetime of the consumable item has been reached, and that the user can set the value is a major feature of the printer 2. As the near end value, for example, a value of 90% of the product limit value is set as an initial state. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the initial state is shown. Further, the “current value” is a cumulative value for the consumable item at the time point of each of the life determination indexes. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the drive motor is 85,000 seconds after the transfer unit 34 is used. It shows that the printing was performed and 72,000 sheets were printed. This current value is updated each time the corresponding consumable is used.

  Such a life management table is prepared for each consumable, for example, the transfer unit 34, the photoconductor 35, the toner 36, and the like.

  Next, the mechanism unit 33 includes a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, and the like. In FIG. 1, only the target for management of the consumables is shown.

  The toner 36 is accommodated in detachable CMYK toner cartridges provided in the developing unit. The toner 36 is a consumable that is used as a developer and is consumed by use.

  The photoreceptor 35 is a drum that has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable with respect to a central axis. The photosensitive member 35 is charged, and thereafter, a latent image is formed and developed with toner. This photoreceptor 35 is also required to be replaced after a predetermined amount of use as a consumable item.

  The transfer unit 34 is a unit that transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor 35 to a print medium. The life of the transfer unit 34 is also managed by the index shown in FIG. 2 and needs to be replaced after a predetermined amount of use. is there.

  The operation unit 22 shown in FIG. 1 is a part for the user to operate the printer 2, and is configured with a display panel, operation buttons, and the like. During the control related to the life of the consumables, a message is displayed on the display panel and an input (instruction) operation using the operation button is performed.

  In the printer 2 according to the present embodiment having the configuration described above, the print data described in a predetermined language is supplied from the host computer 1 during printing, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 35 is supplied. Formation, development with the corresponding toner cartridge, and transfer onto a print medium such as paper by the transfer unit 34 are performed. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit and discharged out of the printer 2. When such a printing process is executed, the “current value” of the life management table described above is updated for the used consumables. For example, for the transfer unit 34, the time during which the drive motor is driven in the current printing process is added, and the number of printed sheets is added.

  Such processing is executed at the time of printing, but this printer 2 is characterized by processing related to the life of consumables. This point will be specifically described below. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of the control related to the life of the consumables performed by the CPU 24. In the following, based on FIG. 3, processing contents relating to the life of the consumables performed by the CPU 24 will be described using the transfer unit 34 as an example of the consumables.

  First, the CPU 24 accesses the life management table for the transfer unit 34 stored in the NVRAM 32 described above at a predetermined timing, for example, when the printer 2 is turned on, when the printing process is completed, and at predetermined time intervals. It is checked whether or not the current value has reached the near end value (step S1). As shown in FIG. 2, in the transfer unit 34 of the printer 2, since the life is managed by two indexes, both values are checked, and the current value of one of the indexes reaches the near end value. In this case, it is determined that the near-end value has been reached (Yes in step S1). In the case of consumables managed by one index, judgment is made based only on the index value. In the case of consumables managed by three or more indices, the current value of one of the indices is If the near end value has been reached, it is determined that the near end value has been reached.

  If it is determined in the check that the near end value has not been reached (No in step S1), the CPU 24 checks whether or not the user has received an instruction to reset the near end value (step S2). This near-end value resetting instruction can be given by the user at an arbitrary timing from the operation unit 22, and the specific contents thereof will be described later.

  If the reset instruction has not been received (No in step S2), the process returns to the original, and the CPU 24 determines that the current value has reached the near-end value, or receives the reset instruction. The check from step S1 is continued until reception.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the current value has reached the near-end value (Yes in step S1), the CPU 24 checks whether or not the current value has reached the product limit value described above. (Step S3). Such a check is performed by accessing the life management table and comparing the stored current value with the product limit value. The check may be to check whether the near-end value at that time has reached the product limit value.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the current value of the number of printed pages of the life determination index of the transfer unit 34 has reached the near-end value, and this check is performed, but it is determined that the product limit value has not been reached. .

  As a result of the check, if it is determined that the product limit value has been reached (Yes in step S3), the consumable is not allowed to be used any more and the process proceeds to step S14 to prompt the user to replace it. Transition.

  On the other hand, when the near end value is in the initial state as shown in FIG. 2, it is determined that the product limit value has not been reached (No in step S3), and the CPU 24 operates the life warning message. The data is displayed on the display panel of the unit 22 (step S4). The life warning message informs the user that the corresponding consumable item, in this case, the transfer unit 34, has reached the set life (near end value), and remains unchanged without replacing the consumable item. It is for asking whether to use it.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the displayed life warning message and the like. FIG. 4A shows an example of the above life warning message, which informs that the transfer unit 34 has reached the set life and it is time to replace it. Further, a message for prompting a user instruction as to whether or not to continue the use without replacement is shown, and the lifetime information at that time is also shown for the determination of the user instruction. This example is issued in the state of the life management table shown in FIG. 2. At this time, until the product limit value is reached, that is, until the output quality cannot be guaranteed, but it cannot be used completely. Whether or not printing is possible (number of printable sheets) is displayed as life information. In the life management table shown in FIG. 2, as an example, the number of printed pages is indicated by the number of A4 sizes.

  In the example of FIG. 4A, the printable number of sheets is calculated from the product limit value and the current value with reference to the life management table. In addition, when the current value that has reached the near end value is not the number of printed pages, that is, in the example shown in FIG. 2, when the current value of the drive time of the drive motor has reached the near end value, the drive The number of prints expected to be printed before the time reaches the product limit value is obtained and displayed as the same number of printable sheets. In the example shown in FIG. 2, when the current value of the drive time of the drive motor is 90,000, 90% of the product limit value can already be used, and 10% of the remaining product limit value can be used. For example, 10% of the product limit value of the number of printed pages is displayed as the number of printable sheets. As described above, when the number of printed pages itself does not reach the near-end value, the excess index value that has reached the near-end value is converted into the number of printed pages and displayed.

  Although not shown in the example of FIG. 4A, when the use is continued without replacing the consumables, a message indicating that the output quality is not guaranteed may be displayed together.

  When the life warning message as described above is displayed, the user uses the operation buttons provided in the operation unit 22 to give a user instruction as to whether or not to continue using the above-described replacement.

  The CPU 24 receives the user instruction (step S5), and if the instruction does not continue use (No in step S5), the CPU 24 performs processing to prompt the user to replace the consumable item. The process proceeds to S14. In this printer 2, it is necessary to change the set near-end value in order to use the corresponding consumable item without exchanging, and the user instruction indicates whether or not to reset the near-end value. It has the same meaning as instructing.

  On the other hand, when the user instruction is to continue using (Yes in step S5), that is, when resetting the near-end value, the CPU 24 displays a message for resetting the near-end value. Display on the display panel (step S6). The message prompts the user to input a near-end value to be reset, and an example is shown in FIG.

  In (b) of FIG. 4, as in the case of (a) of FIG. 4, how many sheets can be printed before reaching the product limit value (printable number of sheets) is displayed as life information. On the other hand, the user inputs the number of sheets to be printed with this consumable item. This input example is an example. The product limit value converted into the number of printed pages and the current near-end value (or current value) are displayed, and a new near-end value itself (total number of printed pages) is input. Also good.

  When the user inputs the message display using the operation button of the operation unit 22, the CPU 24 receives the input new near-end value (or a corresponding value) (step S10). It is checked whether or not the value is within a settable range (step S11). Specifically, if the new near-end value is between the currently set near-end value and the product limit value, it is determined that it is within the settable range. In the example shown in FIG. 2, for example, if a value of 79,000 is input as the new near-end value, it is determined that the value is within the settable range. In this case, if the input is for the message shown in FIG. 4B, a value of 7,000 is input.

  In the above check, if it is not within the settable range (No in step S11), that is, if the new near-end value is smaller than the current value or larger than the product limit value, setting is not possible. And a message for re-input is displayed on the display panel (step S12). Specifically, a message indicating that the input value is not settable and should be input again is displayed. Also at this time, the above-mentioned life information (printable number of sheets, etc.) is displayed together. When the user inputs the message, the process is repeated from step S10.

  On the other hand, if it is within the settable range in the above check (Yes in step S11), a process of resetting the near-end value based on the input value is performed (step S13). Specifically, the CPU 24 accesses the life management table of the corresponding consumable item, in this case, the transfer unit 34, and sets the near end value of the corresponding life determination index to the new near end value based on the input value. Update.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, as described above, when a value of 7,000 is input to the message shown in FIG. 4B, the CPU 24 sets the new near-end value for the print page of the transfer unit 34. Is set to 79,000, and the corresponding part is updated to this value. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a life management table after updating (resetting). In FIG. 6, as described above, the near-end value for the print page is updated to 79,000.

  In this process, the CPU 24 updates the near end value for the drive time of the drive motor that has not reached the near end value this time to an infinite value. This is because the consumables once the near-end value has been reset by the user will be managed using only the reset lifetime determination index. Therefore, in the case of this example, life management will be performed in the future by the number of printed pages. The infinite value set above is an example, and instead, a large value that cannot be reached may be set.

  In the above example, the life determination index to be reset is the number of printed pages. In other cases, the value based on the number of printed pages input from the user is converted into the value of the life determination index. A new near-end value is obtained, and the above update is performed with that value. As the conversion method, for example, the process of converting the excess index value reaching the near-end value into the number of printed pages is performed in the reverse procedure.

  When the near-end value is updated in this way, the process returns to step S1. That is, the same processing is repeated based on the new near end value. If there is no resetting instruction (S2) by the user, the life warning message is not displayed and the use with the consumable item is continued until the near-end value reset this time is reached. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the printing process can be performed until the number of printed pages reaches 79,000.

  On the other hand, when returning to step S2 and receiving an instruction to reset the near-end value by the user (Yes in step S2), the CPU 24 determines whether the received near-end value has already reached the product limit value. Check (step S7). In the user resetting instruction, the target consumable item, in this example, the transfer unit 34, is specified. Therefore, the CPU 24 accesses the life management table of the consumable item, and the near-end value is used for both life determination indexes. If the product limit value has not been reached, it is naturally determined that the near-end value has not reached the product limit value. In this case, it is an initial state in which the near-end value is not reset by the user.

  Also, if the near-end value for any one of the life evaluation indicators is the above-mentioned infinite value (or an equivalent value), has the product limit value been reached at the near-end value of the other life evaluation indicator? Judge whether or not.

  In the above check, when it is determined that the near-end value has already reached the product limit value (Yes in step S7), that is, when the product limit value is set as the near-end value by resetting by the user, The process returns to step S1. In this case, since the near end value cannot be extended any further, the resetting is not performed and the use is continued until the near end value (product limit value) is reached. At this time, it is preferable to display a message to that effect on the display panel.

  In consideration of the case where the user mistakenly sets the near end value as the product limit value in the previous resetting process, the check in step S7 may not be performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the near-end value has not reached the product limit value (No in step S7), the CPU 24 displays a message for resetting the near-end value on the display panel (step S8).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a message for resetting the near-end value. As shown in FIG. 5, also in the message, the life information at that time is displayed with a value converted into the number of printed pages, and the near-end value to be reset (corresponding value) is prompted to input. At this time, if the user has not reset the consumable item, the life information by the life determination index whose current value is close to the near-end value is displayed as a ratio. In addition, when the resetting has already been performed by the user, the lifetime information based on the reset lifetime determination index is displayed.

  In FIG. 5, “1,000 sheets until the set life” means that the current value is 1,000 sheets until reaching the near-end value, and “9,000 sheets until the limit life” This represents 9,000 sheets from the current value until the product limit value is reached. This example is a case where the current value of the number of printed pages is 71,000 in the example shown in FIG. If the target life determination index is not the number of printed pages, the conversion to the number of printed pages is performed and displayed in the same manner as described above. In the example of FIG. 5, the information is displayed with the remainder until the life value, but the current value, the near end value, and the product limit value may be displayed as they are.

  In response to such a message display, the user inputs a value related to the near-end value to be reset from the operation unit 22, but it may be determined that the reset is not performed at this time, so such an operation is not performed. If it is determined that the resetting is not performed (No in step S9), the process returns to step S1.

  On the other hand, when a value related to the near-end value to be reset is input (Yes in step S9), the process proceeds to step S10. The subsequent processing is the same as that described above, but in the check (step S11) whether or not it is within the settable range, the settable range is between the current value and the product limit value at that time. It becomes. In this way, even if a value that is too large (a product limit value or a value that is too close) is erroneously set in the previous resetting, the value can be corrected.

  As described above, even when the near-end value is reset at an arbitrary timing that has not reached the near-end value, the above-described control relating to the life management is performed based on the new near-end value.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S14 in order to replace the consumable item from step S3 or step S5 described above, the CPU 24 displays a message prompting the user to replace the message on the display panel. In response to the message, the message continues to be displayed until the user replaces the corresponding consumable item (No to S14 in Step S15). When the user replaces the consumable item (Yes in Step S15), the CPU 24 In response to the notification from the mechanical control 28, the life management table of the corresponding consumable is initialized (step S16). In this case, since the consumable is the transfer unit 34, the near-end value and the current value of each index are updated to the initial values in the table shown in FIG. The product limit value is not changed on the assumption that the consumable to be replaced has the same specifications. However, if it is necessary to change the product limit value depending on the consumable to be replaced, prepare for the consumable item. The product limit value may be updated from information stored in the stored memory.

  In this way, when the life management table is in the initial state, the process returns to step S1 and the same process is repeated.

  As described above, the life management control of consumables in the printer 2 is executed. In the above description, the transfer unit 34 is described as an example of the consumable item. However, control is similarly performed for other consumable items.

  In the above description, each message such as a life warning message is displayed on the display panel of the printer 2. However, these messages may be displayed on the display device 12 of the host computer 1. Further, it may be displayed on both the display panel of the printer 2 and the display device 12. When displaying on the display device 12 of the host computer 1, the printer driver 11 receives and displays an instruction from the CPU 24 of the printer 2, and a user instruction for the display is transmitted to the printer 2 side by the printer driver 11. The CPU 24 receives the instruction.

  Further, the lifetime information displayed to the user described above is converted into the number of printed pages in consideration of user convenience, but may be displayed with another index value.

  Further, the life information is displayed by converting one paper size as, for example, the number of printed sheets of A4 size, but may be displayed by converting a plurality of paper sizes. For example, the number of printable sheets may be displayed as “XX sheets for A4 size, xxx sheets for A3 size”. In this case, the management of the life management table or the like is performed in the A4 size conversion, and when displaying in the A3 size, a value is calculated by multiplying the managed value by a predetermined coefficient such as an area ratio. Further, the history of the paper size used in the printer 2 may be recorded, and the above display may be performed with a paper size having a large number of used sheets.

  As described above, in the printer 2 according to the present embodiment, the timing for issuing the life warning of the consumables, that is, the near-end value is set when the user issues the life warning or at an arbitrary timing. It can be set, and the degree of freedom for the life management of each consumable provided in the printer can be improved as compared with the prior art. For example, when printing without regard to output quality is performed, the desired printing process can be continued without repeatedly receiving a life warning as in the past by setting the near end value to near the product limit value. It is possible to avoid the conventional troublesomeness.

  In addition, while the near end value can be set freely, the near end value that can be set is limited to the product limit value, so there is little risk of damaging the device.

  In addition, in the display related to the life of consumables, the status at that time is specifically indicated by the number of printable sheets, etc., so it is easy for the user to grasp the status of the consumables and the above-mentioned near-end value setting is also appropriate. The user convenience can be improved.

  Further, by displaying on the host computer 1 side the life of the consumables, it is possible to prevent the user at a position away from the printer 2 from being left without noticing that the life warning has been made.

  In the above embodiment, the consumable life management control based on FIG. 3 is executed based on the program. However, the processing may be executed by hardware.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 2 is a laser printer, but the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus of another printing method.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus is a printer. However, the present invention can be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a facsimile.

  The protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but covers the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1 is a configuration diagram according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is the figure which illustrated the lifetime information of consumables. It is the flowchart which illustrated the content of the control regarding the lifetime of the consumables which CPU24 performs. It is the figure which illustrated the life warning message etc. which are displayed. It is the figure which illustrated the message for reset of a near end value. It is the figure which illustrated the lifetime management table after an update (re-setting).

Explanation of symbols

  1 host computer, 2 printer, 11 printer driver, 12 display device, 21 controller (warning means, resetting means), 22 operation unit, 23 I / F, 24 CPU, 25 RAM, 26 ROM, 27 engine I / F, 28 Mechacon, 29 CPU, 30 RAM, 31 ROM, 32 NVRAM, 33 Mechanism, 34 Transfer unit, 35 Photoconductor, 36 Toner

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus that performs image formation using a provided consumable,
Warning means for issuing a life warning of the consumable when the amount of the consumable used reaches a life value set in the image forming apparatus;
It has a resetting means for receiving a user instruction to change the life value when issuing the life warning or at an arbitrary timing, and changing the life value based on the user instruction. Image forming apparatus. In claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change of the lifetime value by the resetting unit is performed within a use limit value of the consumable item. In claim 1 or claim 2,
The image forming apparatus characterized in that the warning means provides information on image formation that can be performed using the consumable when the life warning is issued, by the number of predetermined media on which image formation is performed. In any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the warning means displays the life warning on a display device provided in the image forming apparatus and / or a host device of the image forming apparatus. A control method for an image forming apparatus that performs image formation using a provided consumable,
A warning process for issuing a life warning of the consumable when the amount of the consumable used reaches a life value set in the image forming apparatus;
A resetting step of receiving a user instruction to change the lifetime value at the time of issuing the lifetime warning or at an arbitrary timing, and changing the lifetime value based on the user instruction. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus.

Images