JP2009237076A - Removal unit, developer storage container, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a removal unit, a developer storage container and an image forming apparatus, allowing communication between fellow communication tags provided in the plurality of removal unit not through a device body. <P>SOLUTION: A cartridge K 120, a cartridge C 130, a cartridge M 140, a cartridge Y 150 are provided respectively with a communication tag K 121, a communication tag C 131, a communication tag M 141 and a communication tag Y 151, and the respective tags are communicably wire-connected. The respective tags are radio-protocol-communicable with a communication part 106. Respective developing machines are attached detachably onto a rotary 112. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a detachable unit, a developer container, and an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, the colorization of data output has progressed in the field of printing apparatuses, and the demand for color printers has increased.

  In color printing, printing is generally performed with toners of four colors C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (black).

  The four color toner cartridges are attached to a developing machine that develops toner of each color.

  Therefore, the toner cartridges of four colors need to be attached to the same color toner developing machine, and if they are mistakenly attached to other color developing machines, erroneous printing will be caused.

  In Patent Document 1, a large single antenna 31 is disposed in an image forming unit, and wirelessly connected to a cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) toner cartridge via an antenna. An RFID tag capable of communication is provided. A printing apparatus has been proposed that can detect an error in the mounting position of the toner cartridge by changing the mounting position of the RFID tag for each color.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 includes a toner cartridge that includes a wireless communication type information recording device, and an image forming apparatus that includes antennas corresponding to toner cartridges of each color of YMCK, and communicates with the information recording device of the toner cartridge. In this case, an image forming apparatus is proposed in which communication is performed by selecting an antenna to be used in the antenna switching unit.

  In Patent Document 3, a toner cartridge attached to a four-cycle rotary developing device has a wireless communication tag, and the distance between the wireless communication tag and an antenna provided in the image forming apparatus is constant. An image forming apparatus in which communication between a wireless communication tag and an antenna is stably performed has been proposed.

Further, in Patent Document 4, in a four-cycle rotary developing device, a position where development is performed by the developing machine and a position where the memory of the developing machine is updated are set in advance as the developing machine rotates. An image forming apparatus and a method for adjusting the image forming apparatus in which development and memory update processing are performed for the developing machine located in the position have been proposed.
JP 2005-257816 A JP 2001-296775 A JP 2007-17463 A JP 2006-259069 A

  The present invention relates to a detachable unit, a developer container, and an image forming unit in which communication tags provided in a plurality of detachable units can communicate with each other without passing through a communication unit for communicating with a communication tag provided in the apparatus main body. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the detachable unit according to the first aspect of the present invention is a detachable unit that is detachably provided on the apparatus main body, and is attached to each of the plurality of detachable units without passing through the apparatus main body. Are configured to have communication devices capable of communicating with each other.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of detachable units are detachably provided on the image forming apparatus main body, and are attached to each of the plurality of detachable units without passing through the image forming apparatus main body. The communication apparatus is configured to have communication apparatuses that can communicate with each other.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the detachable unit is configured to be a developer container that stores a developer used for image formation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the developer containers are provided in the image forming apparatus main body so as to be detachable and accommodate a developer used for image formation, and the plurality of developer containers communicate with each other. Each of the image forming apparatuses includes a control unit that communicates with the communication device attached to the developer container, and the communication device attached to the developer container The developer container is configured to be able to communicate with each other without going through the control unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having an image forming section, wherein the image forming apparatus is detachably attached to the image forming section and contains a plurality of developers supplied to the image forming section. A developer container, a communication device attached to the developer container, a master communication device having storage means and connected to the communication device attached to the developer container so as to communicate with each other, and the master A communication device that is attached to another developer container other than the developer container to which the communication device is attached, and has a storage unit and is communicably connected to the communication device that is attached to the developer container. A communication device that includes a slave communication device and a control unit that is provided in the image forming apparatus and communicates with the master communication device, and is attached to the developer container. It is configured to be capable of communicating with each other without passing through the controller.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the control unit is configured to communicate with the slave communication device via the master communication device.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fifth or sixth aspect, the master communication device has detection means for detecting erroneous mounting of the developer container by communication with the slave communication device. Configured as follows.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the slave communication device generates a pulse signal based on the pulse signal transmitted from the master communication device, and the master communication device Based on the number of pulse signals returned from the slave communication device, the developer container is configured to detect a mounting leak.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the slave communication device generates a pulse signal having a predetermined pulse width based on a signal transmitted from the master communication device, and generates the master communication. The apparatus is configured to detect a leakage of the developer container based on a pulse signal returned from the slave communication apparatus.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is the communication apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the communication apparatus is connected to the master communication apparatus or the slave communication apparatus in a communicable manner, and the communication apparatus having storage means is attached. The control unit is configured to communicate with a communication device attached to the unit via the master communication device.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is mounted on a rotating body facing an image carrier, and a plurality of developing machines that form a visible image on the image carrier, and a detachable attachment to each of the plurality of developers. A plurality of developer supply devices that can be provided and supply the developer to the developing machine; a communication device that is attached to the plurality of developer supply devices and has a storage unit and is communicably connected to each other; and A communication unit disposed outside the rotating body; and a control unit that communicates with the plurality of communication devices via the one communication device that communicates with the communication unit. It is configured to be able to communicate with each other without going through any part.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, the communication unit is attached to a developing device feeder provided in the developing device when the developing device faces the image carrier. It is comprised so that it may be provided in the position which can communicate with the communication apparatus used.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, the communication section is attached to a developing device feeder provided in the developing device when the developing device is not facing the image carrier. It is comprised so that it may be provided in the position which can communicate with the communication apparatus used.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the thirteenth aspect, the control unit is opposed to the image carrier during communication with the plurality of communication devices via the one communication device. When the development processing by the machine is completed, communication with the plurality of communication devices is interrupted, the rotating body is rotated to give priority to the development processing by the next developing machine, and the next developing machine faces the image carrier. The communication is resumed via a communication device attached to the developing machine.

  According to invention of Claim 1, compared with the case where this structure is not provided, there exists an effect that the communication apparatus with which the apparatus main body for communicating with the communication apparatus of a detachable unit can be made smaller can be produced.

  According to the invention of any one of claims 2 to 3, the communication device provided in the image forming apparatus main body for communicating with the communication device of the detachable unit can be made smaller than in the case where this configuration is not provided. There is an effect that can be done.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the communication device for communicating with the communication device attached to the developer container can be made smaller as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  According to the invention of claim 5 or 6, there is an effect that the communication device for communicating with the communication device attached to the developer container can be made smaller as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  According to the invention of any one of claims 7 to 9, there is an effect that erroneous mounting of the developer container is detected.

  According to the invention of claim 10, there is an effect that the control unit of the image forming apparatus can communicate with the communication device attached to the unit.

  According to the invention of claim 11, if the communication unit is communicating with one communication device, there is an effect that it is not necessary to rotate the rotating body in order to communicate with another communication device.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the communication unit of the image forming apparatus can communicate with a plurality of communication devices even when the developing machine is developing the image carrier.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the communication unit can communicate with a plurality of communication devices even in a state where the developing device is located at the home position which is not opposed to the image carrier.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, there is an effect that the development processing by the developing device is given priority over the communication between the control unit and the communication device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is an image forming apparatus that develops toner by a tandem method.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper tray 2, an intermediate transfer unit 3, a transfer roller 4, a fixing device 5, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 6, a communication unit 7, a printing mechanism K (8), a printing mechanism C (9), and printing. A mechanism M (10), a printing mechanism Y (11), a cartridge K (20), a cartridge C (30), a cartridge M (40), and a cartridge Y (50) are included.

  The printing mechanism K (8), the printing mechanism C (9), the printing mechanism M (10), and the printing mechanism Y (11) are collectively referred to as the printing mechanism 13, and the cartridge K (20) and the cartridge C (30) When the cartridge M (40) and the cartridge Y (50) are generically called, they are called the cartridge 60.

  The paper tray 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 stores paper on which an image is formed.

  The intermediate transfer unit 3 conveys the toner image formed by the printing mechanism to the transfer roller 4.

  The transfer roller 4 transfers the toner image conveyed by the intermediate transfer unit 3 to the sheet conveyed from the sheet tray 2.

  The fixing device 5 fixes the toner transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 4 on the sheet.

  The CPU 6 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1 and communicates with the communication tag 61 installed in each cartridge 60 via the communication unit 7.

  The communication unit 7 is an antenna wired to the CPU 6 and performs wireless protocol communication with the communication tag K (21) using the antenna function.

  The printing mechanism K (8) transfers a black toner image to the intermediate transfer unit, and therefore includes a developing device, a photoreceptor, a charging device, an exposure device, and the like.

  The printing mechanism C (9) transfers a cyan toner image to the intermediate transfer unit, and therefore includes a developing device, a photoreceptor, a charging device, an exposure device, and the like.

  The printing mechanism M (10) transfers a magenta toner image to an intermediate transfer unit, and therefore includes a developing device, a photoreceptor, a charging device, an exposure device, and the like.

  The printing mechanism Y (11) transfers a yellow toner image to the intermediate transfer unit, and therefore includes a developing device, a photoreceptor, a charging device, an exposure device, and the like.

  The cartridge K (20), the cartridge C (30), the cartridge M (40), and the cartridge Y (50) are also referred to as CRU (Customer Replacement Unit) in the sense that they are units that can be attached and detached by the user.

  The cartridge K (20) contains black toner, is detachably attached to the printing mechanism K (8), and supplies the black toner to the printing mechanism K (8).

  A communication tag K (21) is attached to the cartridge K (20).

  The cartridge C (30) contains cyan toner, is detachably attached to the printing mechanism C (9), and supplies the cyan toner to the printing mechanism C (9).

  A communication tag C (31) is attached to the cartridge C (30).

  The cartridge M (40) accommodates magenta toner, is detachably attached to the printing mechanism M (10), and supplies magenta toner to the printing mechanism M (10).

  A communication tag M (41) is attached to the cartridge M (40).

  The cartridge Y (50) contains yellow toner, is detachably attached to the printing mechanism Y (11), and supplies the yellow toner to the printing mechanism Y (11).

  The cartridge Y (50) is attached with a communication tag Y (51).

  Communication tags (communication tag K (21), communication tag C (31), communication tag M (41), communication tag Y (51)) attached to each cartridge 60 are collectively referred to as communication tag 61, and the description will be made. Do. The communication tag 61 has an insulating substrate, a semiconductor chip with a built-in memory, a tag-side antenna formed by winding a conductive material in a coil shape, and wired communication in the substrate. An interface (I / F) exists, and the tag side antenna and the wired communication I / F are connected to the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip present in the communication tag 61 can store information such as the image forming process status, the date of manufacture, the use start date when the cartridge 60 is used, and the use start date. The stored contents are retained. Further, the semiconductor chip existing in the communication tag 61 performs 12C protocol communication with the semiconductor chip of another cartridge 60 connected by wire via a wired communication I / F. The communication tag 61 is also called a CRUM (Customer Replacement Unit Memory) as a memory existing in the cartridge 60 that is a CRU.

  Note that the communication tag K (21) installed in the black cartridge K (20) performs wireless protocol communication with the communication unit 7 using the tag-side antenna included therein.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, the CPU 6 performs wireless protocol communication with the communication tag K (21) of the black cartridge K (20) via the communication unit 7, and the communication tag K (21) By performing wired protocol communication with the communication tag C (31), the communication tag M (41), and the communication tag Y (51), the CPU 6 can communicate with the communication tag C (31), It is possible to communicate with the communication tag M (41) and the communication tag Y (51).

  Then, the CPU 6 detects whether the four color cartridges 60 are arranged correctly.

  Next, a communication state between the CPU 6 and the communication tag 61 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a communication state between the CPU 6 and the communication tag 61.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 6 is connected to the communication unit 7 by wire.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a black cartridge K (20) is attached corresponding to the printing mechanism K (8), and a cyan cartridge C (30) is attached corresponding to the printing mechanism C (9). Then, a magenta cartridge M (40) is attached corresponding to the printing mechanism M (10), and a yellow cartridge Y (50) is attached corresponding to the printing mechanism Y (11).

  The communication tag K (21) installed in the cartridge K (20), the communication tag C (31) installed in the cartridge C (30), and the communication tag M (41 installed in the cartridge M (40). ) And the communication tag Y (51) installed in the communication tag Y (51) are connected by a wired bus to enable wired 12C protocol communication. Alternatively, the communication tags 61 may communicate with each other without contacting the image forming apparatus 1.

  And wireless protocol communication is possible between the communication part 7 and the communication tag K (21).

  In the first embodiment, the communication unit 7 is subject to wireless protocol communication only with the communication tag K (21), but is not limited to one communication tag 61, and may perform wireless protocol communication with a plurality of communication tags 61. However, if there are N communication tags 61 in the image forming apparatus 1, the communication tags 61 to be communicated by the communication unit 7 with the wireless protocol are (N−1) communication tags 61.

  Further, in the first embodiment, a communication tag 61 provided in the cartridge 60 that accommodates toner is described as an object to which the communication unit 7 performs wireless protocol communication. However, the communication tag 61 is not limited to the cartridge 60, and the image in the image forming apparatus 1 It may be a communication tag that is installed in a unit that can be detachably attached to an apparatus such as fixing, transfer, paper feed, process, option tray, and discharge tray necessary for formation.

  The detachable cartridge 60 configured as described above can communicate with each other without the communication tags 61 provided on the cartridge 60 via the communication unit 7 provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.

  Next, the correctness / incorrectness of the arrangement location of the cartridge 60 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge K (20) is attached corresponding to the printing mechanism K (8), the cartridge C (30) is attached corresponding to the printing mechanism C (9), and the printing mechanism M (10 The cartridge M (40) is attached corresponding to the print mechanism Y (11) and the cartridge Y (50) is attached corresponding to the printing mechanism Y (11) is the position where each cartridge 60 is correctly attached.

  3, the communication tag C (31) has a pulse number of 1, the communication tag M (41) has a pulse number of 2, and the communication tag Y ( 51), when receiving a pulse with a pulse number of 3, each communication tag 61 as a slave confirms that the cartridge 60 in which each is installed is attached corresponding to the correct printing mechanism 13.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the communication tag K (21) capable of wireless protocol communication with the communication unit 7 becomes the master, and the other communication tag C (31), communication tag M (41), and communication tag Y (51) Become a slave.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the communication tag K (21) transmits a pulse having a pulse number of 1 to the communication tag 61 attached to the adjacent printing mechanism C (9) (see FIG. 3). Number 301).

  The communication tag C (31) receives the pulse with the number of pulses of 1, and confirms that it is attached to the correct position.

  And the communication tag C (31) transmits the pulse of the pulse number which added 1 to the received pulse number with respect to the communication tag 61 attached corresponding to the printing mechanism M (10).

  Then, the communication tag M (41) receives the pulse with the number of pulses of 2, and confirms that it is attached to the correct position.

  And the communication tag M (41) transmits the pulse of the pulse number which added 1 to the received pulse number with respect to the communication tag Y (51) attached corresponding to the printing mechanism Y (11). .

  Then, the communication tag Y (51) receives the pulse with the number of pulses of 3, and confirms that it is attached at the correct position.

  And the communication tag Y (51) transmits the pulse of the pulse number which added 1 to the received pulse number with respect to the communication tag K (21) which is the communication tag 61 used as the master.

  Then, since the communication tag K (21) receives a pulse having a pulse number of 4 from the communication tag Y (51), it is confirmed that the four cartridges 60 are attached.

  Further, when the cartridge 60 including the slave communication tag 61 is attached at a wrong position (when the cartridge 60 is attached to the printing mechanism 13 in a wrong manner), the communication tag 61 is changed to the master communication tag K. In (21), a notification that it has been attached to the wrong position is given.

  If the communication tag K (21) is not notified from the slave communication tag 61 that it has been attached to the wrong position, the cartridge 60 with the slave communication tag 61 is all in the printing mechanism 13 at the correct position. Make sure that it is installed according to.

  However, when the communication tag 61 of each slave cannot be confirmed to be attached at the correct position when receiving a pulse and is confirmed to be attached at the wrong position, the communication tag 61 To the master communication tag K (21), the number of the communication tag 61 attached to the wrong position and the number of received pulses are transmitted. The master communication tag K (21) that has received the transmission confirms the type of the communication tag 61 with the wrong mounting position, and the printing mechanism 13 in which the cartridge 60 is incorrectly attached based on the number of received pulses. Check the type.

  If the cartridge M (40) is mistakenly attached to the printing mechanism C (9), the communication tag M (41) receives a pulse of 1 pulse from the communication tag K (21). Receive. The communication tag M (41) that has received a pulse with the number of pulses 1 is wrong because the received number of pulses is different from the number of pulses 2 that is received when it is in the correct position. The communication tag K (21), which is the master, notifies the communication tag M (41) that the communication tag M (41) is attached to the wrong position and the number of received pulses is 1. .

  The master communication tag K (21) confirms that all the cartridges 60 are attached based on the pulse number 4 received from the communication tag Y (51), and then receives from the communication tag M (41). Based on the contents, the communication tag M (41) that has received the pulse with the number of pulses of 1 is determined to be attached to the location of the printing mechanism C (9) by mistake.

  The master communication tag K (21) may transmit information about the correctness of the mounting position of the cartridge 60 to the CPU 6, and the CPU 6 may display the information to the user.

  In this way, since the communication tag K (21) serves as a master and the correctness of the arrangement location of the cartridge 60 is detected, it is not necessary to apply an extra load to the CPU 6.

  Next, an example in which the correctness of the mounting position of the cartridge 60 arranged in the image forming apparatus 1 is detected not by the number of pulses but by the pulse time (the time during which the pulse High or Low is maintained) will be described. . The pulse time may be a pulse width.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge K (20) is attached corresponding to the printing mechanism K (8), the cartridge C (30) is attached corresponding to the printing mechanism C (9), and the printing mechanism M (10 The cartridge M (40) is attached corresponding to the print mechanism Y (11) and the cartridge Y (50) is attached corresponding to the printing mechanism Y (11) is the position where each cartridge 60 is correctly attached.

  4, the communication tag C (31) has a pulse with a pulse time of 1, the communication tag M (41) has a pulse with a pulse time of 2, and the communication tag Y ( 51), when a pulse with a pulse time of 3 is received, each communication tag 61, which is a slave, confirms that the cartridge 60 in which each is present is attached at the correct position.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, the communication tag K (21) capable of wireless protocol communication with the communication unit 7 becomes the master, and the pulse time is 1 for the communication tag 61 attached to the adjacent printing mechanism C (9). Is transmitted (reference number 401).

  The communication tag C (31) receives a pulse with a pulse time of 1, and confirms that it is attached to the correct position.

  Then, the communication tag C (31) gives a pulse of a pulse time obtained by adding 1 to the pulse time of the received pulse to the communication tag 61 of the cartridge 60 attached corresponding to the printing mechanism M (10). Send.

  Then, the communication tag M (41) receives a pulse with a pulse time of 2, and confirms that it is attached to the correct position.

  And the communication tag M (41) transmits the pulse of the pulse number which added 1 to the pulse time of the received pulse with respect to the communication tag Y (51) attached to the printing mechanism Y (11).

  Then, the communication tag Y (51) receives a pulse with a pulse time of 3, and confirms that it is attached to the correct position.

  And the communication tag Y (51) transmits the pulse of the pulse time which added 1 to the pulse time of the received pulse with respect to the communication tag K (21) which is the communication tag 61 used as the master.

  Then, the communication tag K (21) as the master receives a pulse with a pulse time of 4 from the communication tag Y (51), and therefore confirms that four cartridges 60 are attached.

  When the cartridge 60 having the slave communication tag 61 is attached at the wrong position, the communication tag 61 notifies the master communication tag K (21) that the cartridge 60 is attached at the wrong position. Is called.

  If the communication tag K (21) is not notified from the slave communication tag 61 that it has been attached to the wrong position, the cartridge 60 with the slave communication tag 61 is all in the printing mechanism 13 at the correct position. Make sure that it is installed according to.

  However, when the communication tag 61 of each slave cannot be confirmed to be attached at the correct position when receiving a pulse and is confirmed to be attached at the wrong position, the communication tag 61 To the communication tag K (21), the number of the communication tag 61 is attached to the wrong position and the received pulse time is transmitted. The communication tag K (21) that has received the transmission confirms the type of the communication tag 61 with the wrong mounting position, and the type of the printing mechanism 13 to which the cartridge 60 is incorrectly attached based on the received pulse time. Confirm.

  If the cartridge M (40) is mistakenly attached to the printing mechanism C (9), the communication tag M (41) receives a pulse with a pulse time of 1 from the communication tag K (21). Receive. The communication tag M (41) that has received a pulse with a pulse time of 1 is wrong because the received pulse time is different from the pulse of 2 that is received when it is in the correct position. The communication tag K (21), which is the master, notifies that the communication tag M (41) is attached to the wrong position and that the received pulse time is 1. .

  The master communication tag K (21) confirms that all the cartridges 60 are attached based on the pulse having a pulse time of 4 received from the communication tag Y (51), and then receives from the communication tag M (41). Based on the contents, it is determined that the communication tag M (41) that has received a pulse with a pulse time of 1 is incorrectly attached to the location of the printing mechanism C (9).

  The master communication tag K (21) may transmit information about the correctness of the mounting position of the cartridge 60 to the CPU 6, and the CPU 6 may display the information to the user. In this way, since the communication tag K (21) serves as a master and the correctness of the arrangement location of the cartridge 60 is detected, it is not necessary to apply an extra load to the CPU 6.

  Next, it will be described with reference to FIG. 5 that the CPU 6 serves as a master for detecting whether the mounting position of the cartridge 60 based on the number of pulses is correct.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing how the CPU 6 serves as a master to detect whether the mounting position of the cartridge 60 is correct based on the number of pulses.

  In this way, when the CPU 6 is detected as a master and detection is performed, and a pulse having the number of pulses obtained by adding 1 to the number of pulses received by each communication tag 61 is transmitted, the communication tag K (21), respectively. Is a pulse having a pulse number of 1, communication tag C (31) is a pulse having a pulse number of 2, communication tag M (41) is a pulse having a pulse number of 3, and communication tag Y (51) is a pulse having a pulse number of 4. When the pulse is received, each communication tag 61 confirms that the cartridge 60 in which each tag exists is attached at the correct position.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 6 becomes a master, and transmits a pulse having a pulse number of 1 to the communication tag K (21) capable of wireless protocol communication with the communication unit 7 via the communication unit 21 (reference number). 501).

  The communication tag K (21) receives the pulse with the number of pulses of 1, and confirms that it is attached at the correct position.

  The communication tag K (21) adds 1 to the number of received pulses with respect to the communication tag C (31) of the cartridge C (30) attached corresponding to the photosensitive drum (C) 9. Transmit the number of pulses.

  The communication tag C (31) receives the pulse having the number of pulses of 2, and confirms that it is attached at the correct position.

  Then, the communication tag C (31) transmits a pulse having a pulse number obtained by adding 1 to the received pulse number to the communication tag 61 of the cartridge 60 attached in correspondence with the printing mechanism M (10). .

  Then, the communication tag M (41) receives the pulse with the number of pulses of 3, and confirms that it is attached to the correct position.

  The communication tag M (41) is a pulse obtained by adding 1 to the number of received pulses with respect to the communication tag Y (51) of the cartridge Y (50) attached corresponding to the printing mechanism Y (11). Send a number of pulses.

  Then, the communication tag Y (51) receives the pulse with the number of pulses of 4, and confirms that it is attached to the correct position.

  And the communication tag Y (51) transmits the pulse of the pulse number which added 1 to the received pulse number via the communication part 7 with respect to CPU6 used as the master.

  Then, since the CPU 6 receives a pulse with a pulse number of 4 from the communication tag Y (51), it confirms that four cartridges 60 are attached.

  Further, the CPU 6 does not send the notification describing that the communication tag 61 is attached to the wrong position to the CPU 6, and thus confirms that all the attached cartridges 60 are attached to the correct position. .

  However, when it is not confirmed that the cartridge 60 is attached at the correct position when receiving the pulse, and it is confirmed that the cartridge 60 is attached at the wrong position, the communication installed in the cartridge 60 is confirmed. The tag 61 transmits to the CPU 6 that the number of the communication tag 61 is attached to the wrong position and the number of received pulses. Upon receiving the transmission, the CPU 6 confirms the type of the communication tag 61 with the wrong mounting position, and confirms the type of the corresponding photosensitive member 13 to which the cartridge 60 is erroneously attached based on the number of received pulses. To do.

  If the cartridge M (40) is mistakenly attached to the printing mechanism C (9), the communication tag M (41) receives a pulse with a pulse number of 2 from the cartridge K (20). To do. The communication tag M (41) that has received a pulse with a pulse number of 2 is wrong because the received pulse number is different from a pulse with a pulse number of 3 that is received when it is in the correct position. After confirming that it is in the position, it notifies the master CPU 6 that the position of the communication tag M (41) is wrong and that the number of pulses received by the communication tag M (41) is two.

  After receiving the pulse with the pulse number 5 from the communication tag Y (51), the CPU 6 determines that the cartridge 60 is attached to all the printing mechanisms, and the position for receiving the pulse with the pulse number 2 is It is determined that the position corresponds to the printing mechanism C (9), and it is determined that the magenta cartridge M (40) is incorrectly attached to the printing mechanism C (9).

  As described above, the CPU 6 receives information about the communication tag 61 of the cartridge 60 in which the attachment position is wrong, information indicating that the communication tags 61 of all the cartridges 60 are correctly attached, and the like. Note that the CPU 6 may display information about the correctness of the mounting position of the cartridge 60 to the user based on the acquired information.

  Next, it will be described with reference to FIG. 6 that the CPU 6 serves as a master for detecting whether the mounting position of the cartridge 60 based on the pulse time is correct. The pulse time may be a pulse width.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing how the mounting position of the cartridge 60 is corrected according to the pulse time when the CPU 6 becomes the master.

  In this way, when the CPU 6 is detected as a master and detection is performed, and a pulse having a pulse time obtained by adding 1 to the pulse time received by each communication tag 61 is transmitted, the communication tag K (21), respectively. Is a pulse with a pulse time of 1, communication tag C (31) is a pulse with a pulse time of 2, communication tag M (41) is a pulse with a pulse time of 3, communication tag Y (51) is a pulse time of 4 When the pulse is received, each communication tag 61 confirms that the cartridge 60 in which each tag exists is attached at the correct position.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 6 serving as the master transmits a pulse having a pulse time of 1 to the communication tag K (21) capable of wireless protocol communication with the communication unit 7 via the communication unit 7 (reference number 601). ).

  The communication tag K (21) receives a pulse with a pulse time of 1, and confirms that it is attached to the correct position.

  The communication tag K (21) adds 1 to the pulse time of the received pulse with respect to the communication tag C (31) of the cartridge C (30) attached corresponding to the photosensitive member C (9). A pulse with the specified pulse time is transmitted.

  Communication tag C (31) receives a pulse with a pulse time of 2, and confirms that it is attached to the correct position.

  Then, the communication tag C (31) transmits a pulse having a pulse time obtained by adding 1 to the pulse time of the received pulse to the communication tag 61 attached to the printing mechanism M (10).

  Then, the communication tag M (41) receives a pulse with a pulse time of 3, and confirms that it is attached to the correct position.

  And the communication tag M (41) transmits the pulse of the pulse number which added 1 to the pulse time of the received pulse with respect to the communication tag Y (51) attached to the printing mechanism Y (11).

  Then, the communication tag Y (51) receives a pulse with a pulse time of 4, and confirms that it is attached to the correct position.

  And the communication tag Y (51) transmits the pulse of the pulse time which added 1 to the pulse time of the received pulse with respect to CPU6 used as the master.

  Then, since the CPU 6 receives a pulse with a pulse time of 4 from the communication tag Y (51), the CPU 6 confirms that there are four communication tags 61 and four cartridges 60 are attached.

  In addition, since the notification describing that the communication tag 61 is attached at the wrong position was not sent to the communication tag K (21), the communication tag K (21) has all the attached cartridges 60 correct. Make sure it is in place.

  However, when it is not confirmed that the cartridge 60 is attached at the correct position when receiving the pulse, and it is confirmed that the cartridge 60 is attached at the wrong position, the communication installed in the cartridge 60 is confirmed. The tag 61 transmits to the CPU 6 the number of the communication tag 61 and that it is attached to the wrong position and the received pulse time. Upon receiving the transmission, the CPU 6 confirms the type of the communication tag 61 in which the attachment position is wrong, and confirms the type of the corresponding photosensitive member 13 to which the cartridge 60 is erroneously attached based on the received pulse time. To do.

  If the cartridge M (40) is mistakenly attached to the printing mechanism C (9), the communication tag M (41) receives a pulse with a pulse time of 2 from the cartridge K (20). To do. The communication tag M (41) that has received a pulse with a pulse time of 2 is wrong because the received pulse time is different from a pulse with a pulse time of 3 when it is in the correct position. After confirming that it is in the position, it notifies the master CPU 6 that the position of the communication tag M (41) is wrong and that the pulse time received by the communication tag M (41) is 2.

  After receiving the pulse with the pulse time of 5 from the communication tag Y (51), the CPU 6 determines that the cartridge 60 is attached to all the printing mechanisms, and the position for receiving the pulse with the pulse time of 2 is It is determined that the position corresponds to the printing mechanism C (9), and it is determined that the cartridge M (40) is attached to the printing mechanism C (9) in a magenta color.

  As described above, the CPU 6 receives information about the communication tag 61 of the cartridge 60 in which the attachment position is wrong, information indicating that the communication tags 61 of all the cartridges 60 are correctly attached, and the like. Note that the CPU 6 may display information about the correctness of the mounting position of the cartridge 60 to the user based on the acquired information.

  Next, the case where the communication tag 61 with which the CPU 6 communicates includes the communication tag 81 of the fixing device 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the CPU 6 can communicate with the communication tag 81 of the fixing device 5.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a communication tag 81 is connected to a communication tag K (21) capable of wireless protocol communication with the communication unit 7 by wire, and wired 12C protocol communication is possible.

  In addition, the communication tag K (21) is connected to the communication tag C (31), the communication tag M (41), and the communication tag Y (51) by a wired bus to enable wired 12C protocol communication.

  Thus, the CPU 6 can communicate with the communication tag 81 via the communication unit 7 and the communication tag K (21).

  As described above, the one or more communication tags 61 are connected to the communication tag 61 that can perform wireless protocol communication with the communication unit 7, so that the CPU 6 can communicate with the communication tags 61 connected by wire.

  Further, the connection form of the communication tag 61 wired to the communication tag 61 capable of wireless protocol communication with the communication unit 7 is not limited to the bus connection as described above, but may be a ring connection, a star connection, or the like.

  As for the communication tags, the communication tag C (31), the communication tag M (41), and the communication tag Y (51) other than the communication tag K (21) that performs wireless protocol communication with the communication unit 7 are used for wireless protocol communication. The antenna may not be provided.

  The CPU 6 and the communication tag K (21) may be configured to be connected by wire.

  Note that the communication tag 61 may be either a master or a slave.

  Note that communication between the communication tags 61 is not limited to wired communication, and may be performed wirelessly.

  The cartridge 60 in which the communication tag 61 is installed is not limited to a toner cartridge that stores toner, but may be an ink cartridge.

  The communication device 61 may be installed not in the cartridge 60 but in a so-called process cartridge of each color in which the photosensitive member and the developing device are integrated. When the communication device 61 is attached to the process cartridge, the printing mechanism 13 and the cartridge 60 are combined into one process cartridge, and toner is supplied to the process cartridge from a toner storage unit (not shown). When installed, it has the same function and configuration as those of the present invention.

  First, an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 100 is an image forming apparatus that develops toner by a four-cycle method.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a paper tray 101, a transfer roller 102, a charging roller 103, a fixing device 104, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 105, a communication unit 106, a photosensitive drum 107, an exposure device 108, a rotary 112, and a developing device K ( 113), developing machine C (114), developing machine M (115), developing machine Y (116), cartridge K (120), communication tag K (121), cartridge C (130), communication tag C (131), It has cartridge M (140), communication tag M (141), cartridge Y (150), and communication tag Y (151).

  The developing machine K (113), the developing machine C (114), the developing machine M (115), and the developing machine Y (116) are collectively referred to as a developing machine 117.

  Also, the cartridge K (120), the cartridge C (130), the cartridge M (140), and the cartridge Y (150) are collectively referred to as the cartridge 160.

  Communication tag K (121), communication tag C (131), communication tag M (141), and communication tag Y (151) are collectively referred to as communication tag 161.

  The paper tray 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 stores paper on which an image is formed.

  The transfer roller 102 transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 107 onto a sheet conveyed from the sheet tray 101.

  The charging roller 103 charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 107.

  The fixing device 104 fixes the toner transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 102 on the sheet.

  The CPU 105 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 100 and communicates with the communication tag 161 installed in each cartridge 160 via the communication unit 106.

  The communication unit 106 is provided outside the rotary 112. The communication unit 106 is an antenna that performs wireless protocol communication with the communication tag 161 attached to the cartridge 160 when the developing device 117 to which the cartridge 160 is attached is located at a position facing the photosensitive drum 107. . Note that the communication unit 106 is wired to be communicable with the CPU 105.

  In the photosensitive drum 107, the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device 108 is developed by a developing device 117 provided in the rotary 112, and the developed toner image is transferred to a sheet by a transfer roller 102 after being conveyed. Is done.

  The exposure device 108 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 107.

  The rotary 112 includes a developing machine K (113) for developing black (Black), a developing machine C (114) for developing cyan (Cyan), a developing machine M (115) for developing magenta (yellow), yellow The developing machines Y (116) for developing (Yellow) are arranged in a predetermined order.

  By rotating the rotary 112, the color cartridge 160 to be developed on the photosensitive drum 107 is selected.

  In each developing device 117, a cartridge (120), a cartridge C (130), a cartridge M (140), and a cartridge Y (150) that store toner of each color and supply the same to the developing device 117 are arranged.

  That is, the developing device K (113) is detachably mounted with a cartridge K (120) that accumulates black toner.

  A communication tag K (121) is attached to the cartridge K (120).

  A cartridge C (130) for accumulating cyan toner is detachably attached to the developing machine C (114).

  A communication tag C (131) is attached to the cartridge C (130).

  A cartridge M (140) that accumulates magenta toner is detachably attached to the developing device M (115).

  A communication tag M (141) is attached to the cartridge M (140).

  A cartridge Y (150) for accumulating yellow toner is detachably attached to the developing device Y (116).

  A communication tag Y (151) is attached to the cartridge Y (150). The cartridge K (120), the cartridge C (130), the cartridge M (140), and the cartridge Y (150) are each configured as a unit that can be attached and detached by the user, and is also referred to as a CRU (Customer Replacement Unit).

  Communication tags (communication tag K (121), communication tag C (131), communication tag M (141), communication tag Y (151)) attached to each cartridge 160 are collectively referred to as a communication tag 161, and will be described. Do. The communication tag 161 has an insulating substrate, and a semiconductor chip with a built-in memory, a tag-side antenna formed by winding a conductive material in a coil shape, and wired communication in the substrate. An interface (I / F) exists, and the tag side antenna and the wired communication I / F are connected to the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip present in the communication tag 161 can store information such as the image forming processing status, the date of manufacture, the use start date when the cartridge 160 is used, and is non-volatile. The stored contents are retained without need. Further, the semiconductor chip present in the communication tag 161 performs 12C protocol communication with the semiconductor chip of another cartridge 160 connected by wire via a wire communication I / F. Therefore, the communication tag K (121), the communication tag C (131), the communication tag M (141), and the communication tag Y (151) are wire-connected by ring connection. The communication tag 161 is also called a CRUM (Customer Replacement Unit Memory) as a memory existing in the cartridge 160 that is a CRU. Further, the communication tag 161 is connected to the communication unit 106 via the tag-side communication antenna when the developing device 117 to which the cartridge 160 in which the communication tag 161 exists is attached faces the photosensitive drum 107. Wireless protocol communication can be performed and communication with the CPU 105 can be performed.

  Next, the configuration around the rotary 112 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration around the rotary 112.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in a circular rotary 112, a developing device C (114) for developing cyan and a developing device M (115 for developing magenta) are developed counterclockwise from a developing device K (113) for developing black. ), Developing machines Y (116) for developing yellow are arranged in a circle.

  The developing machine K (113) includes a cartridge K (120) including a communication tag K (121), and the developing machine C (114) includes a cartridge C (130) including a communication tag C (131). A cartridge M (140) having a communication tag M (141) can be attached to the developing machine M (115), and a cartridge Y (150) having a communication tag Y (151) can be attached to and detached from the developing machine Y (116). It is attached to.

  The order in which the communication tags 161 are wired in a ring shape is the same as that of the developing device 117. The communication tag C (131), the communication tag M (141), and the communication tag Y ( 151) are connected in this order.

  As the circular rotary 112 rotates, the position of each cartridge 160 relative to the photosensitive drum 107 changes.

  When the developing device 117 is located at a position facing the photosensitive drum 107, the communication tag 161 attached to the cartridge 160 attached to the facing developing device 117 can communicate with the communication unit 106. A communication tag 161 that communicates with the communication unit 106 communicates with the CPU 105 via the communication unit 106.

  Since each communication tag 161 is connected by wire, the CPU (106) can perform all the operations in the rotary 112 via the communication tag 161 of the cartridge 160 mounted on the developing device 117 at a position facing the photosensitive drum 107. It is possible to communicate with the communication tag 161 of the cartridge 160 mounted on the developing device 117.

  The removable cartridge 160 configured as described above can communicate with each other without the communication tag 161 provided on the cartridge 160 via the communication unit 106 provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Next, the relationship between the rotation of the rotary 112 and the communication of the communication tag 161 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the rotation of the rotary 112 and the communication tag 161 during communication. FIG. 10A shows that the developing machine M (115) is in a position facing the photosensitive drum 107. FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing that the photosensitive drum 107 is rotating from the position shown in FIG. 10A, and FIG. 10C is a diagram showing the developing machine Y (116). ) Is a schematic view showing that it is at a position facing the photosensitive drum 107.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, a developing machine M (115) that develops magenta is located at a position facing the photosensitive drum 107, and magenta development is performed by the developing machine M (115). In this state, the communication tag M (141) attached to the cartridge M (140) attached to the developing machine M (115) can perform wireless protocol communication with the communication unit 106.

  However, if the communication tag M (141) is communicating with the communication unit 106 when the development by the developing machine M (115) is completed, the development process for the next color of magenta is performed by the communication tag M (141). The following operation is performed with priority over the communication of). That is, communication between the communication tag M (141) and the communication unit 106 is temporarily stopped, and rotation of the rotary 112 is started to develop the next color of magenta.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the rotary 112 rotates to develop the next color.

  The rotary 112 is rotated, and the rotation of the rotary 112 is stopped at a position where the yellow developing machine Y (116), which is the next color, faces the photosensitive drum 107 as shown in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, when the developing device Y (116) is located at a position facing the photosensitive drum 107, the communication attached to the cartridge Y (150) attached to the developing device Y (116). The tag Y (151) starts communication with the communication unit 106. The communication content to be started is a continuation of the communication content in which the communication tag M (141) temporarily stopped communication with the communication unit 106.

  As described above, in the process processing such as the rotation of the rotary for changing the development color and the communication processing between the communication tag 161 and the communication unit 106, the rotation of the rotary 112 as the process processing is prioritized and the communication tag 161 Communication is suspended. When the rotation of the rotary 112 is completed and one of the developing machines 117 is in a position facing the photosensitive drum 107, the communication tag 161 attached to the cartridge 160 attached to the developing machine 117 is connected to the communication unit 106. Resume communication.

  As described above, the process processing of the image forming apparatus 100 that has priority over the communication processing between the communication tag 161 and the communication unit 106 may be processing necessary for image formation such as exposure, charging, warm-up, cleaning, and process control.

  Next, the detection of the correctness of the position of the cartridge 160 mounted on the developing device 117 in the rotary by the CPU 105 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing how the CPU 105 detects whether the position of the cartridge 160 is correct.

  The CPU 105 commands the communication tag K (121) in the rotary 112 to transmit a signal for detecting the position correctness via the communication unit 106.

  When instructed by the CPU 105, the communication tag K (121) transmits its own command “1” to the communication tag Y (151) of the cartridge Y (150) attached to the developing device 117 adjacent to the right rotation direction. (Reference number 1101). Each command of the communication tag 161 includes the communication tag K (121) “1”, the communication tag Y (151) “2”, the communication tag M (141) “3”, and the communication tag C ( 131) is “4”.

  The communication tag Y (151) that has received the command “1” from the communication tag K (121) adds the command “1” “2” that is generated by adding “2” that is its command to the received command, It transmits to the communication tag M (141) adjacent to the right rotation direction (reference number 1102).

  The communication tag M (141) that has received the commands “1” and “2” from the communication tag Y (151) generates “1” “2” “ 3 ”is transmitted to the communication tag C (131) adjacent to the right rotation direction (reference number 1103).

  The communication tag C (131) that has received the commands “1”, “2”, and “3” from the communication tag M (141) adds “4” that is its command to the received command to generate “1” “ The commands “2”, “3” and “4” are transmitted to the communication tag K (121) adjacent to the clockwise direction (reference number 1104).

  The communication tag K (121) that has received the commands “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” transmits the received command to the CPU 105 by wireless protocol communication.

  Since the CPU 105 receives the commands “1”, “2”, “3” and “4” from the communication tag K (121), the rotary 112 receives the cartridge Y (150) in the clockwise order from the cartridge K (120). Then, it is confirmed that the cartridge M (140) and the cartridge C (130) are arranged, and it is confirmed that the cartridge 160 is attached in the correct order.

  Note that the communication tag 161 that first transmits its own command indicated by reference numeral 1101 may be any communication tag 161, not the communication tag K (121).

  Next, an example in which the cartridge 160 is attached at an incorrect position will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the cartridge C (130) and the cartridge Y (150) are attached to positions opposite to each other as compared with the correct case described with reference to FIG.

  Then, the communication tag K (121) transmits its own command “1” (reference number 1201), and then the communication tag C (131) receives commands “1” and “4” obtained by adding its own command “4”. Then, the communication tag M (141) transmits commands “1”, “4” and “3” obtained by adding its own command “3” (reference number 1203), and then the communication tag Y. (151) transmits the commands “1”, “4”, “3” and “2” obtained by adding its own command “2” to the communication tag K (121) (reference number 1204).

  The communication tag K (121) transmits the received commands “1”, “4”, “3”, and “2” to the CPU 105 by wireless protocol communication.

  Based on the received commands “1”, “4”, “3”, and “2”, the CPU 105 determines the cartridge C (130) having the communication tags C (131) corresponding to “4” and “2” different from the commands in the correct state. And the mounting position of the cartridge Y (150) having the communication tag Y (151) is determined to be incorrect.

  Next, an example in which the cartridge 160 is not attached will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the cartridge M (140) having the communication tag M (141) is not attached to the developing machine M (115), compared to the correct case described with reference to FIG. The communication tag K (121) transmits its own command “1” (reference number 1301), and then the communication tag Y (151) transmits its commands “1” and “2” obtained by adding its own command “2”. (Reference number 1302), the order of the communication tag 161 that should be attached to the cartridge M (140) is skipped, and then the communication tag C (131) adds its own command “4” to the commands “1” and “2”. "4" is transmitted to the communication tag K (121) (reference number 1303).

  The communication tag K (121) transmits the received commands “1”, “2”, and “4” to the CPU 105.

  Based on the received commands “1”, “2” and “4”, the CPU 105 is attached with the cartridge M (140) of the communication tag M (141) corresponding to the command “3” as compared with the command in the correct state. Judge that it is not.

  In this way, correct / incorrect position detection of the cartridge 160 in the rotary 112 is performed.

  The connection between the communication tags 161 in the rotary 112 may be a bus connection or a star connection instead of the ring connection as described above.

  Note that the image forming apparatus 100 has a communication tag attached to a cartridge attached to the developing device 117 facing the photosensitive drum 107 when the arrangement position of the communication unit 106 in the image forming apparatus 100 is changed. 161 and the communication unit 106 are not in wireless protocol communication, but when the rotary 112 is at the home position (standby position) and the developing device 117 is located at a position not facing the photosensitive drum 107, the development is performed. The communication tag 161 attached to the cartridge 160 attached to the machine 117 and the communication unit 106 may be configured to perform wireless protocol communication.

  Next, a case where the image forming apparatus 100 is configured so that the communication tag 161 of the cartridge 160 mounted on the developing device 117 that does not face the photosensitive drum 107 can communicate with the communication unit 106 is described with reference to FIG. And explain.

  FIG. 14 shows a part of the image forming apparatus 100 configured such that the communication tag 161 attached to the cartridge 160 attached to the developing device 117 not facing the photosensitive drum 107 and the communication unit 106 can perform wireless protocol communication. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of these.

  As shown in FIG. 14, communication attached to a cartridge 160 (cartridge M (140) in FIG. 14) attached to a developing machine 117 (developing machine M (115) in FIG. 14) not facing the photosensitive drum 107. A tag 161 (communication tag M (141) in FIG. 14) performs wireless protocol communication with the communication unit 105.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the communication unit 106 is disposed at a position where wireless protocol communication can be performed with a communication tag 161 attached to a cartridge 160 attached to the developing device 117 not facing the photosensitive drum 107.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 is configured so that the CPU 105 can communicate with the communication tag 161 in the rotary 112 when the developing device 117 is not opposed to the photosensitive drum 107.

  Further, since the CPU 105 can communicate with the communication tag 161 when the developing device 117 is not in operation, it is less susceptible to adverse effects such as noise on communication due to the operation of the developing device 117.

  Even when the image forming apparatus 100 is configured such that the CPU 105 and the communication tag 161 can communicate with each other in a state where the developing device 117 and the photosensitive drum 107 are not opposed to each other, refer to FIGS. 11 to 13. Whether the mounting position of the cartridge 160 described above is correct or incorrect is detected.

  Even if the image forming apparatus 100 is configured such that the CPU 105 and the communication tag 161 can communicate with each other in a state where the developing device 117 and the photosensitive drum 107 are not opposed to each other, the communication tags 161 in the rotary can be communicated with each other. The connection may be not only a ring connection but also a bus connection or a star connection.

  Even if the image forming apparatus 100 is configured such that the CPU 105 and the communication tag 161 can communicate with each other when the developing device 117 and the photosensitive drum 107 are not opposed to each other, the process processing in the image formation and the CPU 105 are configured. In the communication between the communication tag 161 and the communication tag 161, process processing can be prioritized.

  Note that communication between the communication tag 161 and the CPU 105 is performed in a state where the developing device 117 and the photosensitive drum 107 are opposed to each other, or in a state where they are not opposed to each other. Communication between the communication tag 161 and the communication unit 106 may be not only wireless protocol communication but also wired communication or optical communication provided with a contact.

  Next, a case where communication between the communication tag 161 and the communication unit 106 is performed by wired communication provided with a contact will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the communication tag 161 attached to the cartridge 160 attached to the developing device 117 in the rotary 112 is communicated with the CPU 105 by wire, and FIG. 15A is a diagram in which the rotary 112 rotates. FIG. 15B is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the contact bar 170 connected to the CPU 105 is tilted when the rotary 112 rotates in the normal direction. FIG. 15C is a schematic diagram illustrating the state where the rotary 112 is in the reverse direction. It is a schematic diagram showing a state where the contact 162 of the communication tag 161 in the rotary 112 and the contact 171 of the contact bar 170 are in contact with each other so that wired communication between the communication tag 161 and the CPU 105 is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, each communication tag 161 in the rotary 112 is provided with a contact 162 (the contact provided in the communication tag K (121) is connected to the contact 122 and the communication tag C (131)). The contact provided is called the contact 132, the contact provided on the communication tag M (141) is called the contact 142, the contact provided on the communication tag Y (151) is called the contact 152, and the contacts 122, 132, 142, 152 are collectively called. Called contact 162). The contact 162 is provided in the direction opposite to the normal rotation of the rotary 112 of the communication tag 161. Further, the contact bar 170 having the contact 171 on the CPU 105 side is configured to fall down on either the left or right side, or configured to fall down during normal rotation and not fall down during reverse rotation.

  The contact bar 170 includes a contact point 171, and the contact point 171 is connected to the CPU 105 by wire.

  When the rotary 112 rotates normally, the contact bar 170 is tilted by the side where the contact 162 of the communication tag 161 is not provided as shown in FIG.

  However, when the rotary 112 rotates in the direction opposite to the normal rotation, the contact 162 provided in the communication tag 161 is connected to the contact 171 of the contact bar 170 as shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the communication tag 161 is wired to the CPU 105 using the contacts 162 and 171, the rotary 112 is rotated in the direction opposite to the normal rotation direction, and the contact 162 and the contact 171 are connected. Then, the rotation of the rotary 112 is stopped, and wired communication via the contacts 162 and 171 is performed.

  As described above, the communication tag 161 of the image forming apparatus 100 and the CPU 105 can be configured to communicate with each other by wire by rotating the rotary 112 in the reverse direction.

  The connection form of the communication tags 161 attached to the cartridge 160 mounted on the developing device 117 of each color of the rotary 112 may be not only the ring connection as described above but also a bus connection or a star connection. Communication between the communication tags 161 is not limited to wired communication, and may be wireless communication.

  Note that the communication tag 161 may not have an antenna for wireless protocol communication when the communication tag 161 is wired to the CPU 105 via the contacts 162 and 171.

  The cartridge 160 in which the communication tag 161 is installed is not limited to a toner cartridge that stores toner, but may be an ink cartridge.

  The present invention can be used in a detachable unit, a developer container, and an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The schematic diagram which showed the communication state of CPU6 and the communication tag 61. FIG. The schematic diagram which shows a mode that the communication tag K (21) becomes a master and the position detection of the communication tag 61 by the pulse number is performed. The schematic diagram which shows a mode that the communication tag K (21) becomes a master and the position detection of the communication tag 61 by pulse time is performed. The schematic diagram which shows a mode that CPU6 becomes a master and the position detection of the communication tag 61 by the pulse number is performed. The schematic diagram which shows a mode that CPU6 becomes a master and the position detection of the communication tag 61 by pulse time is performed. The schematic diagram which shows the case where CPU6 can communicate with the communication tag 81. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. The schematic diagram which showed the structure of the rotary 112 periphery. The schematic diagram shown about the rotation at the time of the rotation of the rotary 112, and the relationship at the time of communication of the communication tag 161. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing how the CPU 105 detects the position of the cartridge 160. The schematic diagram shown about the position detection when the cartridge 160 is attached in the wrong position. The schematic diagram shown about the position detection in case one of the cartridges 160 is not attached. 3 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus 100 in which a communication tag 161 of a cartridge 160 mounted on a developing device 117 at a position not facing the photosensitive drum 107 communicates with a CPU 105. FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the structure by which the communication tag 161 and CPU105 communicate by wire.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Paper tray 3 Intermediate transfer unit 4 Transfer roller 5 Fixing machine 6 CPU
7 Communication unit 8 Printing mechanism K
9 Printing mechanism C
10 Printing mechanism M
11 Printing mechanism Y
20 Cartridge K
30 Cartridge C
40 cartridge M
50 Cartridge Y
21 Communication tag K
31 Communication tag C
41 Communication tag M
51 Communication tag Y
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Paper tray 102 Transfer roller 103 Charging roller 104 Fixing machine 105 CPU
106 Communication Unit 107 Photosensitive Drum 108 Exposure Device 112 Rotary 113 Developing Machine K
114 Developer C
115 Developer M
116 Developer Y
120 Cartridge K
130 Cartridge C
140 Cartridge M
150 cartridge Y
121 Communication tag K
131 Communication tag C
141 Communication tag M
151 Communication tag Y
122, 132, 142, 152 Contact 171 Contact 170 Contact bar

Claims (14)

A detachable unit provided in a detachable manner in the apparatus body,
An attachment / detachment unit having a communication device attached to each of the plurality of attachment / detachment units and capable of communicating with each other without going through the device main body. A plurality of detachable units that are detachably provided on the image forming apparatus main body,
An attachment / detachment unit having a communication device attached to each of the plurality of attachment / detachment units and capable of communicating with each other without going through an image forming apparatus main body.   The detachable unit according to claim 2, wherein the detachable unit is a developer container for storing a developer used for image formation. A developer container that is detachably provided in the image forming apparatus main body, and stores a developer used for image formation,
The plurality of developer containers each have a communication device capable of communicating with each other,
The image forming apparatus includes a control unit that communicates with the communication device attached to the developer container.
The communication device attached to the developer container is a developer container that can communicate with each other without going through the control unit. An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit,
A plurality of developer containers detachably attached to the image forming unit and configured to store a developer supplied to the image forming unit;
A communication device attached to the developer container, a master communication device having storage means and connected to the communication device attached to the developer container so as to communicate with each other;
A communication device that is attached to another developer container other than the developer container to which the master communication device is attached, and has a storage means and is communicably connected to a communication device that is attached to the developer container A slave communication device,
A control unit provided in the image forming apparatus and communicating with the master communication device;
Have
An image forming apparatus in which communication devices attached to the developer container can communicate with each other without going through the control unit. The controller is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus communicates with the slave communication apparatus via the master communication apparatus. The master communication device is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect erroneous mounting of the developer container by communication with the slave communication device. The slave communication device is
Generated by adding a pulse signal based on the pulse signal transmitted from the master communication device,
The master communication device is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a leakage of the developer container is detected based on the number of pulse signals returned from the slave communication apparatus. The slave communication device is
Generate a pulse signal with a predetermined pulse width based on the signal transmitted from the master communication device,
The master communication device is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a leakage of the developer container is detected based on a pulse signal returned from the slave communication apparatus. A communication device that is communicably connected to the master communication device or the slave communication device, and further includes a unit to which a communication device having storage means is attached;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit communicates with a communication device attached to the unit via the master communication device. A plurality of developers mounted on a rotating body facing the image carrier and forming a visible image on the image carrier;
A plurality of developer feeders that are detachably attached to the plurality of developing machines, and that supply the developer to the developing machines;
A communication device attached to the plurality of developer supply units, having a storage unit and connected to be communicable with each other;
A communication unit arranged outside the rotating body;
A controller that communicates with the plurality of communication devices via the one communication device that communicates with the communication unit;
The image forming apparatus capable of communicating with each other without passing through the control unit. The communication unit is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided at a position capable of communicating with a communication device attached to a developing device feeder provided in the developing device when the developing device faces the image carrier. The communication unit is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided at a position capable of communicating with a communication device attached to a developing device feeder provided in the developing device when the developing device is not opposed to the image carrier. The controller is
During the communication with the plurality of communication devices via the one communication device, when the development processing by the developing device facing the image carrier is completed, the communication with the plurality of communication devices is interrupted. Rotate the rotating body to give priority to development processing by the next developing machine, and when the next developing machine faces the image carrier, the communication is resumed via a communication device attached to the developing machine. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

Images