JP2016050957A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can greatly save a time to read parameters from a toner cartridge and can reduce processing time so that a user does not have to wait for the completion of the processing.SOLUTION: There is provided an image forming apparatus that includes a toner cartridge having toner cartridge information including a plurality of parameters and acquires the toner cartridge information to perform predetermined processing, the image forming apparatus storing the operation of the apparatus and the parameters in the toner cartridge information in association with each other, and when a predetermined operation is performed, acquiring a value of the parameter corresponding to the operation from the toner cartridge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that includes a toner cartridge having toner cartridge information including a plurality of parameters, acquires the toner cartridge information, and performs predetermined processing.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as digital multifunction peripherals that are detachably equipped with a toner cartridge that can write and read information have been widely used.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that sends data necessary for each task (printer, facsimile, scanner) in the engine when power is turned on and delays data transmission for tasks that do not start up. ing.

  Further, Patent Document 2 describes an authentication algorithm used for conformity confirmation as means for solving a problem caused by an interaction caused by a combination of replaceable (removable) consumables.

JP 2002-247256 A JP 2012-118524 A

  On the other hand, as described above, in an image forming apparatus having a detachable toner cartridge, when a predetermined operation is performed, it is necessary to read out toner cartridge information from the toner cartridge. There was a problem of affecting the etc. However, Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not devise any such problem, and cannot solve the problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge having toner cartridge information including a plurality of parameters. In the image forming apparatus that performs processing, the operation of the own apparatus and the parameter of the toner cartridge information are stored in association with each other, and in the case of a predetermined operation, the value of the parameter corresponding to the operation is acquired from the toner cartridge. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can significantly reduce the time for reading out the parameters compared to the case of reading out all the values of the parameters of the toner cartridge information, and can reduce the processing time without waiting for the user. It is in.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a toner cartridge having toner cartridge information including a plurality of parameters. In the image forming apparatus that acquires the toner cartridge information and performs a predetermined process, A storage unit that associates and stores parameters of the toner cartridge information; and an acquisition unit that acquires a value of a parameter corresponding to the operation from the toner cartridge in a predetermined operation. To do.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the operation includes a first operation in which a toner cartridge may be replaced and a second operation in connection with image quality adjustment.

  In the case of a predetermined operation, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a determination unit that determines whether the operation is the first operation or the second operation, and when it is determined that the operation is the first operation, The acquisition unit acquires a parameter value of the color, usage amount, or number of image formations of the toner cartridge, and when it is determined that the second operation is performed, the acquisition unit includes compatibility information of the toner cartridge, The present invention is characterized in that a value of a parameter for use time, replenishment time, or image forming number is acquired.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the determination unit is configured to determine that the activation by power-on is the first operation.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a door that opens and closes when the toner cartridge is attached and detached, and the determination unit is configured to determine that the detection of the closing of the door is the first operation. It is characterized by that.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the determination unit is configured to determine that the toner supply is the second operation.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the determination unit determines that automatic adjustment of density, color, or the like is the second operation.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a display unit, and when it is determined that the operation is the first operation, the display unit displays the value of the parameter acquired by the acquisition unit and performs the second operation. Is determined, the display unit is configured to display a comparison result between the value of the parameter acquired by the acquisition unit and a predetermined threshold value.

  According to the present invention, when a predetermined operation is performed, not all the parameter values of the toner cartridge information are read out, but only the minimum parameters necessary for the operation are read out. Therefore, it is possible to greatly save time for reading out such parameters, and it is possible to shorten the processing time without waiting for the user.

1 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the MFP main body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a control unit in the multifunction machine main body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for describing processing for acquiring parameters of toner cartridge information in the MFP main body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In Embodiment 1 of this invention, it is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement determination by the determination part. 10 is a flowchart for describing processing for acquiring parameters of toner cartridge information in the MFP main body according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a case where the image forming apparatus is applied to a so-called digital multifunction peripheral.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming unit of the digital multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a multifunction peripheral body.

  The multifunction machine main body 1 includes a document table 111 having an operation panel (not shown), an image reading unit 110, and an image forming unit 210 from the upper side. A double-sided automatic document feeder 112 is mounted on the upper surface of the document table 111 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document table 111 and has a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the surface of the document table 111.

  The double-sided automatic document feeder 112 conveys documents on the reading waiting tray 112a one by one to a predetermined position on the document table 111, and after the image reading unit 110 reads one side of the opposed document, the switchback conveyance path. Through this (not shown), the document is turned upside down and conveyed again to a predetermined position on the document table 111. After the image reading unit 110 reads the other side, the original is discharged onto the read tray 112b, and the next original is conveyed from the read waiting tray 112a. The image reading unit 110 sequentially reads double-sided images for each original in accordance with the conveyance of the original by the double-sided automatic document feeder 112.

  An image reading unit 110 is provided below the document table 111. The image reading unit 110 reads an image of a document conveyed onto the document table 111 by the double-sided automatic document feeder 112. A first scanning unit 113, a second scanning unit 114, an optical lens 115, and a CCD line sensor 116 that reciprocate along the lower surface are provided.

  The first scanning unit 113 includes an exposure lamp 1131 that exposes the surface of the document image and a first mirror 1132 that reflects a reflected light image from the document in a predetermined direction, and is constant with respect to the lower surface of the document table 111. The reciprocating movement is performed at a predetermined scanning speed while maintaining the distance. The second scanning unit 114 includes a second mirror 1141 and a third mirror 1142 that reflect the reflected light image from the document reflected by the first mirror 1132 of the first scanning unit 113 further in a predetermined direction. The reciprocation is performed while maintaining a constant speed relationship with the first scanning unit 113.

  An optical lens 115 and a CCD line sensor 116 are provided in the vicinity of the reciprocation position of the reciprocating motion performed by the first scanning unit 113 and the second scanning unit 114. The optical lens 115 reduces the reflected light image from the document reflected by the third mirror 1142 of the second scanning unit 114, and forms the reduced light image at a predetermined position on the CCD line sensor 116.

  The CCD line sensor 116 sequentially photoelectrically converts the light image formed by the optical lens 115 and outputs it as an electrical signal. The CCD line sensor 116 reads a black and white image or a color image, and R (red), G (green). , B (blue) is a three-line color CCD that outputs line data separated into each color component. The document image information converted into an electrical signal by the CCD line sensor 116 is transferred to an image processing unit (not shown) and subjected to predetermined image data processing.

  An image forming unit 210 is provided on the lower side of the image reading unit 110, and a sheet tray T and one sheet of paper P loaded and accommodated in the paper tray T are provided on the lower side inside the image forming unit 210. A paper feed mechanism 11 that separates and feeds the paper toward the paper transport path is provided. A main body door 20 that opens and closes when the toner cartridge is attached or detached is provided on the front side of the image forming unit 210.

  In addition, the multifunction machine main body 1 includes a sensor (not shown) that detects opening and closing of the main body door 20, and based on the detection result of the sensor, whether the main body door 20 is in an open state or a closed state. It is structured to understand.

  A transfer conveyance belt mechanism 13 is provided above the paper feed mechanism 11, and this transfer conveyance belt mechanism 13 is stretched between the driving roller 14 and the driven roller 15 so as to extend substantially in parallel. The sheet P is conveyed by being electrostatically attracted to the sheet 16. The sheets P separated and supplied one by one are conveyed by the transfer conveyance belt 16 with the timing controlled by a pair of registration rollers 12 arranged on the upstream side of the transfer conveyance belt 16. Further, the sheet P on which an image is formed on one side is conveyed again by the transfer conveying belt 16 in synchronization with the image forming process in the image forming unit 210.

  A fixing device 17 for fixing the toner image transferred and formed on the paper P is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer and transport belt 16 in the paper transport path. The sheet P that has passed through the nip portion between the pair of fixing rollers of the fixing device 17 passes through the conveyance direction switching gate 18 and is discharged from a discharge tray (not shown) attached to the outer wall of the multifunction machine main body 1 by the discharge roller 19. Discharged to the top.

  The conveyance direction switching gate 18 selectively selects a conveyance path of the fixed paper P between a path for discharging the paper P onto the discharge tray and a path for resupplying the paper P by the transfer conveyance belt mechanism 13. It is to switch. The paper P whose transport direction has been switched again toward the transfer transport belt mechanism 13 by the transport direction switching gate 18 is turned upside down via the switchback transport path 21 and then supplied again by the transfer transport belt 16.

  On the upper side of the transfer conveyance belt 16, the first image forming station Pa, the second image forming station Pb, the third image forming station Pc, and the fourth image are classified into black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. Forming stations Pd are arranged in parallel in order from the upstream side of the sheet conveyance path in the vicinity of the transfer conveyance belt 16. The transfer conveyance belt 16 is frictionally driven by the driving roller 14 in the direction indicated by an arrow Z in FIG. 2 to carry the sheet P fed through the sheet feeding mechanism 11, and the sheet P is transferred to the image forming station (developing unit) Pa. To Pd sequentially.

  The image forming stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd have substantially the same configuration, and have photosensitive drums 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d that are driven to rotate in the direction of arrow F in FIG. Yes. Around the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d, electrostatic chargers 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d for uniformly charging the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d, and electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d, respectively. Developing devices 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d having developing rollers 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d for developing the toner by adhering thereto are disposed.

  Furthermore, transfer dischargers 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d for transferring the toner images on the developed photosensitive drums 22a to 22d onto the paper P and a cleaning device 26a for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d. , 26b, 26c, and 26d are arranged along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d, respectively.

  Laser beam scanner units 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d are provided above the respective photosensitive drums 22a to 22d. The laser beam scanner units 27a to 27d include a semiconductor laser element (not shown) that emits dot light based on image data to be formed, and a polygon mirror 40 for reflecting the laser beam from the semiconductor laser element in the main scanning direction. And fθ lens 41, mirrors 42 and 43, and the like for imaging the laser beam reflected by polygon mirror 40 on the surfaces of corresponding photosensitive drums 22a to 22d.

  In the laser beam scanner units 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d, a pixel signal corresponding to a black component image, a pixel signal corresponding to a cyan component image, and a pixel signal corresponding to a magenta component image in a color original image are yellow. Pixel signals corresponding to the color component images are respectively input.

  With the color component images corresponding to the laser beam scanner units 27a to 27d, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the color-converted document image information are formed on the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d. The developing devices 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d are detachably provided with toner cartridges 305, respectively.

  More specifically, the developing device 24a is provided with a toner cartridge 305a containing black toner. The developing device 24b is provided with a toner cartridge 305b that contains cyan toner. The developing device 24c is provided with a toner cartridge 305c containing magenta toner. The developing device 24d is provided with a toner cartridge 305d that contains yellow toner. The electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d are developed with the toners of the toner cartridges of these colors.

  Between the first image forming station Pa and the paper feeding mechanism 11, a paper suction charger 28, which is a brush charger, is provided. The sheet adsorbing charger 28 charges the surface of the transfer conveyance belt 16 that is a transfer carrier, so that the sheet P supplied from the paper feeding mechanism 11 is reliably adsorbed on the transfer conveyance belt 16. The sheet is conveyed from the first image forming station Pa to the fourth image forming station Pd without deviation. Further, a discharger 29 for static elimination is provided at a portion almost directly above the drive roller 14 between the fourth image forming station Pd and the fixing device 17. An AC current for separating the sheet P electrostatically attracted to the transfer conveyance belt 16 from the transfer conveyance belt 16 is applied to the discharger 29 for static elimination.

  In the digital multi-function peripheral having the above-described configuration, cut sheet-like paper P is used, and when the paper P is fed from the paper tray T and supplied into the guide of the paper feed conveyance path of the paper feed mechanism 11. The tip portion is detected by a sensor (not shown), and is temporarily stopped by the pair of registration rollers 12 based on a detection signal output from the sensor. Further, the paper P is fed onto the transfer conveyance belt 16 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow Z in FIG. 2 by adjusting the timing with each of the image forming stations Pa to Pd. The transfer / conveying belt 16 that has been charged is stably conveyed and supplied while passing through the image forming stations Pa to Pd.

  In each of the image forming stations Pa to Pd, each color toner image is formed and superimposed on the support surface of the paper P that is electrostatically attracted and transported by the transfer and transport belt 16 and then is transferred by the fourth image forming station Pd. When the image transfer is completed, the paper P is sequentially peeled off from the transfer conveyance belt 16 by the discharger 29 for discharging from the leading end portion thereof and guided to the fixing device 17. The paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 20 from a paper discharge port (not shown).

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the multifunction machine main body 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The MFP main body 1 includes an image input unit 301, a storage unit 302, an operation panel 303, a display unit 304, a laser writing unit (laser beam scanner units 27a to 27d), and a charging unit (chargers 23a to 23d). ), A developing unit (image forming stations Pa to Pd), a transfer unit (transfer dischargers 25a to 25d), a motor M3 of the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d, a transfer conveyance motor M2, and a toner cartridge 305 (305a). ˜305d) and a toner replenishing motor M1. These units are connected to the control unit 50 and controlled by the control unit 50.

  The operation panel 303 includes a display device, input keys, and the like, and is configured to input a copy mode setting, copy number input, copy sheet size designation input, image density, copy magnification, and the like for the image forming apparatus. Yes.

  When the user inputs a predetermined input via the operation panel 303, the control unit 50 controls each unit of the multifunction machine main body 1. The laser writing unit (laser beam scanner units 27a to 27d) is a semiconductor in accordance with image data acquired by the image input unit 301 or image data obtained by processing the image data by an image processing unit (not shown). The light beam power of a laser element (for example, a laser light emitting diode) is controlled.

  The charging units (chargers 23a to 23d) control the grid bias voltage of the charging means (charging charger) and control the surface potential of the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d. When the charging unit is a contact type charging roller or the like, the voltage applied to the charging unit is controlled to control the surface potential of the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d, and the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d are statically controlled. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing units (Pa to Pd) control the bias voltages of the developing rollers 34a to 34d, so that the toner is properly conveyed to the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d, and proper development is performed.

  In the transfer section (transfer dischargers 25a to 25d), the control section 50 controls the voltage applied to transfer means (transfer device) of a transfer high-voltage power supply (not shown).

  The transfer conveyance motor M2 is a motor for driving the transfer conveyance belt 16, and the drum motor M3 is a motor for rotating the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d.

  Each toner cartridge 305 (305a to 305d) includes a parameter memory 306 and a toner replenishing unit 307.

  The parameter memory 306 stores toner cartridge information including a plurality of parameters. The toner cartridge information is information relating to the toner cartridge, and the predetermined information can be read from the parameter memory 306 and the predetermined information can be written to the parameter memory 306. The toner cartridge information includes, for example, the usage time of the toner cartridge, the amount of toner used, the number of sheets output by the use (number of images formed), the development adjustment parameter, the use temperature, the compatibility information (manufacturer, etc.), Including toner color, replenishment time (replenishment amount), etc. Here, the compatibility information is information indicating compatibility between the toner cartridge and an apparatus in which the toner cartridge is used.

  The toner supply unit 307 adjusts the amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge 305 to the developing units Pa to Pd. The toner supply motor M1 is a motor for supplying toner from the toner cartridge 305 to the developing units Pa to Pd.

  A CPU 51 of the control unit 50, which will be described later, controls the amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge 305 to the developing units Pa to Pd via the toner supply motor M1.

  The storage unit 302 is configured by a nonvolatile storage medium such as a flash memory, EEPROM (registered trademark), HDD, MRAM (magnetoresistance memory), FeRAM (ferroelectric memory), or OUM.

  The storage unit 302 stores the operation of the own apparatus and the parameters of the toner cartridge information in association with each other. The operation of the own apparatus includes, for example, an operation that may replace the toner cartridge 305 (hereinafter referred to as a first operation) and an operation related to image quality adjustment (hereinafter referred to as a second operation). Including.

  The storage unit 302 stores, for example, parameters of the color, usage time, usage amount, or number of formed images of the toner cartridge in association with the first operation. The second operation stores the toner cartridge compatibility information, the usage time, the replenishment time, or the parameters of the number of formed images in association with each other. Further, the storage unit 302 stores a threshold value used for comparison with the parameter of the toner cartridge information.

  The display unit 304 includes, for example, an LCD or an EL (Electroluminescence) panel, and displays an image to be output (printed) on a predetermined recording sheet via the image output unit. The display unit 304 also displays information to be notified to the user, such as confirmation of the state of the MFP main body 1, the status of job processing, the image of the document read by the image input unit 301 and the operation content of the operation panel 12. indicate.

  In addition, the display unit 304 displays parameters of toner cartridge information stored in the storage unit 302, and the parameter values acquired by the acquisition unit 54 of the control unit 50 described later. Further, the display unit 304 displays a comparison result between the parameter value acquired by the acquisition unit 54 and the threshold value stored in the storage unit 302.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the control unit 50 in the multifunction machine main body 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, an acquisition unit 54, a determination unit 55, and a comparison unit 56.

  The ROM 52 stores various types of control programs and basically fixed data among the calculation parameters in advance. The RAM 53 temporarily stores the data and reads it regardless of the storage order, storage position, etc. Is possible. The RAM 53 stores, for example, a program read from the ROM 52, various data generated by executing the program, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like.

  The CPU 51 loads the control program stored in advance in the ROM 52 onto the RAM 53 and executes it, thereby controlling the various hardware described above and operating the entire apparatus as the multifunction device main body 1 of the present invention.

  When the MFP body 1 performs a predetermined operation, the determination unit 55 determines whether the operation is the first operation or the second operation. For example, in the case of activation (eg, warm-up) associated with power-on by a user operation, the determination unit 55 determines that this operation is the first operation. Further, when the closing of the main body door 20 is detected, that is, when it is detected that the main body door 20 is changed from the open state to the closed state, the determination unit 55 determines this operation as the first operation. .

  Further, when the toner is replenished, the determination unit 55 determines that this operation is the second operation, and if the density or color adjustment is performed by itself (for example, periodically), the determination is performed. The unit 55 determines that this operation is the second operation.

  When the MFP main body 1 performs a predetermined operation, the acquisition unit 54 reads and acquires the parameter value corresponding to the operation from the parameter memory 306 of the toner cartridge 305 according to the determination result of the determination unit 55. .

  For example, when the determination unit 55 determines that the operation is the first operation, the acquisition unit 54 reads the parameter values of the color, usage amount, or number of formed images of the toner cartridge from the parameter memory 306. In addition, when the determination unit 55 determines that the operation is the second operation, the acquisition unit 54 obtains the toner cartridge compatibility information, the use time, the replenishment time, or the parameter value of the number of formed images from the parameter memory 306. read out. The read parameter value is temporarily stored in the RAM 53.

  In the case of the first operation in which the toner cartridge 305 may be replaced, information to be displayed with the replacement of the toner cartridge is displayed on the display unit 304 based on the parameter value acquired by the acquisition unit 54. .

  Further, in the case of the second operation related to image quality adjustment, information related to quality / performance is displayed on the display unit 304 based on the parameter value acquired by the acquisition unit 54.

  The comparison unit 56 compares the read parameter value with the threshold value stored in the storage unit 302 according to the determination result of the determination unit 55. That is, when the determination unit 55 determines that the operation is the second operation, the comparison unit 56 compares the parameter value acquired by the acquisition unit 54 with the threshold value.

  As described above, the comparison result by the comparison unit 56 is displayed on the display unit 304.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing for acquiring parameters of toner cartridge information in the multi-function device main body 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the CPU 51 determines which operation of the multifunction device main body 1 has been performed (step S101). When it is determined that the MFP body 1 does not have any operation (step S101: NO), the CPU 51 repeatedly performs such determination.

  Further, when the CPU 51 determines that the MFP body 1 has performed any operation (step S101: YES), an operation determination by the determination unit 55 is performed (step S102).

  Hereinafter, the operation determination by the determination unit 55 will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operation determination by the determination unit 55 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the following, for convenience of explanation, when the operation of the MFP main body 1 is activated when the user turns on the power, when the main body door 20 is detected closed, when toner is supplied, or when the density is increased Alternatively, the description will be made assuming that the color adjustment is performed automatically (hereinafter referred to as automatic adjustment).

  When it is determined by the CPU 51 that the MFP body 1 has performed any operation, the determination unit 55 determines whether or not the operation is a start-up associated with power-on by the user (step S201).

  If the determination unit 55 determines that such an operation is an activation associated with power-on by the user (step S201: YES), the determination unit 55 determines that the operation is the first operation (step S205). On the other hand, if the determination unit 55 determines that such an operation is not an activation associated with power-on by the user (step S201: NO), whether or not the operation is a detection that the main body door 20 is closed. Determination is made (step S202). That is, the determination unit 55 determines whether the main body door 20 has changed from the open state to the closed state. Such an operation is determined based on the detection result of the sensor.

  If the determination unit 55 determines that such an operation is detection that the main body door 20 is closed (step S202: YES), the determination unit 55 determines that the operation is the first operation (step S205). If the determination unit 55 determines that such an operation is not a detection that the main body door 20 is closed (step S202: NO), the determination unit 55 determines whether the operation is a toner replenishment (step S203). ). Such a determination is made, for example, by monitoring the toner supply motor M1.

  If the determination unit 55 determines that the operation is toner supply (step S203: YES), the determination unit 55 determines that the operation is the second operation (step S206). If the determination unit 55 determines that the operation is not toner replenishment (step S203: NO), the determination unit 55 determines whether the operation is automatic adjustment of density or color (step S204).

  If the determination unit 55 determines that the operation is automatic adjustment of density or color (step S204: YES), the determination unit 55 determines that the operation is the second operation (step S206). On the other hand, when the determination unit 55 determines that the operation is not automatic adjustment of density or color (step S204: NO), the process ends.

  As described above, when the CPU 51 determines that the MFP body 1 has performed any operation, the determination unit 55 determines whether the operation is the first operation or the second operation.

  Next, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the operation is the first operation based on the determination result of the determination unit 55 (step S103).

  When the CPU 51 determines that the operation is the first operation (step S103: YES), the acquisition unit 54 reads the parameter value of the toner cartridge information corresponding to the first operation from the parameter memory 306 (step S104). ). The parameter value read by the acquisition unit 54 is temporarily stored in the RAM 53 (step S105). Thereafter, the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 51 determines that the operation is not the first operation (step S103: NO), that is, when it is determined that the operation is the second operation, the acquisition unit 54 corresponds to the second operation. The parameter value of the toner cartridge information is read from the parameter memory 306 (step S106). The parameter value read by the acquisition unit 54 is temporarily stored in the RAM 53 (step S105). Thereafter, the process ends.

  Since the MFP main body 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the above-described configuration, it is possible to shorten the job processing time.

  In the MFP main body 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when a predetermined operation is performed, the parameter values corresponding to the operation are not read out instead of reading all the parameter values of the toner cartridge information included in the parameter memory 306. Only the minimum parameters required for the operation are read out. Therefore, it is possible to greatly save time for reading out such parameters, and it is possible to shorten the processing time without waiting for the user.

(Embodiment 2)

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining processing for acquiring parameters of toner cartridge information in the multi-function device body 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The CPU 51 determines which operation of the multifunction device main body 1 has been performed (step S301). When it is determined that the MFP body 1 does not have any operation (step S301: NO), the CPU 51 repeatedly performs such determination.

  Further, when the CPU 51 determines that the MFP body 1 has performed any operation (step S301: YES), an operation determination by the determination unit 55 is performed (step S302). The operation determination by the determination unit 55 has already been described in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the operation is the first operation based on the determination result of the determination unit 55 (step S303).

  When the CPU 51 determines that the operation is the first operation (step S303: YES), the acquisition unit 54 reads the parameter value of the toner cartridge information corresponding to the first operation from the parameter memory 306 (step S304). ). The parameter value read by the acquisition unit 54 is temporarily stored in the RAM 53 (step S305).

  As described above, when the first operation is performed, for example, when the toner cartridge 305 is replaced, the display unit 304 replaces the toner cartridge based on the parameter value acquired by the acquisition unit 54. Along with this, information to be displayed is displayed (step S306). Thereafter, the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 51 determines that the operation is not the first operation (step S303: NO), that is, when the operation is determined to be the second operation, the acquisition unit 54 corresponds to the second operation. The parameter value of the toner cartridge information is read from the parameter memory 306 (step S307). The parameter value read by the acquisition unit 54 is temporarily stored in the RAM 53 (step S308).

  Next, the comparison unit 56 compares the parameter value read by the acquisition unit 54 with the threshold value stored in the storage unit 302 (step S309).

  Further, the display unit 304 displays the comparison result by the comparison unit 56 (step S310). For example, if the comparison result by the comparison unit 56 indicates that the parameter value read by the acquisition unit 54 is equal to or less than the threshold value, or does not match, there is a problem with the compatibility of the toner cartridge, or the image quality cannot be guaranteed. Message is displayed. Thereafter, the process ends.

  Since the MFP main body 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the above-described configuration, it is possible to shorten the time for various processes.

  That is, in the multi-function device main body 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the second operation is performed, only the minimum required parameters among the parameters of the toner cartridge information included in the parameter memory 306 are obtained. read out. Further, only in this case, the read parameter value is compared with the threshold value stored in the storage unit 302, and the result of the comparison is displayed on the display unit 304.

  Accordingly, the time for reading out such parameters can be saved greatly, and the comparison process is performed only when necessary, and the comparison process is performed only for the minimum necessary parameters. The processing time can be shortened without waiting.

  The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Note that the acquisition unit 54, the determination unit 55, and the comparison unit 56 described above may be configured by hardware logic, or may be constructed in software by the CPU 51 executing a predetermined program.

  Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a toner cartridge 305 having toner cartridge information including a plurality of parameters. In the image forming apparatus 1 that acquires the toner cartridge information and performs a predetermined process, the operation of the apparatus itself And a storage unit 302 that stores the parameters of the toner cartridge information in association with each other, and an acquisition unit 54 that acquires the value of the parameter corresponding to the operation from the toner cartridge 305 in the case of a predetermined operation. It is characterized by being.

  According to the present invention, the operation of the own device and the parameter of the toner cartridge information are stored in association with each other, and in the case of a predetermined operation, the acquisition unit acquires the value of the parameter corresponding to the operation from the toner cartridge. .

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the operation includes a first operation in which the toner cartridge 305 may be replaced and a second operation related to image quality adjustment.

  According to the present invention, for example, the storage unit stores the parameters of the toner cartridge information in association with each of the first operation in which the toner cartridge may be replaced and the second operation related to the image quality adjustment.

  In the third embodiment of the present invention, in the case of a predetermined operation, there is provided a determination means 55 for determining whether the operation is the first operation or the second operation, and it is determined that the operation is the first operation. The acquisition unit 54 acquires the parameter value of the color, usage amount, or number of formed images of the toner cartridge 305, and when it is determined that the operation is the second operation, the acquisition unit 54 determines the toner cartridge 305. It is configured to acquire the values of the compatibility information, the use time, the replenishment time, or the number of image forming sheets.

  According to the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the operation is the first operation, the acquisition unit sets a value of a parameter of a toner cartridge color, a usage amount, or an image forming number of the toner cartridge information. When the determination unit determines that the second operation is performed, the acquisition unit determines whether the toner cartridge information includes compatibility information, usage time, replenishment time, or image forming number of parameters of the toner cartridge information. To get.

  Embodiment 4 of the present invention is characterized in that the determination means 55 is configured to determine that the activation by turning on the power is the first operation.

  According to the present invention, when the power-on activation is performed, the determination unit determines that the operation is the first operation.

  In Embodiment 5 of the present invention, a door that opens and closes when the toner cartridge 305 is attached / detached is provided, and the determination unit 55 is configured to determine that the detection of the closing of the door is the first operation. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, when the closing of the door is detected, the determination unit determines that the operation is the first operation.

  Embodiment 6 of the present invention is characterized in that the determination means 55 is configured to determine that toner replenishment is the second operation.

  According to the present invention, when the toner is replenished, the determination unit determines that the operation is the second operation.

  Embodiment 7 of the present invention is characterized in that the determination means 55 is configured to determine that automatic adjustment of density, color, or the like is the second operation.

  According to the present invention, when the automatic adjustment of density or color is performed, the determination unit determines that the operation is the second operation.

  In Embodiment 8 of the present invention, the display unit 304 is provided, and when the first operation is determined, the display unit 304 displays the value of the parameter acquired by the acquisition unit 54, and the second When it is determined as an operation, the display unit 304 is configured to display a comparison result between the value of the parameter acquired by the acquisition unit 54 and a predetermined threshold value.

  According to the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the operation is the first operation, the display unit displays the value of the parameter acquired by the acquisition unit, and the determination unit performs the operation. When it is determined that the operation is the second operation, the display unit displays a comparison result between the parameter value acquired by the acquisition unit and a predetermined threshold value.

1 MFP Main Body 20 Main Body Door 51 CPU
54 acquisition unit 55 determination unit 56 comparison unit 304 display unit 305 toner cartridge

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus comprising a toner cartridge having toner cartridge information including a plurality of parameters, and acquiring the toner cartridge information and performing a predetermined process,
A storage unit for storing the operation of the own device and the parameter of the toner cartridge information in association with each other;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a parameter value corresponding to the operation from the toner cartridge in the case of a predetermined operation.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation includes a first operation in which toner cartridges may be replaced and a second operation related to image quality adjustment. In the case of a predetermined operation, a determination unit is provided for determining whether the operation is a first operation or a second operation,
When it is determined that the operation is the first operation, the acquisition unit acquires a parameter value of the color, usage amount, or image forming number of the toner cartridge;
When it is determined that the operation is the second operation, the acquisition unit is configured to acquire the compatibility information of the toner cartridge, the use time, the replenishment time, or the parameter value of the number of formed images. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine that the activation by turning on the power is the first operation. 5. A door that opens and closes when the toner cartridge is attached or detached;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine that the detection of the closing of the door is the first operation.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine that toner supply is the second operation.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine that the automatic adjustment of density or color is the second operation. With a display,
When it is determined that the operation is the first operation, the display unit displays the value of the parameter acquired by the acquisition unit;
The display unit is configured to display a comparison result between a parameter value acquired by the acquisition unit and a predetermined threshold when it is determined that the second operation is performed. Item 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 2 to 7.

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