JP2019101156A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the formation of an image on a medium to be recorded in settings suitable for consumables used for the formation of the image.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 includes an attachment part 21, a control part 10, and an image forming unit 80. The control part 10 determines whether a replacement part C attached to the attachment part 21 is a first replacement part or a second replacement part. The second replacement part is different from the first replacement part. The control part 10 switches a control mode. The control mode includes a first control mode and a second control mode. When it is determined that replacement from the first replacement part to the second replacement part is performed, the control part 10 switches the control mode to the second control mode after a transition period T elapses. When it is determined that the replacement from the second replacement part to the first replacement part is performed, the control part 10 switches the control mode to the first control mode after the transition period T elapses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

  There is known an image forming apparatus that determines whether a mounted replaceable cartridge (replacement part) is a dedicated cartridge. As such an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 operates in an operation mode different from the operation mode of the dedicated cartridge when it is determined that a cartridge other than the dedicated cartridge is attached.

JP, 2005-326731, A

  When replacement parts containing consumables having predetermined characteristics are changed to replacement parts containing consumables having different characteristics (for example, toner), consumptions having different characteristics in the machine of the image forming apparatus (for example, in the developing device) There is a possibility that products may be mixed. For example, when the replacement part is replaced from the first replacement part to the second replacement part, the toner of the first replacement part and the toner of the second replacement part may be mixed in the machine of the image forming apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, although consumables having different characteristics are mixed in the apparatus of the image forming apparatus, image formation is performed on the recording medium with the setting according to the mounted replacement part. It could be done. Therefore, there is a possibility that the image formation is not performed on the recording medium with the setting suitable for the consumable used for the image formation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of forming an image on a recording medium with settings suitable for consumables used for image formation. It is to provide.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a mounting unit, a control unit, and an image forming unit. Replacement parts are mounted on the mounting portion. The replacement part accommodates consumables. The control unit determines whether the replacement part attached to the attachment part is a first replacement part or a second replacement part. The second replacement part is different from the first replacement part. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium by consuming the consumable item. The control unit switches the control mode. The control mode includes a first control mode and a second control mode. The control unit controls the image forming unit based on a first setting corresponding to the first replacement part in the first control mode. The control unit controls the image forming unit based on a second setting corresponding to the second replacement part in the second control mode. When it is determined that the first replacement part has been replaced with the second replacement part, the control unit switches the control mode to the second control mode after a transition period has elapsed. If the control unit determines that the second replacement part has been replaced with the first replacement part, the control unit switches the control mode to the first control mode after the transition period has elapsed.

  An image forming method according to the present invention includes an attachment unit to which a replacement part for containing a consumable is attached, and an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium by consuming the consumable. Run. The image forming method includes determining whether or not the first replacement part has been replaced with a second replacement part, and determining whether the second replacement part has been replaced with the first replacement part. If it is determined that the first replacement part has been replaced with the second replacement part, switching the control mode to the second control mode after the transition period has elapsed, and replacing the second replacement part with the first replacement part Switching the control mode to the first control mode after the transition period has elapsed. In the first control mode, the image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium based on a first setting corresponding to the first replacement part. In the second control mode, the image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium based on a second setting corresponding to the second replacement part.

  According to the present invention, image formation can be performed on a recording medium with settings suitable for consumables used for image formation.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus. 7 shows a timing chart of replacement parts and control mode. It is a flowchart which shows the switching method of the control mode of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the switching method of the control mode of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the determination method of whether the transition period of the control part passed. It is a flowchart which shows the determination method of whether the transition period of the control part passed. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the operation panel of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation panel of the image forming apparatus. 7 shows a timing chart of replacement parts and control mode. It is a flowchart which shows the switching method of the control mode of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the switching method of the control mode of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an operation panel of the image forming apparatus. (B)-(d) is a figure showing an icon picture. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows an icon image. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation panel of the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

Embodiment 1
The configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine. The following describes, as an example, the case where the image forming apparatus 100 is a monochrome multifunction peripheral having a printer function, a copying function, and a facsimile function.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a replenishment unit 20, a drive unit MT, a storage unit 50, a control unit 10, a communication unit 60, a display unit 30, an input unit 40, a document reading unit 70, an image forming unit 80, a feeding unit 90, and conveyance. A unit 91 and a discharge unit 92 are provided. The configurations of the document reading unit 70, the image forming unit 80, the feeding unit 90, the conveyance unit 91, and the discharging unit 92 are the same as those of the display unit 30 and the input unit 40 with reference to FIG. Each will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The replenishment unit 20 includes a mounting unit 21 and a component reading unit 22. The replenishing unit 20 replenishes the image forming unit 80 with the consumable item CT. Specifically, the replacement part C is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 21.

  The replacement part C is, for example, a toner container. The replacement part C has a housing portion CA and a discharge member CB. The accommodation unit CA accommodates the consumable item CT. The discharge member CB discharges the consumables CT from the storage portion CA by being rotationally driven. A storage element CM is attached to the replacement part C. The consumable item CT is, for example, a toner (for example, a black color) supplied to the image forming unit 80. The toner is composed of a plurality of toner particles. The storage element CM is, for example, a wireless tag (RF tag). The storage element CM stores management information (for example, manufacturer information, model number, manufacturing lot number, and characteristics of the consumable item CT) regarding the replacement part C. Hereinafter, “management information on the replacement part C” will be described as “replacement part information”. The replacement part C includes a first replacement part and a second replacement part different from the first replacement part. The first replacement part indicates, for example, a dedicated item of the image forming apparatus 100. The second replacement part indicates, for example, a replacement part different from a dedicated item. For example, the characteristics of the toner contained in the second replacement part are different from the characteristics of the toner contained in the first replacement part.

  The component reading unit 22 is, for example, an RF reader. The component reading unit 22 reads the replacement component information stored in the storage element CM when the replacement component C is mounted on the mounting unit 21. The component reading unit 22 transmits a signal indicating replacement component information to the control unit 10.

  The drive unit MT is, for example, a motor. The drive unit MT rotationally drives the discharge member CB. When the drive unit MT rotationally drives the discharge member CB, the discharge member CB discharges the consumable item CT from the storage unit CA. As a result, the consumable item CT is supplied to the image forming unit 80.

  The storage unit 50 is configured of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage unit 50 may include an external memory. External memory is removable media. The storage unit 50 includes, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory and a Secure Digital (SD) card as the external memory. The storage unit 50 stores various data and a control program for controlling the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The control program is executed by the control unit 10. In the storage unit 50, first replacement part information is stored in advance as various data. The first replacement part information is, for example, information indicating the manufacturer information of the first replacement part and the model number.

  The control unit 10 is a hardware circuit configured of a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the like. The control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100 by the processor reading and executing the control program stored in the storage unit 50. Control unit 10 controls the operation of image forming unit 80 to consume consumables CT.

  The control unit 10 determines whether the replacement part C is a first replacement part or a second replacement part. For example, the control unit 10 controls the operation of the component reading unit 22 to execute RFID (Radio Frequency Identification: wireless automatic recognition) when the image forming apparatus 100 is started. The control unit 10 compares the replacement part information transmitted from the part reading unit 22 with the first replacement part information stored in the storage unit 50 to determine whether the replacement part C is the first replacement part. 2 Determine if it is a replacement part.

  The communication unit 60 is communicably connected to various external terminal devices E via the network N. The network N includes, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and a telephone line. The external terminal device E includes, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal device, and a facsimile device. The communication unit 60 transmits and receives various data to and from the external terminal device E via the network N. Various types of data include, for example, print job data, email data, and facsimile data.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configurations of the document reading unit 70, the image forming unit 80, the feeding unit 90, the conveyance unit 91, and the discharging unit 92 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG.

  The document reading unit 70 reads an image of a document G (for example, a document for copy printing). The feeding unit 90 accommodates a plurality of recording media S, and feeds the recording media S to the transport unit 91. The recording medium S is, for example, a recording medium made of paper or synthetic resin. The transport unit 91 includes a plurality of transport roller pairs, and transports the recording medium S to the image forming unit 80. The image forming unit 80 forms an image on the recording medium S by consuming the consumable item CT. Specifically, the image forming unit 80 forms a print image on the recording medium S by electrophotography and heats and presses the print image to fix the print image on the recording medium S. Specifically, the image forming unit 80 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, a charge removing device, and a fixing device. The image forming unit 80 corresponds to an example of the “image forming unit”. The print image is, for example, an image of the document G, an image indicating a status page of the image forming apparatus 100, an image corresponding to data stored in the storage unit 50, or an image corresponding to data received from the external terminal device E. It is. The transport unit 91 transports the recording medium S on which the print image is fixed to the discharge unit 92. The discharge unit 92 discharges the recording medium S to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The control unit 10 switches the control mode. The control mode includes a first control mode and a second control mode. In the first control mode, control unit 10 controls the image forming unit based on the first setting corresponding to the first replacement part. The first setting includes parameters. The parameters include, for example, the rotational speed of the drive unit MT, the density of the consumables CT, the voltage applied to the photosensitive drum, and the temperature of the fixing device. On the other hand, in the second control mode, the control unit 10 controls the image forming unit 80 based on the second setting corresponding to the second replacement part. The second setting includes parameters. The parameters include, for example, the rotational speed of the drive unit MT, the density of the consumables CT, the voltage applied to the photosensitive drum, and the temperature of the fixing device. The parameters of the first setting and the parameters of the second setting have different values. For example, the parameter of the rotational speed of the drive unit MT included in the second setting is smaller than the parameter of the rotational speed of the drive unit MT included in the first setting. That is, in the second control mode, the control unit 10 controls the rotational speed of the drive unit MT to be slower than that in the first control mode.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 may execute a calibration operation (for example, a refresh operation of a developing device and a refresh operation of a photosensitive drum). The calibration includes a process of adjusting a parameter included in the first setting in the first control mode and a process of adjusting a parameter included in the second setting in the second control mode. The calibration operation is performed, for example, at the time of activation of the image forming apparatus 100 and in order to maintain the image quality (gloss, line thickness, coloring, etc.) taking advantage of the characteristics of the consumable item CT of the replacement part C. It is executed every printing operation.

  The frequency of calibration in the second control mode is higher than the frequency of calibration in the first control mode. Therefore, even when the replacement part C is replaced with the second replacement part, it is possible to perform image formation on the recording medium with the setting suitable for the consumable item CT being used.

  Further, the time required for calibration in the second control mode is longer than the time required for calibration in the first control mode. Therefore, even when the replacement part C is replaced with the second replacement part, it is possible to perform image formation on the recording medium with the setting suitable for the consumable item CT being used.

  When the control unit 10 determines that the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 has been replaced from the first replacement part to the second replacement part, the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the second control mode after the transition period has elapsed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the replacement part mounted on the mounting unit 21 has been replaced from the second replacement part to the first replacement part, the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the first control mode after the transition period has elapsed.

  The control mode switching method of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 3 shows a timing chart of the replacement part C and the control mode.

  In FIG. 3, a replacement part C indicates a replacement part mounted on the mounting unit 21. That is, the result of determination by the control unit 10 as to whether the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 is the first replacement part or the second replacement part is shown. Further, in FIG. 3, the control mode indicates the control mode switched by the control unit 10. Further, in FIG. 3, the transition period T indicates a period from when the replacement part C is replaced with another replacement part C until the control unit 10 switches the control mode. In the present embodiment, a transition period T is a period from time t1 to time t2 and a period from time t3 to time t4. The transition period T is, for example, a period in which the consumable item CT of the first replacement part and the consumable item CT of the second replacement part are mixed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, at time t0, the first replacement part is mounted on the mounting unit 21. Therefore, the control unit 10 determines that the first replacement part is mounted on the mounting unit 21.

  At time t1, the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 is exchanged from the first replacement part to the second replacement part. Therefore, the control unit 10 determines that the replacement part mounted on the mounting unit 21 has been replaced with the second replacement part from the first replacement part.

  At time t2, the control unit 10 determines that the transition period T has elapsed since the replacement part C was replaced from the first replacement part to the second replacement part. The determination as to whether or not the transition period T has elapsed is performed based on the consumption of the consumables CT or the replenishment of the consumables CT. The determination of whether or not the transition period T has elapsed will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

  Generally, when the replacement part C is replaced from the first replacement part to the second replacement part, the consumable part CT of the first replacement part is replaced with the second replacement part CT in the machine of the image forming apparatus 100 (for example, in the developing device). There is a possibility that parts consumables and CT may be mixed. Therefore, when determining that the replacement part C has been replaced from the first replacement part to the second replacement part, the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the second control mode after the transition period T has elapsed. That is, in the transition period T from time t1 to time t2, although the replacement part C is replaced with the second replacement part, the control unit 10 maintains the first control mode. Therefore, the control mode is switched to the second control mode after the consumables CT of the first replacement part remaining in the machine of the image forming apparatus 100 are sufficiently eliminated. As a result, image formation can be performed on the recording medium S with settings suitable for the consumables CT used for image formation.

  At time t3, the replacement part C attached to the attachment unit 21 is replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part. Therefore, the control unit 10 determines that the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 has been replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part.

  At time t4, the control unit 10 determines that the transition period T has elapsed since the replacement part C has been replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part. The determination as to whether or not the transition period T has elapsed is performed based on the consumption of the consumables CT or the replenishment of the consumables CT. The determination of whether or not the transition period T has elapsed will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

  Generally, when the replacement part C is replaced from the second replacement part to the first replacement part, the consumable part CT of the first replacement part is replaced with the second replacement part CT in the machine (for example, in the developing device) of the image forming apparatus 100. Consumable parts CT may be mixed. Therefore, when determining that the replacement part C has been replaced from the second replacement part to the first replacement part, the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the first control mode after the transition period T has elapsed. That is, in the transition period T from time t3 to time t4, although the replacement part C is replaced with the first replacement part, the control unit 10 maintains the second control mode. Therefore, the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the first control mode after the consumable item CT of the second replacement part remaining in the machine of the image forming apparatus 100 is sufficiently eliminated. As a result, image formation can be performed on the recording medium S with settings suitable for the consumables CT used for image formation.

  The transition period T includes a transition period T (period from time t1 to time t2) when switching from the first control mode to the second control mode and a transition period when switching from the second control mode to the first control mode. It may be the same as T (period from time t3 to time t4) or may be different. For example, the transition period T when switching from the first control mode to the second control mode may be longer than the transition period T when switching from the second control mode to the first control mode.

  The method of switching the control mode of the control unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of switching the control mode of the control unit 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of switching the control mode when the first replacement part is replaced with the second replacement part. The control mode is switched by executing the processes of steps S102 to S106 shown in FIG. 4.

  Step S102: The control unit 10 determines whether or not the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 has been replaced with the second replacement part from the first replacement part. If the control unit 10 determines that the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 is not replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part (step S102: No), the process returns to step S102. . If the control unit 10 determines that the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 has been replaced from the first replacement part to the second replacement part (step S102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S104.

  Step S104: The control unit 10 determines whether or not the transition period T has elapsed. The control unit 10 determines whether the transition period T has elapsed based on, for example, the consumption of the consumables CT or the replenishment of the consumables CT. A method of determining whether or not the transition period T of the control unit 10 has elapsed will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. If the control unit 10 determines that the transition period T has not elapsed (step S104: No), the process returns to step S104. If the control unit 10 determines that the transition period T has elapsed (step S104: Yes), the process proceeds to step S106.

  Step S106: The control unit 10 switches the control mode to the second control mode. The process ends.

  Subsequently, a method of switching the control mode of the control unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control mode switching method of the control unit 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a control mode switching method when the second replacement part is replaced with the first replacement part. The control mode is switched by executing the processes of steps S202 to S206 shown in FIG. 5.

  Step S202: The control unit 10 determines whether or not the replacement part C attached to the attachment unit 21 has been replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part. If the control unit 10 determines that the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 is not replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part (step S202: No), the process returns to step S202. . If the control unit 10 determines that the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 has been replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part (step S202: Yes), the process proceeds to step S204.

  Step S204: The control unit 10 determines whether or not the transition period T has elapsed. The control unit 10 determines whether the transition period T has elapsed based on, for example, the consumption of the consumables CT or the replenishment of the consumables CT. A method of determining whether or not the transition period T of the control unit 10 has elapsed will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. If the control unit 10 determines that the transition period T has not elapsed (step S204: No), the process returns to step S204. When the control unit 10 determines that the transition period T has elapsed (step S204: Yes), the process proceeds to step S206.

  Step S206: The control unit 10 switches the control mode to the first control mode. The process ends.

  A method of determining whether or not the transition period T of the control unit 10 has elapsed will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of determining whether the transition period T of the control unit 10 has elapsed. By executing the processing of step S302 to step S314 shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether the transition period T has elapsed.

  Step S302: The control unit 10 clears the consumption amount of the consumable item CT. Specifically, when the replacement part C attached to the attachment unit 21 is replaced with a different replacement part C, the control unit 10 clears the consumption amount of the consumable item CT. More specifically, when the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 is exchanged from the first replacement part to the second replacement part, the control unit 10 clears the consumption amount of the consumable item CT. Alternatively, when the replacement part C attached to the attachment unit 21 is replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part, the control unit 10 clears the consumption amount of the consumable item CT. The processing proceeds to step S304.

  Step S304: The control unit 10 determines whether there is a print job. If the control unit 10 determines that there is no print job (step S304: No), the process returns to step S304. When the control unit 10 determines that there is a print job (step S304: Yes), the process proceeds to step S306.

  Step S306: The image forming unit 80 executes printing. That is, the image forming unit 80 forms an image on the recording medium S. The processing proceeds to step S308.

  Step S308: The control unit 10 acquires the consumption amount of the consumable item CT. For example, the control unit 10 calculates the consumption based on the integrated value of the number of dots included in the image formed on the recording medium S after the replacement part C is replaced with a different replacement part C. The consumption indicates the amount of consumables CT consumed by the image forming unit 80 after the replacement part C is replaced with a different replacement part C. The processing proceeds to step S310.

  Step S310: The control unit 10 determines whether the print job has been completed. When the control unit 10 determines that the print job is not completed (step S310: No), the process returns to step S306, and the image forming unit 80 executes printing again. The processes in steps S306 to S310 are repeatedly executed until the print job is completed. If the control unit 10 determines that the print job is completed (step S310: Yes), the process proceeds to step S312.

  Step S312: The control unit 10 determines whether the consumption amount has become equal to or greater than a threshold. When the control unit 10 determines that the consumption amount is not equal to or more than the threshold (step S312: No), the process returns to step S304. When the control unit 10 determines that the consumption amount is equal to or more than the threshold (step S312: Yes), the process proceeds to step S314.

  Step S314: The control unit 10 determines that the transition period T has elapsed. The process ends.

  In the determination method shown in FIG. 6, when it is determined that the consumption amount of the consumable item CT is equal to or more than the threshold value, it is determined that the transition period T has elapsed, but the replenishment amount of the consumable item CT is equal to or more than the threshold value. If it is determined, it may be determined that the transition period T has elapsed.

  A method of determining whether or not the transition period T of the control unit 10 has elapsed will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method of determining whether the transition period T of the control unit 10 has elapsed. By executing the processing of steps S402 to S414 shown in FIG. 7, it is determined whether the transition period T has elapsed. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 except that it is determined that the transition period T has elapsed based on the replenishment amount instead of the consumption amount, and therefore the overlapping portion will be described. Omit.

  Step S402: The control unit 10 clears the supply amount of the consumable item CT. Specifically, when the replacement part C attached to the attachment unit 21 is replaced with a different replacement part C, the control unit 10 clears the replenishment amount of the consumable item CT. More specifically, when the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 is exchanged from the first replacement part to the second replacement part, the control unit 10 clears the replenishment amount of the consumable item CT. Alternatively, when the replacement part C attached to the attachment unit 21 is replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part, the control unit 10 clears the replenishment amount of the consumable item CT. The processing proceeds to step S404.

  Steps S404 to S406: The same processes as steps S304 to S306 shown in FIG. 6 are performed.

  Step S408: The control unit 10 acquires the replenishment amount of the consumable item CT. For example, the control unit 10 calculates the replenishment amount based on the rotation speed of the drive unit MT or the drive time of the drive unit MT after the replacement part C is replaced with a different replacement part C. The replenishment amount indicates the amount of consumables CT that the replacement part C has replenished to the image forming unit after the replacement part C is replaced with a different replacement part C. The processing proceeds to step S410.

  Step S410: The same process as step S310 shown in FIG. 6 is performed.

  Step S412: The control unit 10 determines whether the replenishment amount has become equal to or greater than a threshold. When the control unit 10 determines that the replenishment amount is not equal to or more than the threshold (step S412: No), the process returns to step S404. When the control unit 10 determines that the replenishment amount is equal to or more than the threshold (step S412: Yes), the process proceeds to step S414.

  Step S414: The control unit 10 determines that the transition period T has elapsed. The process ends.

  Subsequently, the configurations of the display unit 30 and the input unit 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b). FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing an operation panel of the image forming apparatus 100. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the display unit 30 is a display having a touch panel function capable of displaying software buttons, and is disposed on the operation panel. Such a touch panel function can be combined with the display unit 30 and the input unit 40. The display unit 30 displays the screen M. For example, when the user executes the copy printing function, the display unit 30 displays a message image such as “Can be copied. [1 sheet / A4]”.

  The input unit 40 is, for example, an operation panel having a touch panel function and various hardware buttons. The input unit 40 receives an instruction from the user. The hardware button includes a start button 41. The start button 41 is a button for inputting an instruction to start the execution of the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. The user inputs, for example, a consumption start instruction by pressing the start button 41. The consumption start instruction indicates an instruction to start execution of a function (for example, a copy print function) that consumes the consumable item CT.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, when the control unit 10 determines that the second replacement part has been replaced with the first replacement part, the control unit 10 controls the image forming unit 80 based on the second setting within the transition period. The display unit 30 displays a screen M1 indicating that the camera is on. For example, the screen M1 is a screen showing a notification sentence such as "Forming an image based on the second setting." The user can recognize that the image is formed based on the second setting corresponding to the second replacement part although the first replacement part is mounted on the mounting unit 21 by confirming the screen M1. it can.

  Switching of the control mode after the transition period T has elapsed since the replacement part C is replaced with a different replacement part C (for example, from the first replacement part to the second replacement part) according to the user's request. It may be possible to release the function. The cancellation setting screen M2 of the control mode switching function will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a view showing an operation panel of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 30 to display the cancellation setting screen M2 after the transition period T has elapsed since the replacement part C was replaced with a different replacement part C. The cancellation setting screen M2 is a screen for canceling the switching function of switching the control mode. The cancellation setting screen M2 is, for example, a screen showing a notification statement such as “Do you want to cancel the switching function?”. For example, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 30 to display the cancellation setting screen M2 each time a print job is started or each time it is started.

  Further, the release setting screen M2 includes a release button 43 and a release cancel button 44. The release button 43 and the release cancel button 44 are, for example, software buttons.

  When the release button 43 is touched by the user, the control unit 10 releases the switching function. That is, the control unit 10 performs control to switch the control mode without waiting for the transition period T after the replacement part C is replaced with a different replacement part.

  On the other hand, when the release cancel button 44 is touched by the user, the control unit 10 enables the switching function. That is, the control unit 10 controls to switch the control mode after the transition period T has elapsed since the replacement part C is replaced with a different replacement part C.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, when the control unit 10 determines that the first replacement part has been replaced with the second replacement part, the second control mode is set after the transition period T has elapsed. Switch to control mode. Therefore, the control mode is switched to the second control mode after the consumables CT of the first replacement part remaining in the machine of the image forming apparatus 100 are sufficiently eliminated. As a result, image formation can be performed on the recording medium S with settings suitable for the consumables CT used for image formation.

  On the other hand, when determining that the second replacement part has been replaced with the first replacement part, the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the first control mode after the transition period T has elapsed. Therefore, the control mode is switched to the first control mode after the consumables CT of the second replacement part remaining in the machine of the image forming apparatus 100 are sufficiently exhausted. As a result, image formation can be performed on the recording medium S with settings suitable for the consumables CT used for image formation.

Second Embodiment
A control mode switching method of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 10. FIG. 10 shows a timing chart of the replacement part C and the control mode. The control mode switching method according to the second embodiment is the same as the control mode switching method according to the first embodiment except that the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the third control mode during the transition period T. Since there is an overlapping part, the description will be omitted.

  In FIG. 10, a replacement part C indicates a replacement part mounted on the mounting unit 21. That is, the result of determination by the control unit 10 as to whether the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 is the first replacement part or the second replacement part is shown. Further, in FIG. 3, the control mode indicates the control mode switched by the control unit 10. Further, in FIG. 3, the transition period T indicates a period from when the replacement part C is replaced with another replacement part C until the control unit 10 switches the control mode. In the present embodiment, a transition period T is a period from time t1 to time t2 and a period from time t3 to time t4.

  In the present embodiment, the control mode includes a first control mode, a second control mode, and a third control mode. In the present embodiment, the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the third control mode during the transition period T. In the third control mode, the control unit 10 controls the image forming unit with the third setting. The third setting is a setting according to the ratio of the amount of consumables CT of the first replacement part in the image forming unit 80 to the amount of consumables CT of the second replacement part. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the ratio of the amount of consumables CT of the first replacement part to the amount of consumables CT of the second replacement part in the image forming unit 80 may be referred to as a mixture ratio. For example, the control unit 10 calculates the ratio based on the consumption amount or the replenishment amount of the consumable item CT after the replacement part C is replaced with a different replacement part C. Specifically, in the storage unit 50, for example, the mixing ratio obtained experimentally is stored in association with the rotation speed of the drive unit MT before the shipment of the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 10 detects the number of rotations of the drive unit MT after the replacement part C is replaced with a different replacement part C, and specifies the mixing ratio corresponding to the detected number of rotations of the drive unit MT. As a result, the control unit 10 can calculate the mixing ratio.

  The third setting includes parameters. The parameters include, for example, the rotational speed of the drive unit MT, the density of the consumables CT, the voltage applied to the photosensitive drum, and the temperature of the fixing device. The parameter of the third setting is a setting according to the ratio of the amount of consumables CT of the first replacement part in the image forming unit 80 and the amount of consumables CT of the second replacement part. The parameter of the third setting changes, for example, according to the mixing ratio between the parameter of the first setting and the parameter of the second setting. For example, the parameter of the rotational speed of the drive unit MT included in the third setting becomes slower as the ratio of the consumables CT of the second replacement part increases.

  As shown in FIG. 10, at time t0, the first replacement part is mounted on the mounting unit 21. Therefore, the control unit 10 determines that the first replacement part is mounted on the mounting unit 21.

  At time t1, the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 is exchanged from the first replacement part to the second replacement part. Therefore, the control unit 10 determines that the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 has been replaced with the second replacement part from the first replacement part.

  At time t2, the control unit 10 determines that the transition period T has elapsed since the replacement part C was replaced from the first replacement part to the second replacement part. As in the first embodiment, the determination as to whether or not the transition period T has elapsed is performed based on the consumption amount of the consumable item CT or the replenishment amount of the consumable item CT.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the third control mode during the transition period T. That is, during a period in which the consumables CT of the first replacement part and the consumables CT of the second replacement part are mixed, the control unit 10 controls the image forming unit 80 with the third setting according to the mixing ratio. Therefore, image formation can be performed on the recording medium S with settings suitable for the consumable item CT used for image formation.

  At time t3, the replacement part C attached to the attachment unit 21 is replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part. Therefore, the control unit 10 determines that the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 has been replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part.

  At time t4, the control unit 10 determines that the transition period T has elapsed since the replacement part C has been replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part. The determination as to whether or not the transition period T has elapsed is performed based on the consumption of the consumables CT or the replenishment of the consumables CT.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the third control mode during the transition period T. That is, during a period in which the consumables CT of the first replacement part and the consumables CT of the second replacement part are mixed, the control unit 10 controls the image forming unit 80 with the third setting according to the mixing ratio. Therefore, image formation can be performed on the recording medium S with settings suitable for the consumable item CT used for image formation.

  Subsequently, a method of switching the control mode of the control unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 11. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a method of switching control modes of the control unit 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of a control mode switching method when the first replacement part is replaced with the second replacement part. The control mode is switched by executing the processing of steps S502 to S508 shown in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 11 performs the same process as the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 except that the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the third control mode during the transition period T. I omit explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, when the control unit 10 determines that the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 has been replaced from the first replacement part to the second replacement part (step S502: Yes), the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the third control mode (step S504). When the control unit 10 determines that the transition period T has elapsed (step S506: Yes), the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the second control mode (step S508).

  Subsequently, a method of switching the control mode of the control unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 12. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a method of switching the control mode of the control unit 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a control mode switching method when the second replacement part is replaced with the first replacement part. The control mode is switched by executing the processes of step S602 to step S608 shown in FIG. Since the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 performs the same process as the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 except that the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the third control mode during the transition period T, the overlapping portion I omit explanation.

  As illustrated in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, when the control unit 10 determines that the replacement part C mounted on the mounting unit 21 has been replaced with the first replacement part from the second replacement part (step S602: Yes), the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the third control mode (step S604). When the control unit 10 determines that the transition period T has elapsed (step S606: Yes), the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the first control mode (step S608).

  As described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 10 to 12, the control unit 10 switches the control mode to the third control mode during the transition period T. In the third control mode, the image forming unit is controlled with a third setting according to the ratio of the amount of consumables CT of the first replacement part and the amount of consumables CT of the second replacement part in the image forming unit. Therefore, image formation can be performed on the recording medium S with settings suitable for the consumable item CT used for image formation.

  The control unit 10 preferably changes the density of the icon image M4 according to the mixing ratio. The change of the density of the icon image M4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13A shows an operation panel of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 13 (b) to 13 (d) show the icon image M4. The icon image M4 shown in FIG. 13B shows the icon image M4 when the mixture ratio is 100% of the consumable item CT of the first replacement part. The icon image M4 shown in FIG. 13C shows an icon image M4 in which the mixture ratio is 50% of the consumables CT of the first replacement part and 50% of the consumables CT of the second replacement part. The icon image M4 shown in FIG. 13 (d) shows the icon image M4 when the mixture ratio is 100% of the consumable item CT of the second replacement part.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 30 to display a setting screen M3. The setting screen M3 includes a plurality of icon images M4. The icon image M4 is, for example, an icon indicating a function of setting the orientation of the document.

  As shown in FIGS. 13B to 13D, the control unit 10 controls the display unit 30 to change the density of the icon image M4 according to the mixing ratio. Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the display unit 30 to darken the density of the icon image M4 as the ratio of the second replacement part increases. Therefore, the user can visually recognize that the proportion of the second replacement part is high by confirming the icon image M4.

  The control unit 10 may control the display unit 30 so as to partially change the density of the icon image M4 according to the mixing ratio. FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C are diagrams showing the icon image M4. The icon image M4 shown in FIG. 14A shows the icon image M4 in the case where the mixture ratio is 100% of the consumable item CT of the first replacement part. The icon image M4 shown in FIG. 14B shows an icon image M4 in which the mixture ratio is 50% of the consumables CT of the first replacement part and 50% of the consumables CT of the second replacement part. The icon image M4 shown in FIG. 14C shows the icon image M4 when the mixture ratio is 100% of the consumable item CT of the second replacement part.

  As shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the control unit 10 controls the display unit 30 so as to partially change the density of the icon image M4 according to the mixture ratio. Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the display unit 30 to increase the area of the dark portion of the icon image M4 as the ratio of the second replacement part increases. Therefore, the user can visually recognize that the proportion of the second replacement part is high by confirming the icon image M4.

  The control unit 10 may display the setting screen M3 and the icon image M4 on the display unit of the external terminal device E (see FIG. 1).

  Preferably, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 30 to display information for comparing the concentration characteristic of the first replacement part with the concentration characteristic according to the mixing ratio. FIG. 15 is a view showing an operation panel of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 30 to display information for comparing the concentration characteristic of the first replacement part with the concentration characteristic according to the mixing ratio. For example, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 30 to display a screen M5 including a graph indicating density characteristics. In the screen M5, L1 indicates the concentration characteristic of the first replacement part, and L2 indicates the concentration characteristic according to the mixing ratio. By checking the screen M5, the user can visually recognize the gap between the density characteristic of the consumable CT used for image formation and the density characteristic of the consumable CT of the first replacement part.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 15). However, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, It is possible to implement in a various aspect in the range which does not deviate from the summary (for example, (1)-(2) shown below). In order to facilitate understanding, the drawings schematically show each component as a main component, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown are different from the actual for convenience of drawing preparation. . Further, the materials, shapes, dimensions, and the like of the components shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and are not particularly limited, and various modifications can be made without substantially departing from the effects of the present invention. is there.

  (1) Although the image forming apparatus 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15 is a monochrome multifunction peripheral, the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus 100 may be, for example, a color multifunction peripheral.

  (2) Although the image forming apparatus 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15 is an electrophotographic composite machine, the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus 100 may be, for example, an inkjet recording type of multifunction machine. For example, in the case of an inkjet recording type of multifunction machine, the replacement part C is an ink cartridge, and the consumable CT is an ink (for example, black). The image forming unit 80 includes a recording head.

Reference Signs List 10 control unit 21 mounting unit 30 display unit 40 input unit 43 release button 80 image forming unit (image forming unit)
100 image forming apparatus C replacement part CB discharge member CT consumables MT drive unit S recording medium T transition period

Claims (16)

A mounting portion on which a replacement part for storing the consumables is mounted;
A control unit that determines whether the replacement part mounted on the mounting unit is a first replacement part or a second replacement part different from the first replacement part;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium by consuming the consumable item;
The control unit
Switching the control mode including the first control mode and the second control mode,
In the first control mode, the image forming unit is controlled based on a first setting corresponding to the first replacement part,
In the second control mode, the image forming unit is controlled based on a second setting corresponding to the second replacement part,
If it is determined that the first replacement part has been replaced with the second replacement part, the control mode is switched to the second control mode after a transition period has elapsed.
The image forming apparatus, wherein, when it is determined that the second replacement part has been replaced with the first replacement part, the control mode is switched to the first control mode after the transition period has elapsed. The control unit determines whether the consumption amount of the consumable item is equal to or more than a threshold, and when it is determined that the consumption amount is equal to or more than the threshold, it is determined that the transition period has elapsed and the control mode Switch between
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumption amount indicates an amount of the consumable item consumed by the image forming unit after the replacement part is replaced with a different replacement part.   The control unit may calculate the consumption amount based on an integrated value of the number of dots included in an image formed on the recording medium after the replacement part is replaced with a different replacement part. Image forming device. The control unit determines whether or not the supply amount of the consumable item is equal to or more than a threshold, and when it is determined that the supply amount is equal to or more than the threshold, it is determined that the transition period has elapsed and the control mode Switch between
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment amount indicates an amount of the consumable that the replacement part has replenished to the image forming unit after the replacement part is replaced with a different replacement part. Further comprising a drive,
The replacement part has a storage unit for storing the consumable item, and a discharge member for discharging the consumable item from the storage unit by being rotationally driven.
The drive unit rotationally drives the discharge member.
The image formation according to claim 4, wherein the control unit calculates the replenishment amount based on a rotation speed of the drive unit or a drive time of the drive unit after the replacement component is replaced with a different replacement component. apparatus.   The first setting and the second setting include the setting of the rotational speed of the drive unit, and the setting of the rotational speed of the first setting is different from the setting of the rotational speed of the second setting. 6. An image forming apparatus according to item 5. The frequency of calibration in the second control mode is higher than the frequency of calibration in the first control mode,
The calibration includes a process of adjusting a parameter included in the first setting in the first control mode, and a process of adjusting a parameter included in the second setting in the second control mode. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10. The time required for calibration in the second control mode is longer than the time required for calibration in the first control mode,
The calibration includes a process of adjusting a parameter included in the first setting in the first control mode, and a process of adjusting a parameter included in the second setting in the second control mode. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10. The display unit further displays the screen,
When the control unit determines that the second replacement part has been replaced with the first replacement part, a screen indicating that the image forming unit is being controlled based on the second setting within the transition period is displayed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the image is displayed on the display unit.   10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display a release button for releasing the switching function of switching the control mode after the transition period has elapsed since the replacement component is replaced with a different replacement component. Image forming apparatus. The control unit
Display an icon image on the display unit,
The display unit is controlled to change the density of the icon image according to the ratio of the amount of the consumables of the first replacement part to the amount of the consumables of the second replacement part in the image forming unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 or 10.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display information for comparing the density characteristic of the first replacement part with the density characteristic according to the ratio. The control unit switches the control mode to a third control mode during the transition period,
In the third control mode, the image forming unit is set with a third setting according to a ratio of the amount of the consumables of the first replacement part in the image forming unit to the amount of the consumables of the second replacement part. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which performs control.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the control unit calculates the ratio based on a consumption amount or a replenishment amount of the consumable item after the replacement part is replaced with a different replacement part. An image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus comprising: a mounting unit to which a replacement part for storing a consumable is mounted; and an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium by consuming the consumable.
Determining whether the first replacement part has been replaced with the second replacement part;
Determining whether the second replacement part has been replaced with the first replacement part;
Switching the control mode to the second control mode after the transition period has elapsed, when it is determined that the first replacement part has been replaced with the second replacement part;
Switching the control mode to the first control mode after the transition period has elapsed, when it is determined that the second replacement part has been replaced with the first replacement part.
In the first control mode, the image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium based on a first setting corresponding to the first replacement part.
In the second control mode, the image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium based on a second setting corresponding to the second replacement part. Displaying an icon image on the display unit;
Changing the density of the icon image in accordance with a ratio of the amount of the consumable item of the first replacement part to the amount of the consumable item of the second replacement part in the image forming unit. The image forming method of claim 15.

Images