JP2020008803A - Toner container, image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a toner container that can reduce the man-hours for managing the quality of toner.SOLUTION: A toner container 100 comprises a container body 120, a detection unit 130, a storage unit 140, and a communication unit 150. The container body 120 stores a toner. The detection unit 130 detects the storage state of the toner stored in the container body 120. The storage unit 140 stores detection result information R indicating a result of detection performed by the detection unit 130 and detection time information T associated with the detection result information R. The communication unit 150 transmits the detection time information T and detection result information R stored in the storage unit 140. The detection time information T indicates the time at which the detection unit 130 detects the storage state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner container, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

  2. Related Art An image forming apparatus to which a toner cartridge is mounted is known. The toner contained in the toner cartridge may melt in the toner cartridge due to an increase in temperature. The melted toner may adhere to the toner cartridge or coagulate with each other. The image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 detects the temperature in the image forming apparatus, and agitates the toner in the toner cartridge when the temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 can suppress the solidification of the toner in the attached toner cartridge when the temperature in the image forming apparatus increases.

JP 2007-93639 A

  However, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 detects the temperature inside the image forming apparatus, and therefore cannot detect the temperature of the toner cartridge that is not mounted on the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it has been difficult to reduce the number of steps for managing the quality of the toner cartridge.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a toner container, an image forming apparatus, and a program that can reduce the number of steps for managing the quality of toner.

  The toner container according to the present invention includes a container body, a detection unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit. The container body stores toner. The detection unit detects a storage state of the toner stored in the container body. The storage unit stores detection result information indicating a detection result by the detection unit, and detection time information associated with the detection result information. The communication unit transmits the detection time information and the detection result information stored in the storage unit. The detection time information indicates a time at which the detection unit has detected the accommodation state.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a mounting housing unit, an image forming unit, a mounting communication unit, and a determination unit. The mounting housing section can mount the toner container described above. The image forming unit forms a toner image on a sheet. The mounting communication unit receives the detection time information and the detection result information from the communication unit. The determination unit determines whether or not the toner contained in the container body has solidified based on the detection time information and the detection result information.

  A program according to the present invention is used to form a toner image by mounting the toner container described above. The program causes a computer to execute a receiving step, a determining step, and a step of forming a toner image. The receiving step includes receiving the detection time information and the detection result information from the communication unit. The determining step determines whether or not the toner contained in the container body has solidified based on the detection time information and the detection result information. The step of forming the toner image forms a toner image on a sheet based on the determination result of the determining step.

  According to the present invention, the number of steps for managing the quality of toner can be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a first toner container according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus and a first toner container. FIG. 3 illustrates a notification unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a first toner container mounted on a mounting unit of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a second toner container mounted on the mounting unit. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a detection process performed by a first toner container. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a solidification determination process and an image forming process performed by the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of solidification determination processing. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of solidification determination processing. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming process.

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

  An embodiment of a toner container 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating the toner container 100. The toner container 100 is, for example, a replaceable toner cartridge. The toner container 100 can be mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the toner container 100 may be stored in a storage place (for example, a warehouse) for a certain period (for example, for three months) without being attached to the image forming apparatus 1. Further, for example, the toner container 100 may be stored for a certain period (for example, for one month) while being attached to the image forming apparatus 1 in some cases. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The toner container 100 includes a container main body 120, a detection unit 130, a storage unit 140, a control unit 110, and a communication unit 150.

  The container main body 120 stores the toner. Specifically, the container body 120 is a container that stores the toner. The container main body 120 has, for example, a horizontally long rectangular parallelepiped box shape. The toner is composed of a plurality of toner particles. The color of the toner is, for example, black, cyan, magenta, or yellow.

  The detection unit 130 detects the storage state of the toner stored in the container main body 120. Specifically, the detection unit 130 is various sensors. The toner storage state indicates the state of the environment in which the toner is stored. For example, the toner storage state is the temperature of the container main body 120 and the movement of the container main body 120 when the toner is stored in the container main body 120. The temperature of the container body 120 includes the temperature inside the container body 120, the temperature near the outside of the container body 120, the temperature of the container body 120 itself, or the temperature of the toner contained in the container body 120. The movement of the container body 120 includes vibration and rotation of the container body 120.

  The detection unit 130 transmits a detection result signal to the control unit 110. The detection result signal indicates a detection result for the toner storage state.

  The storage unit 140 includes a hard disk drive (HDD), a random access memory (RAM), and a read only memory (ROM). The storage unit 140 stores various data, control programs, and application programs. The control program is a program for controlling the operation of each unit of the toner container 100, and is executed by the control unit 110.

  The storage unit 140 stores, for example, detection result information R and detection time information T associated with the detection result information R as various types of data. The detection result information R indicates a detection result by the detection unit 130. The detection time information T indicates the time (for example, 12:34:56 on Jan. 12, 2018) when the detection unit 130 detects the toner storage state. The storage unit 140 stores, for example, a table indicating history information including detection result information R and detection time information T.

  The control unit 110 is a hardware circuit including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 110 controls the operation of each unit of the toner container 100 by causing the processor to read and execute the control program stored in the storage unit 140. Further, the processor reads and executes the application program stored in the storage unit 140. Control unit 110 includes a timer circuit capable of measuring time and period.

  The communication unit 150 can communicate with an external device such as the image forming apparatus 1. The communication unit 150 transmits various information including, for example, detection time information T and detection result information R to the image forming apparatus 1. The communication unit 150 includes a wireless tag 152 and an input / output connector 151.

  The wireless tag 152 is a storage element. Management information on the toner container 100 is stored in the wireless tag 152. The management information is, for example, manufacturing date, manufacturer information, model number, manufacturing lot number, and characteristic information of the contained toner. The wireless tag 152 may be attached to the image forming apparatus 1 when the toner container 100 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 (hereinafter, may be referred to as “attached state of the toner container 100”). When the image forming apparatus 1 is not mounted (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a “non-mounted state of the toner container 100”), wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 1 is possible. The wireless communication is, for example, short-range wireless communication such as NFC (NEAR Field Communication). The wireless tag 152 can execute RFID (Radio Frequency Identification: wireless automatic recognition) with the image forming apparatus 1.

  The input / output connector 151 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 1 when the toner container 100 is mounted. The details of the input / output connector 151 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 1, according to the present embodiment, the toner container 100 includes the container main body 120, the detection unit 130, the storage unit 140, and the communication unit 150. The container main body 120 stores the toner. The detection unit 130 detects the storage state of the toner stored in the container main body 120. The storage unit 140 stores the detection result information R and the detection time information T associated with the detection result information R. The communication unit 150 transmits the detection time information T and the detection result information R stored in the storage unit 140. Accordingly, the user using the toner container 100 can estimate the toner storage state from the detection result information R and the detection time information T stored in the toner container 100 stored for a certain period of time. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the quality of the toner (for example, whether or not the toner is solidified) without looking at the stored toner. As a result, man-hours for managing the quality of the toner can be reduced.

  In addition, it is preferable that the detection unit 130 includes a temperature sensor 131 as shown in FIG. The temperature sensor 131 is, for example, a thermistor. The temperature sensor 131 is attached to, for example, an inner wall surface or an outer wall surface of the container body 120. The detection unit 130 detects the temperature of the container body 120 (for example, 12:34: 32 ° C., 12:44: 33 ° C., 12:54: 34 ° C.) every predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes), ...) is detected. Accordingly, with respect to the toner container 100 stored for a certain period of time, it is determined whether or not the stored toner is fixed in the container main body 120 due to the temperature or is coagulated by the toners (the toner is coagulated). May be estimated). Therefore, the number of steps for managing the quality of the toner can be further reduced.

  Further, it is preferable that the detection unit 130 includes an acceleration sensor 132 as shown in FIG. The acceleration sensor 132 is attached to the container main body 120 and detects a change in the movement of the container main body 120. The detection unit 130 detects the magnitude of the acceleration, the cycle of the vibration, and the number of vibrations based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor 132. Note that the detection unit 130 may include a gyroscope. The stored toner can move in accordance with the movement of the container body 120. When the toner is solidified, when the stationary container body 120 moves, the stationary toner also moves. Thereby, the coagulation state between the toners can be eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to estimate whether or not the stored toner is fixed in the container main body 120 or the toner is coagulated with respect to the toner container 100 stored for a certain period of time. As a result, the number of steps for managing the quality of the toner can be further reduced.

  Next, an embodiment of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and further to FIG. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral. Hereinafter, as an example, a case where the image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome multifunction peripheral having a printer function and a copying function will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a mounting unit 20, a device storage unit 40, a device control unit 10, a notification unit 30, and an image forming unit 50.

  The mounting unit 20 includes a mounting housing unit 21 and a mounting communication unit 22. The mounting unit 20 supplies the toner contained in the toner container to the image forming unit 50.

  The mounting housing unit 21 is disposed on the main housing of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to correspond to the shape of the toner container. A toner container can be detachably attached to the attachment housing 21. The toner container is, for example, the toner container 100 or the toner container 200. Hereinafter, the toner container 100 may be referred to as “first toner container 100 (corresponding to“ toner container ”)”, and the toner container 200 may be referred to as “second toner container 200”. The second toner container 200 is a toner container different from the first toner container 100. The second toner container 200 corresponds to an example of “different toner container”. The second toner container 200 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The mounting communication unit 22 can communicate with the first toner container 100. Specifically, the mounting communication unit 22 is connected to the communication unit 150 of the first toner container 100 to transmit and receive various data. For example, the mounting communication unit 22 receives the detection time information T, the detection result information R, and the management information from the communication unit 150, and transmits a signal indicating each information to the device control unit 10.

  The mounting communication unit 22 can wirelessly communicate with the wireless tag 152 of the first toner container 100 in the mounted state or the non-mounted state of the first toner container 100. The wireless communication is, for example, short-range wireless communication such as NFC. The mounting communication unit 22 includes an RF (Radio Frequency) reader. The mounting communication unit 22 can execute RFID with the wireless tag 152, for example.

  Further, the mounting communication unit 22 can communicate with the input / output connector 151 of the first toner container 100 when the first toner container 100 is mounted.

  The device storage unit 40 includes, for example, an HDD, a RAM, and a ROM. The device storage unit 40 stores various data, control programs, and application programs. The various data is, for example, toner characteristic information 41. The toner characteristic information 41 is information indicating characteristics of the toner stored in the toner container. The toner characteristic information 41 may include information indicating a characteristic relating to coagulation of the toner. The toner characteristic information 41 corresponds to management information of various toner containers, and for example, corresponds to management information of the first toner container 100. The control program is a program for controlling each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 and the operation of each apparatus, and is executed by the apparatus control unit 10.

  The device control unit 10 is a hardware circuit including a processor such as a CPU. The device control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 by reading and executing a control program stored in the device storage unit 40 by a processor. The processor reads and executes the application program stored in the device storage unit 40.

  Further, the device control unit 10 includes a determination unit 11. The determination unit 11 performs a coagulation determination process. The coagulation determination process is a process of determining whether the toner contained in the container main body 120 has coagulated. For example, the determination unit 11 executes a coagulation determination process based on the detection time information T and the detection result information R.

  The notification unit 30 includes an audio output unit 31 and an operation panel 32. The details of the configuration of the notification unit 30 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The image forming unit 50 forms a toner image on a sheet using the toner supplied from the mounting unit 20. The configuration details and operation of the image forming unit 50 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 includes the mounting housing unit 21, the mounting communication unit 22, the mounting communication unit 22, the determination unit 11 and an image forming unit 50. The mounting housing section 21 can mount the first toner container 100 thereon. The mounting communication unit 22 receives the detection time information T and the detection result information R from the communication unit 150 of the first toner container 100. The determination unit 11 determines whether the toner contained in the container main body 120 has solidified based on the detection time information T and the detection result information R. The image forming unit 50 forms a toner image on a sheet based on the determination result. Thereby, the user can easily check the quality of the toner stored in the first toner container 100 stored in the image forming apparatus 1 for a certain period of time. Therefore, man-hours for managing the quality of the toner can be reduced.

  Next, the configuration details and operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and further to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus 1 and the first toner container 100. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3 is in a mounted state of the first toner container 100. The image forming apparatus 1 includes, in addition to the device control unit 10, the mounting unit 20, the notification unit 30, the device storage unit 40, and the image forming unit 50, a reading unit 60, a feeding unit 70, a conveying unit 80, And a discharge unit 81.

  The reading unit 60 reads an image of the document G. Specifically, the reading unit 60 includes a document feeder, a document placing plate, and a scanner (optical system). An original G is placed on a tray or an original placing plate of the original transport device. The reading unit 60 reads an image of the document G according to a document reading instruction from the user. The reading unit 60 generates image data from the read image.

  The feeding section 70 stores a plurality of sheets S and feeds the sheets S to the transport section 80. The sheet S is, for example, a sheet made of paper or a synthetic resin. The transport unit 80 includes a plurality of transport roller pairs, and transports the sheet S to the image forming unit 50.

  The image forming unit 50 forms a toner image on the sheet S by consuming the toner. Specifically, the image forming unit 50 forms a toner image on the sheet S by an electrophotographic method, and fixes the toner image on the sheet S by heating and pressing the toner image. Specifically, the image forming unit 50 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 50 may execute a calibration operation (for example, a refresh operation of the developing device, a refresh operation of the photosensitive drum, and a stirring operation of the toner container). The calibration operation is executed in order to maintain image quality (gloss, line thickness, color development, etc.) utilizing characteristics of the toner corresponding to the attached toner container.

  The transport unit 80 transports the sheet S on which the toner image has been fixed to the discharge unit 81. The discharge unit 81 discharges the sheet S to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The notification unit 30 includes an audio output unit 31 and an operation panel 32. The audio output unit 31 outputs audio for notifying various messages. The audio output unit 31 includes a speaker. The operation panel 32 includes a display having a touch panel function and various hardware buttons. Various instructions from the user are input to the operation panel 32. The various instructions are, for example, image formation instructions for forming a toner image. The image forming instruction is, for example, a document reading instruction or a copy printing instruction.

  When the determining unit 11 determines that the toner contained in the first toner container 100 has solidified, the image forming unit 50 stops forming the toner image. More specifically, the determination unit 11 executes the coagulation determination process based on the detection time information T and the detection result information R transmitted from the communication unit 150 of the first toner container 100. Further, the determination unit 11 can collate the management information acquired from the first toner container 100 with the toner characteristic information 41 stored in the device storage unit 40. The determination unit 11 can execute the coagulation determination process based on the detection time information T, the detection result information R, the management information, and the toner characteristic information 41 corresponding to the management information.

  In the coagulation determination process, the determination unit 11 determines, for example, whether a period of a first threshold has elapsed from the date of manufacture of the first toner container 100 (hereinafter, referred to as “first coagulation determination process”). May be done.) The period of the first threshold value indicates the number of days that the toner solidifies, starting from the date of manufacture.

  In addition, the determination unit 11 determines, for example, whether or not the third threshold period has elapsed at a temperature equal to or higher than the second threshold (hereinafter, may be referred to as “second solidification determination process”). The temperature equal to or higher than the second threshold indicates a temperature at which the toner solidifies. The period of the third threshold value indicates a time period from when the toner is placed in a temperature environment equal to or higher than the second threshold value to when coagulation starts.

  In addition, the determination unit 11 determines, for example, whether or not a period of the fourth threshold has elapsed from the latest detection time at which the movement of the container body 120 was detected (hereinafter, referred to as “third solidification determination process”). May be done.) The determination unit 11 indicates the time from the start of the stationary state to the solidification of the toner in the stationary state during the period of the fourth threshold.

  In addition, the determination unit 11 determines, for example, whether or not the detection result indicating the latest movement of the container body 120 is equal to or greater than a fifth threshold value (hereinafter, may be referred to as “fourth solidification determination process”). . The fifth threshold value indicates the magnitude of the acceleration, the cycle of the vibration, and / or the number of times of the vibration for eliminating the coagulation occurring in the toner.

  The toner characteristic information 41 includes information indicating each of the first to fifth thresholds corresponding to the management information. The determination unit 11 refers to the toner characteristic information 41 when executing each of the first to fourth solidification determination processes.

  When the determination unit 11 determines that the toner is solidified, the device control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 so that the image forming unit 50 stops forming a toner image. For example, when an image forming instruction is input to the operation panel 32 while the first toner container 100 is mounted, the apparatus control unit 10 displays an error message on the display without executing the image forming process. In addition, for example, when the determination unit 11 determines that the toner is solidified in the non-mounting state of the first toner container 100, the device control unit 10 mounts the first toner container 100 on the mounting housing unit 21. Displays an error message on the display. That is, the apparatus control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 so that the first toner container 100 cannot be normally mounted on the image forming apparatus 1.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, according to the present embodiment, when the determination unit 11 determines that the toner contained in the first toner container 100 is solidified, the image forming is performed. The unit 50 stops forming a toner image. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the color of the toner image formed on the sheet S from being lower than the expected color. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from unintentionally outputting a printed matter having deteriorated print quality.

  Next, a message notification operation by the notification unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and further to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the notification unit 30.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the determination unit 11 determines that the toner is solidified, the notification unit 30 notifies a message 32A1 that prompts the user to change the attitude of the first toner container 100.

  Specifically, changing the attitude of the first toner container 100 indicates that the stationary first toner container 100 is moved at least once. For example, the user can move the first toner container 100 by holding and shaking or rotating the first toner container 100. The display 32A of the operation panel 32 displays a message 32A1 (for example, "There is a possibility that the toner has solidified. Shake the toner container 10 times to eliminate the solidification of the toner."). Further, the sound output unit 31 may output a message prompting to change the attitude of the first toner container 100 by sound. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the toner may be solidified. As a result, it is possible to improve the user's convenience when eliminating the coagulation of the toner.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the image forming apparatus 1 preferably further includes a posture changing unit 23. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating the first toner container 100 mounted on the mounting unit 20. When the first toner container 100 is mounted, the input / output connector 151 of the first toner container 100 is inserted into a connector connection port arranged in the mounting housing unit 21. The wireless tag 152 faces the RF reader 221 of the mounting communication unit 22 in a non-contact state. The first toner container 100 may further include a battery device (not shown), a stirring member (for example, a screw), a rotating shaft member, and a toner outlet. The battery device supplies power to each part of the first toner container 100. The stirring member is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown). The agitated toner is conveyed to the toner outlet and discharged from the toner outlet. Then, the discharged toner is supplied to the image forming unit 50 (see FIG. 3).

  The posture changing unit 23 is disposed on the mounting housing unit 21 so as to be able to contact the container main body 120. The posture changing unit 23 changes the posture of the attached first toner container 100. The posture changing unit 23 connects to the first toner container 100 when changing the posture of the first toner container 100. The posture changing unit 23 is, for example, a vibration applying device that applies vibration to the first toner container 100. The vibration is, for example, a vibration along the longitudinal direction of the first toner container 100, a vibration along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, or a small vibration. Further, the posture changing unit 23 may rotate the first toner container 100 around the rotation shaft member, or may rotate the stirring member of the first toner container 100.

  The posture changing unit 23 changes the posture of the first toner container 100 when it is determined that the toner is solidified. In accordance with the change in the attitude of the first toner container 100, the stored toner also moves. Therefore, the coagulated state of the toner can be eliminated. As a result, when using the first toner container 100, the quality of the stored toner can be easily improved.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the second toner container 200 mounted on the mounting unit 20. As shown in FIG. 5B, the configuration of the second toner container 200 is different from that of the first toner container 100 in that at least the control unit 110, the storage unit 140, and the detection unit 130 are not provided. The second toner container 200 is, for example, a commercially available toner container different from the first toner container 100. The second toner container 200 includes a container body 220 and a wireless tag 252.

  When the second toner container 200 is mounted on the mounting housing 21, the posture changing unit 23 changes the posture of the toner contained in the second toner container 200. Specifically, when the second toner container 200 is mounted on the mounting housing unit 21, the RF reader 221 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the management information transmitted from the wireless tag 252. The determination unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the attached toner container is the second toner container 200 based on the management information. The posture changing unit 23 changes the posture of the second toner container 200 when the determination unit 11 determines that the position is the second toner container 200. Therefore, when the second toner container 200 is used, the possibility that the contained toner is solidified can be reduced.

  When the second toner container 200 is mounted on the mounting housing unit 21, the notification unit 30 (see FIG. 4) notifies the user of a message to change the attitude of the second toner container 200. Good. Thus, when using the second toner container 200, the user can easily recognize that the contained toner may be solidified. Therefore, it is possible to improve the user's convenience when eliminating the coagulation of the toner.

  Further, when the second toner container 200 is mounted on the mounting housing unit 21, the image forming unit 50 may form a test image on the sheet S. Specifically, the test image is a toner image as a test pattern formed using the toner stored in the second toner container 200. After executing the calibration operation, the image forming unit 50 forms a test image on the sheet S and outputs the test image. The notification unit 30 notifies a message prompting an instruction to read a document on the output sheet S.

  The reading unit 60 (see FIG. 3) reads a test image on the sheet S in accordance with a user's document reading instruction. The determination unit 11 determines whether or not the image quality of the test image is equal to or less than a threshold. The image quality threshold value is defined by default, and is, for example, a reference value indicating image density, gloss, line thickness, and coloring.

  When the determination unit 11 determines that the image quality of the test image is equal to or less than the threshold, the image forming unit 50 stops forming the toner image. The device control unit 10 may control the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 so that the second toner container 200 cannot be normally mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. Thus, when the second toner container 200 is used, it is possible to verify the possibility that the contained toner is solidified. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from unintentionally outputting a printed matter having deteriorated print quality.

  Next, the operation of the first toner container 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the detection processing by the first toner container 100. By performing steps S101 to S105, the first toner container 100 executes a detection process for the toner storage state. Specifically, it is as follows.

  In step S101, the detection unit 130 detects the storage state of the toner stored in the container main body 120. The process proceeds to step S103.

  Next, in step S103, the storage unit 140 stores the detection result information R and the detection time information T. The process proceeds to step S105.

  Next, in step S105, the communication unit 150 transmits various information including the detection result information R and the detection time information T to the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the process ends.

  Subsequently, an operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the coagulation determining process and the image forming process performed by the image forming apparatus 1. By performing Steps S201 to S215, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the coagulation determination process and the image forming process for the first toner container 100. FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing details of the coagulation determination process. By executing steps S2091 to S2097, the image forming apparatus 1 executes a coagulation determination process. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an image forming process subsequent to the process shown in FIG. By performing steps S217 to S231, the image forming apparatus 1 executes an image forming process on the second toner container 200. Specifically, it is as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in step S201, the mounting communication unit 22 communicates with the toner container. The process proceeds to step S203.

  Next, in step S203, the determination unit 11 determines whether the toner container is the first toner container 100. If it is the first toner container 100 (Yes in step S203), the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if it is not the first toner container 100 (No in step S203), the process proceeds to step S217 shown in FIG.

  If Yes in step S203, in step S205, the mounting communication unit 22 receives various information including the detection result information R and the detection time information T from the first toner container 100. The process proceeds to step S207.

  Next, in step S207, the determination unit 11 checks the toner characteristic information 41 corresponding to the first toner container 100. The process proceeds to step S209.

  Next, in step S209, the determination unit 11 performs a coagulation determination process. The process proceeds to step S211.

  Next, in step S211, the determination unit 11 determines whether the first toner container 100 is mounted on the mounting housing unit 21. If the first toner container 100 is mounted on the mounting housing unit 21 (Yes in step S211), the process proceeds to step S213. On the other hand, if the first toner container 100 is not mounted on the mounting housing unit 21 (No in step S211), the process ends.

  If Yes in step S211, in step S213, the determination unit 11 determines whether an image formation instruction has been input to the operation panel 32. If an image formation instruction has been input (Yes in step S213), the process proceeds to step S215. On the other hand, if the image forming instruction has not been input (No in step S213), the process ends.

  If Yes in step S213, the image forming unit 50 forms a toner image on the sheet S in step S215. Then, the process ends.

  As the coagulation determination process in step S209, the determination unit 11 executes the processes (steps S2091 to S2097) shown in FIGS. In step S2091, the determination unit 11 determines whether the period of the first threshold has elapsed from the date of manufacture of the first toner container 100. If the period of the first threshold value has elapsed (Yes in step S2091), the process proceeds to step S2095 shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the period of the first threshold has not elapsed (No in step S2091), the process proceeds to step S2092.

  In the case of No in step S2091, in step S2092, the determination unit 11 determines whether or not the temperature equal to or higher than the second threshold has passed the period of the third threshold. If the period of the third threshold has elapsed (Yes in step S2092), the process proceeds to step S2095 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the third threshold period has not elapsed (No in step S2092), the process proceeds to step S2093.

  In the case of No in step S2092, in step S2093, the determination unit 11 determines whether or not the period of the fourth threshold has elapsed since the latest detection time when the movement of the container body 120 was detected. If the period of the fourth threshold has elapsed (Yes in step S2093), the process proceeds to step S2095 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the period of the fourth threshold has not elapsed (No in step S2093), the process proceeds to step S2094.

  If No in step S2093, in step S2094, the determination unit 11 determines whether the detection result indicating the latest movement of the container body 120 is equal to or greater than a fifth threshold. If the detection result is equal to or greater than the fifth threshold value (Yes in step S2094), the coagulation determination process ends. On the other hand, if the detection result is not equal to or larger than the fifth threshold value (No in step S2094), the process proceeds to step S2095 shown in FIG.

  In the case of Yes in step S2091, in the case of Yes in step S2092, in the case of Yes in step S2093, or in the case of No in step S2094, in step S2095 shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the container 100 is mounted on the mounting housing unit 21. If the first toner container 100 is mounted on the mounting housing unit 21 (Yes in step S2095), the process proceeds to step S2096. On the other hand, if the first toner container 100 is not mounted on the mounting housing unit 21 (No in step S2095), the process proceeds to step S2097.

  If Yes in step S2095, in step S2096, the posture changing unit 23 changes the posture of the first toner container 100. Then, the coagulation determination process ends.

  In the case of No in step S2095, in step S2097, the notifying unit 30 notifies the message 32A1 urging to change the attitude of the first toner container 100. Then, the coagulation determination process ends.

  If No in step S203 shown in FIG. 7, in step S217 shown in FIG. 10, the determination unit 11 determines whether the second toner container 200 is mounted on the mounting housing unit 21. If the second toner container 200 is mounted on the mounting housing unit 21 (Yes in step S217), the process proceeds to step S219. On the other hand, when the second toner container 200 is not mounted on the mounting housing unit 21 (No in Step S217), the process proceeds to Step S231.

  In the case of Yes in step S217, the posture changing unit 23 changes the posture of the second toner container 200 in step S219. The process proceeds to step S221.

  In the case of No in step S217, in step S231, the notifying unit 30 notifies a message 32A1 urging to change the attitude of the second toner container 200. The process proceeds to step S221.

  Step S221 corresponds to step S217. If the second toner container 200 is mounted on the mounting housing unit 21 (Yes in step S221), the process proceeds to step S223. On the other hand, if the second toner container 200 is not mounted on the mounting housing unit 21 (No in step S221), the process ends.

  If Yes in step S221, the image forming unit 50 forms a test image on the sheet S in step S223. The process proceeds to step S225.

  Next, in step S225, the reading unit 60 reads the test image on the sheet S. The process proceeds to step S227.

  Next, in step S227, the determination unit 11 determines whether or not the image quality of the test image is equal to or less than a threshold. If the image quality of the test image is equal to or less than the threshold (Yes in step S227), the process proceeds to step S229. On the other hand, if the image quality of the test image is not equal to or smaller than the threshold (No in step S227), the process ends.

  Next, in step S229, the image forming unit 50 stops forming a toner image. Then, the process ends.

  The processing described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 exemplifies a case in which the apparatus control unit 10 executes a program stored in a storage area provided in the image forming apparatus 1 in advance. However, in the present invention, the program may be downloaded from the network to the image forming apparatus 1, or the program stored in a computer-readable storage medium may be installed in the image forming apparatus 1. The storage medium may be any storage medium that can store the program and that can be read by a computer. As the storage medium, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a VRAM (Video RAM), or a flash memory can be used.

  The embodiment of the invention has been described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 10). However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Further, components of different embodiments may be appropriately combined. In the drawings, each component is schematically shown mainly for the sake of easy understanding, and the thickness, length, number, interval, etc. of each component shown in FIG. Is different. Further, the time, material, shape, and the like of each component shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without substantially departing from the configuration of the present invention. is there.

  (1) The image forming apparatus 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 is a monochrome multifunction peripheral, but the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus 1 may be, for example, a color MFP. The image forming apparatus 1 only needs to be configured to include the mounting unit 20 and the image forming unit 50 corresponding to at least one color toner. For example, in the case of a color multifunction peripheral, the first toner container 100 and the second toner container 200 correspond to a plurality of colors. The mounting section 20 supplies each of the plurality of color toners to the corresponding image forming section 50. The first toner containers 100 are detachably mounted on the corresponding mounting housing portions 21, respectively.

  (2) As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, the first toner container 100 transmits various types of information including the detection result information R and the detection time information T to the image forming apparatus 1. The present invention is not limited to this. The first toner container 100 may transmit, via a network, an external terminal device (for example, a personal computer) capable of receiving various information.

  (3) As described with reference to FIG. 9, in step S2096, the posture changing unit 23 changes the posture of the first toner container 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in step S2096, the posture changing unit 23 may replace the process of changing the posture of the first toner container 100, and the image forming unit 50 may stop forming the toner image and end the process.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to the fields of a toner container and an image forming apparatus.

1 Image Forming Apparatus 11 Judgment Unit 21 Mounting Housing Unit 22 Mounting Communication Unit 50 Image Forming Unit 100 Toner Container 120 Container Main Unit 130 Detecting Unit 140 Storage Unit 150 Communication Unit R Detection Result Information S Sheet T Detection Time Information

Claims (11)

A container body for storing the toner,
A detection unit that detects a storage state of the toner stored in the container body,
A storage unit that stores detection result information indicating a detection result by the detection unit, and detection time information associated with the detection result information;
A communication unit that transmits the detection time information and the detection result information stored in the storage unit,
The toner container, wherein the detection time information indicates a time at which the detection unit detects the storage state. The detection unit includes a temperature sensor,
The storage state includes the temperature of the container body,
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the temperature at predetermined time intervals. The detection unit includes an acceleration sensor,
The storage state includes a movement of the container body,
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects a change in the movement. A mounting housing portion to which the toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 3 can be mounted,
An image forming unit that forms a toner image on a sheet,
A mounting communication unit that receives the detection time information and the detection result information from the communication unit,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether the toner contained in the container main body is solidified based on the detection time information and the detection result information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming unit stops forming the toner image when the determination unit determines that the toner is solidified. Further comprising a notification unit,
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the notification unit notifies a message that prompts the user to change an attitude of the toner container when the determination unit determines that the toner is solidified. 7. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, when a toner container different from the toner container is mounted on the mounting housing unit, the notification unit notifies a message prompting to change the attitude of the different toner container. . The image forming apparatus further includes a posture changing unit configured to change a posture of the toner container mounted on the mounting housing unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the posture changing unit changes the posture of the toner container when the determination unit determines that the toner is solidified.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, when a toner container different from the toner container is mounted on the mounting housing unit, the posture changing unit changes the posture of the toner contained in the different toner container. . A reading unit for reading an image of the document;
The image forming unit, when a toner container different from the toner container is mounted on the mounting housing unit, forms a test image on the sheet,
The reading unit reads the test image,
The determination unit determines whether or not the image quality of the test image is equal to or less than a threshold,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the determination unit determines that the image quality is equal to or less than the threshold, the image forming unit stops forming the toner image. A program for forming a toner image by mounting the toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
On the computer
Receiving the detection time information and the detection result information from the communication unit,
Determining whether or not the toner contained in the container body has solidified, based on the detection time information and the detection result information;
And a step of forming a toner image on a sheet based on the determination result of the determining step.

Images