JP2021051247A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming system that allows printing of as large number of sheets as possible without impairing usability.SOLUTION: An image forming system comprises: a toner remaining amount detection unit 26 that detects the remaining amount of toner stored in a toner container as a toner remaining amount; a lock mechanism 25 that regulates attachment/detachment of the toner container; a lock control unit 112 that causes the lock mechanism 25 to regulate the attachment/detachment of the toner container until empty in which the toner in the toner container runs out is detected by the toner remaining amount detection unit 26; a usage calculation unit 38 that calculates the usage of toner assumed in image formation of print data; and a lock cancellation determination unit 39 that, when near empty in which the toner in the toner container is about to run out is detected by the toner remaining amount detection unit 26 and the toner remaining amount is equal to or less than the usage of toner, instructs the lock control unit 112 to cancel the regulation of attachment/detachment of the toner container performed by the lock mechanism 25.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention includes a terminal device that converts a document including characters, figures, images, etc. into image forming data, and a lock mechanism that regulates the attachment / detachment of the developer container, and uses the image forming data received from the terminal device as an image. The present invention relates to an image forming system including an image forming apparatus that forms and outputs an image.

An image forming apparatus such as a printer is equipped with a developer container (toner container or the like) that houses a developer (toner or the like) used for printing. In addition, in order to prevent replacement when the developer remains in the developer container at the time of replacement, an image equipped with a lock mechanism that regulates attachment / detachment of the developer container until the developer container runs out of developer is detected. A forming device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Normally, an image forming apparatus equipped with a locking mechanism cannot replace the developer container until the developer is empty, but Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for making the developer replaceable if the developer is almost exhausted. ing. This makes it possible to prevent a loss in which the developer runs out in the middle and printing stops when a large amount of printing is to be performed in a state where the developer is about to run out.

JP-A-2017-198855

However, in the conventional technology, although the developer is surely used until it is almost exhausted, after that, there is a risk that the developer container is replaced even though a large amount of printing is not performed. It's closed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is an image forming system capable of printing as many sheets as possible without impairing usability. The purpose is to provide.

The image forming system of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that executes an image forming operation using a developing agent contained in a removable developing agent container, and an image forming apparatus that transmits print data to the image forming apparatus to execute the image forming operation. An image forming system including a terminal device for detecting the remaining amount of the developing agent contained in the developing agent container as a remaining amount of the developing agent, and restricting attachment / detachment of the developing agent container. The locking mechanism, and the locking control unit that restricts the attachment and detachment of the developing agent container by the locking mechanism until the remaining amount detecting unit detects the emptyness of the developing agent in the developing agent container. Near emptyness is detected by the usage amount calculation unit that calculates the developer usage amount of the developer assumed at the time of image formation of print data and the remaining amount detection unit that the developer in the developer container is about to be emptied. When the remaining amount of the developer is less than or equal to the amount of the developer used, the lock mechanism is provided with a lock release determination unit for instructing the lock control unit to release the attachment / detachment restriction of the developer container. And.

According to the present invention, since the user can use up the toner with peace of mind, it is possible to have as many sheets as possible printed without impairing usability and without wasting toner. It works.

It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of embodiment of the image formation system which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the image forming part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the lock release determination operation by the image formation system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the toner shortage notification guidance displayed on the terminal display part shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the image forming system of the present embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming device 10 and the terminal device 30 are connected to each other via a network 40 such as a LAN or the Internet.

The image forming apparatus 10 is an image forming apparatus having an image forming function of a copier, a multifunction device, or the like. With reference to FIG. 1, the control unit 11, the operation unit 12, the document reading unit 13, and the storage unit 14 , An image processing unit 15, a communication unit 16, and an image forming unit 20 are provided.

The operation unit 12 is a user interface including a touch panel and various operation keys such as a numeric keypad, a reset key, a stop key, and a start key, and functions as a display unit and an input unit.

The document scanning unit 13 irradiates the document fed by the document feeding device 3 or the document placed on the platen glass (not shown) with light, receives the reflected light, and reads the document image. It is a scanner.

The storage unit 14 is a storage means such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores image data read by the document reading unit 13, print data which is image forming data received by the communication unit 16, and the like. Will be done.

The image processing unit 15 is a means for performing predetermined image processing on document data, and for example, image processing such as enlargement / reduction processing, density adjustment, and gradation adjustment is performed.

The communication unit 16 has a function of transmitting and receiving various data to and from the terminal device 30 via a network 40 such as a LAN or the Internet.

The image forming unit 20 converts the image data read by the document reading unit 13, the document data stored in the storage unit 14, and the print data received by the communication unit 16 into print images and outputs them.

With reference to FIG. 2, the image forming unit 20 has an electrophotographic image forming unit 21y corresponding to yellow, an electrophotographic image forming unit 21c corresponding to cyan, and an electrophotographic image forming unit corresponding to magenta. It includes a unit 21m, an electrophotographic image forming unit 21b corresponding to black, and a fixing device 22.

In the image forming unit 20, an image forming of a yellow toner image formed by the image forming unit 21y, a cyan toner image formed by the image forming unit 21c, and a magenta toner image formed by the image forming unit 21m. The black toner image formed by the unit 21b is superimposed on the recording paper and transferred. Then, an image is formed on the recording paper on which the toner images of each color are superimposed and transferred by melting and fixing the toner images by the fixing device 22.

Further, the image forming unit 20 is a mounting unit 24y, 24c, 24m, 24b to which the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b for accommodating the respective toners supplied to the image forming units 21y, 21c, 21m, 21b are mounted. It has. The mounting portions 24y, 24c, 24m, and 24b are provided with lock mechanisms 25y, 25c, 25m, and 25b that regulate the attachment and detachment of the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, and 23b, respectively.

Further, the image forming unit 20 detects the remaining amount of toner Try, Trc, Trm, and Trb contained in the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, and 23b, respectively, and detects the remaining amount of toner 26y, 26c, 26m, and 26b. I have. The toner remaining amount detecting units 26y, 26c, 26m, and 26b are composed of, for example, a magnetic permeability sensor that detects the magnetic permeability of the contained toner and an optical sensor that optically detects the presence or absence of toner. The toner remaining amount detecting units 26y, 26c, 26m, and 26b detect near emptyness that is about to become empty when the toner remaining amount Try, Trc, Trm, and Trb are equal to or less than a preset predetermined amount, and the toner remaining amount is detected. When the quantities Try, Trc, Trm, and Trb become zero, the empty empty is detected. The toner remaining amount detecting units 26y, 26c, 26m, and 26b are configured to be able to directly or indirectly detect at least the toner remaining amount Try, Trc, Trm, and Trb between the near empty and empty.

The control unit 11 is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. A control program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 is stored in the ROM. The CPU of the control unit 11 reads the control program stored in the ROM and expands the control program in the RAM to control the entire device. Further, the control unit 11 functions as a toner remaining amount notification unit 111 and a lock control unit 112.

The toner remaining amount notification unit 111 notifies each of the toner remaining amount Try, Trc, Trm, and Trb contained in the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, and 23b in response to the status request from the terminal device 30.

The lock control unit 112 controls the regulation of attachment / detachment of the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b by the lock mechanisms 25y, 25c, 25m, 25b. The lock control unit 112 locks the attachment / detachment of the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b in which the toner remaining amount Try, Trc, Trm, Trb that exceeds the near emptyness is detected by the toner remaining amount detecting units 26y, 26c, 26m, 26b. It is regulated by the mechanisms 25y, 25c, 25m and 25b. Further, the lock control unit 112 regulates the attachment / detachment of the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b whose emptyness is detected by the toner remaining amount detection units 26y, 26c, 26m, 26b by the lock mechanisms 25y, 25c, 25m, 25b. Release it. Further, the lock control unit 112 locks the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b whose near emptyness is detected by the toner remaining amount detection units 26y, 26c, 26m, 26b by an unlock instruction from the terminal device 30. The restrictions on attachment / detachment by 25y, 25c, 25m, and 25b are lifted.

The terminal device 30 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, and referring to FIG. 1, a terminal control unit 31, a terminal display unit 32 such as a liquid crystal display, a terminal input unit 33 such as a keyboard, and a terminal storage unit 34. And a terminal communication unit 35.

The terminal storage unit 34 is a storage means such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). A printer driver 36 of the image forming apparatus 10 is installed in the terminal storage unit 34 together with various application programs for editing a document including characters, figures, images, and the like.

The terminal communication unit 35 has a function of transmitting and receiving various data to and from the image forming apparatus 10 via a network 40 such as a LAN or the Internet.

The terminal control unit 31 is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. A control program for controlling the operation of the terminal device 30 is stored in the ROM. The CPU of the terminal control unit 31 reads the control program stored in the ROM and expands the control program in the RAM to control the entire device.

Further, the CPU of the terminal control unit 31 reads out the printer driver 36 stored in the terminal storage unit 34 and expands the printer driver 36 in the RAM to obtain the toner remaining amount acquisition unit 37 and the toner usage amount calculation unit 38. It functions as an unlock determination unit 39. The operations of the toner remaining amount acquisition unit 37, the toner usage amount calculation unit 38, and the unlock determination unit 39 will be described later.

Next, the unlocking determination operation by the image forming system of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
When the terminal control unit 31 of the terminal device 30 receives a print instruction from the terminal input unit 33 (step S101), the page description language (PDL: Page Description Language) is used as image forming data for forming an image of the designated document. It is converted into print data consisting of (step S102).

Next, the terminal control unit 31 functions as the toner remaining amount acquisition unit 37, transmits a status request for confirming the status to the image forming apparatus 10 (step S103), and causes the image forming apparatus 10 to use the toner containers 23y, 23c as statuses. Acquire the remaining amount of toner Try, Trc, Trm, and Trb stored in 23m and 23b (step S104).

The toner remaining amount notification unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 10 uses the latest toner remaining amount Try, Trc, Trm, and Trb as the terminal device 30 according to the detection results of the toner remaining amount detecting units 26y, 26c, 26m, and 26b. Notify to.

Next, the terminal control unit 31 functions as an unlock determination unit 39, and by referring to the acquired toner remaining amount Try, Trc, Trm, Trb, the empty toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b It is determined whether or not there is (step S105).

When there are empty toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, and 23b in step S105, the unlock determination unit 39 ends the unlock determination operation. In this case, the lock control unit 112 of the image forming apparatus 10 releases the restrictions on the attachment / detachment of the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b in which emptyness is detected by the lock mechanisms 25y, 25c, 25m, 25b. Further, the terminal control unit 31 of the terminal device 30 waits for the transmission of print data until the emptyness is resolved.

When there are no empty toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b in step S105, the unlock determination unit 39 becomes near empty by referring to the acquired toner remaining amount Try, Trc, Trm, Trb. It is determined whether or not there are toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, and 23b (step S106).

If there are no near empty toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, or 23b in step S106, the unlock determination unit 39 ends the unlock determination operation. In this case, the terminal control unit 31 of the terminal device 30 transmits the print data to the image forming device 10, and the normal image forming operation is executed.

When there are near empty toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b in step S106, the terminal control unit 31 functions as a toner usage calculation unit 38, and the expected toner usage Tcy of the toner color in which the near empty is detected. , Tcc, Tcm, and Tcb are calculated by the dot count method based on the print data converted in step S103 (step S107).

Next, the terminal control unit 31 functions as an unlock determination unit 39, and compares the remaining toner amount Try, Trc, Trm, Trb of the toner color in which the near emptyness is detected with the toner usage amount Tcy, Tcc, Tcm, Tcb. (Step S108), it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of toner Try, Trc, Trm, and Trb exceeds the amount of toner used Tcy, Tcc, Tcm, and Tcb (step S109).

When the remaining amount of toner Try, Trc, Trm, and Trb exceeds the amount of toner used Tcy, Tcc, Tcm, and Tcb in step S109, the unlock determination unit 39 ends the unlock determination operation. In this case, the terminal control unit 31 of the terminal device 30 transmits the print data to the image forming device 10, and the normal image forming operation is executed.

When the remaining amount of toner Try, Trc, Trm, and Trb is equal to or less than the amount of toner used Tcy, Tcc, Tcm, and Tcb in step S109, the unlock determination unit 39 of the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, and 23b in which emptyness is detected. An unlocking instruction instructing the release of the attachment / detachment restriction by the lock mechanisms 25y, 25c, 25m, and 25b is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (step S110).

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the unlock determination unit 39 unlocks "the toner may be emptied during the image forming operation" and "the toner cartridge which may be emptied may be emptied". The toner shortage notification guide 50 for notifying that the toner is replaceable is displayed on the terminal display unit 32 (step S111), and the unlock determination operation is terminated. The terminal control unit 31 of the terminal device 30 waits for the transmission of print data until the emptyness is resolved. FIG. 4 shows an example of the toner shortage notification guide 50 when near emptyness is detected in the yellow toner container 23y and the remaining toner amount Try of yellow is equal to or less than the toner usage amount Tcy of yellow.

As a result, the user can replace the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, and 23b in which the near emptyness is detected in advance if he / she does not want to interrupt the image forming operation in the middle.

In addition, referring to FIG. 4, a forced execution button 51 is arranged in the toner shortage notification guide 50. The forced execution button 51 functions as an input unit for receiving a forced execution instruction of the image forming operation in a situation where the toner may be emptied on the way. When the forced execution button 51 is operated, the terminal control unit 31 of the terminal device 30 transmits print data to the image forming device 10 to execute the image forming operation.

Although the image forming operation using toner as a developing agent has been described, the image forming system of the present embodiment can also be applied to an image forming operation using a developing agent other than toner, for example, ink.

Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal device 30 is configured to perform the unlock determination operation, but the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with the toner usage amount calculation unit 38 and the unlock determination unit 39, and the image forming apparatus 10 is locked. The release determination operation may be performed.

Further, the toner remaining amount Tr detected by the image forming apparatus 10 and the toner usage amount Tc calculated by the toner usage amount calculation unit 38 are not always obtained with the same accuracy due to variations in the apparatus and the like. .. Therefore, it is conceivable to correct the comparison condition in the comparison (step S108) between the remaining amount of toner Tr and the amount of toner used Tc in the unlock determination operation. The comparison condition can be changed, for example, by multiplying either the remaining amount of toner Tr or the amount of toner used Tc by the correction coefficient A set according to the past history.

Hereinafter, a method of setting the correction coefficient A to be multiplied by the remaining toner amount Tr will be described in detail. The correction coefficient A is set to "1" as an initial value. In this case, the remaining amount of toner Tr and the amount of toner used Tc are compared in step S108 without correcting the comparison conditions.

Even if it is determined in step S109 that the remaining amount of toner Tr exceeds the amount of toner used Tc, if the image forming operation is interrupted by emptyness, the correction coefficient A is set to 1 or more and the correction value B (for example, B = 1). The value divided by 1) is set as a new correction coefficient A. In this case, since it means that the remaining amount of toner Tr was less than expected, it is possible to correct the remaining amount of toner Tr to a smaller value from the next time and compare the remaining amount of toner Tr with the amount of toner used Tc in step S108. it can.

Even in the image forming operation by operating the forced execution button 51, when the image forming operation is completed without detecting emptyness, the correction value B (for example, B = 1.1) set to 1 or more for the correction coefficient A is set. The multiplied value is set as a new correction coefficient A. In this case, since it means that the remaining amount of toner Tr was larger than expected, the remaining amount of toner Tr can be corrected to a larger value from the next time, and the remaining amount of toner Tr and the amount of toner used Tc can be compared in step S108. ..

As described above, according to the present embodiment, image formation is performed by using toner contained as a developer in the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, and 23b, which are removable developer containers. An image forming system including a device 10 and a terminal device 30 for transmitting print data to the image forming device 10 to execute an image forming operation, wherein the toner contained in the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b Toner remaining amount detection units 26y, 26c, 26m, 26b that detect the remaining amount as toner remaining amount Try, Trc, Trm, Trb, and lock mechanisms 25y, 25c, which regulate the attachment and detachment of the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b, Lock mechanisms 25y, 25c, 25m, 25b until 25m, 25b and the toner remaining amount detection units 26y, 26c, 26m, 26b detect empty toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b. A lock control unit 112 that regulates the attachment / detachment of the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, and 23b, and a toner usage amount calculation unit 38 that calculates the toner usage amounts Tcy, Tcc, Tcm, and Tcb expected when forming an image of print data. , The toner remaining amount detection units 26y, 26c, 26m, 26b detect near emptyness in which the toner in the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b is about to be emptied, and the toner remaining amount Try, Trc, Trm, Trb is the amount of toner used. When it is Tcy, Tcc, Tcm, Tcb or less, the lock release determination unit 39 instructing the lock control unit 112 to release the attachment / detachment restriction of the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b by the lock mechanisms 25y, 25c, 25m, 25b. I have.
With this configuration, when there is at least one toner container 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b in which near emptyness is detected, the lock mechanism 25y, 25c, 25m, 25b is not immediately released, but is used in the next printing. The prediction results of the toner usage amounts Tcy, Tcc, Tcm, and Tcb are calculated in advance, and can be canceled only when there is a possibility that emptyness is detected in the middle of printing. As a result, the user can use up the toner with peace of mind, so that it is possible to have the user print as many sheets as possible without impairing usability and without wasting the toner.

Further, in the present embodiment, near emptyness is detected by the toner remaining amount detecting units 26y, 26c, 26m, 26b, and the toner remaining amount Try, Trc, Trm, Trb is less than or equal to the toner usage amount Tcy, Tcc, Tcm, Tcb. In some cases, the terminal device 30 may be emptied of toner during the image forming operation, and the toner containers 23y, 23c, 23m, and 23b, which may be emptied, may be replaced after the restrictions on attachment / detachment are lifted. The toner shortage notification guide 50 for notifying the above is output, and the image forming apparatus 10 executes the image forming operation when the forcible execution instruction is received by the terminal apparatus 30.
With this configuration, the user can execute the image forming operation after recognizing the possibility that the toner will be emptied on the way.

Further, in the present embodiment, the unlock determination unit 39 corrects the comparison condition between the remaining toner amount Try, Trc, Trm, Trb and the toner usage amount Tcy, Tcc, Tcm, Tcb according to the past history.
With this configuration, the remaining amount of toner Try, Trc, Trm, Trb and the amount of toner used Tcy, Tcc, Tcm, Tcb can be compared more accurately.

Further, in the present embodiment, even if the unlocking determination unit 39 determines that the remaining toner amount Try, Trc, Trm, Trb exceeds the toner usage amount Tcy, Tcc, Tcm, Tcb, the image forming operation is empty. If it is interrupted, the remaining toner amount Try, Trc, Trm, and Trb will be corrected to smaller values from the next time, and if the image formation operation is completed without detecting emptyness even in the image formation operation by the forced execution instruction, from the next time. The remaining amount of toner Try, Trc, Trm, and Trb are corrected to large values.
With this configuration, the remaining amount of toner Try, Trc, Trm, Trb and the amount of toner used Tcy, Tcc, Tcm, Tcb can be compared more accurately with simple control.

It is clear that the present invention is not limited to each of the above embodiments, and each embodiment can be appropriately modified within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, the number, position, shape and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the number, position, shape and the like suitable for carrying out the present invention can be used. In each figure, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals.

3 Document feeder 10 Image forming device 11 Control unit 12 Operation unit 13 Document reading unit 14 Storage unit 15 Image processing unit 16 Communication unit 20 Image forming unit 21y, 21c, 21m, 21b Image forming unit 22 Fixing device 23y, 23c, 23m, 23b Toner container 24y, 24c, 24m, 24b Mounting unit 25y, 25c, 25m, 25b Lock mechanism 26y, 26c, 26m, 26b Toner remaining amount detection unit 111 Toner remaining amount notification unit 112 Lock control unit 30 Terminal device 31 Terminal Control unit 32 Terminal display unit 33 Terminal input unit 34 Terminal storage unit 35 Terminal communication unit 36 Printer driver 37 Toner remaining amount acquisition unit 38 Toner usage calculation unit 39 Unlock judgment unit 40 Network 50 Toner shortage notification guidance 51 Forced execution button

Claims (4)

An image including an image forming apparatus that executes an image forming operation using a developing agent contained in a removable developing agent container, and a terminal device that transmits print data to the image forming apparatus to execute the image forming operation. It ’s a formation system,
A remaining amount detecting unit that detects the remaining amount of the developing agent contained in the developing agent container as the remaining amount of the developing agent,
A lock mechanism that regulates the attachment and detachment of the developer container,
A lock control unit that regulates the attachment / detachment of the developer container by the lock mechanism until the remaining amount detection unit detects the emptyness of the developer in the developer container.
A usage amount calculation unit that calculates the developer usage amount of the developer assumed at the time of image formation of the print data, and a usage amount calculation unit.
When the remaining amount detection unit detects a near emptyness in which the developer in the developer container is about to be emptied and the remaining amount of the developer is less than or equal to the amount of the developer used, the locking mechanism of the developer container An image forming system including a lock release determination unit that instructs the lock control unit to release the attachment / detachment restriction. When the near emptyness is detected by the remaining amount detecting unit and the remaining amount of the developing agent is equal to or less than the amount of the developing agent used.
The terminal device notifies that the developer may be emptied during the image forming operation, and that the restrictions on attachment / detachment of the developer container that may be emptied may be lifted and the developer may be replaced. Outputs a toner shortage notification guide and
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus executes an image forming operation when a forced execution instruction is received by the terminal device. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the unlocking determination unit corrects a comparison condition between the remaining amount of the developing agent and the amount of the developing agent used, according to a past history. Even if the unlocking determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the developing agent exceeds the amount of the developing agent used, if the image forming operation is interrupted by the empty, the remaining amount of the developing agent is corrected to a small value from the next time. The third aspect of claim 3, wherein the remaining amount of the developer is corrected to a large value from the next time when the image forming operation is completed without detecting the emptyness even in the image forming operation according to the forced execution instruction. Image forming system.

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