JP3095015B1 - Consumable unit and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a consumable unit that responds to environmental problems and does not cause deterioration in image quality or other problems, and an image forming apparatus using the consumable unit. A recognition label is attached to an upper surface of a consumable that is detachably attached to an apparatus body (in this example, an upper surface of a developing unit of a toner hopper of an image forming unit). The recognition label 44 is a thermal paper, and the trademark registered character “KAISHA” is printed as a logo. The logo reading sensor 32 reads the logo of the recognition label, and notifies the control device whether or not the logo is a legitimate logo. The control device performs printing when the logo is legitimate, and does not perform printing when the logo is irregular, and reports that the consumable is an irregular consumable. When the regular consumables have been used, the heater 33
Is driven, and all or a part of the logo of the recognition label 44 is colored black so that the consumable cannot be recognized as a genuine product. When a genuine toner is filled or a genuine photosensitive drum is replaced and reproduced, a proper recognition label is replaced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a consumable unit which can cope with an environmental problem of not increasing dust and does not cause a trouble such as deterioration of image quality, and an image forming apparatus using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (printer or copier) for forming an image using toner. In general, a main part of an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor unit centering on a photoconductor for forming an electrostatic latent image, and the above electrostatic latent image is visualized (developed) with toner. The developing unit is detachably provided.

The above-mentioned photoconductor unit is replaced with a new photoconductor unit when the life of the photoconductor reaches the end of its life, and the used photoconductor unit is discarded. The developing unit is also replaced with a new developing unit when the toner inside runs out, and the used developing unit is discarded.

As described above, the photoreceptor unit and the developing unit are configured as consumables that are discarded after use. Recently, however, the developing unit as the discarded consumables is filled with toner. A trader has come to replace and regenerate only the photoconductors of the photoconductor unit and resell them.

[0005]

By the way, such a reseller's action is preferable in terms of regenerating consumables that should be discarded, and in terms of environment in which garbage is not increased. Therefore, the toner to be filled by the reseller or the photoconductor to be replaced does not have the same characteristics as the genuine product of the manufacturer, so the quality of the formed image deteriorates when using consumables reproduced with these In many cases, problems such as scattering of toner, contamination of the fixing roller, and the like, which adversely affect the image forming apparatus main body, occur.

When such a problem occurs, it is extremely difficult to determine whether the problem is caused by resold consumables or the image forming apparatus main body.

As described above, if the cause of the failure cannot be clearly identified, the responsibility for the occurrence of the failure becomes ambiguous, and the generated failure cannot be used for improving the device. If the device cannot be improved or improved, similar problems may frequently occur in the future.

In such a case, the user often mistakenly concludes that the defect is not caused by the reproduced consumable but is caused by the image forming apparatus main body, and this is the image of the image forming apparatus manufacturer. There is a problem that leads to down.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to realize a consumable unit and an image forming apparatus using the consumable unit, which cope with an environmental problem that does not increase dust and do not cause deterioration of image quality or other problems.

[0010]

The construction of a consumable unit according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus using the same will be described below.

[0011] First, supply units of the first aspect of the present invention, incorporates a consumable to be consumed with the image forming, the consumable unit which is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the specific pattern indicating the trademark And display means made of a material that makes the specific pattern unreadable by application of energy, and illegibility disabling means for rendering the display means illegible based on a signal from the image forming apparatus main body. It is composed.

Preferably, the display means is a heat-sensitive medium which develops a color by applying heat, for example, as described in claim 2, and an electrically-conductive recording medium which develops a color by applying electricity, as described in claim 3. The recording medium may be a discharge recording medium that develops color by discharging, for example.

[0013] Next, the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the constructed and energized as consumables consumed with the image forming Ri Do illegible, JP <br/> constant pattern representing trademark And an image forming apparatus using a consumable unit provided with a consumable unit provided with a deciphering means for deciphering the specific pattern. A reading unit that reads the specific pattern, a determining unit that determines whether the specific pattern read by the reading unit is a predetermined pattern, and a determination result by the determining unit that is determined in advance. And a control unit that enables the image forming operation only when the predetermined pattern is determined.

In addition, for example, as set forth in claim 6, a detecting means for detecting that the consumable unit has reached the end of its life is further provided, and the control means detects the end of life of the consumable unit by the detecting means. It is configured to operate the illegible means when it detects that it has done so.

[0015] The display means may, for example, as according to claim 7, is preferably a heat-sensitive medium that develops color by the application of heat, also, for example, as according to claim 8, wherein in conducting recording medium that develops color by energizing may even, also, for example, as according to claim 9, or may be discharged recording medium that develops color by discharge.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the entire configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the figure, an image forming apparatus (apparatus main body) 1
The paper cassette 4 is detachably provided in the front lower opening 3 of the main body 2, and the upper part is covered by the upper lid 5. Top lid 5
The upper surface (left side in the figure) is inclined obliquely downward to form a paper discharge tray 7, and a paper discharge port 8 is formed at the upper front. Although not particularly shown, an operation panel provided with a power switch, a liquid crystal display device, a warning notification light, a plurality of input keys, and the like is provided on the inclined surface 9 inclined downward and forward of the upper lid 5.

Inside the apparatus main body 1, a paper feed roller 10 is provided above the paper feed end (right end in the figure) of the paper cassette 4, and a paper guide path 11 is formed beside the paper feed roller 10, and a paper guide path 11 is formed above the paper feed path. A transport roller pair 12 is provided. An image forming unit 13 is provided along the sheet cassette 4 from the upstream side (rear side of the apparatus, right side of the figure) to the downstream side (front side of the apparatus, left side of the figure) of the sheet conveying direction. A conveyance guide path 14 and a fixing section 15 are provided, and a discharge roller pair 16, a main body base side guide path 17 and a top cover side guide path 18 that are inverted from the upper side to the rear side in front (downstream side) of the fixing section 15. A paper discharge roller pair 19 is provided, and the paper discharge port 8 is located ahead of the paper discharge roller pair 19.

The image forming section 13 includes the photosensitive drum 2
A cleaner 22, a charger 23, an optical writing head 24, a toner hopper 25, a developing roller 26, and a transfer device 27 are provided around the peripheral surface of the transfer device 1.

The photosensitive drum 21, the cleaner 22, and the charger 23 are integrally assembled to an auxiliary frame to form a drum unit as one consumable unit. The developing roller 26 is rotatably supported and integrated with the lower side opening of the toner hopper 25, and these form a developing unit as the other consumable unit. Further, an image forming unit is constituted by the drum unit and the developing unit, and the image forming unit is detachable from the apparatus main body 1. The optical writing head 24 is supported by the upper lid 5, and the transfer device 27 is supported by the frame of the main body 2.

The fixing unit 15 is provided with a heat insulating housing 28.
And a pressing roller 31 pressed against the heating roller 29. A logo reading sensor 32 for detecting a recognition label affixed to the upper surface of the toner hopper 25, which will be described in detail later, is provided on the rear rear surface of the upper cover 5 at a position facing the upper surface of the toner hopper 25 of the developing unit. Have been. Further, below the paper cassette 4, an electrical unit 34 is disposed. A circuit board on which a control device including a plurality of electronic components is mounted is mounted on the electrical unit 34.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device mounted on the circuit board of the electrical unit 34. As shown in FIG. However, heater 3
Reference numeral 3 is provided on the toner hopper 25 (see FIG. 1).
The control device 35 shown in the figure includes a controller unit and an engine unit (not shown).
The PU is arranged and controls the entire apparatus main body 1. For example, print data is input to this controller unit from an external device such as a personal computer, and detection outputs of the logo reading sensor 32 and the toner absence sensor 36 are input. The engine unit controls the heating and driving of the heater 33 under the control of the controller unit. The engine unit further includes an image forming unit 13 having driven parts for rotation, discharge, exposure, and the like, and a transport mechanism including each part that is rotationally driven. , The driving output to the process load 37 such as the fixing unit 15 driven by heat generation and rotation.

In the image forming apparatus 1 having such a configuration, the power is turned on, and the number of sheets and other designations are input by a key input using an input key on an operation panel or from a host device such as a personal computer via a communication cable or the like. When done
The image forming unit 13 and the fixing unit 15 are driven, and subsequently, the paper feed roller 10 is rotated in accordance with the print timing, and the uppermost sheet of the paper 38 placed and stored in the paper cassette 4 is removed. The sheet is fed to the conveying roller pair 12 via the guide path 11. The transport roller pair 12 transports the sheet 38 to the image forming unit 13.

The photosensitive drum 21 of the image forming unit 13 is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. The charger 23 applies a uniform charge to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21, and the optical writing head 24 performs exposure on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 in accordance with an image signal, and An electrostatic latent image composed of a high potential portion due to the charge application and a low potential portion whose potential has been attenuated by exposure is formed thereon. The developing roller 26 transfers the toner supplied from the toner hopper 25 to the low potential portion of the electrostatic latent image to form (develop) a toner image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

When the leading end of the toner image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is rotated and conveyed to the portion facing the transfer device 27, the printing start position of the paper 38 reaches the facing portion. The paper 38 continues to be conveyed as it is, and the photosensitive drum 21
The toner images are sequentially transferred onto the paper by an electric field formed between the toner images. The cleaner 22 removes residual toner on the photosensitive drum 21 and cleans it.

The paper 38 on which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the fixing unit 15. The paper 38 is nipped by the heat generating roller 29 and the pressing roller 31 in the fixing unit 15 and the toner image is fixed on the paper surface by heat and pressure.
6, the conveyance is continued, and the main body base side guide path 17,
The toner image is discharged from the paper discharge port 8 onto the paper discharge tray 7 via the upper lid side guide path 18 and the paper discharge roller pair 19 with the toner image facing down.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the image forming unit including the drum unit and the developing unit is removed from or attached to the apparatus main body 1 as described above. As shown in the figure, the photosensitive drum 21 and the cleaner 2
2 and the charger 23 form a drum unit 39, and the developing roller 26 and the toner hopper 25 form a developing unit 41. Then, the drum unit 39 and the developing unit 41 are integrated into an image forming unit 42.
Is formed. The image forming unit 42 is detachable from the image forming unit 13 by opening and closing the upper lid 5 of the apparatus main body 1 as shown by a double-headed arrow A in the figure.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged perspective view of the image forming unit 42 taken out of the apparatus main body 1 as described above.
As shown in the figure, the developing unit 41 of the image forming unit 42 has a recognition label 44 as a display means on the upper surface 43 of the developing unit, and a heater 33 as an illegible means below the developing label. Has been established. When the image forming unit 42 is mounted on the apparatus main body 1, the heater 33 electrically connects to the controller 35 via an electrode (not shown) arranged on the side surface of the toner hopper 25 and an electrode (not shown) on the apparatus main body 1 side. And heat is generated by a signal from the control device 35.

The above-described recognition label 44 is printed with a trademark registered character “KAISHA” as a specific pattern as a logo. The logo is displayed by selecting predetermined characters from a number of registered trademarks in advance. Although it is preferable to use thermal paper for the recognition label 44, the present invention is not limited to this. In this case, an electrode is provided in the toner hopper 25 in place of the heater 33, and the electrode is used for the energized recording paper. The color is developed by energizing) or discharge recording paper (in this case,
The toner hopper 25 may be provided with a discharge electrode instead of the heater 33, and the discharge electrode discharges the color toward the discharge recording paper to develop a color.

As a result, when the image forming unit 42 has been used, a predetermined heat is applied by using the heater 33 so that the entire surface is colored black as shown in FIG. The logo “KAISHA” on the label 44 cannot be read, or the logo can be changed to an irregular logo by coloring a part or the frame of one character black.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart of a process for determining whether the image forming unit 42 is correct or not by the control device 35 in the above embodiment, and FIG. 5B is added in the case of another example. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing processing steps performed. Same figure
In (a), first, the power switch of the operation panel arranged on the slope 9 in the front part of the upper lid 5 is turned on to put the apparatus main body 1 into an operating state (step S1). Next, the logo of the recognition label 44 is read by the logo reading sensor 32, and it is determined whether or not the logo is a legitimate character “KAISHA” registered as a trademark (step S2).

If the read logo is a regular logo (Y in S2), it is determined whether the life of the image forming unit 42 has expired (step S).
3). In this process, the number of conveyed sheets of paper 38 (the number of times of printing) on which printing has been performed is counted by a counter (not shown), and it is determined whether or not the number reaches a predetermined number by referring to the counted accumulated value. . Note that the predetermined value of the number of printed sheets is determined by, for example, the number of printed sheets of the photosensitive drum 21 of the drum unit 39 with a lifetime.

If it is determined in the above determination that the accumulated value of the number of printed sheets has not reached the predetermined number yet (N in S3), each unit is set in a print standby state (step S4), and print data is input from an external device. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step S5). Here, if print data has not been input (S
5 is N), and the above steps S2 to S5 are repeated. On the other hand,
When the above print data is input (S5: Y), the above print is executed (step S6), and the counter is set to "1".
Increment (Step S7)
Repeat to return to 2.

That is, the process returns to step S2 every time printing of one sheet is completed, and confirms that the logo is a regular logo. Thus, if the image forming unit having the regular logo is replaced with an unauthorized image forming unit after printing of one sheet is completed, the number of sheets printed on the sheet is reduced in step S3 where the determination in step S2 becomes N. If the predetermined number has been reached, the photosensitive drum 21 has reached the end of its life (S
3 is Y), in this case, the heater 33 is driven to generate heat, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the entire surface of the recognition label 44 is colored black (step S8), and then the processing in the above step S9 is performed. I do. In this case, the liquid crystal display device is notified that the life of the image forming unit 42 has expired.

When the recognition label 44 is colored black in the process of step S8, the coloring is not limited to the entire surface, but may be limited to a part or a frame for one character.
Nevertheless, in the next determination in step S2, the logo pattern is deformed and incorrect, so the determination is N in this case as well. Thereafter, the image forming unit cannot be used even if it is filled with the toner or the photosensitive drum is replaced with a new one, unless the image forming unit is replaced with a regular recognition label.

That is, if the read logo is a logo other than the regular logo in step S2, or
As shown in FIG. 4B, when the recognition label is black or partially colored (N in S2), it is determined that the image forming unit is not suitable for use, and the printing is disabled. To end the processing (step S9).

In this print disable processing, for example, a warning indicator light on an operation panel arranged on the slope 9 at the front of the upper lid 5 blinks, and furthermore, the fact that the liquid crystal display device is not a proper image forming unit and printing can be executed. This is a process for displaying that there is no information. As a result, if the image forming unit mounted on the apparatus main body 1 is not a genuine image forming unit, or if it has been used and remains a black or partially colored recognition label, the execution of printing is rejected. You.

That is, even if the image forming unit with the recognition label colored black is filled with toner or the photosensitive drum is replaced and reproduced,
When the reproduced image forming unit is attached to the apparatus main body, printing cannot be performed because the logo reading sensor does not determine that the label is a legitimate recognition label.

In the above processing, the number of print sheets is counted by a counter to detect the replacement time of the drum unit 39. However, the detection of the replacement time of the developing unit 41 is changed to step S3 in FIG. The processing of step S3 'shown in b) may be performed. In this case, the processing in step S7 is excluded. Then, this step S3 '
When "no toner" is detected by the toner absence sensor 36 in the process (3) (Y in S3 '), step S8 in FIG.
May be performed.

This “no toner” is detected by the toner absence sensor 3
The method of detecting in step 6 may be used in the case of an image forming unit in which a drum unit and a developing unit are integrated. Also, in order to detect the replacement time of the drum unit 39 and the developing unit 41 in the same process,
It is preferable to insert a step S3 'in FIG. 2B between steps S3 and S4 in FIG. Further, the toner absence sensor 36 detects the presence or absence of the toner in the consumables. However, the toner absence sensor 36 is not necessary when the consumption of the toner is counted by the counter for each printing.

As described above, when the service life of the two units is judged separately, and the two units are individually replaced, a heater is also provided on the drum unit side, and a logo is stuck thereon. Alternatively, a sensor for reading the logo may be provided on the apparatus body side at that position.

In order to detect the recognition label 44 on which the regular logo is printed, a character recognition sensor is used as the logo reading sensor 32, and the character pattern of the logo is EEP
It is preferable to use a character recognition method such as pattern matching that stores the data in a ROM or the like and compares it with a character pattern read from a recognition label, but the following method is possible as a simple determination device. .

FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are diagrams schematically showing a simplified type logo detecting device, and FIG.
1 is a side view schematically showing the relationship between the recognition label 44 and the logo detecting device, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the circuit configuration of the read logo analyzing device. Reference numeral 33 denotes a heater for coloring the recognition label 44 described above.

The read logo analyzing apparatus may be arranged in the control unit 35 to analyze the read logo on the main unit side, or may be built in the logo detecting apparatus side, and the analysis result may be obtained from the logo detecting apparatus. Only the logo may be output to the control device 35, and the control device 35 may determine whether the logo is correct or not based on the input analysis result.

As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the logo detecting device
The logo reading sensor 32 including a light emitting element 46 and a light receiving element 47 and a transparent label 45 are provided. When the development unit 41 is mounted in the apparatus main body, shown transparent label 45 logo detection device of the apparatus main body 1 is brought into close contact with the identification labels 44 (as away to better illustrate the FIGS. 6 (a) But they are actually close).

Above the transparent label 45, the logo reading sensor 32 including the light emitting element 46 and the light receiving element 47 is arranged. The logo reading sensor 32 includes a transparent label 4
5, the total reflection light reflected from the recognition label 44 is detected collectively. The detected output of the light receiving element 47 is input to a minus input terminal of a comparator 48 as shown in FIG. The voltage of the reference potential Vs1 or the voltage of the reference potential Vs2 is input to the plus input terminal of the comparator 48 via the switch a.

FIG. 7A is a view showing a transparent label 45 of the logo detecting device, FIG. 7B is a view showing a regular recognition label 44 of the developing unit 41, and FIG. FIG. 3D is a diagram showing a regular synthetic logo read by the device, and FIG. 4D is a diagram showing an example of an irregular synthetic logo read by the logo detecting device.

In the transparent label 45 shown in FIG. 7A, the letters "KAISHA" are printed in gray on a transparent acrylic plate 45-1 or the like. The recognition label 44 shown in FIG. 7 (b) is shown in black in FIG. 4 (a). In this case, a gray "KA"
ISHA ". Transparent acrylic plate 45-1
"KAISHA" printed on the identification label 44 and "KAISHA" printed on the recognition label 44 are characters of the same font and the same size.

FIG. 7 (c) is a diagram showing a state in which the transparent label 45 and the recognition label 44 are superimposed when the image forming unit 42 to which the regular recognition label 44 is attached is attached. And two "KAISHA"
Are completely overlapped, and the character portion where gray and gray overlap is black. Light is emitted from the light emitting element 46 to the state of the regular synthetic logo 51, and the entire reflected light is received by the light receiving element 47, and the output obtained by dividing the voltage of the power supply Vc by the resistor R and the light receiving element 47 is output. This is input to the comparator 48 shown in FIG.

If the recognition label 44 is, for example, "KAOS
If the logo is not a legitimate logo such as “HA”,
As shown in the figure, the first two characters "KA" and the last three characters
The “SHA” portion of the character is synthesized into a black character by overlapping the gray and gray strokes of the transparent label 45 and the recognition label 44 with each other. The part where the third incorrect character "O" of the recognition label 44 overlaps is partially black, and the other parts are gray. That is, since such an irregular synthetic logo 52 has fewer black portions (because it is lighter than the normal recognition label) as compared with the case of the normal synthetic logo 51, the total reflected light amount increases.

Here, if the reference potential Vs2 shown in FIG. 6B is set to a voltage corresponding to the reflected light amount slightly smaller than the total reflected light amount of the regular composite logo 51, the switch a is connected to the terminal c side. In this state, the output terminal OUT of the comparator 48 is set to “H” when the authentic synthetic logo 51 and an unrecognized recognition label having a larger amount of reflected light than the authentic synthetic logo 51.

On the contrary, when the recognition label 44 is “KAIS
In the case where there is a portion displayed in black or gray in a portion other than “HA”, or when, for example, an image forming unit that is still a recognition label colored black is used, a label darker than a regular recognition label is used. Therefore, the amount of reflected light is smaller than in the normal case.

Here, the comparator 48 shown in FIG.
If the reference potential Vs1 is set to a voltage corresponding to the amount of reflected light having a slightly more white portion than the regular composite logo 51 in a state where the switch a is on the terminal b side, the regular composite logo 5
1 and the output terminal OUT of the comparator 48 in the case of a non-regular recognition label having a smaller reflected light amount than the regular synthetic logo.
Becomes "L".

In summary, the switch a is alternately closed between the terminal b and the terminal c, and the comparator 4 at that time is closed.
By examining the outputs “L” and “H” from the output terminal OUT of No. 8, it can be easily determined whether or not the logo is a legitimate synthetic logo 51.

That is, the switch a, the terminal b side, the terminal c side, the label H L which is darker than the normal recognition label L L the normal recognition label L H, the label H H which is lighter than the normal recognition label, the switch a is the terminal b side, and the output of the comparator 48 is L, Only when the switch a is at the terminal c and the output of the comparator 48 is a combination of H is detected as a normal recognition label.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the control device 35 shown in FIG. 2 recognizes the recognition label 44 through the transparent label 45 and That is, the image forming unit 42 determines whether or not the product is a genuine product. If the product is a genuine product, the image forming unit 42 performs image formation.

If a consumable goods remanufacturer imitates a legitimate recognition label, peels off the black colored recognition label and affixes the imitation recognition label, it would be a violation of the trademark right. It is essentially impossible to use it. And, as described above, the use of any other than the regular recognition label is rejected by the apparatus main body side, so that it is possible to prevent the use of reproduced consumables that cause problems such as deterioration of image quality.

On the other hand, disposable consumables are not preferable for environmental problems such as an increase in dust. Therefore, the manufacturer of the consumable supplies needs to actively recycle the consumable supplies. When a manufacturer recycles consumables, it is filled with regular toner and replaced with a regular photoreceptor drum, so that trouble such as deterioration of image quality does not occur at all.

Further, by replacing the black recognition label with a new recognition label, the logo reading sensor can recognize the same as a new consumable and perform a normal printing operation.

In the above embodiment, an electrophotographic printer has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention relates to a printer using a replaceable consumable, for example, a consumable for an ink jet printer. The present invention is also applicable to refilling of ink in an ink cartridge, and refilling of an ink ribbon of a ribbon cartridge, which is a consumable part of a thermal transfer printer.

[0060]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a genuine consumable is recognized by a recognition label on which a logo having a trademark right is printed. The attached consumables can no longer be sold, thereby preventing the distribution of poor consumables, thus preventing the occurrence of difficult-to-find defects and maintaining the trust of products and manufacturers. be able to.

Also, It is easy to confirm that consumables that have been used are in-house products, so that proper recycling can be performed using genuine toner or photoconductor drums by the manufacturer, so that consumables can be reused without being discarded It becomes easier to deal with environmental problems.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view schematically illustrating an entire configuration of an image forming apparatus (apparatus main body) according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device mounted on a circuit board of an electrical unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state when the image forming unit is removed from or attached to the apparatus main body.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged perspective view of an image forming unit taken out of the apparatus main body, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state in which the entire surface is colored black and characters on a recognition label cannot be recognized.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart of a process performed by a control device to determine whether an image forming unit is correct, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating processing steps added in another example.

6A and 6B are diagrams showing a simplified logo detecting device, wherein FIG. 6A is a side view schematically showing a relationship between a recognition label of a developing unit and a logo detecting device, and FIG. 6B is a circuit configuration of the logo analyzing device. FIG.

FIG. 7 (a) is a view showing a transparent label of a logo detecting device,
(b) is a diagram showing a recognition label, (c) is a diagram showing a regular synthetic logo, and (d) is a diagram showing an example of an irregular synthetic logo.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus (apparatus main body) 2 Main body base 3 Front lower opening 4 Paper cassette 5 Top lid 7 Paper discharge tray 8 Paper discharge port 9 Slope 10 Paper feed roller 11 Paper guide path 12 Transport roller pair 13 Image forming section 14 Transport guide path REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 15 fixing section 16 carry-out roller pair 17 main body base side guide path 18 top cover side guide path 19 paper discharge roller pair 21 photoconductor drum 22 cleaner 23 charger 24 optical writing head 25 toner hopper 26 developing roller 27 transfer unit 28 housing 29 heating roller REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 31 pressure roller 32 logo reading sensor 33 heater 34 electrical unit 35 controller 36 tonerless sensor 37 process load 38 paper 39 drum unit 41 developing unit 42 image forming unit 43 developing unit upper surface 44 recognition label 44-1 white label background 45 transparent label 45-1 transparent Acrylic plate 46 Light emitting element 47 Light receiving element 48 Comparator a switch Vs1 Reference potential Vs2 Reference potential 51 Regular synthetic logo 52 Irregular synthetic logo

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Kenji Kobayashi 3-2-1 Sakaemachi, Hamura-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Hamura Technical Center (72) Inventor Masayuki Ikeda 3-2-2 Sakaemachi, Hamura-shi, Tokyo No. 1 Inside the Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Hamura Technical Center (72) Inventor Kenji Igarashi 3-2-1 Sakaemachi, Hamura-shi, Tokyo Inside Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Hamura Technical Center (56) References JP-A-3-39983 ( JP, A) JP-A-5-265274 (JP, A) JP-A-7-36348 (JP, A) JP-A-9-281860 (JP, A) JP-A-2-61656 (JP, A) JP Hei 4-134380 (JP, A) JP-A-8-224947 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/00 303 G03G 15/00 550 G03G 15/36 G03G 21/00 370-540 G03G 21/02 -21/04 G03G 21/14-21/20 B41J 2/175 B41J 17/22-17/32

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A specific pattern representing a trademark is displayed in a consumable unit having a built-in consumable that is consumed during image formation and detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, and the specific pattern is displayed by applying energy. A consumable unit comprising: a display unit made of a material that becomes unreadable; and an illegibility disabling unit that makes the display unit illegible based on a signal from the image forming apparatus main body. 2. The consumables unit according to claim 1, wherein said display means is a heat-sensitive medium which develops a color by applying heat. 3. The consumable unit according to claim 1, wherein said display means is a current-carrying recording medium that develops color when a current is applied. 4. The consumable unit according to claim 1, wherein said display means is a discharge recording medium which develops color by discharging. 5. The constructed and energized as consumables consumed with the image forming Ri Do not legible, the quotient
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a display unit displaying a specific pattern representing a mark; and a consumable unit provided with a illegible means for making the specific pattern illegible. Reading means for reading the specific pattern, provided at a position corresponding to, a determining means for determining whether or not the specific pattern read by the reading means is a predetermined pattern; Control means for enabling an image forming operation only when the result of the discrimination is a predetermined pattern determined in advance. 6. A detecting means for detecting that the consumable unit has reached the end of its life, wherein said control means is configured to detect said end of life of said consumable unit by detecting said end of life of said consumable unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the image forming apparatus operates the image forming unit. 7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said display means is a heat-sensitive medium which develops a color by applying heat. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said display means is a current-carrying recording medium that develops color when a current is applied. 9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said display means is a discharge recording medium which develops color by discharging.