JP3698013B2 - Cartridge with storage medium and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs image forming processing by detachably attaching a cartridge to an image forming apparatus main body, and a cartridge.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and facsimile machines, a part of the device configuration is made into a cartridge so that consumables can be easily replaced and replenished, and the cartridge is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. Yes. For example, in the image forming apparatus described in JP-A-10-52964, a developing cartridge equipped with a developing device and a toner tank for each color in order to form toner images of four colors (yellow, cyan, magenta, black). And each developing cartridge is configured to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.
[0003]
A storage medium such as an EEPROM is attached to each developing cartridge, and management data such as the number of times the developing cartridge is reused, the manufacturer name, and the expected remaining life are stored in this storage medium. This is to accurately replace each developer cartridge and toner replenishment timing, and the image forming apparatus main body stores each storage medium at an appropriate timing, for example, when a developer cartridge is newly replaced or when the apparatus power is turned on. The stored management data is read to determine the depletion state and replacement timing of the developing cartridge, and to optimize the replacement of the developing cartridge and the toner replenishment timing. Further, the image forming apparatus main body updates the management data in the storage medium as necessary.
[0004]
As described above, in order to mutually transfer data between the image forming apparatus main body and the storage medium of the developing cartridge, it is necessary to perform bidirectional communication between the image forming apparatus main body and the developing cartridge. Therefore, in the above conventional example, the image forming apparatus main body and the developing cartridge are electrically connected to each other by a signal line group including six signal lines to perform bidirectional communication.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional image forming apparatus, a signal group for electrically connecting the image forming apparatus main body and the developing cartridge to each other is divided into the following six signal lines:
(1) A power supply signal line for supplying power from the image forming apparatus main body side to the developing cartridge side;
(2) Chip select signal line for transferring the chip select signal;
(3) Clock signal line for transferring the clock signal;
(4) An input signal line for transferring input data to the storage medium;
(5) An output signal line for transferring output data from the storage medium;
(6) GND signal line for applying a ground potential to the developing cartridge side;
It consists of.
[0006]
Therefore, it is necessary to route the six signal lines toward each developing cartridge, and there is a problem that wiring in the image forming apparatus is difficult and the cost of the apparatus is increased. Further, since data transfer is performed using a plurality of signal lines, there is a problem that the control becomes complicated. In particular, in a color image forming apparatus, it is necessary to provide a developing cartridge of four colors in order to form a color image as described above, and the above problems are more serious and more serious than those in a monochrome image forming apparatus. It has become.
[0007]
Such a problem is not limited to the developing cartridge, but also occurs when another unit, for example, a photosensitive unit or a fixing unit is formed into a cartridge. This is a problem common to all image forming apparatuses configured to be detachable from the main body.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when transferring data between a storage medium attached to a cartridge detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body and the image forming apparatus main body, the data transfer is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a cartridge capable of executing the above with a small number of wires.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The cartridge according to the present invention is a cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and in order to achieve the above object, a storage medium for storing data for recognizing the use state of the cartridge, and the image forming apparatus When the cartridge is mounted on the main body, a control unit that is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus main body by a signal line and a GND line and transfers data between the image forming apparatus main body and the storage medium, and a capacitor When the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus main body is electrically connected to the capacitor via the signal line by being electrically connected to the signal line and maintaining the signal line at the H level for a predetermined time. A parasite power supply that supplies the charged electrical energy to the control means and the storage medium, while the energy is charged; Data transfer is performed by performing bidirectional asynchronous communication with the image forming apparatus main body via a line, and bidirectional asynchronous communication is capable of transferring 1-bit data in a predetermined time slot. The electrical energy is charged from the image forming apparatus main body to the capacitor by maintaining the signal line at the H level for a predetermined time between adjacent time slots.
[0010]
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that performs image forming processing by detachably attaching a cartridge to an image forming apparatus main body, and in order to achieve the above object, the cartridge is A storage medium for storing data for recognizing the use state, and when the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the image forming apparatus main body and the memory are electrically connected to the image forming apparatus main body by a signal line and a GND line. Control means for transferring data to and from the medium, and a capacitor having a capacitor and electrically connected to the signal line when the cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, and maintaining the signal line at the H level for a predetermined time. The electric energy is charged from the image forming apparatus to the capacitor via the signal line, and the charged electric energy is controlled and stored. The image forming apparatus main body transfers data to and from the storage medium via the signal line, and maintains the signal line at the H level for a predetermined time through the signal line. Main body side control means for charging the capacitor, and the cartridge control means and the main body side control means perform bidirectional asynchronous communication via the signal line to transfer data between the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge. In the bidirectional asynchronous communication, 1-bit data can be transferred in a predetermined one time slot, and the signal line is maintained at the H level for a predetermined time between adjacent time slots. The capacitor is charged with electrical energy.
[0011]
In the invention thus configured, the parasite power source provided on the cartridge side functions as power source means having a charging function. The power supply means can be charged from the main body of the image forming apparatus by maintaining the signal line for performing data transfer at the H level for a predetermined time between mutually adjacent time slots. Thus, since the signal line is used not only for data transfer between the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge but also for charging the power supply means on the cartridge side, the wiring between the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge is used. The number can be reduced.
[0012]
Further, the cartridge is operated by the electric energy charged in the power supply means, and the storage medium is accessible (accessible state). On the other hand, when the charging from the image forming apparatus main body side to the cartridge side is stopped, the power source means is not charged, and the storage medium of the cartridge becomes inaccessible. As described above, the storage medium of the cartridge is controlled to be accessible / inaccessible in the image forming apparatus main body.
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of cartridges with storage medium according to claim 1 are detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Each of the cartridges with storage medium stores a unique code different from each other in a non-volatile memory, and has a common signal line and a common GND line when a plurality of cartridges with a storage medium are attached to the image forming apparatus main body. The connector is electrically connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus in parallel with other cartridges by the connector to transfer data to and from the main body of the image forming apparatus, while the main body of the image forming apparatus has a plurality of storage media via a common signal line. While transferring data to and from each other, maintaining the common signal line at the H level for a predetermined time allows a plurality of capacitors to be connected via the common signal line. The main body side control means and the main body side control means included in each of the plurality of cartridges are configured to perform bidirectional asynchronous communication via a common signal line, thereby allowing the image forming apparatus main body and the plurality of cartridges to respectively When performing data transfer, the main body side control means reads the unique code stored in the nonvolatile memory of the cartridge and transfers the cartridge based on the unique code. In particular, the bidirectional asynchronous communication is capable of transferring 1-bit data in a predetermined one time slot, and maintaining the signal line at the H level for a predetermined time between adjacent time slots. It is characterized by charging electrical energy from the main unit to the capacitor.
In the invention configured as described above, each of the plurality of cartridges detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body stores different unique codes. Therefore, each of the plurality of cartridges can be specified based on the unique code, and the plurality of cartridges can be connected in parallel to one connector.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus of FIG. This image forming apparatus forms a full color image by superposing four color toners of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K), or uses only black (K) toner. This is an apparatus for forming a monochrome image. In this image forming apparatus, when an image signal is given from an external device such as a host computer to the main controller 11 of the apparatus body 1, the engine controller 12 controls each part of the engine unit E in response to a command from the main controller 11. Thus, an image corresponding to the image signal is formed on a sheet such as copy paper, transfer paper, paper, and an OHP transparent sheet.
[0014]
In this engine section E, there are six cartridges: (a) photosensitive cartridge 2; (b) yellow developing cartridge 3Y; (c) magenta developing cartridge 3M; (d) cyan developing cartridge 3C; (e) black. The developing cartridge 3K; and (f) the fixing cartridge 4 is detachable from the apparatus main body 1. Then, with all the cartridges 2, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, 4 mounted in the apparatus main body 1, the photoconductor 21 of the photoconductor cartridge 2 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. A charging unit 22, four-color developing devices (developing devices provided in the developing cartridges 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K) and a cleaning unit 23 are disposed along the rotation direction of the image forming unit.
[0015]
Among the six cartridges 2, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, and 4, the photosensitive cartridge 2 contains a photosensitive member 21, a charging unit 22, and a cleaning unit 23, which are integrated with the apparatus main body 1. It is removable. The charging unit 22 includes a charging roller 221 that contacts the photoconductor 21 and charges the surface of the photoconductor 21 while being rotatably supported by the frame body 24. In addition, the charging unit 22 is provided with a cleaning member 222 for cleaning the surface of the charging roller 221. The cleaning member 222 is held by a holding member so as to be movable in the vertical and horizontal directions, and is always urged by a spring member 223 in a direction away from the charging roller 221. When a cleaning process is required, the cleaning member 222 moves and contacts the surface of the charging roller 221 against the urging force of the spring member 223 by a driving mechanism (not shown) to execute the cleaning process.
[0016]
Further, in the photosensitive member cartridge 2, a cleaning blade 231 is fixed to the frame body 24 on the upstream side of the charging unit 22 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 21, and the cleaning unit 23 is configured. After the primary transfer, the photosensitive member 21 is provided. The toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the toner is scraped off. In this way, the surface of the photoreceptor 21 is cleaned.
[0017]
The electronic cartridge 5 is attached to the photosensitive cartridge 2 configured as described above. When the photosensitive cartridge 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body 1, the engine of the apparatus main body 1 is connected via the connector 13A as shown in FIG. It is electrically connected to the controller 12, performs data transfer with the engine controller 12, and manages consumables of the photoconductor cartridge 2. Details of the electronic module 5 and a data transfer method will be described later.
[0018]
In this image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, laser light L is irradiated from the exposure unit 6 to the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 21 charged by the charging unit 22. The exposure unit 6 scans and exposes the laser beam L onto the photoconductor 21 in accordance with an image signal from the engine controller 12 to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal on the photoconductor 21.
[0019]
The electrostatic latent image formed in this way is developed by one of the four developing units, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 21 is made visible. Each developing device is incorporated in a developing cartridge corresponding to each color. For example, the yellow developing cartridge 3Y is composed of a yellow developing unit 31Y and a yellow toner cartridge 32Y. When the yellow developing cartridge 3Y is mounted at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body 1, the engine controller 12 causes the yellow developing unit 3Y. The configuration is such that 31Y can be controlled to come into contact with the photosensitive member 21.
[0020]
The yellow developing cartridge 3Y is detachable from the apparatus main body 1, and the yellow developing cartridge 3Y can be temporarily detached and another developing cartridge can be mounted as necessary. Further, after the toner is replenished to the removed yellow developing cartridge 3Y, it can be mounted in the apparatus main body 1 again. In this embodiment, the toner is replenished as follows. First, after the yellow toner cartridge 32Y is further removed from the developing cartridge 3Y and the yellow toner is replenished in the cartridge 32Y, the toner can be replenished by being remounted in the yellow developing device 31Y. The yellow toner cartridge 32Y is provided with the electronic module 5 as in the case of the photosensitive cartridge 2. When the cartridge is mounted, the yellow toner cartridge 32Y is connected to the engine controller 12 of the apparatus main body 1 via the connector 13B as shown in FIG. It is electrically connected, performs data transfer with the engine controller 12, and manages consumables for the yellow developing cartridge 3Y.
[0021]
The other toner colors are configured in exactly the same way as in the case of the yellow color, and are electrically connected to the engine controller 12 via the connector 13B so that data transfer with the engine controller 12 is possible. As described above, in this embodiment, the developing cartridges 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K are connected in parallel to the engine controller 12 via the single connector 13B. The data is transferred via the connector 13B while being associated with the ROM code.
[0022]
The toner image developed in the developing unit is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 71 of the transfer unit 7 in the primary transfer region R1 positioned between the black developing device 31K and the cleaning unit 23, and is intermediately transferred at an appropriate timing. The intermediate toner image transferred to the transfer belt 71 is secondarily transferred to the sheet. For example, when a color image is transferred to a sheet, each color toner image formed on the photosensitive member 21 is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 71 to form a color image, and the sheet is taken out from a cassette or the like. It is conveyed to the next transfer area R2. A color image is secondarily transferred to this sheet to obtain a full color image. When transferring a monochrome image to a sheet, only the black toner image on the photosensitive member 21 is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 71 and conveyed to the secondary transfer region R2 as in the case of a color image. Transfer to a sheet to obtain a monochrome image.
[0023]
Then, the sheet on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 7 is conveyed to a fixing cartridge 4 mounted on the apparatus main body 1 on the downstream side of the secondary transfer region R2 along a predetermined paper feed path (one-dot chain line). Then, the toner image on the conveyed sheet is fixed on the sheet. The sheet is further conveyed along a paper feed path to a post-processing device (not shown) such as a discharge tray (not shown) or a multi-bin unit. The fixing cartridge 4 also has an electronic module 5 attached to the fixing cartridge 4 in the same manner as the photosensitive cartridge 2 and the developing cartridges 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K. It is electrically connected to the engine controller 12 of the apparatus main body 1 and performs data transfer with the engine controller 12 to manage consumables such as fixing oil.
[0024]
Next, a control configuration for controlling the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. A main controller 11 and an engine controller 12 are provided on the apparatus main body 1 side of the image forming apparatus. Of these, when the main controller 11 receives an image formation command (a signal indicating the contents of the print request) from an external device such as a host computer, the main controller 11 converts it into job data (print information) in a format suitable for the operation instruction of each unit of the engine unit E. The data is converted and given to the engine controller 12.
[0025]
The engine controller 12 includes a CPU 121, an EEPROM 122, a communication circuit 123, and the like, and controls each unit of the engine unit E according to job data given from the main controller 11. In addition, two signal lines 81 and 82 are provided from the engine controller 12 toward the photosensitive cartridge 2, the developing cartridge group, and the fixing cartridge 4, and connectors 13A to 13C are provided corresponding to these one to one. ing. When the cartridges 2, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, 4 are mounted on the apparatus main body 1, the electronic module 5 and the engine controller 12 are electrically connected via the corresponding connectors 13A to 13C, and the signals Data transfer is performed by bidirectional asynchronous communication via the line 81, and the engine controller 12 manages and controls the use states of the cartridges 2, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, and 4. The other signal line 82 is a GND signal line that applies a ground potential to each of the cartridges 2, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, and 4.
[0026]
In order to perform this bidirectional asynchronous communication, the communication circuit 123 of the engine controller 12 has three transmission / reception channels. In each of them, as shown in FIG. 3, the transmission unit Tx passes through a buffer amplifier 123T having an open collector structure. The signal line 81 is connected to the receiving unit Rx via the buffer amplifier 123R. The signal line 81 is pulled up to the power source Vpup.
[0027]
On the other hand, the electronic module 5 attached to each cartridge 2, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, 4 is configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic module. This electronic module 5 includes six storage media (laser processing ROM 51, data memory 52, data memory intermediate memory 53, application register 54, application register intermediate memory 55, status memory 56) and two storage media for controlling the storage medium. A control circuit (1-wire bus function control circuit 57, memory function control circuit 58) and a parasite power source 59 for supplying electric energy to each part are provided.
[0028]
The laser processing ROM 51 is a non-rewritable nonvolatile memory and stores a unique ROM code for each electronic module. Thus, a so-called total number system is adopted for the electronic module, and the electronic module can be uniquely specified by reading the ROM code stored in the laser processing ROM 51. This reading process is executed by the one-wire bus function control circuit 57 in accordance with the ROM function command sent from the engine controller 12.
[0029]
The data memory 52 is constituted by a readable / writable nonvolatile memory, for example, an EEPROM, and functions as a storage medium for storing data indicating the use state of the cartridge. When writing data to the data memory 52 or reading data from the data memory 52, the data memory intermediate memory 53 serves as a buffer.
[0030]
The application register 54 is a 64-bit register that can be programmed (written), and writing / reading can be executed via the application register intermediate memory 55.
[0031]
The status memory 56 is an 8-bit memory that holds data indicating whether or not the writing to the application register 54 has been performed. In this embodiment, when the writing to the application register 54 is not executed, the status memory 56 The memory 56 stores “FFh”, and the status memory 56 stores “FCh” when writing is being executed.
[0032]
The memory function control circuit 58 writes / reads data to / from these writable storage media. That is, when a memory function command is sent from the engine controller 12 to the electronic module 5, the memory function control circuit 58 executes a read / write operation on the data memory intermediate memory 53, the application register 54, or the status memory 56.
[0033]
Electric energy necessary for the operation as described above is supplied from the parasite power source 59. As shown in FIG. 5, the parasite power source 59 includes a backflow prevention element 591 and a capacitor 592. One end of the backflow prevention element 591 is connected to the signal line 81, and the other end is connected to one end of the capacitor 592. A current flows from the signal line 81 to the capacitor 592, while the opposite is restricted. Yes. Note that the other end of the capacitor 592 is grounded. Accordingly, if the signal line 81 is maintained at the H level (Vpup level) when the signal line 81 is not active, electric charges are accumulated in the capacitor 592 and electric energy can be supplied to each part of the electronic module. Become. Thus, the parasite power supply 59 corresponds to the “power supply means” of the present invention having a charging function. If the signal line 81 is maintained at the L level (GND level) when the signal line 81 is not active, the electronic module 5 is turned off.
[0034]
As described above, when the engine controller 12 does not need to check the use state of the cartridge, the electronic module 5 cannot be accessed, that is, the storage medium cannot be accessed simply by maintaining the signal line 81 at the L level. It is possible to switch to an inaccessible state and prevent malfunction of the electronic module 5. Of course, in the conventional example, if the power supply is stopped, the same effect can be obtained. However, it is necessary to independently control the power supply signal line in addition to the data transfer signal line. There is a problem that the control circuit becomes complicated. On the other hand, in this embodiment, ON / OFF control of the electronic module 5 is performed by simply controlling the signal level applied to the electronic module 5 via the signal line 81 for data transfer without providing a dedicated control circuit. Therefore, malfunction of the electronic module 5 can be reliably prevented with a simple configuration. The operation of the image forming apparatus configured as described above including the ON / OFF control will be described in detail below.
[0035]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a basic operation of bidirectional asynchronous communication performed between the engine controller and the electronic module. When the main power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned on or the cover (not shown) of the apparatus main body 1 is opened and closed, the engine controller 12 repeats the basic operation of FIG. 6 once or a plurality of times to transfer the engine controller 12 to the electronic module. Execute command transmission, data transfer between each other.
[0036]
When the bidirectional communication is started, the engine controller 12 sets the signal line 81 to the H level by the pull-up Vpup before moving to the basic operation of FIG. As a result, electric charges are accumulated in the capacitor 592 of the parasitic power source 59 and power is supplied from the parasitic power source 59 to the electronic module 5, enabling bidirectional communication with the electronic module 5. Further, the storage medium can be accessed. Thus, before reaching the active state in which data transfer is performed via the signal line 81, a charging signal (a signal for maintaining the H level) is applied to the parasite power source 59 via the signal line 81.
[0037]
First, initialization processing is executed in step S1. In this initialization process, the communication circuit 123 of the engine controller 12 gives a reset pulse to the electronic module 5 via the signal line 81. Specifically, in order to transmit the reset pulse, the engine controller 12 falls the voltage level of the signal line 81 from the H level to the L level as shown in FIG. After maintaining at the L level for about μs or more, the level is returned to the H level.
[0038]
On the other hand, when the reset pulse output is completed and the rising edge of the signal line 81 to the H level is used as a reference, the electronic module 5 reduces the voltage level of the signal line 81 to a level between several tens to several hundreds μs during a predetermined presence pulse output period. It falls to the level, and this is sent to the engine controller 12 as a present pulse.
[0039]
When the engine controller 12 detects this presence pulse, the initialization process is completed, and the engine controller 12 issues a ROM function command to the electronic module 5 (step S2). This ROM function command is a command for designating the electronic module 5 to be processed thereafter, and one of them is an 8-bit command such as “Read ROM”. This command is a command for reading a ROM code which is a unique code of the electronic module 5 connected to the signal line 81, and corresponds to the command for each time slot from the transmission unit Tx of the communication circuit 123 as shown in FIG. The bit data to be written is written and transmitted to the electronic module 5 for a total of 8 bits. In response to this, the 1-wire bus function control circuit 57 reads the ROM code stored in the laser processing ROM 51 and outputs 1-bit data “0” or “1” for each time slot as shown in FIG. The signal is transmitted to the receiving unit Rx of the communication circuit 123 via the line 81. Thus, the engine controller 12 reads the ROM code of the electronic module 5. The data writing and reading process will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.
[0040]
When the ROM function command is completed, the memory function command is executed as necessary (step S3). This memory function command is a processing command for the electronic module 5 specified by the ROM function command, and one of them is an 8-bit command such as “Read Memory”, for example. This command is a command for copying all data stored in the data memory 52 to the intermediate memory 53 for data memory. As shown in FIG. 8, this command corresponds to the command from the transmission unit Tx of the communication circuit 123 every time slot. The data to be written is written and transmitted to the electronic module 5 for a total of 8 bits. Receiving this, the memory function control circuit 58 copies all the data in the data memory 52 to the intermediate memory 53 for data memory.
[0041]
If the ROM function command (step S2) is completed, the memory function command (step S3) is completed, or the command is canceled during execution of these commands, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S <b> 4, the communication circuit 123 of the engine controller 12 gives a reset pulse to the electronic module 5 via the signal line 81. As a result, a series of processing is completed.
[0042]
Next, data writing and reading processing will be described with reference to FIGS. In the case of writing data to the electronic module 5, in this embodiment, the transmission unit Tx of the communication circuit 123 starts the voltage level of the signal line 81 to the L level, and then the voltage level of the signal line 81 becomes H level again. “1” or “0” is defined according to the timing of rising to the level. That is, when “1” is written, as shown in FIG. 8A, it rises to the H level at a relatively early stage (data determination stage), while when “0” is written, FIG. As shown, it is maintained at the L level also in the data decision stage, and is raised to the H level at the final stage of one time slot. Accordingly, the electronic module 5 reads 1-bit data based on the voltage level of the signal line 81 in a predetermined cartridge-side sampling period after the data determination step.
[0043]
Further, when reading data from the electronic module 5, in this embodiment, the transmission unit Tx of the communication circuit 123 uses a start condition that the voltage level of the signal line 81 is lowered to the L level, and then the voltage level of the signal line 81 is reduced. “1” or “0” is defined depending on the timing when the signal is again raised to the H level. That is, when reading “1”, as shown in FIG. 9A, it rises to the H level at a relatively early stage (data determination stage), while when “0” is written, FIG. As shown, it is maintained at the L level even in the data decision stage, and rises to the H level in the middle stage of one time slot. As a result, the communication circuit 123 reads 1-bit data based on the voltage level of the signal line 81 in a predetermined body-side sampling period after the data determination step.
[0044]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the parasite power source 59 is used as the power source of the electronic module 5, the parasite power source is provided after the completion of one time slot at the time of writing and reading and before the execution of the next one time slot. The signal line 81 is maintained at the H level, that is, the pull-up power supply level only during the preparation period necessary for charging 59. In this way, the parasite power source 59 always secures electric energy necessary for operating the electronic module 5 when active. As described above, in this embodiment, the engine controller 12 transmits the charging signal to the electronic module 5 side via the signal line 81 during the preparation period, thereby securing the operating power supply of the electronic module 5.
[0045]
As described above, in this embodiment, the signal line 81 not only performs data transfer between the engine controller 12 and the electronic module 5, but also functions as a charging signal transmission line from the engine controller 12 to the electronic module 5. ing. For this reason, the electronic module 5 attached to the cartridges 2, 3 Y, 3 M, 3 C, 3 K, 4 detachably attached to the apparatus main body 1 with a small number of signal lines and the engine controller 12 of the apparatus main body 1 are provided. As a result, wiring can be easily routed in the device, and the cost of the device can be reduced.
[0046]
Further, the electronic module 5 can be switched between ON / OFF states by transmitting / stopping a charging signal from the engine controller 12 to the cartridge side, and the storage medium of the cartridge can be switched between an accessible state and an inaccessible state. The state of the storage medium can be switched and controlled with a simple configuration. In particular, when it is not necessary to access the storage medium, malfunction can be prevented by making the access impossible state.
[0047]
In the above embodiment, the ground potential is supplied to the cartridge side by the signal line 82. However, the provision of the signal line 82 is not an essential component of the present invention, and when the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body 1. A part of the cartridge may be in contact with the apparatus main body 1 so that a ground potential is applied from the apparatus main body 1. In this case, the apparatus main body 1 and the cartridge are electrically connected only by the signal line 81. Data transfer can be performed. Further, the number of signal lines for data transfer is not limited to one. As will be described below, one or more other signal lines are further provided, and the apparatus main body 1 and the cartridge are provided by a plurality of signal lines. Two-way communication may be performed between the two.
[0048]
FIG. 10 is a view showing another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a communication circuit and signal lines in the image forming apparatus of FIG. This embodiment differs greatly from the previously described embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2) in that two-way communication is performed between the apparatus main body side and the cartridge side using two signal lines 81 and 83. In other respects, the other configurations are exactly the same.
[0049]
In this embodiment, in addition to the signal line 81, another signal line 83 is provided for data transfer. However, the signal line 81 is not only for data transfer as in the previous embodiment, but also for the charge signal. It is also functioning for transmission. For this reason, it is clear that it has the same effect as previous embodiment. In this embodiment, the signal line 81 functions as the “first signal line” of the present invention, and the signal line 83 functions as the “second signal line” of the present invention. Even when another second signal line is added for two-way communication, the signal line 81 as the first signal line has the functions for data transfer and charging signal transmission, so that the same operation as described above is achieved. Has an effect.
[0050]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications other than those described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the capacitor 592 is used as the power source of the electronic module 5, but a secondary battery that can store electrical energy by a charge signal given through the signal line 81 may be used. In short, a rechargeable power supply means may be provided as a power supply for the electronic module 5.
[0051]
Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the electronic modules 5 in which the storage media 51 to 56, the control circuits 57 and 58, and the parasite power source 59 are integrated are attached to each cartridge. For example, the storage medium and the control circuit may be integrated and only the power source may be provided independently. In the above embodiment, a semiconductor memory is used as the storage medium. However, it goes without saying that other storage media may be used.
[0052]
In the above embodiment, the six cartridges 2, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, and 4 are divided into three groups for two-way communication. However, the number of groups and how to divide the groups are arbitrary. The developing cartridges 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K are configured such that the toner cartridges 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are detachable from the developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K. Needless to say, the cartridge may be integrated.
[0053]
In the above-described embodiment, the photosensitive unit, the developing device, and the fixing unit are each made into a cartridge. However, the parts to be made into a cartridge are not limited to these, and only a part of them is made into a cartridge or vice versa. In addition, other portions may be made into cartridges.
[0054]
The image forming apparatus according to the above embodiment is a printer that prints an image provided from an external device such as a host computer on a sheet such as copy paper, transfer paper, paper, and an OHP transparent sheet. The present invention can be applied to all image forming apparatuses including a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and the like that form an image by attaching / detaching a cartridge to / from the apparatus main body. The present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus that forms a color image. The present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus that forms a monochrome image as long as it is an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Can be applied.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, data is transferred between the image forming apparatus main body and the storage medium of the cartridge via the first signal line, and from the image forming apparatus main body side via the first signal line. Since the power supply means is charged with electric energy by the charging signal sent, and the control means and the storage medium provided in the cartridge are operated by the charged electric energy, the following effects are obtained. It is done.
[0056]
First, since the first signal line is used not only for data transfer but also for transmitting a charging signal to the cartridge side, the number of wires between the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge can be reduced. Wiring in the forming apparatus can be facilitated and the apparatus cost can be reduced.
[0057]
Further, the storage medium of the cartridge can be controlled to be in an accessible state and an inaccessible state by transmitting / stopping a charging signal from the image forming apparatus main body side to the cartridge side, and the state of the storage medium is controlled with a simple configuration. be able to. In particular, when it is not necessary to access the storage medium, malfunction can be prevented by making the access impossible state.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between a communication circuit and a signal line.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic module.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a parasite power source.
6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a change in voltage level of a signal line in processing.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a change in voltage level of a signal line in a write operation.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a change in voltage level of a signal line in a read operation.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
11 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a communication circuit and signal lines in the image forming apparatus of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Main unit
2 ... Photosensitive cartridge
3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K ... Developing cartridge
4 ... Fusing cartridge
5. Electronic module
12. Engine controller (main body side control means)
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K ... toner cartridge
51 ... Laser processing ROM (storage medium)
52. Data memory (storage medium)
53. Intermediate memory for data memory (storage medium)
54 ... Application register (storage medium)
55 ... Intermediate memory (storage medium) for application registers
56 ... Status memory (storage medium)
57 ... 1-wire bus function control circuit (cartridge side control means)
58... Memory function control circuit (cartridge side control means)
59 ... Parasite power supply (power supply means)
81 ... (first) signal line
83 (Second) signal line

Claims (3)

A cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body,
A storage medium for storing data for recognizing the use state of the cartridge;
When the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the image forming apparatus main body is electrically connected by a signal line and a GND line , and the data is transferred between the image forming apparatus main body and the storage medium. Control means for performing
When the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the signal is electrically connected to the signal line and maintained at the H level for a predetermined time by the signal from the image forming apparatus main body. A parasite power source that supplies the charged electrical energy to the control means and the storage medium, while the capacitor is charged with electrical energy via a wire;
The control means performs the data transfer by performing bidirectional asynchronous communication with the image forming apparatus main body via the signal line,
In the bidirectional asynchronous communication, 1-bit data can be transferred in a predetermined one time slot, and the signal line is maintained at an H level for a predetermined time between mutually adjacent time slots. A cartridge with a storage medium, wherein electric energy is charged from a main body to the capacitor. In an image forming apparatus for performing image forming processing by detachably attaching a cartridge to an image forming apparatus main body,
The cartridge is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus main body through a storage medium for storing data for recognizing the use state of the cartridge and a signal line and a GND line when the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. Control means for transferring the data between the main body of the image forming apparatus and the storage medium, and a capacitor having a capacitor and electrically connected to the signal line when a cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus The capacitor is charged with electric energy from the image forming apparatus through the signal line by maintaining the signal line at the H level for a predetermined time, and the charged electric energy is supplied to the control means and the storage medium. While providing parasite power to
The image forming apparatus main body, charging the capacitor performs the data transfer with the storage medium via the signal line, the signal line via the signal line by maintaining a predetermined time H level Body-side control means
The cartridge control means and the main body side control means perform the data transfer between the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge by performing bidirectional asynchronous communication via the signal line,
In the bidirectional asynchronous communication, 1-bit data can be transferred in a predetermined one time slot, and the signal line is maintained at an H level for a predetermined time between mutually adjacent time slots. An image forming apparatus, wherein the capacitor is charged with electric energy from a main body. An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of cartridges with storage medium according to claim 1 are detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus,
Each of the plurality of cartridges with a storage medium stores a unique code different from each other in a non-volatile memory, and when the plurality of cartridges with a storage medium are attached to the image forming apparatus main body, they are common to a common signal line. A connector having a GND line is electrically connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus in parallel with another cartridge to transfer data to and from the main body of the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus main body performs the data transfer with each of the plurality of storage media via the common signal line, and maintains the common signal line at an H level for a predetermined time. A body-side control means for charging the plurality of capacitors via
The control unit and the main body side control unit included in each of the plurality of cartridges perform bidirectional asynchronous communication via the common signal line, whereby the image forming apparatus main body and the plurality of cartridges In addition to transferring the data to and from each cartridge, the main body side control means reads the unique code stored in the nonvolatile memory of the cartridge and transfers the unique code to the unique code. Based on which cartridge to transfer data,
In the bidirectional asynchronous communication, 1-bit data can be transferred in a predetermined time slot, and the image forming apparatus maintains the signal line at an H level for a predetermined time between adjacent time slots. An image forming apparatus, wherein the capacitor is charged with electric energy from a main body.

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