JP4417790B2 - Image forming method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming method and an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium using toner or ink.

  In recent years, environmental problems and energy problems have become a major social problem, and so-called energy-saving modes that reduce power consumption by turning off various displays and turning off the heaters of fixing devices in image forming apparatuses. Efforts such as providing functions are being carried out.

  Recently, in the energy saving mode, a large number of image forming apparatuses have been developed that further reduce the power consumption by turning off all the power of the engine body that performs image formation and supplying power only to the control unit.

  However, if all the power supplied to the engine body is stopped, it is difficult to distinguish between when the power switch of the image forming apparatus is turned on and when the image forming mode is returned from the energy saving mode. A change in state, such as replacement of a toner cartridge, that occurred in the engine body during the engine cannot be detected. For this reason, so-called initialization processing such as density measurement using a patch image, which is conventionally performed when the power switch is turned on, is performed every time the image forming mode is returned from the energy saving mode. As a result, there are problems that the time required to return to the image forming mode is delayed and toner consumption by the initialization process is increased. Furthermore, since the frequency of cleaning the photoconductor also increases, the life of the photoconductor is also adversely affected.

Therefore, an energy-saving CPU that operates even in the energy-saving state and detects a factor for shifting from the energy-saving mode to the image forming mode is provided. By adopting a method in which the main body CPU executes a predetermined initialization procedure according to the factor detected by the energy saving CPU, power consumption is reduced and toner consumption is suppressed by turning off the engine main body in the energy saving mode. (See Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-196789 A

  However, in an image forming apparatus in which various functions such as a printing function, a copying function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function are combined, for example, the mechanical part is controlled by the engine CPU, the image processing part is controlled by the controller CPU, etc. In many cases, the functions of the main body CPU are shared by a plurality of CPUs, and the relationship between the energy saving CPU and each CPU to which the functions are shared is complicated, and the correspondence varies depending on the model and type. Also, in order to thoroughly reduce power consumption, it is often necessary to completely power off the engine CPU, for example, and if the cartridge attachment / detachment mechanism is configured as a part of the engine body, replace the cartridge in the energy saving mode. Is difficult to detect by the engine CPU or the like.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming method and an image forming apparatus capable of achieving both reduction in power consumption and suppression of toner consumption associated with initialization processing. .

The image forming method of the present invention to achieve the above object, energy saving power supply to the engine board is controlled by the image forming mode and the controller of the 2CPU the image formed by the first 1CPU engine board is performed is stopped An image forming method for performing an initialization process at a predetermined timing in the image forming mode and forming an image with ink or toner contained in a removable cartridge on a recording medium,
Prior to switching from the image forming mode to the energy saving mode, the first CPU stores information serving as an index of consumption of toner or ink contained in the cartridge in the memory of the cartridge and the information storage unit included in the engine board. And
When switching from the energy saving mode to the image forming mode, the first CPU supplied with power based on a request to return to the image forming mode by the second CPU stores the memory and the information storage unit. Information is compared with each other, and when the comparison results match, the initialization process is not performed, and when the comparison results do not match, the initialization process is performed.

  As described above, in the energy saving mode in which the power is stopped, the same information as an index of toner or ink consumption is stored in the memory provided in the cartridge and in another information storage unit, and the image forming mode is supplied with power. For example, cartridge replacement can be detected by reading and comparing the respective information stored at the time of the process. Therefore, if cartridge replacement or the like is detected, initialization processing is performed, and cartridge replacement or the like is not detected. In some cases, initialization processing can be performed according to toner consumption.

An image forming apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above-described object includes an engine board on which a cartridge containing toner or ink is detachably mounted, and forms an image of the toner or ink supplied from the cartridge on a recording medium; by adjusting the power supply to the engine board, energy saving power supply to the engine board is controlled to the 2CPU image forming mode and the controller of the image forming according 1CPU of the engine board is performed is stopped In an image forming apparatus provided with an energy saving control means for switching to either mode,
The cartridge has a memory for storing predetermined information,
The engine board is
An engine control unit that monitors a state where an image is formed on a recording medium, acquires information serving as an index of consumption of toner or ink contained in the cartridge, and performs initialization processing at a predetermined timing; and Information storage means for storing the information acquired by the engine control means,
The engine control means includes
Before switching from the image forming mode to the energy saving mode, the acquired information is stored in the memory of the cartridge and the information storage means, respectively, and when the energy saving mode is switched to the image forming mode, the second CPU The power is supplied to the first CPU based on the request to return to the image forming mode by and the information stored in the memory and the information storage unit are compared with each other. When the comparison results match, the initialization process is performed. If the comparison result does not match, the initialization process is performed.

  In this way, in the energy saving mode in which the power of the engine control means is turned off, the same information as an index of toner or ink consumption is stored in the memory provided in the cartridge and in another information storage means, and the engine Since each stored information is read and compared in the image forming mode in which power is supplied to the control means, even when cartridge replacement or the like is performed in the energy saving mode in which the power is turned off. Since it can be detected, initialization processing can be performed as necessary.

  According to the image forming method and the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the energy saving mode, the power supply to the engine body including the engine control means is stopped, so that the power consumption can be further reduced and the image forming mode can be switched to. When it is replaced, information including cartridge replacement is detected and initialization processing is performed, so that toner consumption can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the image forming method and the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrophotographic printer to which an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 has input / output interfaces 6 and 15, and is connected to a host computer 16 via the input / output interface 15. The printer 1 includes a controller 2 that performs image processing on data input from the host computer 16, an engine 3 that forms an image based on the image data that has undergone image processing, and an engine control board 4 that controls the engine 3. And an operation panel 5 on which the operator gives various operation commands, each of which is connected to an input / output interface 6.

  The engine control board 4 includes a CPU 7 (corresponding to the engine control means of the present invention) that controls the engine 3 in accordance with a mode instruction from the operation panel 5 and a command from the controller 2, and a RAM 8 that serves as an input buffer for input data. And a ROM 9 storing a control program for the engine 3, an error history of the engine 3, contents of a mode instruction from the operation panel 5, and non-volatile that stores the same information as the cartridge memory when switching to the energy saving mode A memory 10 (“EEPROM”, corresponding to the information storage means of the present invention) and a DIP / SW 11 for setting a mode for controlling the engine 3 are provided.

  The engine 3 includes a laser writing unit 12 including a laser and a polygon mirror, a sequence device group 13 that controls a sequence of the engine 3 such as a fixing device, a developing device, and a drive system, and a state of a sheet conveyance path and a sequence device group 13. A sensor 17 for checking toner, a cartridge 17 in which toner is stored and supplied to the developing machine, and a non-volatile memory 18 which is attached to the cartridge 17 and stores information.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a mechanism of the electrophotographic printer according to the first embodiment.

  The printer main body 20 shown in FIG. 2 has a belt-like photoconductor 21 that circulates in the direction of arrow A to form a toner image, a charging charger 22 that charges the photoconductor 21, and a laser beam applied to the charged photoconductor 21. Is formed on the photosensitive member 21, the developing unit 23 for forming toner images by applying toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member 21. A transfer charger 24 for transferring the toner image to the paper, a cleaner 25 for removing the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 21 after the toner image is transferred to the paper, and the transfer image transferred on the paper on the paper. A fixing device 30 for fixing and forming an image and a detachable paper feeding cassette 27 in which paper is stored are provided.

  In addition, a toner cartridge 17 that contains toner and does not appear in the figure is detachably attached to the developing unit 23, and a non-volatile memory 18 that stores information is attached to the toner cartridge 17.

  The toner cartridge 17 is driven to rotate by a motor each time the toner in the developing unit 23 is consumed, and the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 17 to the developing unit 23. When the toner in the toner cartridge 17 runs out or decreases, the toner cartridge 17 is replaced with a new toner cartridge fully filled with toner. The nonvolatile memory 18 stores an identifier of the toner cartridge 17, identification information such as the color and type of the filled toner, manufacturing information such as a manufacturing number, and remaining toner information.

  Here, the photosensitive member 21, the charging charger 22, the developing unit 23, the transfer charger 24, and the like can be integrated to form a process cartridge that is detachable from the printer main body 20. In that case, the non-volatile memory 18 may be attached to the process cartridge instead of the toner cartridge 17.

  When the printer main body 20 is turned on, a predetermined power is supplied to enter an image forming mode in which image formation is possible, and the apparatus waits in a state where image formation is possible at any time regardless of image formation. When a certain period of time elapses without image formation, the controller CPU switches to an energy saving mode in which power supply to the printer main body 20 is stopped. At this time, when the user gives an instruction to switch to the image forming mode from the operation panel, the image forming mode is switched again.

  When the power is turned on, initialization processing is performed. Here, density adjustment using a reference patch will be described as an example of initialization processing.

  The photosensitive member 21 is circulated and moved in the direction of arrow A, and the surface of the photosensitive member 21 is uniformly charged by the charging charger 22, and a reference patch image for measuring the density is formed on the photosensitive member 21. The density is adjusted by adjusting the amount of laser light emitted from the optical writing device 26, adjusting the charging voltage by the charging charger 22, and the like, and the reference patch image is removed by the cleaning device 25. .

  When the initialization process is completed, the image forming mode substantially starts. The print job data input from the host computer is image-processed by the controller, and scanned from the optical writer 26 onto the charged photosensitive member 21 by the laser beam modulated by the image-processed image data. Is formed. Then, when the photosensitive member 21 passes a position close to the developing unit 23, toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image, and a toner image is formed. On the other hand, the sheet pulled out from the sheet feeding cassette 27 by the sheet feeding roller 28 is conveyed to the position of the registration roll 29, the posture of the sheet is adjusted, and the timing at which the sheet is sent to the transfer position is adjusted. The toner image formed on the photoconductor 21 is transferred to the sheet fed from the registration roll 29 at the timing when it passes the position of the transfer charger 24. The paper on which the transfer image is formed is conveyed to the fixing device 30, and the transfer image is heated and pressed to be fixed on the paper, thereby forming an image.

  The sheet exiting the fixing device 30 is conveyed in the face-down conveyance path 31 by the FD / FU switching solenoid claw 34. Then, it is discharged onto the face-down discharge tray 33 in a face-down state with the recording surface down by the face-down discharge roller pair 32, or on the face-up discharge tray 35 in a face-up state with the recording surface up. Is discharged.

  When the print job is finished and a predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU of the controller is controlled to switch to the energy saving mode in which the power supply to the main body 20 is stopped.

  When the user gives an instruction to switch to the image forming mode from the operation panel, the mode is switched again to the image forming mode, and an image is formed according to the procedure described above. Is initialization processing performed at the beginning of switching to the image forming mode? Whether or not the CPU controls the engine compares the information stored in the EEPROM 10 with the information stored in the memory of the cartridge, and is determined based on the comparison result (details will be described later).

  Although the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment has been described based on an electrophotographic printer, the image forming apparatus is not limited to an electrophotographic type. In this embodiment, the case where the cartridge is a toner cartridge has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to an ink cartridge or a process cartridge.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the controller.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 2 includes a CPU 101, IC Card 102, NVRAM 103, program ROM 104, font ROM 105, CPU 101, RAM 106, engine I / F 107, operation panel I / F 109, host computer I / F 111, and disk I / F 113. They are connected via a bus.

The controller 2 is connected to the engine 108 via the engine I / F 107.
It is connected to the panel device 110 via the operation panel I / F 109, connected to the host device 112 via the host computer I / F 111, and connected to the disk device 114 via the disk I / F 113.

  The CPU 101 controls the entire controller by a request for returning from the energy saving mode to the image forming mode from the operation panel, a command from the host computer, or the like.

  The IC card 102 supplies the CPU 101 and font data and programs from the outside.

  The NVRAM 103 is a non-volatile memory that stores the contents of mode instructions from the operation panel.

  The program ROM 104 is a read-only memory that stores a control program for the controller.

  The font ROM 105 is a read-only memory that stores font pattern data and the like.

  A RAM 106 is a memory used as a work memory for the CPU 101, an input buffer for input image data, a page buffer for print data, a memory for downloaded fonts, and the like.

  The engine I / F 107 is a panel interface that communicates commands, statuses, and print data with the engine 108.

  The operation panel I / F 109 is an interface that communicates commands, statuses, and print data with the panel device 110.

  Next, the operation of the CPU 7 of the engine board and the CPU 101 of the controller 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the image forming mode, the CPU 101 of the controller 2 monitors the time during which image processing is not performed. When the image processing is not performed for a predetermined time, the CPU 101 stops the power supply to the engine 3 and the engine board 4. As a result, the CPU 7 of the engine board goes down and the engine related to image formation stops, so that the transition from the image formation mode to the energy saving mode is completed.

  When a request for switching to the image forming mode from the operation panel or a print request command is input from the host computer, the CPU 101 of the controller supplies power to the engine 3 and the engine board 4 and activates the CPU 7 of the engine board. The CPU 7 reads the information recorded in the non-volatile memory of the toner cartridge and stores the information in the non-volatile memory (EEPROM) 10.

  When the CPU 7 of the engine board is switched from the energy saving mode to the image forming mode, the information read from the toner cartridge is compared with the information stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 before switching to the image forming mode. To do. Then, for example, when it is determined that the toner cartridge has been replaced according to the comparison result, the initialization process is started.

  On the other hand, for example, when it is determined that the toner cartridge has not been replaced, the process immediately shifts to a substantial image forming mode without performing initialization processing.

  Here, when the comparison results are almost the same, it can be determined that the toner cartridge has not been replaced. However, the read information is, for example, the rotation time of the toner cartridge, and the previous initial value is based on the information. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the initialization process, a normal initialization process may be performed.

  When the initialization process is performed, the CPU 7 of the engine board reads the pattern of the reference patch image stored in, for example, the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10, and exposes the electrostatic latent image of the pattern to the writing unit 12. Write on the body to form a reference patch image. Then, the density of the reference patch image read by the sensor 14 is compared with the standard density stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10. When the density of the read reference patch image is different from the standard density, the CPU 7 of the engine board increases or decreases the amount of laser light emitted from the writing unit 12, for example, and the density of the image formed on the paper. Adjust. Then, the reference patch image read by the sensor 14 is removed by the cleaning device, and the initialization process ends.

  Next, an embodiment in which initialization processing by the CPU 7 of the engine 3 is performed when the engine body is switched to either the image forming mode or the energy saving mode by the CPU 101 of the controller 2 will be described based on a flowchart.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment in which the initialization process is performed by the CPU of the engine.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the standby state before entering the energy saving mode (in the image forming mode), the CPU 7 of the engine board 4 reads the information recorded in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 and reads the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM). ) 10 (S-1).

  When a certain period of time elapses in the standby state, the CPU 101 of the controller 2 requests the engine 3 to shift to the energy saving mode, and the power supply is stopped, so the CPU 7 of the engine board 4 goes down ( S-2) and shift to the energy saving mode (S-3).

  Thereafter, the CPU 101 of the controller 2 requests the engine 3 to return to the image forming mode by a print request from the host 16 or an operation from the operation panel 5, and when power is supplied, the CPU 7 of the engine board 4 Start (S-4). Then, the CPU 7 reads the information recorded in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 and compares the newly read information with the information stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 (S-5).

  All information recorded on the cartridge is compared (S-6), and if they match, it is determined that the cartridge 17 has not been replaced during the energy saving mode, and the initialization process of the photosensitive member is not performed (S-7). The mode is switched to the formation mode and immediately shifts to the standby mode (S-8). If the data does not match, it is determined that the cartridge has been changed or changed during the energy saving mode, and the engine initialization process including the photosensitive member is performed in the same manner as when the power is turned on (S-9), and the standby is performed. The mode is changed (S-10).

  In this way, when the initialization process for the photosensitive member or the like is unnecessary, the image forming mode can be switched to an early stage without reducing wasteful toner consumption and life.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment in which the initialization process is performed by the CPU of the engine.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the second embodiment, the information stored in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 and the non-volatile memory (EEPROM) 10 is compared with the rotation driving time of the cartridge as compared with the first embodiment. There is a difference (S-5A, 6A). However, since the rest is common, differences will be described.

  The CPU 7 reads the rotational drive time information recorded in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 and compares the read information with the rotational drive time information stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 (S−). 5A).

  If, as a result of the comparison, the rotation drive time recorded in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 matches the rotation drive time stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 (S-6A), the cartridge 17 is replaced during the energy saving mode. In step S-7, it is determined that there has been no such error. If the rotational drive times do not match (S-6A), it is determined that the cartridge has been replaced or changed during the energy saving mode, and the engine initialization process including the photoconductor is performed in the same manner as when the power is turned on. (S-9).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment in which the initialization process is performed by the CPU of the engine.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the third embodiment, the information stored in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 and the non-volatile memory (EEPROM) 10 is formed by the engine body as compared with the first embodiment. The difference (S-5B, 6B) is the number of recording media to be recorded. However, since the rest is common, differences will be described.

  The CPU 7 reads the information on the number of recording media recorded in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17, and compares the read information with the information on the number of recording media stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 (S- 5B).

  If the number of recording media recorded in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 matches the number of recording media stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 as a result of comparison (S-6B), the cartridge 17 is replaced during the energy saving mode. In step S-7, it is determined that there has been no such error. If the number of recording media does not match each other (S-6B), it is determined that the cartridge has been replaced or changed during the energy saving mode, and the initialization process of the engine including the photosensitive member is performed in the same manner as when the power is turned on. Perform (S-9).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a fourth embodiment in which the initialization process is performed by the CPU of the engine.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the fourth embodiment, information stored in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 and the non-volatile memory (EEPROM) 10 is formed by the engine body as compared with the first embodiment. The point (S-5C, 6C) which is the number of dots is different. However, since the rest is common, differences will be described.

  The CPU 7 reads the information on the number of dots recorded in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 and compares the read information with the information on the number of dots stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 (S-5C). .

  If the number of dots recorded in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 matches the number of dots stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 as a result of the comparison (S-6C), the cartridge 17 may be replaced during the energy saving mode. It is determined that there is no photoconductor, and the initialization process of the photoconductor is not performed (S-7). If the number of dots does not match (S-6C), it is determined that the cartridge has been replaced or changed during the energy saving mode, and the engine initialization process including the photosensitive member is performed in the same manner as when the power is turned on ( S-9).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a fifth embodiment in which initialization processing is performed by the CPU of the engine.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the fifth embodiment, the information stored in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 and the non-volatile memory (EEPROM) 10 is the cartridge manufacturing ID as compared with the first embodiment. The point (S-5D, 6D) is different. However, since the rest is common, differences will be described.

  The CPU 7 reads the cartridge manufacturing ID information recorded in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 and compares the read information with the manufacturing ID information stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 (S−). 5D).

  If the manufacturing ID recorded in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 matches the manufacturing ID stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 as a result of the comparison (S-6D), the cartridge 17 may be replaced during the energy saving mode. It is determined that there is no photoconductor, and the initialization process of the photoconductor is not performed (S-7). If the number of dots does not match (S-6D), it is determined that the cartridge has been replaced or changed during the energy saving mode, and the engine initialization process including the photoconductor is performed in the same manner as when the power is turned on ( S-9).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a sixth embodiment in which initialization processing is performed by the CPU of the engine.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the sixth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the information stored in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 and the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 is the cartridge ID. (S-5E, 6E) are different. However, since the rest is common, differences will be described.

  The CPU 7 reads the cartridge ID information recorded in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 and compares the read information with the cartridge ID information stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 (S−). 5E).

  As a result of comparison, if the ID recorded in the memory 18 of the cartridge 17 matches the ID stored in the nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 10 (S-6E), it is assumed that the cartridge 17 has not been replaced during the energy saving mode. Judgment is made and the initialization process of the photoreceptor is not performed (S-7). If the number of dots does not match (S-6E), it is determined that the cartridge has been replaced or changed during the energy saving mode, and the engine initialization process including the photoconductor is performed in the same manner as when the power is turned on ( S-9).

1 is a block diagram showing an electrophotographic printer to which an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the mechanism of the electrophotographic printer of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of a controller. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st Example in which the initialization process is performed by CPU of an engine. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd Example in which the initialization process is performed by CPU of an engine. It is a flowchart which shows the 3rd Example in which initialization processing is performed by CPU of an engine. It is a flowchart which shows the 4th Example in which the initialization process is performed by CPU of an engine. It is a flowchart which shows the 5th Example in which the initialization process is performed by CPU of an engine. It is a flowchart which shows the 6th Example in which the initialization process is performed by CPU of an engine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Controller 3 Engine 4 Engine board 5 Operation panel 6, 15 Input / output interface 7 CPU
8 RAM
9 ROM
10 Nonvolatile memory (EEPROM)
11 DIP / SW
12 Writing Unit 13 Sequence Device Group 14 Sensor 16 Host Computer 17 Cartridge 18 Memory 20 Main Body 21 Photoconductor 22 Charger Charger 23 Development Unit 24 Transfer Charger 25 Cleaning Device 26 Optical Writing Device 27 Paper Feed Cassette 28 Paper Feed Roller 29 Registration Roll 30 Fixing device 31 Face-down transport path 32 Face-down delivery roll pair 33 Face-down delivery tray 34 Solenoid claw 35 Face-up delivery tray 101 CPU
102 IC Card
103 NVRAM
104 Program ROM
105 Font ROM
106 RAM
107 Engine interface 108 Engine
109 Panel Interface 110 Panel Device 111 Host Interface 112 Host Device 113 Disk Interface 114 Disk Device

Claims (10)

And a saving mode in which power supply to the engine board is controlled by the image forming mode and the controller of the 2CPU the image formation is performed by the 1CPU engine board is stopped, in the image forming mode, a predetermined An image forming method for performing an initialization process at a timing and forming an image with ink or toner contained in a removable cartridge on a recording medium,
Prior to switching from the image forming mode to the energy saving mode, the first CPU stores information serving as an index of consumption of toner or ink contained in the cartridge in the memory of the cartridge and the information storage unit included in the engine board. And
When switching from the energy saving mode to the image forming mode, the first CPU supplied with power based on a request to return to the image forming mode by the second CPU stores the memory and the information storage unit. An image forming method, wherein information is compared and the initialization process is not performed when the comparison results match, and the initialization process is performed when the comparison results do not match . When the information compared when the energy saving mode is switched to the image forming mode does not coincide with each other and when the information coincides with each other and the information is the rotation time of the toner cartridge, the information is based on the information. 2. The image forming method according to claim 1 , wherein the initialization process is performed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous initialization process. An engine board on which a cartridge containing toner or ink is detachably mounted and forms an image of the toner or ink supplied from the cartridge on a recording medium; and by adjusting power supply to the engine board , Energy saving control means for switching to either an image forming mode in which image formation by the first CPU of the engine board is executed or an energy saving mode in which power supply to the engine board is stopped under the control of the second CPU of the controller. In the forming device,
The cartridge has a memory for storing predetermined information,
The engine board is
An engine control unit that monitors a state where an image is formed on a recording medium, acquires information serving as an index of consumption of toner or ink contained in the cartridge, and performs initialization processing at a predetermined timing; and Information storage means for storing the information acquired by the engine control means,
The engine control means includes
Before switching from the image forming mode to the energy saving mode, the acquired information is stored in the memory of the cartridge and the information storage means, respectively, and when the energy saving mode is switched to the image forming mode, the second CPU The power is supplied to the first CPU based on the request to return to the image forming mode by and the information stored in the memory and the information storage unit are compared with each other. When the comparison results match, the initialization process is performed. And performing the initialization process when the comparison results do not match . The cartridge is driven to rotate by a motor and supplies the toner to the engine board ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the engine control unit acquires the information by detecting a time during which the cartridge is rotationally driven. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the engine control unit acquires the information by counting the number of recording media on which an image is formed by the engine board . The engine board binarizes input data or data read from a document, and forms a dot image with toner or ink on a recording medium,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the engine control unit acquires the information by counting the number of dots formed on the recording medium by the engine board . The cartridge, an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the identification information relating to the manufacture of the cartridge in the memory Ru der being stored. The cartridge, an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the memory identifier for identifying the cartridge Ru der being stored. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the cartridge is a process cartridge. The engine board has a photoreceptor on which a toner image is formed by toner supplied from the cartridge,
The engine control means adjusts the density of the image formed on the recording medium by comparing at least a density of a reference patch image formed on the photoconductor and a reference density at a predetermined timing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the initialization process is performed.

Images