JP4453344B2 - Attachment notification device, attachment notification method, program, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mounting notification device, and more particularly, to a mounting notification device for performing notification of mounting an unused product of a replaceable unit used for processing of a processing device.

  In the prior art, there is a replaceable unit that is attached to an image forming processing apparatus and can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus as required. Examples of replaceable units include toner cartridges, drum cartridges, and ink cartridges that contain toner and ink consumables. Such a unit is an article that is consumed as the image forming apparatus is used, and the user needs to replace the unit with a new unit after a certain amount of use. In order to shorten the time during which the use of the image forming apparatus is interrupted due to the replacement of such units, it is desirable to store a spare replaceable unit near the image forming apparatus.

  However, if the user orders spare parts for replaceable units from the supplier each time the unit is replaced so that the stock of the replaceable units does not run out, the burden on the user is large. In addition, in order to reduce the burden on the user, when the contractor regularly visits the site and checks for spare parts, not only is the burden on the contractor heavy, but depending on the frequency of use of the user, the distribution of the units may be in time. It is possible that there is no.

  Therefore, a memory is provided in the replaceable unit, and information such as the usage status held in the memory is appropriately transmitted to the management center of the supplier who manages the unit via a network such as a telephone network. Based on the information There is a management system in which a trader distributes new replaceable units. Specifically, it is discriminated whether the memory provided in the replaceable unit is an unused new unit that has not yet been installed in the image forming apparatus or an old unit that has already been installed and used. Remember the information. The image forming apparatus acquires the discrimination information from the memory of the unit when the unit is mounted or activated. Further, when the unit is determined to be a new unit from the acquired determination information, the image forming apparatus rewrites the determination information stored in the memory from a new item to an old product, and at the same time controls the image forming apparatus. , Notify that a new unit has been installed. Upon receiving the notification, the control device transmits the notification to the management center via a network such as a telephone network. In response to this transmission, the management center takes measures such as handling unit distribution. As a result, the user who uses the image forming apparatus can save the trouble of directly contacting the contractor in order to order a new distribution of the unit, and the maintenance contractor does not need to visit the user directly. As a result, it is possible to grasp the exchange status of the system and to operate it efficiently.

JP 2002-62784 A JP2003-5590

  However, when a memory is provided in a replaceable unit and management of the unit is performed based on the information in the memory, the user is in the middle of writing information such as the usage status in the memory provided in the replaceable unit. When the image processing apparatus is turned off or a writing error occurs due to the influence of noise or the like in the apparatus, information written in the memory may not be updated properly. As a result, an error may occur in recognizing whether the replaced unit is new or old, and the reliability of the management system may be reduced.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it improves the management reliability of a replaceable unit attached to an image forming apparatus.

The mounting notification device according to the present invention is a detection means for detecting mounting of a replaceable unit used for processing of a processing device to the processing device, and usage indicating whether the replaceable unit is an unused product or a used product. Information acquisition means for acquiring status information from a usage status storage device included in the replaceable unit, and use of determining whether the replaceable unit detected to be installed is an unused product or a used product based on the acquired usage information status When it is determined that the product is unused as a result of the use determination, the rewrite unit that rewrites the use status information stored in the use status storage device into information indicating the used product, and the processing device is controlled. a flag storage means control apparatus for the notification of completed though not intact article mounting notification that stores the flag information indicating whether or not there, the use determination unit by Ri possible before Symbol replaced unit If but it is determined that the unused product, or the if the flag information stored in the flag storage means indicates the presence of a notification of the completion to have no intact article attachment notification to the control device, the control A notification determination unit that determines to notify the device of an unused product mounting notification; and when the notification determination unit determines to notify the control device of an unused product mounting notification, A notification means for notifying a used product attachment notification; and when the determination means determines to notify an unused product attachment notification, the flag information stored in the flag storage means is an unused product for which notification has not been completed. The value is updated to a value indicating that a mounting notification exists, and when the notification of the unused product mounting notification determined to be notified by the determination unit is completed from the notification unit to the control device, the flag is updated. The flag information stored in the grayed storage means, characterized in that it comprises a flag updating means for updating the value indicating that there is no unused article mounting notification that no notification is complete, the.

  According to the present invention, as a result of the use determination by the use determination means, when the replaceable unit that has been detected to be installed is determined to be an unused product, the notifying means uses the use status storage device of the replaceable unit. Until the status information is rewritten to the information indicating the used product, the unused device mounting notification is not sent to the control device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unused product attachment notification from being issued to the control device even though the usage status information is not appropriately rewritten.

  According to the present invention, when the control device has not received an unused item attachment notification by the notification unit, the unacknowledged notification unit notifies the control device of the unused item attachment notification. Do. As a result, even though the notification means has sent an unused product attachment notification to the control device, the control device could not receive the unused product attachment notification due to reasons such as the control device has not yet completely started up. Even in this case, since the unused product mounting notification is performed again, the lack of unused product mounting notification can be eliminated.

  According to one aspect of the attachment notification device according to the present invention, an identifier acquisition unit that acquires the unique identifier of the replaceable unit from an identifier storage device included in the replaceable unit, and an identifier storage that stores the acquired unique identifier A match determination unit that determines whether or not the device and the unique identifier acquired this time match the unique identifier that was previously acquired and stored in the identifier storage device. When the result is inconsistent and the use determination result is an unused product, and the notification reception determination result of the notification reception determination unit is not received, an unused product mounting notification by the notification unit; An unreceived unused item mounting notification is made by the unreceived amount notification means.

  According to the present invention, when an unused product mounting notification should have been made by the notification means when the previous mounting was detected, but there is an unused product mounting notification that has not yet been notified, In addition to the unused item attachment notification by the current notification means, the unused item attachment notification should be performed together with the unused receipt notification means, which should have been the previous time, thereby eliminating the lack of unused item attachment notifications. .

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking an image forming system as an example of a processing apparatus. In this embodiment, the image forming system will be described. However, any apparatus other than the image forming system can be applied as long as the apparatus includes a replaceable unit including a memory.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a management system in the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 performs a printing process on a printing medium such as paper or OHP paper based on image data received from a client terminal or image data read by a scanner, A device that transmits data necessary for management via the network 150. Specific examples of the image forming system include a copying machine, a printing machine, and a FAX. The management device 200 is a device that receives data from the image forming system 100 via the network 150 and manages distribution of replaceable units such as toner cartridges enclosing toner used for image formation.

  Here, the image forming system 100 will be further described based on the block diagram shown in FIG.

  The main control device 10 is a device that controls the entire image forming system 100. The image input device 20 is a device that accepts input of image formation data for forming an image on a medium such as paper. Specifically, it accepts input of image formation data from a client terminal or a print server, or accepts input of image formation data to be formed by a scanner. The storage device 30 is a device that stores image formation data received by the image input device 20 under the control of the main control device 10. Further, the image output device 40 is an image forming device that performs image forming processing on a medium such as paper based on the image forming data stored in the storage device 30 under the control of the main control device 10. The unit 50 is a unit that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus used when the image output apparatus 40 forms an image, and is, for example, a toner cartridge or a toner drum. Further, the network interface 60 is an interface for performing data communication with the management apparatus 200 via the network 150 under the control of the main control apparatus 10.

  Here, the image output device 40 and the unit 50, which are the features of this embodiment, will be described in detail based on the block diagram shown in FIG. First, in the unit 50, the unit ID storage device 51 is a nonvolatile memory that stores a unit ID unique to the unit. The unit ID may be written in the nonvolatile memory at the time of manufacturing the unit. The usage status storage device 52 is a non-volatile memory that stores usage status information of the unit 50. In this embodiment, the usage status information includes “0” or “1” in order to determine whether it is new or old. A new / old flag that contains the value of is included. When the value of the new / old flag is “0”, it indicates that the unit is an unused new unit that has not been attached to the image output apparatus. On the other hand, when the new / old flag is “1”, it indicates that the used old product unit has been mounted on the image output apparatus. Therefore, by detecting the value of the new / old flag, it is possible to determine whether it is a new product or an old product, that is, an unused product or a used product.

  The I / O interface 53 is an interface for exchanging data with the image output device 40.

  Next, in the image output device 40, the control unit 41 is a device that controls the image output device 40. The control unit 41 detects the mounting of the unit 50 via the I / O interface 44. Note that the control unit 41 detects that the unit is mounted, for example, when the power of the image forming system is in an OFF state (the image forming system has not been used for a certain period of time, and the power supply to each apparatus is minimized. Or when the unit is replaced after the use is interrupted while the image forming system is activated. Further, when the mounting of the unit 50 is detected, the control unit 41 acquires a unit ID from the unit ID storage device 51 of the unit 50 and acquires usage status information from the usage status storage device 52. The acquired unit ID and usage status information are used as parameters when the control unit 41 notifies the main controller 10 of a new unit 50 installation. The acquisition unit ID storage device 42 is a nonvolatile memory that stores the unit ID acquired by the control unit 41. Further, the control unit 41 determines whether the unit detected to be installed is a new product or an old product based on the new / old flag included in the acquired usage status information. The value of the new / old flag of the usage status information stored in the device 52 is rewritten from “0” to “1”.

  The receipt confirmation storage device 43 is a storage device that stores characteristic data in the present embodiment. Whether the main control device 10 has received a new attachment notification that the control unit 41 has made to the main control device 10. Receipt confirmation information indicating whether or not is stored. Specifically, when the control unit 41 detects that a new unit is mounted, the reception flag is set to “1”. Then, when the control unit 41 confirms that the main control device 10 has received a new article attachment notification made to the main control device 10, the flag is rewritten to “0”. That is, when the receipt flag is “1”, it indicates that the new article attachment notification to the main control device 10 is not completed. This reception flag is also used as a parameter when the control unit 41 notifies the main controller 10 of the new unit 50 installation.

  Conventionally, the parameters used to determine whether or not to issue a new unit installation notification for a new unit are only new / old information indicating whether it is a new product or an old product, or new / old information and unit unique unit ID. . That is, in the case of only the new / old information, when the unit is mounted on the image output apparatus, the image output apparatus reads the new / old information stored in the unit and determines the new / old. When it is determined that the product is new, the image output device notifies the main control device 10 to that effect. Upon receiving the notification, the main control device sends a new device installation notification to the management device via the network interface. Also, when using the old / new information and the unit ID, the image output device has been mounted on the image output device based on the unit ID after it is determined to be new based on the old / new information. If the result of the determination is that it has not been installed, a new installation notification is sent to the main control device, and the main control device sends a new installation notification to the management device.

  Thus, for example, when a user replaces a consumable item such as a toner cartridge, the management center can easily confirm that the consumable item has been replaced. Can do.

  However, due to the following reasons, the new product attachment notification is not correctly notified to the management device, and the consumables stored in the user's home may be out of stock or excessively distributed.

  That is, conventionally, a memory mounted in a unit such as a toner cartridge does not require real-time data exchange, and it is necessary to reduce the production cost. Is. Therefore, after the image output apparatus detects the installation of a new unit, it takes a relatively long time to rewrite the old and new information written in the memory mounted on the unit to the old product. This makes it possible to properly rewrite old and new information by causing write errors due to the effects of noise from image output devices, etc., or by turning off the power of the image output device while the user is writing. May not be done.

  Also, detection of unit attachment / detachment is normally performed when the image forming system is activated. However, the devices constituting the image forming system are asynchronously connected, and there are differences in the time taken to start up the image output device and the main control device, for example, due to differences in processing contents to be handled. In general, an image output apparatus that performs simpler processing than the main control apparatus starts up earlier than the main control apparatus. Therefore, although the image output device detects a new unit and notifies the main control device to that effect, the main control device is not yet fully activated and the main control device is notified from the image output device. In some cases, the notification to the management apparatus cannot be performed properly due to the failure to receive the notification.

  For this reason, a new product attachment notification may not be correctly notified to the management apparatus, and a consumable item to be stocked at the user's home may be out of stock or excessively distributed.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, as shown below, when a new unit is detected, the image output device 40 rewrites the new / old flag included in the usage status information of the usage status storage device 52 of the unit 50. Is not notified to the main control device 10 until the operation is completed. Therefore, as in the prior art, a write error occurs due to the influence of noise generated from the image output device or the like, and the user turns off the power of the image output device in the middle of writing. Although the rewriting is not properly performed, it is possible to prevent the main controller 10 from being notified of a new product installation. Therefore, even if a unit for which rewriting of the new / old flag was not properly performed is detected again as a new unit and a new unit is notified to the main controller, the main control for the previous time Since there is no new attachment notification to the device, even if the unit is replenished in accordance with the new attachment notification, there is no excessive distribution.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the receipt confirmation information indicating whether or not the main control device 10 has received the new article attachment notification made by the control unit 41 to the main control device 10 is stored in the receipt confirmation storage device 43. Keep it. And the receipt confirmation information memorize | stored in this receipt confirmation memory | storage device 43 is also utilized as a parameter at the time of making a new article attachment notification as shown below. As a result, the main controller 10 has not yet completely started up even though the image output device 40 has notified the main controller 10 that a new product has been installed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the notification from the management apparatus 200 from being properly performed.

  Here, the flow in this embodiment is demonstrated using the flowchart figure shown in FIG.

  First, the flow up to the determination of the attachment notification content for determining the content of the new attachment notification performed by the control unit 41 for the main control device 10 will be described.

  The control unit 41 detects attachment of the unit 50 to the image output device 40 (S101). The control unit 41 acquires a unit ID from the unit ID storage device 51 of the attached unit 50 and also acquires usage status information from the usage status storage device 52 (S102). Subsequently, the control unit 41 uses the acquired unit ID, the new / old flag included in the usage information information, and the reception flag stored in the reception confirmation storage device 43 as parameters from the notification content determination table shown in FIG. The notification content is determined (S103).

  Here, the notification content patterns will be described. In the following description, the unit ID matches means that the unit ID acquired when the previous unit attachment is detected and stored in the acquired unit ID storage device matches the unit ID acquired this time. Show. On the other hand, the mismatch indicates that the unit mounted at the time of the previous detection is different from the unit mounted at the current detection. Also, the new / old flag = “0” indicates that the unit installed at the time of detection is an unused new unit that has been detected for the first time, and the new / old flag = “1”. , Indicating that the detected unit is an old unit that has already been used. Further, the reception flag = “1” indicates that there is a new attachment notification that the control unit 41 should perform to the main control device 10 and the notification has not been completed yet. Conversely, the reception flag = “0” indicates that there is no new article attachment notification that the control unit 41 should perform to the main control device 10, that is, the notification has been completed.

Hereinafter, each pattern will be described.
(1) When the unit IDs match, the new / old flag = “0”, and the reception flag = “1”, the main controller 10 is notified once that a new unit has been installed. Become content. In this case, although the installation of a new unit is detected, but the unit IDs match, originally, a new installation notification should have been made when the previous installation was detected, but the notification is still not received. Since it has not been completed, a new article attachment notification is tried again to the main control device 10. As a result, it is possible to prevent the unit from being replenished and missing due to the failure to notify the new product.

(2) When the unit IDs match, the new / old flag = “0”, and the reception flag = “0”, the notification content indicates to the main controller 10 that a new unit has been installed, as in (1). In contrast, the notification is made once. In this case as well, it is possible to prevent a shortage from occurring later without the unit being replenished because the previous notification of new product attachment could not be made.

(3) When the unit IDs do not match, the new / old flag = “0”, and the reception flag = “1”, the notification content notifies the main controller 10 twice that a new unit has been installed. It becomes the contents. In this case, since the installation of a new unit is detected and the unit IDs do not match, the new unit should have been notified when the unit was installed last time, but the notification is still complete. Since there is a new installation notification that has not been received, and another new unit has been installed this time, a new installation notification that has not been completed last time and the new installation notification of this time are combined and sent twice. Thereby, in addition to the new attachment notification of this time, a new attachment notification that should have been performed last time can be performed together, and it is possible to prevent a unit from being replenished and a shortage from occurring.

(4) When the unit IDs do not match, the new / old flag = “0”, and the reception flag = “0”, the notification content notifies the main controller 10 once that a new unit has been installed. It becomes the contents. This is a normal pattern, and a unit different from the unit that was mounted last time is mounted this time, and since that unit is a new unit, the new mounting notification is performed once.

(5) When the unit IDs match, the new / old flag = “1”, and the reception flag = “1”, the notification content notifies the main controller 10 once that a new unit has been installed. It becomes the contents. In this case, since the unit mounted this time is the same as the unit mounted last time and is already an old product unit, it is not necessary to notify the new product installation. However, since the receipt flag is “1”, the previous unit has been changed from the new unit to the old unit, but the previous new unit installation notification has not yet been made. Therefore, the previous one new article attachment notification is performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the shortage from occurring due to the fact that the previous notification of new article mounting was not performed.

(6) When the unit IDs match, the new / old flag = “1”, and the reception flag = “0”, the notification content is a content that the main control device 10 is not notified of the mounting content. In this case, since the same unit as the unit mounted last time is mounted and is not a new unit, it is not necessary to perform a new unit mounting notification for this time. In addition, since the receipt flag is “0”, even if a new unit was installed last time, the new product installation notification is normally performed, so it is not necessary to perform the previous new product installation notification. . Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary to give a new article attachment notification.

(7) When the unit IDs do not match, the new / old flag = “1”, and the reception flag = “1”, the notification content notifies the main controller 10 once that a new unit has been installed. It becomes the contents. In this case, although a unit different from the unit mounted last time is mounted, it is not a new unit, so it is not necessary to give a new mounting notification for this time. However, since the receipt flag is “1”, a new unit has been mounted last time, but the previous new unit mounting notification has not yet been made. Therefore, the previous one new article attachment notification is performed.

(8) If the unit IDs do not match, the new / old flag = “1”, and the reception flag = “0”, in this case, a unit different from the previously installed unit is installed, but it is not a new unit. There is no need to send a new installation notification for the minute. In addition, since the receipt flag is “0”, even if a new unit was installed last time, the new product installation notification is normally performed, so it is not necessary to perform the previous new product installation notification. . Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary to give a new article attachment notification.

  The above is the notification content pattern. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the receipt confirmation information stored in the receipt confirmation storage device 43, that is, the value of the receipt flag is also used as a parameter when a new article attachment notification is made. As a result, it is possible to prevent the unit from being replenished and missing due to the failure to properly notify the management apparatus 200 of the new product attachment.

  In addition, it goes without saying that the new / old flag of the present embodiment is not limited to taking only “0” or “1”. The new flag may indicate the number of times the new attachment notification is not performed after the new attachment.

  Next, a flow until updating parameters such as a unit ID stored in the acquisition unit ID storage device 42 will be described.

  After determining the attachment notification content in S103, the control unit 41 determines whether or not the previously acquired unit ID matches the unit ID stored in the acquired unit ID storage device 42 (S104). If the result of determination is that they do not match, the unit ID stored in the acquired unit ID storage device 42 is rewritten to the unit ID acquired this time (S105). If the unit IDs match as a result of the determination, or after rewriting the unit ID in S105, the control unit 41 determines whether or not the acquired new / old flag value is “0” ( S106). As a result of the determination, when the value of the new / old flag is “0”, the control unit 41 rewrites the value of the new / old flag included in the usage status information stored in the usage status storage device 52 to “1”. Processing is started (S107). On the other hand, if the value of the new / old flag is “1” as a result of the determination, or after starting the rewriting process of the value of the new / old flag in S107, the control unit 41 receives the receipt confirmation storage device. It is determined whether or not the value of the reception flag stored in 43 is “1” (S108). As a result of the determination, if the value of the reception flag is not “1”, the control unit 41 determines whether or not to issue a new attachment notification for the current unit attachment detection based on the attachment notification content determined in S103. (S109). As a result of the determination, when a new attachment notification is made, the value of the receipt flag stored in the receipt confirmation storage device 43 is rewritten to “1” (S110).

  The above is the flow up to updating each parameter.

  Next, a flow in which the control unit 41 performs notification control based on the determined attachment notification content will be described. First, the control unit 41 determines whether or not the value of the new / old flag included in the usage status information stored in the usage status storage device 52 of the unit 50 is rewritten to “1” (S111). ). As a result of the determination, if it is implemented, the control unit 41 determines whether or not it has been detected that the rewriting has been completed (S112). When the end of rewriting is detected or when it is determined in S111 that the rewriting of the new / old flag value to “1” has not been performed, the control unit 41 activates the main control device 10 It is confirmed whether or not it is present (S113). Then, after confirming the activation of the main control device 10, the control unit 41 performs mounting notification control to the main control device 10 based on the mounting notification content determined earlier (S114). As shown in FIG. 5, the arrival notification content may or may not be attached, so that after the attachment notification control is terminated, the control unit 41 determines whether or not the attachment notification is made based on the attachment notification content. It is determined whether or not (S115). As a result of the determination, if the attachment notification is not performed, the value of the receipt flag in the receipt confirmation storage device 43 is already “0”, so the flow is ended as it is. On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if the attachment notification is performed, the value of the receipt flag in the receipt confirmation storage device 43 is rewritten to “0” (S116), and the flow ends.

  As described above, after the rewriting of the value of the new / old flag included in the usage status information stored in the usage status storage device 52 of the unit 50 to “1” is completed, and the main control device 10 After confirming that it is activated, the control unit 41 performs the attachment notification control, thereby providing the following effects.

  In other words, by performing the attachment notification control after the rewriting of the value of the new / old flag is completed, a write error occurs due to the influence of noise generated from the image output device or the like, and the user can Preventing the main controller 10 from being notified of a new product installation even though the new / old flag is not properly rewritten due to the power supply of the output device being turned off. Can do. Therefore, even if a new unit is detected again for a unit for which the new / old flag has not been properly rewritten, and the main controller 10 is notified of the new unit installation, the main controller 10 for the previous time is used. Since there is no notification of new installation on the unit, even if units are distributed in accordance with the new installation notification, there will be no excessive distribution.

  In addition, when mounting detection is performed when the image forming system 100 is started, the image output device 40 notifies the main control device 10 of a new mounting by performing mounting notification control after confirming the start of the main control device 10. However, the main control device 10 cannot receive the notification from the image output device 40 due to the fact that the main control device 10 has not been completely activated yet, and the notification to the management device 200 is appropriately performed. It is possible to prevent things that cannot be done. Thereby, it can prevent that the stockpile of the unit of a user's house is missing.

  As an embodiment different from the embodiment described above, a new attachment notification may be performed as follows. In other words, a new article attachment notification performed by the control unit 41 to the main control apparatus 10 is performed by notifying the main control apparatus 10 of a unit ID of a unit detected as a new article.

  More specifically, in the case of making a new article installation notification for this time in the notification content pattern in the notification content table shown in FIG. 5 (in the case of (1), (2), (4) in FIG. 5), The unit ID acquired by the control unit 41 this time is notified to the main control device 10 as a new article attachment notification. In addition, when a new equipment installation notification for the previous time is performed (in the case of (5) and (7) in FIG. 5), the current control unit 41 stores the acquired unit ID storage device 42 before detecting the installation of the unit 50. The stored unit ID is notified to the main controller 10 as a new article attachment notice. Further, in the case where notification of new attachments for the previous time and this time is performed twice (in the case of (3) in FIG. 5), the current control unit 41 stores in the acquisition unit ID storage device 42 before detecting the attachment of the unit 50. The unit ID and the unit ID acquired by the control unit 41 this time are notified to the main control device 10 as a new article attachment notification. As described above, when the unit ID is notified as a new attachment notification, since the number of notified unit IDs corresponds to the number of newly used new units, the person who distributes the unit is notified. The distribution number may be determined according to the number of unit IDs.

  Moreover, when notifying unit ID as a new article attachment notification, you may comprise the main controller 10 which receives notification of unit ID as follows. In other words, the main control device 10 is provided with a notification target unit ID storage device for storing the unit ID received as the new product attachment notification. When receiving the unit ID from the image output device 40, the main control device 10 determines whether or not the unit ID exists in the unit ID group stored in the notification target unit ID storage device. If the unit ID received this time is present in the unit ID group as a result of the determination, the main controller 10 determines that the new attachment notification for the unit has already been received once, and this new attachment notification Is discarded.

  As a result, even if a new installation notification is received for a unit that has already received a new installation notification, the notification is discarded, so that excessive distribution of units can be prevented.

  In addition, even though a new unit has been notified once that a new unit has been installed, a new unit has been notified to a unit having the same unit ID again. It may be used. Therefore, in such a case, an error notification may be sent to the administrator or the user as unauthorized use. The error notification may be transmitted by e-mail, for example, or may be displayed on a display provided in the image forming system or a display provided in the management apparatus. The notification target unit ID storage device may be provided in the management device 200 instead of the main control device 10 and the management device 200 may determine the unit ID.

  Furthermore, the following processing may be added to the processing performed by the control unit 41. That is, when the control unit 41 detects the installation of a new unit, the control unit 41 rewrites the value of the new / old flag included in the usage status information stored in the usage status storage device 52. When rewriting cannot be performed properly due to the influence of noise or the like in the device, the unit ID stored in the acquired unit ID storage device 42 is erased as a process of the control unit 41, and the receipt confirmation memory is stored. A process of rewriting the value of the reception flag stored in the device 43 to “0” is added. Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 4, in S112, the control unit 41 performs this process when it cannot detect completion of rewriting even though it has confirmed for a certain period or a certain number of times. As a result, the acquired unit ID is erased. Even when the control unit 41 acquires the same unit ID again when the next mounting is detected, it is not determined that the unit ID matches the previously acquired unit ID. Notification is made. In addition, since the value of the reception flag is rewritten to “0”, the value of the new / old flag stored in the usage status storage device 52 of the unit 50 is not properly rewritten. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the new control notification from being sent to the main controller 10.

  In addition, in S113 of the flowchart of FIG. 4, the control unit 31 has not confirmed the normal activation of the main control device 10 even though it has confirmed the normal activation of the main control device 10 for a certain period or a certain number of times. The control unit 41 may perform the following process.

  That is, in such a case, the control unit 41 erases the unit ID stored in the acquired unit ID storage device 42 and rewrites the reception flag stored in the reception confirmation storage device 43 to “0”. Further, the control unit 41 rewrites the value of the new / old flag included in the usage status information stored in the usage status storage device 52 of the unit 50 to “0”. And the control part 41 performs an error display on the display with which the image forming system was equipped, for example as a main controller error. As a result, it is possible to prevent the parameters stored in the image output device and the unit from being rewritten even when the new installation notification to the main control device 10 is not properly performed, and the excessive distribution of the units And shortage can be prevented.

  Furthermore, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, after detecting completion of rewriting of the new / old flag of the unit in S112 and confirming the start of the main control device in S113, the control unit starts the attachment notification. Yes. However, the controller 41 may start the attachment notification after a predetermined period has elapsed after the rewriting of the new / old flag to the unit is started without performing such detection and confirmation. I do not care.

It is a system configuration figure of a management system in this embodiment. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an image forming system in the present embodiment. It is a block block diagram of the image output device and unit in this embodiment. It is an implementation flow figure of the image output device in this embodiment. It is the mounting content determination table in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  10 main control device, 20 image input device, 30 storage device, 31 control unit, 40 image output device, 41 control unit, 42 acquisition unit ID storage device, 43 receipt confirmation storage device, 44 I / O interface, 50 unit, 51 Unit ID storage device, 52 usage status storage device, 53 I / O interface, 60 network interface, 100 image forming system, 150 network, 200 management device.

Claims (5)

Detecting means for detecting attachment of the replaceable unit used for processing of the processing apparatus to the processing apparatus;
Information acquisition means for acquiring usage status information indicating whether the replaceable unit is an unused product or a used product from a usage status storage device included in the replaceable unit;
A use determination means for determining whether the replaceable unit detected to be installed is an unused product or a used product based on the acquired usage information status;
As a result of the use determination, when it is determined as an unused product, rewriting means for rewriting the usage status information stored in the usage status storage device into information indicating the used product,
Flag storage means for storing flag information indicating whether or not there is an unused product mounting notification that has not been notified to the control device that controls the processing device;
When said use determination means by Ri before Symbol replaceable unit is determined to be an unused article, or the flag the flag information stored in the storage unit is not completed notice to the control device intact article mounting notification A notification determination unit that determines to notify the control device of an unused product mounting notification ,
When the notification determination means determines that notifies the unused article mounting notification to the control unit, a notification unit for notifying the unused article mounting notification to the control device,
When the determination unit determines to notify an unused product mounting notification, the flag information stored in the flag storage unit is updated to a value indicating that there is an unused product mounting notification for which notification has not been completed. When the notification to the control device from the notification unit of the unused product attachment notification determined to be notified by the determination unit is completed, the notification is completed for the flag information stored in the flag storage unit. Flag update means for updating to a value indicating that there is no unused product attachment notification,
A wearing notification device comprising: The wearing notification device according to claim 1 ,
Identifier obtaining means for obtaining a unique identifier of the replaceable unit from an identifier storage device included in the replaceable unit;
An identifier storage device for storing the acquired unique identifier;
A unique identifier acquired this time, previously acquired, a match determining means for determining whether the unique identifiers match stored in the identifier storage unit,
With
The determination unit is a case where the identifier match determination result of the match determination unit is mismatched and the use determination result is an unused product, and the flag information of the flag storage unit is notified of completion of notification to the control device If there is an unused product attachment notification that has not been made, it is determined to notify two unused product notifications,
The notification means notifies the control device of two used article attachment notifications when it is determined that the determination means notifies two unused article attachment notifications;
A wearing notification device characterized by that. A detection step of detecting attachment of the replaceable unit used for processing of the processing apparatus to the processing apparatus;
An information acquisition step of acquiring usage status information indicating whether the replaceable unit is an unused product or a used product from a usage status storage device included in the replaceable unit;
A use determination step of determining whether the replaceable unit detected to be installed is an unused or used product based on the acquired usage information status;
As a result of the use determination, when it is determined as an unused product, a rewriting step of rewriting the usage status information stored in the usage status storage device into information indicating the used product,
Before Symbol use determination step, if the replaceable unit is determined to be an unused article, or the processing has not been completed notification to a control device for controlling the device intact article mounting notification indicating whether there If the flag information stored in the flag storage means for storing flag information indicates the presence of an unused product attachment notification that has not been notified to the control device, the control device is not used. A notification determination step for determining to notify the product attachment notification;
A notification step of notifying the control device of an unused product mounting notification when it is determined to notify the control device of an unused product mounting notification in the notification determination step;
When it is determined in the notification determination step that an unused product mounting notification is notified, the flag information stored in the flag storage unit is set to a value indicating that there is an unused product mounting notification for which notification has not been completed. The notification of the flag information stored in the flag storage means when the notification to the control device in the notification step of the unused product attachment notification determined to be updated and notified in the notification determination step is completed. A flag update process for updating to a value indicating that there is no unused product attachment notification that has not been completed;
Wear notification method including. A detection step of detecting attachment of the replaceable unit used for processing of the processing device to the processing device;
An information acquisition step of acquiring usage status information indicating whether the replaceable unit is an unused product or a used product from a usage status storage device included in the replaceable unit;
A use determination step for determining whether the replaceable unit detected to be installed is an unused product or a used product based on the obtained usage information status;
As a result of the use determination, when it is determined as an unused product, a rewriting step of rewriting the usage status information stored in the usage status storage device into information indicating the used product;
Before Symbol use determination step, if the replaceable unit is determined to be an unused article, or the processing has not been completed notification to a control device for controlling the device intact article mounting notification indicating whether there If the flag information stored in the flag storage means for storing flag information indicates the presence of an unused product attachment notification that has not been notified to the control device, the control device is not used. A notification determination step for determining to notify the product attachment notification;
A notification step of notifying the control device of an unused product mounting notification when it is determined to notify the control device of an unused product mounting notification in the notification determining step;
When it is determined in the notification determining step that an unused product mounting notification is notified, the flag information stored in the flag storage unit is set to a value indicating that there is an unused product mounting notification for which notification has not been completed. When the notification to the control device in the notification step of the unused product attachment notification determined to be updated and notified in the notification determination step is completed, the flag information stored in the flag storage unit is notified. A flag update step for updating to a value indicating that there is no unused product attachment notification that has not been completed;
A program that causes a computer to execute. An image forming apparatus that includes a detachable image forming cartridge enclosing an image forming agent, is controlled by a control device, and performs printing processing on a printing medium using the image forming agent based on predetermined image data. And
Detecting means for detecting attachment of the image forming cartridge to the image forming apparatus;
Information acquisition means for acquiring usage status information indicating whether the image forming cartridge is an unused product or a used product from a usage status storage device included in the image forming cartridge;
Use determination means for determining whether the image forming cartridge detected to be mounted is an unused product or a used product based on the obtained usage information status;
As a result of the use determination, when it is determined as an unused product, rewriting means for rewriting the usage status information stored in the usage status storage device into information indicating the used product,
Flag storage means for storing flag information indicating whether or not there is an unused product mounting notification that has not been notified to the control device;
When the use determination unit determines that the image forming cartridge is an unused product , or the flag information stored in the flag storage unit is an unused product installation notification that has not been notified to the control device Indicates a notification determination unit that determines to notify the control device of an unused product mounting notification ,
When the notification determination means determines that notifies the unused article mounting notification to the control unit, a notification unit for notifying the unused article mounting notification to the control device
When the determination unit determines to notify an unused product mounting notification, the flag information stored in the flag storage unit is updated to a value indicating that there is an unused product mounting notification for which notification has not been completed. When the notification to the control device from the notification unit of the unused product attachment notification determined to be notified by the determination unit is completed, the notification is completed for the flag information stored in the flag storage unit. Flag update means for updating to a value indicating that there is no unused product attachment notification,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images