JP4507061B2 - Device unit and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention, a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or with their image forming apparatus such as a complex machine, a device unit disposed therein exchanged freely, it relates to.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many image forming apparatuses such as a color copying machine have been developed in which an apparatus unit such as a process cartridge is configured to be detachable from an image forming apparatus main body. In such an image forming apparatus, when an existing apparatus unit has reached the end of its life or failure, maintenance work is performed by an operator such as a user or a serviceman to replace the existing apparatus unit with a new apparatus unit. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Here, a new device unit to be replaced and installed in the image forming apparatus main body is collected at a recycling factory after being used in any one of the image forming apparatuses in addition to a completely new one manufactured in a manufacturing factory. Recycled recycled units are also included.
In particular, with the recent increase in awareness of resource saving, the recycling processing of recycling units is increasingly performed by a reproduction manufacturer (non-genuine manufacturer) different from the manufacturer (genuine manufacturer) of the image forming apparatus.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, an IC tag is mounted on a process cartridge that is replaceably installed in an image forming apparatus main body to exchange information with a control unit of the image forming apparatus main body, and at the time of reproduction processing. A technique using information held in an IC tag is disclosed.

Specifically, when it is determined that the mounted process cartridge is a non-conforming product based on the information acquired from the IC tag, the image forming condition in the image forming apparatus is lowered below the normal level. As a result, the user recognizes that the cartridge is a nonconforming product, and the use of the pirated product is suppressed.
When the image forming apparatus is mounted, “used” information is written in the IC tag. As a result, unauthorized reproduction processing of taking out the IC tag from the conforming product and mounting it on the nonconforming product is suppressed.

Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology in which a memory is mounted in a storage container that is detachably installed in a main device, and information is exchanged with a control unit of the main device.
Specifically, when it is determined from the information acquired from the memory that the attached storage container is not a genuine product, the operation of the main device is stopped. When the storage container is recycled, the memory is cleared and new information is written after authentication by the host database.

JP 2001-22230 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-246921

  The conventional technology described above has a problem that the responsibility for quality assurance becomes unclear when a process cartridge that has been reproduced by a reproduction manufacturer different from the manufacturer that produced the image forming apparatus is used.

Details are as follows.
That is, the process cartridge is often assembled while adjusting various components having different lifetimes. Among the assembly adjustments, there is also an elaborate adjustment for ensuring the highest image quality (for example, adjustment of the development gap and doctor gap). Adjustment of these process cartridges is often based on know-how possessed by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus.

  Therefore, if the reprocessed process cartridge is a genuine one (the quality is controlled by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus), use of it in the image forming apparatus causes quality problems. There are few. Even when quality problems occur, the responsibility for quality assurance becomes clear.

  On the other hand, the process cartridge that has been subjected to the reproduction process is a non-genuine one (a reproduction manufacturer different from the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus performs the reproduction process, and cannot be managed by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus). ), It is often the case that quality problems are caused by using it in the image forming apparatus. In such a case, the user does not recognize that the regenerated process cartridge is a non-genuine one, so it is conceivable that the genuine manufacturer side is requested to take responsibility for quality assurance.

  In addition, when a non-genuine manufacturer reprocesses a process cartridge, there may be a case where a material that is genuinely used by a genuine manufacturer based on various regulations is used. Even in such a case, the manufacturer may be required to take responsibility for violations of regulations.

In order to solve such a problem, the technique of the above-mentioned patent document restricts the use of a non-genuine process cartridge (or storage container) in the apparatus main body.
However, some non-genuine products should be able to maintain the same good image quality as genuine products by the efforts of the manufacturer. In addition, even if the quality is somewhat inferior, some users may select non-genuine products if they are inexpensive.
On the other hand, uniformly restricting the use of non-genuine products is not appropriate because it limits the options for the user of the image forming apparatus.

  Note that the above-described problem is an apparatus unit configured on the premise that the image forming apparatus main body is replaced other than the process cartridge, and an apparatus unit (for example, a photosensitive unit) whose quality may vary depending on the unit difference. This is a problem common to all the body drum, charging unit, developing unit, toner cartridge, cleaning unit, optical unit, transfer unit, paper feeding unit, fixing unit, and the like.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an apparatus unit installed in the image forming apparatus main body is reproduced by a reproduction manufacturer different from the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device unit and an image forming apparatus in which responsibility for quality assurance is clarified and can be used with confidence by users and manufacturers without restricting user options.

An apparatus unit according to a first aspect of the present invention is an apparatus unit that is detachably installed in an image forming apparatus main body, and stores nonvolatile information communicated with the image forming apparatus main body. The nonvolatile memory includes a group of reproduction information related to reproduction processing written by a writing unit installed in the reproduction system when reproduction processing is performed by a reproduction system that reproduces the device unit. A first memory area; a second memory area in which a group of fixed information at the time of manufacture is written by the image forming apparatus main body or an external writing device when the image forming apparatus is newly manufactured at a manufacturing factory; and the image forming apparatus After the use in the main body is started, the image forming apparatus main body writes a group of variation information related to the use history in the image forming apparatus main body. And Murrell third memory area, but is classified as different addresses respectively, in which new first memory area each time the reproduction processing is performed is classified as yet another address.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the apparatus unit according to the first aspect, wherein the reproduction information is information related to at least one of a reproduction manufacturer, the number of reproductions, a reproduction date, and a replacement part. It is what.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the apparatus unit according to the first or second aspect of the present invention , wherein the developer is filled when the reproduction process is performed, and the reproduction information is filled with the filling amount and the filling amount. The developer information is related to at least one of date, effective use period, and color type.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the device unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the fixed information written in the second memory area is specified for the device unit. This is ID information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the fixed information is set when the apparatus is newly manufactured. It also includes information about the main body.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to any of the first to fifth aspects, the fixed information specifies a replacement part to be replaced when a reproduction process is performed. In addition, the reproduction process is performed based on the information for specifying the replacement part.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus unit according to the sixth aspect of the invention , comprising at least one of an image carrier and a cleaning blade, wherein the replacement part is replaced with the image carrier and the cleaning blade. At least one of them.

An apparatus unit according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the variation information written in the third memory area is converted into a failure history and an abnormality history. Information concerning at least one of them.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the device unit according to any of the first to eighth aspects of the invention, the reproduction processing is performed based on the variation information held in the third memory area. It is what

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus unit according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the charging unit for charging the image carrier and the latent image formed on the image carrier. A process cartridge in which at least one of a developing unit that develops an image and a cleaning unit that cleans the image carrier and the image carrier is integrally held.

An apparatus unit according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the apparatus unit according to any one of the first to ninth aspects , wherein the image carrier, a charging unit that charges the image carrier, and the image carrier A developing unit that develops a latent image formed on the image bearing member, a transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed on the image bearing member to a transfer material, a cleaning unit that cleans the image bearing member, and a toner cartridge that contains toner. , Any one or more of them are unitized.

An apparatus unit according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects , comprising an IC tag, wherein the nonvolatile memory is provided in the IC tag. It is.

An image forming apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including the apparatus unit according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the image forming apparatus main body includes a control unit. A display unit, wherein the control unit communicates with the non-volatile memory and the device unit is subjected to reproduction processing, and a part or all of the reproduction information is not held in the first memory area When it is determined that, a warning is displayed on the display unit.

An image forming apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the control unit communicates with the nonvolatile memory and the apparatus unit is regenerated. When it is determined that a part or all of the reproduction information is not held in the first memory area, control is performed so as to prohibit an operation relating to image formation.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, the control unit communicates with the non-volatile memory and is held in the first memory area. The operation conditions of the image forming apparatus main body are controlled based on the reproduced information.

According to the present invention, when an apparatus unit to be replaced with respect to the image forming apparatus main body is subjected to reproduction processing, reproduction information relating to reproduction processing such as a reproduction manufacturer or a replacement part is specified in a nonvolatile memory provided in the apparatus unit. It is held in the area (first memory area). As a result, the responsibility for quality assurance is clarified even if it is reproduced by a reproduction manufacturer different from the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus, and users and manufacturers can use it with peace of mind without restricting the user's options. An apparatus unit and an image forming apparatus that can be provided can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an entire image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.
In FIG. 1, 1 is an apparatus main body of a color copying machine as an image forming apparatus, 2 is an optical unit (optical unit) that emits laser light based on image information, and 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK are colors (yellow, magenta, A process cartridge 21 as an apparatus unit that can be installed interchangeably at an installation position corresponding to cyan and black), 21 is a photosensitive drum as an image carrier housed in each of the process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK, 22 Is a charging unit for charging the photosensitive drum 21, 23 is a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 21, and 24 is a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 as a material to be transferred. A transfer roller for transferring to P, a cleaning unit 25 for collecting untransferred toner on the photosensitive drum 21, and a reference numeral 30 for a transfer belt unit. A copying belt, 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32BK are toner supply units that supply toner of each color to the developing unit 23 of each process cartridge 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK, and 61 is a storage material P such as transfer paper. A paper feeding unit (paper feeding unit) 66 is a fixing unit (fixing unit) for fixing an unfixed image on the transfer material P, and 80 is detachably installed in each of the process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK. An IC tag 90 is an operation unit provided so as to be exposed on the exterior of the apparatus main body 1, 100 is a control unit of the apparatus main body 1, and 120 is a scanner that optically reads a placed document.

  Here, in each process cartridge 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20BK, a photosensitive drum 21, a charging unit 22, a developing unit 23, and a cleaning unit 25 are integrally held, respectively. Then, image formation of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) is performed on the photosensitive drum 21 in each of the process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK.

Hereinafter, an operation during normal color image formation in the image forming apparatus will be described.
Each of the four photosensitive drums 21 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged at a position facing the charging unit 22 (a charging process). Thereafter, the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 21 reaches the irradiation position of each laser beam.

  On the other hand, when a color original is placed on the original placement portion of the scanner 120, image information of the original is optically read by a reading portion (not shown). That is, the original is scanned with an illumination light source, and an original image is formed on a color CCD (not shown). Then, an original image, that is, reflected light of light irradiation on the original is photoelectrically converted by a color CCD to generate R, G, and B image signals. These image signals are transmitted to the optical unit 2. Thereafter, in the optical unit 2, laser light corresponding to the image signal is emitted from the LD light source corresponding to each color. The laser light is incident on the polygon mirror 3 and reflected, and then passes through the lenses 4 and 5. The laser light after passing through the lenses 4 and 5 passes through different optical paths for each color component of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (this is an exposure process).

The yellow component laser light is reflected by the mirrors 6 to 8 and then irradiated to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 of the first process cartridge 20Y from the right side of the drawing. At this time, the yellow component laser light is scanned in the rotation axis direction (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive drum 21 by the polygon mirror 3 that rotates at high speed. Thus, an electrostatic latent image of a yellow component is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 charged by the charging unit 22.
Similarly, the magenta component laser light is reflected by the mirrors 9 to 11 and then irradiated to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 of the second process cartridge 20M from the right side of the paper, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image of the magenta component. The The cyan component laser light is reflected by the mirrors 12 to 14 and then irradiated to the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 of the third process cartridge 20C from the right side of the paper, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image of the cyan component. The black component laser light is reflected by the mirror 15 and then is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 of the fourth process cartridge 20BK from the right side of the drawing to form a black component electrostatic latent image.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 on which the electrostatic latent images of the respective colors are formed further rotates and reaches a position facing the developing unit 23. Then, the toner of each color is supplied from the developing unit 23 onto the photosensitive drum 21, and the latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 is developed (this is a developing step).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the development process reaches a position facing the transfer belt 30. Here, the transfer roller 24 is installed at each facing position so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt 30. Then, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 21 are sequentially transferred onto the transfer material P conveyed by the transfer belt 30 at the position of the transfer roller 24 (transfer process).

  In the transfer belt unit (transfer section), the transfer belt 30 is stretched and supported by a driving roller and three driven rollers. Then, the transfer belt 30 travels in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by the driving roller. This transfer belt unit is configured as an apparatus unit in which members such as the transfer roller 24 and the transfer belt 30 described above are integrally formed and is exchangeable with respect to the apparatus main body 1.

Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the transfer process reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 25. The untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 is collected by the cleaning unit 25 (this is a cleaning process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 passes through a static elimination unit (not shown), and a series of image forming processes is completed.

On the other hand, the material to be transferred P fed by the paper feed roller 62 is guided from the paper feed unit 61 (paper feed unit) to the position of the registration roller 64 after passing through the transport guide 63. The transfer material P guided to the registration roller 64 is transported toward the contact portion between the transfer belt 30 and the suction roller 27 while the transport timing is controlled.
Thereafter, the transfer material P sequentially passes through the facing positions of the four photosensitive drums 21 while being conveyed to the transfer belt 30 that runs in the direction of the arrow in the drawing. Thus, the toner images of the respective colors are transferred onto the transfer material P, and a color image is formed.

Thereafter, the transfer material P on which the color image is formed is separated from the transfer belt 30 of the transfer belt unit and guided to the fixing unit 66 (fixing unit). In the fixing unit 66, the color image is fixed on the transfer material P at the nip portion between the heating roller 67 and the pressure roller 68.
Then, the transfer material P after the fixing process is discharged out of the apparatus main body 1 by the discharge roller 69, and a series of operations (copy operations) of the image forming apparatus is completed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the process cartridge installed in the image forming apparatus body 1 in a replaceable manner will be described in detail.
The four process cartridges installed in the apparatus main body 1 have substantially the same structure except that the color of the toner T to be stored is different. Therefore, the four process cartridges are illustrated by omitting the alphabets (Y, M, C, BK). To do.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing a new process cartridge 20 (a state in which a non-recycled product or a recycled product has never been used in the apparatus main body after manufacturing or after a recycling process).
As shown in the figure, the process cartridge 20 mainly includes a photosensitive drum 21 as an image carrier, a charging unit 22, a developing unit 23, and a cleaning unit 25, which are integrally stored in a case 26. Has been. The developing unit 23 includes a developing roller 23a, two stirring rollers 23b and 23c, a doctor blade 23d, a toner concentration sensor 29 (T sensor), and the like, and a developer composed of carrier C and toner T is contained therein. Is stored. The cleaning unit 25 includes a cleaning blade 25a, a cleaning roller 25b, and the like.

Here, an IC tag 80 is detachably installed on the case 26 of the process cartridge 20.
Specifically, the IC tag 80 is an IC that can communicate with the control unit 100 of the apparatus main body 1 and is a packaged IC including an external terminal. The external terminal of the IC tag 80 is inserted into the connection terminal of the IC socket 81 fixed to the case 26. The IC tag 80 is provided with an IC chip (nonvolatile memory) having a size of about several mm square. Further, the communication performed with the control unit 100 of the apparatus main body 1 can be performed as a contact IC tag by wire, or can be performed wirelessly as a non-contact IC tag.

Then, replacement work for the apparatus main body is performed by the operator in units of the process cartridge 20.
That is, referring to FIG. 2B, the process cartridge 20 as an apparatus unit is installed in the installation section of the apparatus main body.
Specifically, after the door (not shown) of the apparatus main body is opened by the operator, the process cartridge 20 is guided by a rail (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body and installed in the apparatus main body.

  Various information is communicated between the IC tag 80 of the process cartridge 20 installed in the apparatus main body and the engine control board 110 of the control unit 100 in the apparatus main body at a predetermined timing. Information exchanged at this time includes reproduction information relating to the process cartridge 20 that has been reproduced, variation information relating to usage history in the image forming apparatus, fixed information at the time of manufacturing the apparatus main body and the process cartridge, and the like. Based on the exchanged information, the entire image forming apparatus is controlled. The control related to information communication at this time will be described in detail later.

Then, referring to FIG. 2B, an image forming process for normal image formation is performed in the process cartridge 20 installed in the apparatus main body. Hereinafter, the image forming process will be described in more detail.
The developing roller 23a rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The toner T in the developing unit 23 is mixed with the carrier C together with the toner T supplied from the toner supply unit 32 by the stirring rollers 23b and 23c that rotate counterclockwise in the drawing. The frictionally charged toner T is supplied onto the developing roller 23a together with the carrier C by one stirring roller 23b.
The toner T in the toner bottle 33 is appropriately supplied into the developing unit 23 as the toner T in the developing unit 23 is consumed. The toner T in the developing unit 23 is consumed by a toner concentration sensor 28 (P sensor) as an optical sensor facing the photosensitive drum 21 and a toner concentration sensor 29 (as a magnetic permeability sensor provided in the developing unit 23). T sensor).

Thereafter, the toner T carried on the developing roller 23a passes through the position of the doctor blade 23d and then reaches a position facing the photosensitive drum 21. At the opposite position, the toner T adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Specifically, the toner T adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by an electric field formed by a potential difference between the surface potential of the region irradiated with the laser light L and the developing bias applied to the developing roller 23a.
Most of the toner T adhering to the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the transfer material P. The toner T remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 is collected in the cleaning unit 25 by the cleaning blade 25a and the cleaning roller 25b.

Next, the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus main body 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the control unit 100 includes a controller board 101 related to the overall control of the apparatus, an operation unit control board 102 that performs control related to the operation unit 90, an HDD 103 that stores image information, and a communication control device 105. Communication control device interface board 104 connected to a public communication line such as an analog telephone line via LAN, LAN interface board 106 connected to LAN, facsimile control unit (FCU) 107 connected to PCI bus, IEEE 1394 board / Wireless LAN board / USB board 108, engine control board 110 connected to controller board 101 via PCI bus 109, and I / O control board connected to engine control board 110 to control I / O of device main body 1 40, consists of the scanner 120 reads the image of the placed copied document on the scanner board (SBU) 122, written on the photosensitive drum 21 to image information as a laser beam LDB130 like.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the color CCD 121 of the scanner 120 is a three-line color CCD, and generates EVENch / ODDch R, G, and B image signals. These image signals are input to the analog ASIC of the SBU 122. Here, the SBU 122 is equipped with a timing generation circuit for generating the driving timing of the analog ASIC and the color CCD 121. The output of the CCD 121 is sampled and held by a sample and hold circuit inside the analog ASIC, and then A / D converted. The A / D converted R, G, and B image data is then subjected to shading correction and sent to an IPP (image information processor) of the engine control board 110 via an output I / F (interface).

In the IPP of the engine control board 110, separation generation (determination of whether an image is a character area or a photographic area), background removal, scanner gamma conversion, filter, color correction, scaling, image processing, printer gamma Conversion, gradation processing, etc. are performed.
The image information transmitted from the SBU 122 to the IPP is written into the frame memory of the controller board 101 after correction for signal deterioration.

The controller board 101 includes a CPU, a ROM that controls the controller board 101, an SRAM that is a working memory used by the CPU, a backup of the SRAM with a built-in lithium battery, an NV-RAM with a built-in clock, and a system bus control. It consists of an ASIC that controls the CPU periphery, such as frame memory control and FIFO, an interface circuit, and the like.
The controller board 101 has application functions as a multifunction machine such as a scanner application, a facsimile application, a printer application, and a copy application, and controls the entire system. That is, the information related to the application input from the operation unit control board 102 is decoded, the system is set, and the state is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 90.

  The controller board 101 is connected to the communication control device 105 via the communication control device interface board 104 so that full duplex asynchronous serial communication can be performed. Note that the communication control device 105 is multidrop-connected in accordance with the RS-485 interface standard.

  The controller board 101 is connected to a LAN (Internet) via a LAN interface board 106. The LAN interface board 106 is a standard communication interface of a PHY chip I / F or an I2C bus I / F equipped with a PHY chip.

  The HDD 103 connected to the controller board 101 functions as a system application program, an application database for storing activation information, and a database for image information. The HDD 103 is connected to the controller board 101 through an interface compliant with ATA / ATAPI-4.

  The operation unit control board 102 connected to the controller board 101 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, LCDC, and the like. Through the communication between the operation unit control board 102 and the controller board 101, a display necessary for key input and operation is displayed on the display unit (display panel) of the operation unit 90. The ROM of the operation unit control board 102 holds a control program for controlling input reading and display output. The RAM of the operation unit control board 102 is a working memory used by the CPU. Note that the display unit (display panel) of the operation unit 90 is used by an operator to input system settings, display system setting contents and status to the operator, and display a warning.

On the other hand, the engine control board 110 mainly performs control related to the image forming process described above with reference to FIGS. The engine control board 110 includes a CPU 116, an I / O / ACIC, an IPP, a ROM 115 holding a program necessary for control relating to image formation, an SRAM necessary for the control, an NV-RAM, and the like.
Here, the CPU 116 of the engine control board 110 and the IC tag 80 of the process cartridge are configured to be communicable. This will be described in detail later.

The engine control board 110 is connected to the controller board 101 via the PCI bus 109. Here, the PCI bus 109 is an image information bus / control command bus that transmits image information and control commands in a time-sharing manner.
In addition, in the LD board (LDB) 130 connected to the engine control board 110, write signals of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) output from the work memory of the controller board 101 are input to the LD write circuit. . In this LD writing circuit, LD current control (modulation control) is performed and output to each LD light source.

  The I / O • ASIC of the engine control board 110 includes a serial interface that transmits and receives signals to and from the CPU 116. The I / O ASIC controls devices such as counters, fans, solenoids, and motors mounted near the engine control board 110.

The I / O control board 140 connected to the engine control board 110 through a synchronous serial interface includes a CPU, an I / O ASIC, a process cartridge I / F 141, and the like. The CPU of the I / O control board 140 functions as a so-called sub CPU and performs I / O control such as analog control of the toner density sensors 28 and 29 described in FIG.
Here, the detection of the mounting of the new process cartridge 20 on the apparatus main body 1 is performed when the door of the apparatus main body 1 is opened and closed. That is, when the door SW (switch) connected to the I / O control board 140 is off, the process cartridge 20 may be replaced, so that the confirmation is performed and the result is transmitted to the engine control board 110.

The process cartridge I / F 141 is an interface circuit for exchanging information between the engine control board 110 of the apparatus main body 1 and the nonvolatile memory of the IC tag 80 mounted on the process cartridge 20.
A PSU 135 as a power source is a unit that supplies power for controlling the image forming apparatus main body 1. By turning on the main SW, commercial power is supplied to the image forming apparatus.

Next, the IC tag 80 of the process cartridge 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state where the IC tag 80 is connected to the control unit 100 of the apparatus main body 1.
As shown in FIG. 4, the IC tag 80 is a contact type IC tag, and includes a CPU 152, an I / O port 153, a system control logic 154, a ROM 155, a RAM 156, an EEPROM 157 as a nonvolatile memory, an E-EEPROM 158, and the like. ing.
Here, the EEPROM (nonvolatile memory) 157 is provided with a first memory area 157a, a second memory area 157b, and a third memory area 157c as addresses. In these areas, information having different information input sources is held. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In addition, the CPU 152 writes information to the nonvolatile memory 157 and reads information held in the nonvolatile memory 157 in accordance with communication with the outside and commands from the outside by a program stored therein. .
The I / O port 153 is a communication interface compliant with ISO7816-3, and exchanges communication interface signals with the CPU 116 installed on the engine control board 110 of the control unit 100. The CPU 152 can also exchange the communication interface signal 170 with the apparatus main body CPU other than the CPU 116 of the engine control board 110.

The system control logic 154 is a control circuit related to control in the IC tag 80. The ROM 155 is a program memory, and the RAM 156 is a working memory for executing the program. Further, the E-EEPROM 158 is a memory that holds a dedicated program related to a write operation to the nonvolatile memory 157.
The CPU 152, the I / O port 153, the system control logic 154, the ROM 155, the RAM 156, the nonvolatile memory 157, and the E-EEPROM 158 are connected by a control signal 161, a control bus 162, a data bus 163, and an address bus 164, respectively. Has been.

In the present embodiment, the IC tag 80 is a contact IC tag, but may be a non-contact IC tag. In this case, the IC tag 80 is provided with a non-contact communication interface connected to the transmission / reception antenna instead of the I / O port of FIG. 4 and a power supply source (power supply). Information is exchanged wirelessly with a CPU provided on the main body side.
The nonvolatile memory 157 in the IC tag 80 is not limited to the EEPROM of this embodiment, and various types of nonvolatile memories can be applied.

Next, the nonvolatile memory 157 installed in the process cartridge 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a memory map of the nonvolatile memory 157 installed in the IC tag 80.
As shown in the figure, in the non-volatile memory, a first memory area is allocated as address “00H”, a third memory area is allocated as address “20H”, and a second memory area is allocated as address “30H”. The

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the first area (address “00H”) of the non-volatile memory, “reproduction manufacturer ID”, “replacement part (information on replacement part)”, “color type of developer (color ID) ) ”,“ Effective use period ”,“ Number of copies at the time of reproduction (number of copies as a reprocessed cartridge) ”,“ Number of times of reproduction ”,“ Reproduction date ”,“ Amount of developer ”,“ Development ” Information such as “filling date of agent”, “remaining toner amount”, “recycle use flag set”, and the like is held in the number of bytes.

  Here, these pieces of information in the first memory area (reproduction-only memory area) are mainly distinguished from reproduction information when the process cartridge 20 is reproduced, and are distinguished from other information. The reproduction information held in the first memory area is written by the reader / writer of the reproduction system during the reproduction process. That is, the main information input source to the first memory area is the reproduction system.

The “recycle use flag set” in the first memory area is set when the process cartridge related to the stored reproduction information is used in the apparatus main body. Whether or not the stored reproduction information is valid is determined based on whether or not the “recycle use flag set” is set.
The reproduction information related to the reproduction process written in the first memory area is controlled so that the information cannot be rewritten after the reproduction process is completed. Thereby, the reliability of reproduction information is ensured.
In addition, as for the information regarding the developer, if the process cartridge uses the two-component development method, the information regarding the two-component developer including the toner and the carrier is input. If the process cartridge uses the one-component development method, Information related to toner (one-component developer) is input.

  The address “60H” in the drawing is a first memory area secured during the second reproduction process of the process cartridge 20. In this manner, a new area is secured in the first memory area every time the process cartridge 20 is reproduced. Thereby, it is possible to save a history of a plurality of reproduction processes.

  On the other hand, in the third memory area (address “20H”) of the non-volatile memory, “use start date”, “use start signal”, “write prohibition flag”, “abnormal history (occurrence history of abnormal image etc.)” ”,“ Failure history (maintenance history, etc.) ”,“ number of copies ”,“ toner remaining amount ”, and the like are held for each number of bytes.

Here, these pieces of information in the third memory area (write-only area) are mainly information related to the use history of the process cartridge 20 after being installed in the image forming apparatus (fluid variation information). ing. Since the variation information in the third memory area is information that flows as the process cartridge 20 operates, the information can be rewritten.
The variation information held in the third memory area is written by communication from the control unit 100 of the apparatus body 1. That is, the main information input source to the third memory area is the apparatus main body 1.

Further, the information held in the third memory area is useful information for performing the reproduction process of the process cartridge 20. For this purpose, the information in the third memory area is read by the reader / writer of the reproduction system during the reproduction process, and the reproduction process is performed based on the information. For example, even if the “number of copies” has not reached a specified value (life), the constituent members related to “abnormal history” and “failure history” are replaced with new ones.
The “use start date” and “use start signal” in the third memory area are information (write information only once) written only when the use of the process cartridge is actually started. The writing of these information is managed by the “write prohibition flag”.

  On the other hand, in the second memory area (address “30H”) of the nonvolatile memory, “lot number”, “manufacturer name (manufacturer ID)”, “manufacturing date”, “serial number”, “recycle count” "Upper limit", "Usable product group ID", "Device unit (process cartridge) version", "Exposure amount", "Charge amount", "Development bias", "Toner characteristic information", "Replacement parts information", etc. Are stored in each byte count.

Here, these pieces of information in the second memory area (write-inhibited area) are mainly fixed information for specifying a newly manufactured image forming apparatus (the apparatus main body 1 and the process cartridge 20) at the time of shipment from the factory. . Since these pieces of information in the second memory area are fixed information determined at the time of manufacture, subsequent rewriting of information is prohibited.
Then, the fixed information held in the second memory area is, at the time of manufacture, by communication from the control unit 100 by operating the operation unit 90 of the apparatus body 1 or by communication from an external writing device in the manufacturing factory. It is written.

The “replacement part information” held in the second memory area is information for specifying a constituent member to be replaced in the reproduction process. For example, when it is determined that the photosensitive drum 21 and the cleaning blade 25a contribute extremely to the quality of the cartridge 20, information indicating that these members are to be replaced unconditionally during the reproduction process is “replacement part information”. Is retained.
On the other hand, the “replacement part” information held in the first memory area is information related to the result of the replacement part at the time of the reproduction process.

  The “exposure amount”, “charge amount”, and “development bias” held in the second memory area are information related to the image forming process described above with reference to FIGS. That is, the exposure amount of the laser beam L in the exposure process, the charge amount (charging potential) of the charging unit 22 in the charging process, and the developing bias of the developing unit 23 in the developing process, and an image forming apparatus for performing optimal image formation It is information peculiar to.

  As described above, the non-volatile memory is provided with the first memory area, the second memory area, and the third memory area, which are different information input sources. As a result, the organization and utilization of information in the nonvolatile memory is efficiently performed.

Next, the control in the above-described process cartridge will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing control related to information writing to the nonvolatile memory 157 of the process cartridge 20.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the control of information writing to the nonvolatile memory 157 of the process cartridge 20, first, it is determined whether the transmitted information is write prohibition information (steps S1 and S2). As a result, when it is determined that the information is write-protection information, this flow ends (step S3).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the information is not write prohibition information, it is further determined whether the information is information transmitted from the control unit 100 of the apparatus main body 1 (step S4).
As a result, when it is determined that the transmitted information is information from the apparatus main body, it is further determined whether the information is write information only once in the third memory area (step S5).

  As a result, when it is determined that the write information is only once, it is further determined whether or not the write prohibition flag is set in the third memory area of the nonvolatile memory (step S6). As a result, if it is determined that the write prohibition flag is set, it is assumed that the process cartridge has already been used in the apparatus main body 1, and this flow is terminated without writing the write information only once (step) S7).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the write prohibition flag is not set, it is assumed that the use of the process cartridge is started, and write information ("use start date" and ""Use start signal") is written (step S8).
Furthermore, the “write prohibition flag” for the write information is set only once (step S9), and this flow is ended (step S10).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the information transmitted to the nonvolatile memory is not write information only once, it is further checked whether or not the recycle use flag is set in the first memory area ( Step S11). That is, it is determined whether there is a first memory area (reproduction-only memory area) having reproduction information to be used for the first time. This is because a new address is set for the first memory area every time the reproduction process is performed.

As a result, when it is determined that there is a first memory area to be used for the first time, the recycle use flag of the first memory area is set (step S12). On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no first memory area to be used for the first time, step S12 is skipped.
Thereafter, variation information (“number of copies”, “toner remaining amount”, “abnormality history”, “failure history”) transmitted from the apparatus main body is written in the third memory area.
Thus, this flow is finished (step S14).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the information transmitted to the nonvolatile memory is not information from the apparatus main body, it is further determined whether the information is reproduction information (step S15). As a result, when it is determined that the transmitted information is not reproduction information, it is determined that reproduction processing has not been performed, and this flow ends (step S16).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the transmitted information is reproduction information, the recycling use flag in the first memory area is further checked as information from the reader / writer of the reproduction system (step S17). ). That is, it is determined whether the first memory area (reproduction-only memory area) to be used for the first time is secured. This is because the address of the first memory area is newly set every time the reproduction process is performed. As a result, when it is determined that the first memory area to be used for the first time is not secured, this flow is ended (step S18).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the first memory area to be used for the first time is secured, it is further determined whether or not the playback maker ID (information related to the playback maker) is included in the transmitted playback information. (Step S19).
As a result, when it is determined that the reproduction manufacturer ID is not included in the reproduction information, it is determined that the responsibility for quality assurance for the process cartridge after the reproduction processing cannot be clarified, and this flow is finished (step S20). ).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the reproduction manufacturer ID is included in the reproduction information, it is possible to clarify the responsibility of quality assurance for the process cartridge after the reproduction process, and the first memory area “Reproduction manufacturer ID” and “reproduction date” are written (step S21).
Further, other reproduction information (“replacement parts”, “color type”, “effective use period”, “number of copies during reproduction”, “number of reproductions”, “filling amount”, “filling date” in the first memory area) , “Toner remaining amount”) is written (step S22).
Thus, this flow is finished (step S23).

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the control when the image forming apparatus main body is turned on will be described.
In this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus main body is turned on, it is checked whether a process cartridge that can be confirmed by the quality assurance source is installed.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the power of the apparatus main body is turned on, first, initialization processing of memory in the apparatus main body is performed as initialization processing (steps S31 to S32). Specifically, a memory such as a RAM in the control unit of the apparatus main body is cleared and initialized.
Thereafter, I / O initialization processing of the apparatus main body is performed (step S33), and further initialization processing such as initial setting of peripheral devices connected to the apparatus main body is performed (step S34).

After that, the information in the first memory area of the process cartridge (reproduced) installed in the apparatus main body is read to determine whether there is necessary reproduction information (step S35).
As a result, when it is determined that there is reproduction information, the power source on flag of the control unit 100 is set assuming that the quality assurance source can be confirmed (step S39). In this way, this flow is finished (step S40), and an operation relating to image formation (copy operation) becomes possible.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S35 that there is no part or all of the necessary reproduction information, the display unit of the operation unit 90 of the apparatus main body is warned that the quality assurance source cannot be confirmed. Display is performed (step S36). For example, the warning display may be “The cartridge currently installed is not our product and the manufacturer is unknown, so quality assurance due to the cartridge cannot be performed”.
Thereafter, control is performed so that the operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited (step S37), and this flow is ended (step S38).

Note that this flow is not limited to the use of only recycled cartridges that have been recycled by genuine manufacturers. That is, even if the recycled cartridge is regenerated by a non-genuine manufacturer, its use is not limited as long as necessary reproduction information such as a reproduction manufacturer ID is written in the nonvolatile memory at the time of the reproduction process.
This makes it possible to clarify the quality assurance sources of process cartridges from different manufacturers and widen the range of user choices for process cartridges.

Next, the control when the door of the image forming apparatus main body is opened will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, even when the door of the main body of the image forming apparatus is opened, there is a possibility that the process cartridge has been replaced. Therefore, it is checked whether the process cartridge can be confirmed by the quality assurance source.

As shown in FIG. 8, in order to check whether the process cartridge (apparatus unit) has been replaced, it is first determined whether or not the door of the apparatus main body 1 is open (steps S41 to S42).
As a result, when it is determined that the door is open, a door open flag is set (step S43).

Then, the time of the clock mounted on the control unit 100 of the apparatus main body is stored in the nonvolatile memory of the process cartridge (step S44).
Further, communication between the control unit of the apparatus main body and the non-volatile memory of the process cartridge is stopped (step S45), and power supply to the process cartridge is stopped (step S46).
Thus, this flow is finished (step S47).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that the door is closed, it is further determined whether the door open flag is set (step S48).
As a result, if it is determined that the door open flag is set, the supply of power to the process cartridge is resumed on the assumption that the door has been opened and closed, and information on the control unit and the nonvolatile memory is obtained. Communication is resumed (step S49). If it is determined in step S48 that the door open flag is not set, this flow ends (step S56).

Thereafter, the information in the first memory area of the process cartridge installed in the apparatus main body is read (step S50), and it is determined whether there is necessary reproduction information (step S51).
As a result, if it is determined that there is reproduction information, the door open flag of the control unit 100 is reset assuming that the quality assurance source can be confirmed (step S54). In this way, this flow is finished (step S55), and an operation relating to image formation becomes possible.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S51 that there is no reproduction information, a warning is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 90 of the apparatus main body, assuming that the quality assurance source cannot be confirmed (step S52). .
Thereafter, control is performed so that the operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited (step S53), and the process ends through step S54 (step S55).

In this flow, a warning is displayed and an image forming operation is prohibited based on the reproduction information held in the first memory area.
On the other hand, the operating conditions of the apparatus main body 1 can be controlled based on the reproduction information held in the first memory area. For example, based on the reproduction information of the process cartridge that has been subjected to the reproduction process, the optical unit 2, the charging power source, and the development so that the image forming conditions (exposure amount, charge amount, developing bias, etc.) are optimal for the cartridge. The power supply and the like can be controlled. Thereby, optimization of image quality can be achieved.

Next, a playback system in which the above-described process cartridge is played back will be described with reference to FIGS.
The used process cartridge 20 detached from the image forming apparatus main body is carried into a reproduction manufacturer via a distribution channel. Then, reproduction processing is performed by the reproduction system.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the playback system 200 is provided with a personal computer (personal computer) 201 and a reader / writer 202 connected to the personal computer 201 via a USB 208. Further, the board 205 provided with the connector 204 and the socket 206 is connected to the reader / writer 202 via the I2C bus 203.

The IC tag 80 of the process cartridge to be reproduced is inserted on the socket 206 of the reproduction system 200 configured as described above. Information communication is performed between the reader / writer 202 connected to the personal computer 201 and the IC tag 80.
Specifically, as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, reproduction information transmitted from the reader / writer 202 functioning as writing means is written in the first memory area of the IC tag 80. The fluctuation information transmitted from the third memory area of the IC tag 80 is read by the reader / writer 202 functioning as reading means.

The connection state of the IC tag 80 to the reader / writer 202 is as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
That is, in the playback system 200, the connection destination of the I / O port 153 is the reader / writer 202, which is different from the connection destination described above with reference to FIG. Thus, communication is performed between the reader / writer 202 and the nonvolatile memory 157 of the IC tag 80.

Referring to FIG. 9, the reproduction system 200 can also use a handy reader / writer 212 connected to the personal computer 201 via the USB 209. When the handy reader / writer 212 is used, communication with the non-contact type IC tag 80 can be performed wirelessly 213.
In this case, communication is performed with the handy reader / writer 212 in a state where the IC tag 80 is mounted on the process cartridge 20.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even if the process cartridge 20 that is exchanged and installed in the image forming apparatus main body 1 has been subjected to reproduction processing and the reproduction manufacturer is a non-genuine manufacturer, reproduction is possible. Any process cartridge in which necessary reproduction information such as a reproduction manufacturer ID is written in a nonvolatile memory at the time of processing is configured not to be restricted. This makes it possible to clarify the quality assurance sources of process cartridges from different manufacturers and widen the range of user choices for process cartridges.

In the present embodiment, the process cartridge 20 is an apparatus unit that is replaceably installed in the apparatus body 1 and includes a nonvolatile memory. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to any apparatus unit that can cause a difference in quality of the image forming apparatus due to the unit difference. Here, in the present application, the “apparatus unit” is defined as a unit that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body.
For example, the present invention can be applied to the optical unit 2, the transfer belt units 24 and 30, the fixing unit 66, the paper feeding unit 61, the toner bottle 33 (toner cartridge) in FIG. In an image forming apparatus that does not take the form of a process cartridge, the present invention is also applied to a single unit such as a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, and a transfer unit as an apparatus unit related to an image forming process. Applicable. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a composite unit (in a form other than a process cartridge) in which a plurality of photosensitive drums, charging units, developing units, cleaning units, transfer units, and toner cartridges are unitized. In these cases, the device unit is equipped with a non-volatile memory, and the non-volatile memory is provided with a first memory area, a second memory area, and a third memory area having different information input sources, which is equivalent to the present embodiment. The effect of can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an apparatus unit such as an ink jet image forming apparatus or a thermal transfer image forming apparatus is provided. The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses installed.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is apparent that the embodiment can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, other than the one suggested in the embodiment. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for implementing the present invention.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a process cartridge installed in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the process cartridge of FIG. 2A is installed in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an IC tag installed in the process cartridge of FIG. 2. 6 is a memory map of a nonvolatile memory in the IC tag of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control regarding the writing of the information to a non-volatile memory. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control when the image forming apparatus main body is powered on. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control when the door of the image forming apparatus main body is opened. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a reproduction | regeneration system. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a state where an IC tag is connected to the reproduction system of FIG. 9.

Explanation of symbols

1 image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body), 2 optical section (optical unit),
20, 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20BK Process cartridge,
21 photosensitive drum (image carrier), 22 charging unit,
23 developing unit, 24 transfer roller (transfer belt unit, transfer unit),
25 cleaning section, 30 transfer belt (transfer belt unit, transfer section),
32, 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32BK toner supply unit,
33 Toner bottle (toner cartridge),
61 paper feed unit (paper feed unit), 66 fixing unit (fixing unit),
80 IC tag, 90 operation unit, 100 control unit,
101 controller board, 110 engine control board,
116, 152 CPU, 157 EEPROM (nonvolatile memory),
157a first memory area, 157b second memory area,
157c third memory area, 200 playback system,
202 reader / writer, 203 I2C bus, 204 connector,
205 board, 206 socket, 208, 209 USB.

Claims (15)

An apparatus unit that is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body,
A nonvolatile memory for holding information communicated with the image forming apparatus main body;
The nonvolatile memory is
A first memory area in which a group of reproduction information related to reproduction processing is written by a writing means installed in the reproduction system when reproduction processing is performed by a reproduction system for reproducing the device unit;
A second memory area to which a group of fixed information at the time of manufacture is written by the image forming apparatus main body or the external writing device when newly manufactured at a manufacturing factory;
A third memory area in which a group of variation information related to a use history in the image forming apparatus main body is written by the image forming apparatus main body after use in the image forming apparatus main body is started;
Are classified as different addresses,
The apparatus unit, wherein the first memory area is newly divided as another address each time reproduction processing is performed.   2. The apparatus unit according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction information is information related to at least one of a reproduction manufacturer, a reproduction count, a reproduction date, and a replacement part. When the regeneration process is performed, the developer is filled,
3. The apparatus unit according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction information is information on the developer related to at least one of a filling amount, a filling date, an effective use period, and a color type. .   4. The device unit according to claim 1, wherein the fixed information written in the second memory area is ID information for specifying a device unit.   The apparatus unit according to claim 1, wherein the fixed information includes information related to the image forming apparatus main body that is installed when the apparatus is newly manufactured. The fixed information includes information for specifying a replacement part to be replaced when the regeneration process is performed,
6. The apparatus unit according to claim 1, wherein a regeneration process is performed based on information for specifying the replacement part. Comprising at least one of an image carrier and a cleaning blade;
The apparatus unit according to claim 6, wherein the replacement part is at least one of the image carrier and a cleaning blade.   The apparatus unit according to claim 1, wherein the variation information written in the third memory area is information related to at least one of a failure history and an abnormality history.   The apparatus unit according to claim 1, wherein a reproduction process is performed based on the variation information held in the third memory area.   The image carrier is integrated with at least one of a charging unit that charges the image carrier, a developing unit that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier, and a cleaning unit that cleans the image carrier. The apparatus unit according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus unit is a process cartridge held by the apparatus.   An image carrier, a charging unit for charging the image carrier, a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier, and a transfer for transferring a toner image formed on the image carrier to a transfer material. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein any one or more of a unit, a cleaning unit for cleaning the image carrier, and a toner cartridge storing toner are unitized. The device unit according to any one of the above. Equipped with IC tag,
The device unit according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile memory is provided in the IC tag. An image forming apparatus comprising the device unit according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus main body includes a control unit and a display unit,
When it is determined that the control unit communicates with the non-volatile memory and the apparatus unit has been subjected to reproduction processing, and that part or all of the reproduction information is not retained in the first memory area. An image forming apparatus that controls to display a warning on the display unit. When it is determined that the control unit communicates with the non-volatile memory and the apparatus unit has been subjected to reproduction processing, and that part or all of the reproduction information is not retained in the first memory area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled so as to prohibit an operation related to image formation. 14. The control unit according to claim 13, wherein the control unit communicates with the non-volatile memory and controls operating conditions of the image forming apparatus main body based on the reproduction information held in the first memory area. Item 15. The image forming apparatus according to Item 14.

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