JP4953155B2 - Image forming apparatus and method of controlling the apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that adjusts image forming conditions based on a density detection result of a patch image, and a control method therefor.

  In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and facsimile machines, a small test image (patch image) having a predetermined image pattern is formed as needed, and the image density is adjusted by a density sensor. A predetermined image quality can be stably obtained by detecting and adjusting the operation condition (image forming condition) of each part of the apparatus based on the detection result.

For example, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the apparatus warms up immediately after the apparatus is turned on or immediately after the sleep mode is canceled, and when the apparatus is completed, the density adjustment process is subsequently executed. To do. In this density adjustment processing, the optimum values of the charging bias and the developing bias as density control factors that affect the image quality are calculated based on the density detection result of the solid image or halftone image formed as the patch image. Then, by setting the charging bias and the developing bias to the optimum values thus obtained, the optimum image forming conditions can be obtained. An image can be formed with good and stable image quality by executing the image forming operation under the optimized image forming conditions.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-75318 (FIG. 3)

  Here, depending on the situation of the image forming apparatus, it may be preferable not to execute the density adjustment processing (patch processing) as described above.

  For example, conditions that recommend replacement of a detachable unit such as a developing unit (including a toner cartridge) or a photosensitive unit may be defined from the viewpoint of ensuring image quality. If this replacement recommendation condition is satisfied, if the density adjustment process is executed as it is, the adjustment process may be executed based on the patch image formed in a state where the image quality is not guaranteed. Then, it is considered better not to execute the density adjustment processing.

  Also, if the recommended replacement condition is established for the development unit, if the density adjustment process is executed as it is, the toner is taken into the apparatus by the density adjustment process, and the image quality of the taken toner is reduced. Since there is a possibility that it cannot be guaranteed, it is considered better not to execute the density adjustment process in this situation.

  Furthermore, since the unit and the device itself that do not need to be replaced are consumed by executing the density adjustment process, whether or not the density adjustment process can be performed appropriately is also avoided in order to avoid unnecessary consumption due to the unnecessary density adjustment process. It is desirable to judge.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that image quality is guaranteed and wasteful consumption is suppressed by appropriately controlling whether or not density adjustment processing can be performed in an image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has an image forming unit that executes an image forming operation, and a predetermined optimum image forming condition for executing the image forming operation based on a density detection result of a patch image formed by the image forming unit. Condition control means for adjusting to the condition, and at a predetermined timing, it is determined whether or not the recommended replacement condition is satisfied for a predetermined unit that can be attached and detached, and if it is satisfied, the replacement recommendation that outputs information on the predetermined unit And an image forming apparatus comprising: control means for controlling execution of the image forming means, the condition control means, and the replacement recommendation means, wherein the control means satisfies a replacement recommendation condition for the predetermined unit. If the replacement recommended condition is satisfied for the predetermined unit, the user receives an input indicating that the predetermined unit is not replaced. If digits, characterized in that to execute the condition control means. The predetermined unit is preferably either a developing unit or a photosensitive unit.

  Preferably, the replacement recommendation condition is satisfied when the predetermined quality assurance data cannot be detected from the predetermined unit, or when the remaining amount or life of the consumable of the predetermined unit is less than a predetermined value. Judge that you are doing.

  According to such a configuration, unless the user desires it, the condition control means is executed without guaranteeing the image quality, or toner without quality assurance is taken into the apparatus by the execution of the condition control means. Can be prevented, and as a result, the image quality can be kept appropriate. Furthermore, by appropriately controlling whether or not the condition control means can be executed in this way, it is possible to suppress wasteful consumption of toner and the apparatus itself due to unnecessary execution of the condition control means.

  Preferably, the replacement recommendation condition is satisfied when the predetermined quality assurance data cannot be detected from the predetermined unit, or when the remaining amount or life of the consumable of the predetermined unit is less than a predetermined value. Judge that you are doing. In this case, the replacement recommendation means does not determine whether or not the predetermined quality assurance data can be read for the predetermined unit when receiving an input from the user that the predetermined unit is not to be replaced. Is desirable.

  Preferably, the replacement recommendation unit satisfies the replacement recommendation condition based on any one of a timing when the power is turned on, a timing when the predetermined unit is set, and a timing when a predetermined number of image forming operations are executed. Judge whether or not.

  A control method for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a condition control step of adjusting an image forming condition when executing an image forming operation to a predetermined optimum condition based on a density detection result of a patch image formed by an image forming unit; At a predetermined timing, it is determined whether or not a recommended replacement condition is satisfied for a predetermined removable unit, and if it is satisfied, a replacement recommended step for outputting information on the predetermined unit, and a replacement recommended for the predetermined unit. When the condition is not satisfied, or when the recommended replacement condition is satisfied for the predetermined unit, but the user receives an input indicating that the predetermined unit is not to be replaced, the condition control step is executed. And an execution control step for controlling as described above.

  The control method of the present invention can be implemented by a computer, and a computer program therefor is installed or loaded into a memory in the image forming apparatus through various media such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, and a communication network. can do.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus, by appropriately controlling whether or not density adjustment processing can be performed, it is possible to guarantee image quality and suppress wasteful consumption.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. In this image forming apparatus, when an image signal is given to the main controller 11 of the control unit 1 from an external device such as the host computer 100, the main controller 11 analyzes the image signal and performs various image processing. The image processed signal is supplied to the engine controller 12. Then, the engine controller 12 controls each unit of the engine unit EG based on the firmware stored in the flash memory 123, and corresponds to the image signal on the sheet S such as a copy sheet, a transfer sheet, a sheet, and an OHP transparent sheet. Form an image. This image forming apparatus uses a function of superposing four color toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) to form a full color image, and uses only black (K) toner. A function to form a monochrome image.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the engine unit EG includes a photosensitive unit 2, a rotary developing unit 3 (a yellow developing unit (hereinafter referred to as “Y developing unit”) 3Y, and a magenta developing unit (“M developing unit”). 3M, cyan development unit (“C development unit”) 3C, black development unit (“K development unit”) 3K, etc., intermediate transfer unit 4, fixing unit 5, exposure unit 8, firmware reading unit 10, etc. It is comprised including. Of these, the units 2, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, 4, 5, and 8 are detachable from the apparatus main body 6, and the photoreceptor is in a state where each unit is set in the apparatus main body 6. The photosensitive member 21 of the unit 2 rotates in the arrow direction D1 in FIG. The Y developing unit 3Y, the M developing unit 3M, the C developing unit 3C, and the K developing unit 3K store toner, which is a consumable item, and the functions of units other than the developing unit may deteriorate with age. In this respect, it can be grasped as a consumable unit.

  The photoconductor unit 2 contains a photoconductor 21, a charging unit 22, and a cleaning unit 23, which are detachably attached to the apparatus main body 6 integrally. The charging unit 22 is applied with a charging bias from a charging bias generation unit (not shown), and can uniformly charge the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 21. The cleaning unit 23 is provided on the upstream side of the charging unit 22 in the rotation direction D1 of the photosensitive member 21. The cleaning unit 23 scrapes off toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member 21 after the primary transfer. The surface of the body 21 can be cleaned.

  The light beam L is irradiated from the exposure unit 8 toward the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member 21 charged by the charging unit 22. The exposure unit 8 is electrically connected to a laser driver (not shown) provided in the engine controller 12, and is controlled according to a drive signal supplied from the laser driver, so that the light beam L is applied onto the photosensitive member 21. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal is formed on the photoconductor 21 by exposure.

  The electrostatic latent image formed in this way is developed with toner by the rotary developing unit 3. The rotary developing unit 3 is determined in advance by rotating each developing unit (Y developing unit 3Y, M developing unit 3M, C developing unit 3C, K developing unit 3K) provided rotatably around the axis, and each developing unit. And a mechanism 33 for positioning at a plurality of positions (for example, a development position with respect to the photosensitive member 21 and a communication position with the firmware reading unit 10).

  When one of the developing units is positioned at the developing position by the mechanism unit 33 of the rotary developing unit 3, the toner stored in the unit housing of the developing unit is conveyed while being carried on the developing roller 31. Then, by applying a predetermined developing bias to the developing roller 31, the toner carried / conveyed by the developing roller 31 adheres to the photosensitive member 21, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized. In this way, a toner image of the selected color is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 21.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which the K developing unit 3K is positioned at the developing position, and the developing roller 31 provided in the K developing unit 3K is disposed to face the photoconductor 21.

  The toner image developed by the developing unit 3 as described above is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 of the intermediate transfer unit 4 in the primary transfer region TR1. That is, the intermediate transfer unit 4 includes an intermediate transfer belt 41 that is stretched over a plurality of rollers, and a drive unit (not shown) that rotationally drives the intermediate transfer belt 41, and transfers a color image to the sheet S. In this case, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive member 21 are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 to form a color image. On the other hand, when a single-color image is transferred to the sheet S, Only the black toner image formed in this step is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 to form a single color image.

  The image thus formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet S taken out from the cassette 9 in a predetermined secondary transfer region TR2. Then, the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred is introduced into a fixing unit 5 including a heater (not shown), and the toner is fixed to the sheet S by applying pressure while heating. The sheet S on which an image has been formed in this manner is conveyed to a discharge tray provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 6.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, in order to detect the density of the patch image, the density sensor PS is arranged to face one roller on which the intermediate transfer belt 41 is stretched. The density sensor PS measures the image density of the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 as necessary. Based on the measurement results, this apparatus uses the operating conditions of each part of the apparatus that affect the image quality, such as the developing bias applied to each developing unit, the intensity of the light beam L, and the gradation correction characteristics of the apparatus. Adjustments are being made.

  The density sensor PS is configured to output a signal corresponding to the image density of a predetermined area on the intermediate transfer belt 41 using, for example, a reflection type photosensor. The engine controller 12 can detect the image density of each part of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 by periodically sampling the output signal from the density sensor PS while rotating the intermediate transfer belt 41 in a circular manner. .

  In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, as each developing unit, for example, a developing unit to which a small IC chip 32 is attached by a screw, an adhesive, or the like can be used. Similarly, the photoconductor unit 2 to which the IC chip 32 is attached can be used.

  The IC chip 32 stores development unit manufacturing lot data and quality assurance data indicating that the image forming apparatus manufacturer guarantees the quality of the toner and the like of the developing unit in the internal semiconductor circuit. Is done.

  Various data stored in the IC chip 32 are read out wirelessly by the reading unit 10 at a predetermined timing, and used for predetermined control processing in the engine controller 12 or the like. Such an IC chip 32 and reading unit 10 can be configured using conventional data carrier technology.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 11 includes a host interface 111, a CPU 112, a ROM 113, a RAM 114, an engine interface 115, and the like. The main controller 11 is configured to perform communication processing with the host computer 100 through the host interface 111, and receives image signals, predetermined programs, and the like transmitted from the host computer 100. The received image signal and the like are temporarily stored in the RAM 114.

  The CPU 112 is electrically connected to the operation panel 13 attached to the apparatus main body 6 via an input / output port (not shown). The operation panel 13 is provided with a plurality of switches 131 for the user to give various commands to the CPU 112, and a display unit 132 for displaying messages, printing status, etc. to the user. The operation panel 13 functions as a man-machine interface.

  The ROM 113 stores a program for the main controller 11 in advance, and the CPU 112 and a logic circuit (not shown) operate according to the program to perform various image processing on the received image signal. be able to. For example, RGB data indicating the gradation level of the RGB component of each pixel in the image corresponding to the image signal is converted into CMYK data indicating the gradation level of the corresponding CMYK component. In addition, after tone correction is performed on CMYK data of each pixel, halftoning processing such as error diffusion, dithering, and screen is further performed to generate, for example, 8-bit halftone CMYK data per pixel. To do. The halftone CMYK data is used to create a video signal for pulse width modulation of the exposure laser pulse of each color image, and the video signal is output to the engine controller 12 via the engine interface 115.

  On the other hand, the engine controller 12 includes a main interface 121, a CPU 122, a flash memory 123, a RAM 124, and the like as shown in FIG.

  The main interface 121 is for communicating with the main controller 11 and receives commands and data transmitted from the main controller 11 via the main interface 121.

  The flash memory 123 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores firmware, a counter value indicating the remaining amount of toner in each developing unit, image forming conditions, and the like.

  The CPU 122 executes the firmware stored in the flash memory 123 to control each unit of the engine unit EG, and the image corresponding to the image signal is applied to the sheet S such as copy paper, transfer paper, paper, and OHP transparent sheet. Printing processing, patch processing for adjusting image forming conditions, processing for controlling whether or not to execute patch processing (patch processing execution control processing), and the like are executed. In addition to these processes, the CPU 122 executes general processes included in the image forming apparatus, such as firmware rewriting processes.

  Hereinafter, the patch execution control process and the patch process in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In addition, each process (including the partial process to which the code | symbol is not provided) can be arbitrarily changed in order in the range which does not produce contradiction in the processing content, or can be performed in parallel.

(Patch execution control processing: FIGS. 3 and 4)
When the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on, as one of the initial operations, the CPU 122 executes a patch execution control process (S100 to S119).

  First, the CPU 122 initially sets a flag indicating whether or not the recommended replacement condition for each developing unit is satisfied (hereinafter referred to as “recommended replacement flag”) to indicate “not satisfied” (S100).

  Next, the CPU 122 selects one of the set development units in order to check whether or not the recommended replacement condition is satisfied for the set development unit (S101), and the rotary development unit 3 The mechanism unit 33 is controlled to position the selected developing unit at the communication position (S102). Here, the communication position is a position at which the data stored in the IC chip 32 can be read out wirelessly by the reading unit 10 when the developing unit to which the IC chip 32 is attached is in the communication position. .

  Next, the CPU 122 determines whether or not the selected developing unit includes the IC chip 32 (S103).

  For example, even if the reading unit 10 provided at a position where it can communicate with the IC chip 32 included in the set developing unit is controlled to emit an electromagnetic wave (charge wave) and a predetermined number of times is tried, When the response signal cannot be obtained, it can be considered that the developing unit does not include the IC chip 32 (including the case where the IC chip 32 does not function normally).

  If it is determined that the IC chip 32 is provided, the CPU 122 controls the reading unit 10 to wirelessly read data stored in the IC chip 32 provided in the selected developing unit (S104).

  Next, the CPU 122 determines whether or not the quality assurance data is included (can be detected) in the read data (S105).

  If the quality assurance data is included, the CPU 122 determines that the selected developing unit is a developing unit that guarantees the quality of toner or the like by the image forming apparatus manufacturer (S106).

  Next, the CPU 122 determines whether there is a development unit that has not yet been selected (S107). If there is a development unit that has not been selected, the process returns to S101, and if all have been selected, the process of S110 is performed. Migrate to

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the IC chip 32 is not provided, or if the quality assurance data is not included in the read data, the CPU 122 determines whether the image forming apparatus manufacturer or the like has selected toner or the like for the selected development unit. It is determined that the development unit does not guarantee the quality of the image, and it is determined that the recommended replacement condition is satisfied (S108).

  Then, the replacement recommendation flag of the selected developing unit is changed to “established” (S109), and the process proceeds to S107.

  When all the selections have been made in S107, the CPU 122 refers to the counter value indicating the remaining toner amount of each developing unit stored in the flash memory 123, and develops the remaining toner amount below a predetermined value (for example, the counter value is 0). It is checked whether there is a unit (S110).

  If there is a developing unit whose remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the CPU 122 determines that the developing unit is a developing unit that cannot guarantee the image quality, and determines that the replacement recommended condition is satisfied (S111).

  Then, the replacement recommendation flag of the developing unit whose remaining toner amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value is changed to “established” (S112).

  Next, the CPU 122 checks the replacement recommendation flag of each development unit (S113), and if there is no development unit for which the replacement recommendation flag is “Established”, the replacement recommendation condition is not established for the development unit. Determination is made, and the process proceeds to S118.

  On the other hand, if there is a development unit whose replacement recommendation flag is “established”, information on the development unit (for example, ID information of the development unit) is output to the main controller 11 in order to recommend replacement of the development unit. (S114). Then, it waits for replacement of the developing unit or an instruction from the main controller 11 (S115).

  When the main controller 11 (CPU 112) receives information on the development unit from the engine controller 12 (CPU 122), the main controller 11 (CPU 112) outputs information (message or the like) that recommends replacement of the development unit to the display unit 132. At this time, if the user wants to perform the image forming operation without replacing the development unit recommended to be replaced, the user can input the fact from the operation panel 13 by pressing a confirmation button, for example.

When the development unit is replaced in S115, the CPU 122 notifies the main controller 11 of this fact, sets the replacement recommendation flag for the newly set development unit to “not established” ( S116 ), and The process returns to S101 to select a development unit. Whether or not the developing unit has been replaced may be determined by referring to the flag, for example, by setting up an electrical flag when the developing unit is detached or attached.

  On the other hand, the main controller 11 receives an input from the user that the replacement recommended development unit is not to be replaced. As a result, in S115, the main controller 11 does not replace the replacement recommended development unit. When receiving an instruction to perform the image processing, the CPU 122 executes patch processing to be described later (S117), and then waits for an instruction to execute an image forming operation (S118).

  When the main controller 11 receives a notification from the engine controller 12 that the development unit has been replaced, or receives an input from the user that the replacement recommended development unit is not to be replaced, the corresponding development unit It is desirable to delete the replacement recommendation message.

  When the CPU 122 receives an instruction for an image forming operation (S118: with an instruction), the CPU 122 adopts the image forming conditions stored in the flash memory 123 and executes the image forming operation (S119). After the end of the image forming operation, the process returns to S118.

  The image forming operation is the same as the conventional one. That is, when an image signal is given to the main controller 11 of the control unit 1 from an external device such as the host computer 100, the main controller 11 analyzes the image signal, performs various image processing, and then performs the image processing. A signal is provided to the engine controller 12. The engine controller 12 controls each unit of the engine unit EG based on the firmware stored in the flash memory 123 to display an image corresponding to the image signal on a sheet S such as copy paper, transfer paper, paper, and an OHP transparent sheet. Form. Further, the counter value indicating the remaining amount of toner of each developing unit stored in the flash memory 123 is updated according to the formed image.

(Patch processing: Fig. 5)
In patch processing, in order to maintain the image quality to be formed, patch image is formed while changing various image forming conditions and the image density is detected, and the image forming condition is determined based on the detection result. It is a process to adjust. In the patch processing of the present embodiment, the development bias and exposure power are adjusted as control factors that affect the image quality among the operation parameters that determine the operation conditions of each part of the apparatus. Various operation parameters that function as control factors are known in addition to the above two, and there are many known techniques for the principle and control method of image quality control using them. Therefore, the patch processing may be configured by adopting such other control factors and known techniques according to the design.

  For each toner color, the CPU 122 calculates an optimum development bias, that is, an optimum value of the development bias to be applied to the development roller 31 of each development unit during the image forming operation. Specifically, one toner color is selected (S200), and a patch image of a predetermined pattern is formed at each bias value while changing and setting the development bias in multiple stages for that toner color (S201). Then, the image density of each patch image is detected by the density sensor PS (S202). At this time, if the output from the density sensor PS is abnormal, that is, shows a value greatly deviating from the value corresponding to the density assumed from the setting value of the developing bias, the CPU 122 has an abnormality in the apparatus. It is determined that there is an error, and predetermined error processing is executed.

  When the image density of each patch image is obtained, the relationship between the development bias and the image density can be determined from these values. Based on this relationship, the value of the development bias that matches the predetermined target density based on the relationship. That is, the optimum developing bias is obtained (S203). However, if the optimum value is not within the variable range of the developing bias in the apparatus, the value closest to the calculated optimum value in the variable range is set as the optimum developing bias.

  The processing from S200 to S203 is repeated until the processing is completed for all toner colors (S204). Thereby, an optimum developing bias for each toner color is obtained.

  Subsequently, for each toner color, an optimum exposure power, that is, an optimum value of the intensity of the light beam L when an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the toner color is formed on the photosensitive member 21 is calculated (S205 to S209). . The processing here is the same as the optimum development bias calculation processing (S200 to S204) described above except that the control factor is exposure power instead of the development bias, but if necessary, the patch image to be formed is changed. The image pattern may be different. In this case, it is preferable to use the optimum value obtained previously as the setting value of the developing bias. When the optimum development bias and the optimum exposure power are obtained for all the toner colors in this way, the set of these optimum values is stored in the flash memory 123 as the optimum image forming conditions at that time (S210), and the patch process is terminated. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the quality assurance data (data indicating that the image forming apparatus manufacturer or the like guarantees the quality of toner or the like) cannot be read from the developing unit, or the remaining amount of toner in the developing unit is low. When there is a risk that the image quality cannot be guaranteed due to a decrease, it is determined that the recommended replacement condition for the development unit is satisfied, and if the recommended replacement condition for the development unit is not satisfied, or the development unit is replaced. When the recommended condition is satisfied, but the user receives an input indicating that the development unit is not to be replaced (that is, the user recognizes that there is a possibility that the image quality is not guaranteed and the image forming operation is not performed). When it is desired to execute), the patch processing is controlled to be executed. Therefore, unless the user desires it, patch processing is executed without image quality assurance by the image forming apparatus manufacturer or the like, or toner without quality assurance is taken into the apparatus by execution of patch processing. Can be prevented, and as a result, the image quality can be kept appropriate. Furthermore, by appropriately controlling whether or not the patch processing can be executed in this way, it is possible to suppress unnecessary consumption of toner and the apparatus itself due to unnecessary patch processing.

(Other)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and applied. For example, when an instruction not to replace the development unit to be recommended for replacement is received from the main controller 11 in S115, the development unit for which the instruction is not selected is not selected in S101 (that is, the quality assurance data is stored). It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is not determined whether or not reading is possible. By configuring in this way, it is determined that the user does not perform replacement, and a replacement recommendation message or the like is output every time the patch execution control process is performed, even though it has been input once. Can be prevented.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the CPU 122 executes the main process of the patch execution control process, but part or all of the patch execution control process is performed by the main controller 11 (CPU 112), the host computer 100, and the like. You may comprise so that it may perform in an external device.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the patch execution control process is executed based on the timing when the power is turned on (that is, it is determined whether the development unit replacement recommended condition is satisfied). In addition to or instead of the timing, the patch execution control process may be executed based on other timings such as a timing when the developing unit is set, a timing when a predetermined number of image forming operations are executed, and the like. .

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, in the patch execution control process, the execution of the patch process is controlled based on the establishment of the recommended replacement condition for the development unit. However, in addition to or in place of the development unit, other attachment / detachment is performed. For possible units (for example, photoconductor unit 2, intermediate transfer unit 4, fixing unit 5, exposure unit 8, etc.), the same replacement based on the presence or absence of quality assurance by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus or the consumption state (or life) A recommended condition may be set, and execution of patch processing may be controlled based on the establishment of the recommended replacement condition.

  Further, for example, in the above embodiment, the quality assurance data is read out wirelessly from the IC chip 32 of the developing unit, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. For example, when a development unit is set, a connector is provided so as to be mechanically engaged with the apparatus main body, and quality assurance data is read from the storage means of the development unit in a state of being physically connected via the connector or the like. It may be configured. For example, the quality assurance data may not be electrically recorded. For example, the development unit is provided with a physical shape indicating that quality is guaranteed by an image forming apparatus manufacturer, or a label is attached, and the physical shape is detected mechanically or using an appropriate sensor. Alternatively, when predetermined information can be read from a label or the like, it may be determined that the quality assurance data has been detected.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the flash memory 123 stores a counter value indicating the remaining toner amount of each developing unit, and based on the counter value, the establishment of the recommended replacement condition is determined. The remaining amount of toner in the developing unit is stored in the IC chip 32 attached to the developing unit, and the remaining amount of toner is read from the IC chip 32 by controlling the reading unit 10 to determine whether the replacement recommended condition is satisfied. It is good also as composition to do.

  For example, in the above embodiment, a four-cycle type image forming apparatus that performs development for each color has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the present invention can be applied to a tandem type image forming apparatus that develops each color simultaneously. In this case, it is necessary to provide a reading unit corresponding to each color developing unit or to provide a mechanism for driving the reading unit to a position where it can communicate with each developing unit.

  Further, for example, the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus other than a laser printer, and an image forming apparatus that restricts the function of firmware called an ink jet type image forming apparatus, a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, a so-called dumb printer or a host-based printer The present invention can be applied to all image forming apparatuses.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the patch execution control process in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the patch execution control process in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the patch process in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control unit, 11 ... Main controller, 12 ... Engine controller, 123 ... Flash memory, 2 ... Photosensitive unit, 3 ... Rotary developing part, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K ... Developing unit, 32 ... IC chip, 33 ... Mechanism part, 10 ... reading unit

Claims (6)

An image forming means for performing an image forming operation;
Condition control means for adjusting the image forming condition when executing the image forming operation to a predetermined optimum condition based on the density detection result of the patch image formed by the image forming means;
At a predetermined timing, it is determined whether or not the recommended replacement condition for the removable photoconductor unit is satisfied, and information indicating that the recommended replacement condition for the photoconductor unit is satisfied when it is satisfied. Replacement recommendation means to output,
An image forming apparatus comprising: the image forming unit; the condition control unit; and a control unit that controls execution of the replacement recommendation unit,
The control means inputs when the recommended replacement condition for the photosensitive unit is not satisfied, or when the recommended replacement condition is satisfied for the photosensitive unit, but the user does not replace the photosensitive unit. Is received, the condition control means is executed, and when the recommended replacement condition is established for the photosensitive unit, and the input to replace the photosensitive unit is received from the user, the photosensitive unit is An image forming apparatus characterized by waiting for replacement, and causing the replacement recommendation means to be executed for the replaced photoconductor unit after replacement.   The replacement recommendation means satisfies the replacement recommended condition when predetermined quality assurance data cannot be detected from the photoconductor unit, or when the remaining amount or life of the consumable of the photoconductor unit is less than a predetermined value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus determines that the image is present.   The replacement recommendation means does not judge whether or not predetermined quality assurance data can be read for the photosensitive unit when receiving an input from the user that the photosensitive unit is not to be replaced. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.   Whether the replacement recommendation means satisfies a replacement recommendation condition based on one of a timing when the power is turned on, a timing when the photosensitive unit is set, and a timing when a predetermined number of image forming operations are executed. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to determine whether the image is an image. A condition control step of adjusting the image forming condition when executing the image forming operation to a predetermined optimum condition based on the density detection result of the patch image formed by the image forming means;
At a predetermined timing, it is determined whether or not the recommended replacement condition for the removable photoconductor unit is satisfied, and information indicating that the recommended replacement condition for the photoconductor unit is satisfied when it is satisfied. Recommended replacement process to output,
When the recommended replacement condition for the photoconductor unit is not satisfied, or when the recommended replacement condition for the photoconductor unit is satisfied, but an input from the user not to replace the photoconductor unit is received The photosensitive unit is controlled so that the recommended condition for replacement is established for the photoconductor unit, and the photoconductor unit receives an input from the user to replace the photoconductor unit. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an execution control step of waiting for replacement and performing control so that the replacement recommendation step is executed for the replaced photoconductor unit after replacement. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 5.

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