JP5250510B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction machine, a copier, or a printer that performs printing using toner, and includes an image forming apparatus that includes a density sensor that reads a formed toner image and to which a replenishing toner container is attached. About.

  In general, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using toner forms a toner image on a photosensitive drum, transfers the toner image to a recording medium such as paper, performs fixing, and performs image formation (printing). Since the toner is consumed every time printing is performed, a toner container (for example, referred to as a toner cartridge or a toner container) that contains replenishing toner is usually attached to the image forming apparatus. The toner container is normally replaceable. When the toner container becomes empty, the toner container is replaced with a new one (a full one).

  Here, the printing conditions (parameters) of the image forming apparatus are determined in accordance with the characteristics of genuine toner such as charge amount, particle size, and fluidity. Therefore, it is desirable to use a genuine toner container manufactured by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. However, a user purchases a toner container from a person who sells a copy of an illegal toner container or a person who refills an empty toner container with non-genuine toner, and the non-genuine toner is used in the image forming apparatus. Sometimes. The non-genuine toner may be an inferior toner having characteristics greatly different from those of the genuine toner. If such a bad non-genuine toner is used, problems such as a failure of the image forming apparatus and a reduction in image quality occur.

Thus, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 describe an invention for preventing the installation of a non-genuine toner container. Specifically, in Patent Document 1, a concavo-convex shape portion is provided on the replacement part and the apparatus main body, and the parts are opposed to each other when the replacement part is mounted on the apparatus main body. As a result, since it is necessary to change the shape in order to use a non-genuine product as a replacement part, the manufacture and sale of pirated products and the like are to be suppressed (see Patent Document 1: Claim 1, paragraph [0021], etc.). Patent Document 2 includes a communication unit that is provided on the apparatus main body side and acquires information from the exchange unit, and determines whether the product is a genuine product or a non-genuine product according to the communication result of the communication unit. An image forming apparatus is described (see Patent Document 2: Claim 2, paragraph [0012], etc.).
JP2001-075455 JP 2005-326729 A

  However, looking at the invention of Patent Document 1, if the concavo-convex shape portion of the replacement part exemplified in Patent Document 1 is imitated, the manufacture and sale of non-genuine products such as pirated products cannot be suppressed, and effective prevention There is a problem that it cannot be a solution. Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to provide communication means (a wireless communication unit is exemplified) on the apparatus main body side and a memory chip in the exchange unit (Patent Document 2: Paragraph [0056], FIG. 10). , See FIG. Therefore, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, there is a problem that not only the apparatus main body but also the replacement unit causes an increase in manufacturing cost.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention generally uses a density sensor mounted in an image forming apparatus, and does not depend on the shape of the toner container by reading the formed toner image without increasing the manufacturing cost. It is an object to determine whether or not a mounted toner container is a genuine product.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 includes a photosensitive drum, an image forming unit that forms a toner image based on image data, and a toner container that supplies toner to the image forming unit. A density sensor that reads the toner image formed by the image forming unit and outputs a voltage according to the density of the reading target; and a patch for determining whether or not the toner contained in the toner container is a genuine product Stores image data and determines density measurement data for measuring the density of the toner image of the patch based on the output voltage of the density sensor and whether or not the toner contained in the toner container is a genuine product. Therefore, a storage unit that stores determination data, an output voltage of the density sensor that has read the toner image of the patch, and the determination data are stored in the toner container. Toner was decided and a control unit for determining whether genuine.

  The image forming apparatus is usually provided with a density sensor for reading a toner image and measuring the density. There may be a clear difference in the reading result of the density sensor between the case where the toner image is formed with the same density and the genuine toner and the case where the non-genuine toner is poor. Therefore, according to this configuration, determination data is prepared, and it is determined whether the control unit is a genuine product based on the reading result (output voltage) of the patch of the density sensor.

  This eliminates the need for, for example, mounting a chip such as an IC on the toner container side or providing a communication device such as a reader / writer on the main body side in order to identify genuine products and non-genuine products. The density sensor is usually provided in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, there is no increase in the manufacturing cost of the image forming apparatus and the toner container in order to check whether the toner is genuine. Further, genuine and non-genuine products are identified not by the shape of the toner container but by the toner itself contained in the toner container. Even if the toner container is imitated, the genuine and non-genuine products can be identified.

Also, before Symbol concentration sensor includes a light emitting unit for irradiating light to the measurement target, provided on an optical path from the light emitting portion to be measured, a first polarizer for polarizing light emitted from the light emitting portion The first light receiving unit that receives the P wave among the reflected light from the measurement target and changes the output voltage according to the received light amount, and the S wave among the reflected light from the measurement target, A second light-receiving unit whose output voltage changes in response, and a reflected light from the measurement object is separated into a P wave and an S wave, the P wave is guided to the first light receiving unit, and the S wave is guided to the second light receiving unit. Two determination plates, and the determination data defines a ratio range that is a range of a ratio of output voltages of the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit when the toner image of the patch is read. And the controller outputs a ratio of the output voltage when the toner image of the patch is read. If the inner, determined to be genuine, it was decided to determine if the range and non-genuine.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the concentration sensor is provided on a light emitting unit that irradiates light to the measurement target, and an optical path from the light emitting unit to the measurement target, and the light emission. A first polarizing plate that polarizes light emitted from the unit, a first light receiving unit that receives P waves among reflected light from the measurement target, and whose output voltage varies according to the amount of received light, and from the measurement target Of the reflected light, the S light is received, the second light receiving unit whose output voltage changes according to the amount of light received, the reflected light from the measurement object is separated into the P wave and the S wave, and the P wave is the first light received. A second polarizing plate that guides the S wave to the second light receiving unit, and the data for determination includes the first light receiving unit and / or the second light receiving when the toner image of the patch is read. An output range that is a range of the output voltage of the unit is defined, and the control unit When the toner image is read, if the magnitude of the output voltage of the first light receiving unit and / or the second light receiving unit is within the output range, it is determined to be genuine, and the output voltage is outside the output range. It was decided that it was non-genuine.

  For example, the shape of the non-genuine toner particles may be significantly different from that of the genuine toner, such as more irregularities than the genuine toner. In recent years, the toner of an image forming apparatus is a polymerized toner that has a spherical toner particle and is generated using a chemical reaction from the viewpoint of improving image quality, etc. Requires technology. On the other hand, a person who manufactures and sells a bad non-genuine product usually does not have sufficient facilities to manufacture polymerized toner, and may use toner manufactured by a pulverization method in which the shape of toner particles is uneven. . Therefore, there is a difference in the ratio and size of the P wave and S wave included in the reflected light between when the toner image formed with genuine toner is read and when the toner image formed with non-genuine toner is read. May come out.

Paying attention to the difference in the shape of particles between the genuine product and the non-genuine toner, according to the configurations of claim 1 and claim 2 , the density sensor receives the first light receiving unit that receives the P wave and the S wave. And a control unit that determines whether the product is a genuine product or a non-genuine product based on the ratio of the output voltages of the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit and the magnitude of the output voltage. Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether the product is a genuine product or a non-genuine product using the density sensor.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the determination data defines an allowable range of variation in output voltage of the first light receiving unit and / or the second light receiving unit. The control unit acquires the output voltage of the first light receiving unit and / or the second light receiving unit a plurality of times while the density sensor is reading one patch, and outputs the highest output voltage and the highest output voltage. If the difference in the small output voltage is within the allowable range, it is determined as genuine, and if it is out of the allowable range, it is determined as non-genuine.

  Non-genuine toner may be more likely to cause uneven charging of toner particles than genuine toner. Therefore, density unevenness (density nonuniformity) may occur in a toner image formed with non-genuine toner rather than a toner image formed with genuine toner. Therefore, according to this configuration, the control unit is genuine depending on whether the difference between the maximum output voltage and the minimum output voltage of the first light receiving unit and / or the second light receiving unit in reading one patch is within an allowable range. Or non-genuine products. Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether the product is a genuine product or a non-genuine product using the density sensor.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects of the present invention, the determination data defines a density range of the toner image of the patch, and the control unit includes the density measurement data. And the density is measured based on the output voltage of the density sensor obtained by reading the toner image of the patch, and if the density of the toner image of the patch obtained by the measurement is within the density range, it is genuine. Judgment was made, and if it was out of the concentration range, it was determined to be non-genuine.

  When non-genuine toner has a clear difference in density between a toner image formed with genuine toner and a toner image formed with non-genuine toner, such as charging characteristics, particle size, and particle weight are different. There is. For example, when the non-genuine toner is insufficiently charged (the charging potential is low) compared to the genuine product, the density of the toner image formed with the non-genuine toner is lower than that of the toner image formed with the genuine toner. Therefore, according to this configuration, the control unit determines whether the toner image is genuine or non-genuine depending on whether the density of the toner image is within the density range. Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether the product is a genuine product or a non-genuine product using the density sensor.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a notification unit that notifies information is provided, and when it is determined that the toner contained in the toner container is not a genuine product, the notification unit Therefore, a notification that the toner is not a genuine product but a replacement with a genuine product is to be issued.

  According to this configuration, the toner contained in the toner container is not a genuine product, and it is possible to notify the user of the risk of malfunction such as a failure of the image forming apparatus or an abnormality in image quality. As a result, replacement of the toner container with a genuine product can be promoted, and occurrence of problems in the image forming apparatus can be prevented.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the notification unit includes a display unit that performs display and notification, a sound generation unit that performs notification by sound, and communication that transmits data to the outside. Any one of the parts or a plurality of combinations. According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably notify the user of the risk of occurrence of a malfunction.

The invention according to claim 7 is the case of performing density calibration for checking the density of the formed image and the ideal density and deviation of the image to be formed and adjusting the deviation in the inventions of claims 1 to 6. The control unit causes the image forming unit to form the density calibration test pattern based on the image data of the density calibration test pattern including patches having different densities, which are stored in the storage unit, and the density sensor The density calibration is executed by confirming the density of each patch based on the output voltage of the toner, and whether the toner contained in the toner container is a genuine product by using any one of the density calibration test patterns. It was decided to judge whether or not.

  According to this configuration, it is determined whether or not the product is a genuine product by using the patch formed when the density calibration is executed. Thereby, the genuine product and the non-genuine product can be identified simultaneously with the density calibration. In addition, when the patch is formed, the image forming apparatus cannot be used. However, the image forming apparatus cannot be used only for discrimination between the genuine product and the non-genuine product, and the convenience for the user is high. . The determination data is determined for the patch to be used and stored in the storage unit.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first to seventh aspects of the invention, when the control unit detects that the toner container has been replaced, and detects that the toner container has been replaced, The patch is formed on the image forming unit, and whether or not the toner stored in the toner container is a genuine product is determined based on the output voltage of the density sensor that has read the patch.

  According to this configuration, when the toner container is replaced, it is determined whether the toner stored in the toner container is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. Therefore, even if non-genuine toner is used, it can be quickly detected that the non-genuine toner is used.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the eighth aspect of the invention, the image forming unit includes a developing unit for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum, and a toner amount in the developing unit is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The control unit detects that the amount of toner in the developing unit is equal to the amount of toner in the developing unit even if the image forming unit performs a replenishment operation for receiving toner from the toner container for a predetermined time. After receiving a signal indicating that the amount of toner in the developing unit exceeds a predetermined amount when the replenishment operation is performed again after receiving a signal indicating that the amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the toner is received. It was determined that the container was replaced, and the replacement of the toner container was detected.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the eighth aspect , the toner container includes an attachment detection member that becomes non-conductive after a predetermined time has elapsed after being attached to the image forming apparatus. Confirms the continuity of the attachment detection member and detects that the toner container has been replaced with a new one.

According to the configurations of the ninth and tenth aspects, the control unit can recognize that the toner container has been replaced without providing a high-cost communication device, IC, or the like in the apparatus main body or the toner container.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to read a formed toner image and determine whether a mounted toner container is a genuine product using a density sensor that is generally mounted in an image forming apparatus. . Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the image forming apparatus is not increased. Further, it is possible to determine whether or not the toner container is genuine regardless of the shape of the toner container. Further, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from being broken or malfunctioned due to continued use of poor toner.

It is a front model sectional view showing an example of composition of a compound machine concerning an embodiment. 2 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a state in which the toner container is attached to the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of toner replenishment to a developing unit and waste toner collection in the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the density sensor which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a density calibration test pattern formed on an intermediate transfer belt. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of density calibration and determination control of genuine products and non-genuine products in the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. (A) shows an example of a table of density measurement data for measuring the density of each patch of the density calibration test pattern, and (b) is judgment data used in judgment of genuine products and non-genuine products. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of this table. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of toner container replacement detection control in the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of determination control of a genuine toner product and a non-genuine product when a toner container is replaced in the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, each element such as the configuration described in this embodiment does not limit the scope of the invention and is merely an illustrative example.

(Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus)
First, an outline of a multifunction peripheral 100 (corresponding to an image forming apparatus) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a front schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a multifunction peripheral 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the image forming unit 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 of the present embodiment has a document cover 1a at the top, an operation panel 2 (equivalent to a notification unit and a display unit) in front of the front, and an image reading unit at the bottom. Part 3. In addition, a paper feed unit 4a, a conveyance path 4b, an image forming unit 5a, a fixing unit 5b, and an intermediate transfer unit 6 are provided as main components.

  The operation panel 2 (illustrated by a broken line) displays a menu screen, allows function settings to be input by a touch panel, and displays a liquid crystal display unit 21 that can display a message to the user such as an error message. Various keys are provided. Accordingly, the user can input setting of the operation of the multifunction peripheral 100 through the operation panel 2.

  The image reading unit 3 includes a contact glass 31 on the upper surface, and reads a document placed on the contact glass 31 during copying. An exposure lamp, a mirror, a lens, an image sensor (for example, a CCD), etc. (all not shown) are arranged in the image reading unit 3 to guide reflected light to the document to the image sensor, and output voltage of the image sensor. A / D conversion is performed to obtain image data of the original. The document cover 1a can be opened and closed up and down, and presses the document placed on the contact glass 31.

  The paper feed unit 4a (two in this embodiment, 4a1 and 4a2) is arranged at the bottom of the main body, and accommodates various sizes of paper such as copy paper. One of the paper feed units 4a feeds paper one by one to the transport path 4b during printing. The transport path 4b is a path for transporting paper from the paper feed unit 4a to the discharge tray 41 with the left side inside the multifunction peripheral 100 vertically upward (the transport direction is shown by a broken line arrow in FIG. 1). In the transport path 4b, a sheet is guided by a guide plate or the like, and transport roller pairs 42 and 43 that are connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) made of a motor or the like and are driven to rotate are provided in the transport path. In addition, a registration roller pair 44 is provided below the nip to allow the paper to enter the nip between the secondary transfer roller 67 and the intermediate transfer belt 65 at a proper timing.

  Next, the image forming unit 5a will be described with reference to FIGS. The image forming unit 5a includes a photosensitive drum 52, forms a toner image based on image data, and is provided above the paper feeding unit 4a1 and below the intermediate transfer unit 6. The image forming section 5a is arranged in parallel from the left side of FIG. 1 in the order of a black image forming unit 50Bk, a yellow image forming unit 50Y, a magenta image forming unit 50M, and a cyan image forming unit 50C. The plurality of image forming units 50 and the exposure unit 51 therebelow. Here, although the color of the toner to be used is different, the image forming units 50Bk to 50C have the same structure, and unless otherwise described below, “K”, “Y”, “M”, and “C”. Symbols are omitted, and the same symbols are used for common members.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each image forming unit 50 includes a photosensitive drum 52 that carries a toner image on its peripheral surface, a charging unit 53, a developing unit 54, a cleaning unit 55, and the like. In each image forming unit 50, the exposure unit 51 performs scanning / exposure with a laser beam based on the image data acquired by the image reading unit 3 or the image data received from the external computer 200 or the like, and each photosensitive drum. An electrostatic latent image is formed in 52, and each developing unit 54 that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 52 develops the electrostatic latent image into a visible image (toner image).

  Each photosensitive drum 52 is a cylindrical member having a photosensitive layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of a substrate such as aluminum, and carries a toner image on the surface thereof. Each charging unit 53 charges the surface of each photosensitive drum 52 to a predetermined potential. Each charging unit 53 of the present embodiment discharges to charge each photosensitive drum 52 (for example, the charging voltage application unit 53a (see FIG. 3) applies a DC + AC voltage to a discharge wire as an electrode). . The charging may be performed with a roller, a brush, or the like.

  Each developing unit 54 accommodates toner and charges the toner to a predetermined potential. Each developing unit 54 is provided with a developing roller 54a for carrying toner. During development, a developing bias applying unit 54b (see FIG. 5) applies a voltage (for example, DC + AC) to each developing roller 54a. Then, the toner is ejected to supply the toner to the electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image is developed.

  Each developing unit 54 is provided with a stirring member 54c (for example, having spiral wings) that rotates and stirs and charges the toner in the developing unit 54. Alternatively, the toner may be charged by applying a voltage to a regulating blade 54d that regulates the thickness of the thin toner layer formed on the developing roller 54a. Further, a remaining amount sensor 56 (corresponding to a detection body) that detects that the amount of toner in the developing unit 54 has become a predetermined amount or less is provided in the developing unit 54 (see FIG. 5). The predetermined amount can be arbitrarily set at the installation position of the remaining amount sensor 56 in accordance with the toner amount in the developing unit 54 to be maintained. A reflection type optical sensor can be used as the remaining amount sensor 56, but other types of sensors may be used as long as the remaining amount of toner can be detected. Each cleaning unit 55 includes a blade 55a and a rubbing roller 55b that are in contact with each other along the axial direction of the photoconductive drum 52, and rubs and polishes the photoconductive drum 52 to collect and remove residual toner and the like.

  Next, returning to FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer portion 6 will be described. The intermediate transfer portion 6 is a portion that primarily transfers the toner image from each photosensitive drum 52 and performs secondary transfer onto the paper. The intermediate transfer unit 6 includes a driving roller 61, two driven rollers 62 and 63, four primary transfer rollers 64, an endless intermediate transfer belt 65 stretched around these plural rollers, and belt cleaning. The apparatus 66, the secondary transfer roller 67, and the like. The drive roller 61 is disposed to face the secondary transfer roller 67 and is rotationally driven by connection of a drive mechanism (not shown) configured by a motor, a gear, and the like.

  The intermediate transfer belt 65 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. Each primary transfer roller 64 is arranged so as to sandwich each photosensitive drum 5251 and the intermediate transfer belt 65. The belt cleaning device 66 is provided at the right end in FIG. 1 and removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 65 after the secondary transfer. The secondary transfer roller 67 faces the drive roller 61 and presses against the intermediate transfer belt 65 in the direction of the drive roller 61.

  Here, in the toner image transfer process, each primary transfer roller 64 is applied with a predetermined voltage (for example, DC + AC) (for example, the transfer bias applying unit 68 applies, see FIG. 5), and each photoconductor. The toner images of the respective colors carried by the drum 52 are superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 65 at appropriate timing and are primarily transferred. Then, the registration roller pair 44 conveys the sheet at the same timing, and the toner image and the sheet on the intermediate transfer belt 65 enter the nip between the intermediate transfer belt 65 and the secondary transfer roller 67 at the same time. At this time, a predetermined voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 67 (for example, the transfer bias applying unit 68 is applied, see FIG. 5), and the toner image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 65 to the sheet.

  The fixing unit 5b includes a heating roller 57 incorporating a heater H and a pressure roller 58 that is in pressure contact with the heating roller 57, and fixes the second-transferred toner image onto the sheet. The sheet after the secondary transfer enters the nip between both rollers, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet by heating and pressing. Then, the sheet after fixing is discharged to the discharge tray 41, and the image formation is completed.

(Toner container 7 and replenishment and collection)
Next, an example of the toner container 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention, toner replenishment to the developing unit 54, and waste toner collection will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a state in which the toner container 7 is attached to the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of toner replenishment to the developing unit 54 and waste toner collection in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the front cover 1b of the multifunction peripheral 100 is opened, toner of each color is supplied to the image forming unit 5a (developing unit 54) in the order of black, yellow, cyan, and magenta from the left side of FIG. Two toner containers 7Bk, 7Y, 7C, and 7M are attached to the multi function device 100. Each toner container 7 stores toner. For example, each toner container 7 of a genuine product contains polymerized toner.

  Each toner container 7 is connected to each developing unit 54 by a supply pipe 71, and toner is supplied from each toner container 7 to each developing unit 54. That is, each toner container 7 replenishes the image forming unit 5a with the developer of each color. In general, the black toner container 7Bk is larger than the other colors because the amount of black toner used is the largest. Each toner container 7 is detachable, and is replaced when the developer in each toner container 7 runs out.

  Toner is consumed in printing. Therefore, when the remaining amount sensor 56 in each developing unit 54 detects that the amount of toner in the developing unit 54 has become a predetermined amount or less, toner is supplied from each toner container 7 to each developing unit 54. For example, a transport member 72 for transporting toner is provided in the supply pipe 71. The conveyance member 72 shown in FIG. 4 has a spiral wing (fin), rotates by receiving a driving force of a motor or the like (not shown), and conveys the toner toward the developing unit 54. When the remaining amount sensor 56 detects that the toner in the developing unit 54 exceeds a predetermined amount, the rotation of the conveying member 72 is stopped.

  On the other hand, a transport pipe 73 for transporting waste toner to the waste toner container 75 is also connected to each cleaning unit 55. For example, a conveying member 74 for conveying the waste toner to the waste toner container 75 is also provided in the conveyance tube 73. For example, the conveying member 74 rotates by receiving a driving force of a motor or the like (not shown) when the toner of the developing unit 54 is consumed during printing or the like. Finally, the waste toner is collected in a waste toner container 75.

(Hardware configuration of MFP 100)
Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a control unit 8 is provided in the machine for operation control of each part and each member of the multi-function machine 100 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 8 is connected to, for example, the operation panel 2, the image reading unit 3, the paper feeding unit 4a, the conveyance path 4b, the fixing unit 5b, the intermediate transfer unit 6, the transfer bias applying unit 68, the image forming unit 5a, and the like. For example, various controls such as rotation, charging, development, and ON / OFF of the heater of the fixing unit 5b are performed. As shown in FIG. 5, the operation panel 2 has a sound generation unit 22 (corresponding to a notification unit) formed of, for example, a speaker on the back surface in addition to the liquid crystal display unit 21 and various keys. For example, the control unit 8 causes the sound generation unit 22 to sound a warning sound, voice guidance for operation and setting of the multifunction device 100 when an error occurs, and the like.

  For example, the control unit 8 is provided with a CPU 81, a storage unit 82, a timing unit 83, and the like. The CPU 81 is a central processing unit that issues a control signal to each unit of the multi-function device 100 based on a control program and data, receives signals from each unit, and performs various calculations. The storage unit 82 is configured by combining volatile and nonvolatile storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and flash ROM. The storage unit 82 stores data such as a control program, control data, image data, and setting data. The timer 83 measures the time required for control.

  In particular, with respect to the present invention, the storage unit 82 stores a program for determining whether the toner to be used is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. The storage unit 82 stores image data of the patch P for determining whether or not the toner stored in the toner container 7 is a genuine product, and the toner image of the patch P based on the output voltage of the density sensor 9. Density measurement data for measuring the density and determination data for determining whether or not the toner contained in the toner container 7 is a genuine product are stored. Then, the CPU 81 determines whether the toner to be used is a genuine product or a non-genuine product using a program or determination data.

  Further, the control unit 8 is connected to a density sensor 9 that reads the toner image formed by the image forming unit 5a and outputs a voltage according to the density of the reading target (details will be described later, see FIG. 6). If provided, each density sensor 9 is connected to the control unit 8). As shown in FIG. 1, one density sensor 9 may be provided to face each photosensitive drum 52, but if only one density sensor 9 is provided to face the intermediate transfer belt 65, the present invention can be implemented. . Hereinafter, an example using the density sensor 9 opposed to the intermediate transfer belt 65 will be described. Then, the control unit 8 receives the output voltage of the density sensor 9 and grasps the density of the image read by the density sensor 9.

  In FIG. 5, only one unit is shown for convenience, but the multifunction peripheral 100 is connected to one or a plurality of external computers 200 (for example, personal computers) and a FAX apparatus 300 via a network, a public line, or the like. Therefore, the MFP 100 includes an I / F unit 84 (corresponding to a notification unit and a communication unit) including a network, a public line, a connector for direct connection (for example, USB connection) with a computer, a communication circuit, a modem, and the like. Is provided. The MFP 100 receives image data and the like from the external computer 200 for printing (printer function), transmits the image read by the image reading unit 3 to the external computer 200 and the storage unit 82 ( Scanner function), transmission / reception of image data with the counterpart FAX apparatus 300, and printing of received data (FAX function).

  Then, the multifunction peripheral 100 of the present embodiment reads the density calibration test pattern TP (details will be described later, see FIG. 7) with the density sensor 9, and if there is a deviation from the ideal density, the control unit 8 The image forming unit 5a is instructed to perform density adjustment. For example, the control unit 8 transfers the developing bias applying unit 54 b applied to each developing roller 54 a, the charging voltage applying unit 53 a charging the photosensitive drum 52, the primary transfer roller 64, and the secondary transfer roller 67. An instruction is issued to the transfer bias applying unit 68 that actually adjusts and controls the bias.

  By this instruction, the density of the formed toner image can be adjusted. For example, when the density is increased, the peak-to-peak voltage of the AC voltage of the developing bias and the transfer bias is increased (in contrast, when the density is decreased, it is decreased). As a result, the flying amount of the toner increases, the transfer efficiency improves (the amount of toner that is not transferred decreases), and the density of the toner image can be increased. Further, the toner image density may be adjusted by changing the charging potential of the photosensitive drum 52.

(Reading of density sensor 9)
Next, the configuration of the density sensor 9 and the reading of the toner image (density calibration test pattern TP) according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5 to 7. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the density sensor 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a density calibration test pattern TP formed on the photosensitive drum 52 or the intermediate transfer belt 65. As shown in FIG. The image data of the density calibration test pattern TP is stored in the storage unit 82, and is read out and used as necessary.

  The density sensor 9 reads the toner image (here, the density calibration test pattern TP) transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 65 and detects the density of the toner image. The density sensor 9 is provided, for example, between the black image forming unit 50Bk and the secondary transfer roller 67 so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 65 (see FIG. 1).

  Next, the configuration of the density sensor 9 will be described with reference to FIG. The concentration sensor 9 of the present embodiment includes a light emitting unit 91 that irradiates light to a measurement target, a first light receiving unit 92, a second light receiving unit 93, and two polarizing plates 94 made of, for example, glass (first polarizing plate 94A). And a second polarizing plate 94B). The light emitting unit 91 includes, for example, a light emitting element such as an LED or a laser diode (in this embodiment, an infrared LED 91a is provided to avoid the influence of disturbance light). Further, the drive circuit 95 of the light emitting unit 91 controls turning on / off of the LED 91a in response to an instruction from the CPU 81 (control unit 8). The light emitting unit 91 irradiates the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 65 on which the density calibration test pattern TP as the measurement target is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an APC light receiving circuit 96 and an APC circuit 97 are provided for light emission, accompanying the density sensor 9. APC is automatic light output control (APC: Automatic Power Control), and the APC circuit 97 and the APC light receiving circuit 96 in the sensor head keep the light emission amount of the light-emitting portion 91 constant even if the temperature changes. It is a circuit to be maintained in. Specifically, the APC light receiving circuit 96 includes a light receiving element (for example, a photodiode or a phototransistor) that receives a part of the light from the LED 91a, and outputs a photocurrent to the APC circuit 97. The APC circuit 97 Converts current into voltage.

  The APC circuit 97 includes, for example, a comparator, and compares, for example, the reference voltage Vref supplied from the CPU 81 with the converted voltage of the photocurrent, and the converted voltage of the photocurrent is higher than the reference voltage Vref. If the light emission amount is larger than the reference, the drive circuit 95 is instructed to reduce the current of the LED 91a in order to reduce the light emission amount of the light emitting unit 91. On the other hand, if the converted voltage of the photocurrent is smaller than the reference voltage Vref, an instruction to increase the current of the LED 91a is given to the drive circuit 95. Then, the drive circuit 95 turns on the LED 91a in accordance with an instruction from the APC circuit 97.

  On the other hand, each of the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93 includes a light receiving element whose output current (voltage) varies depending on the amount of light received by a photodiode, a phototransistor, or the like (in this embodiment, red LED corresponding to the LED 91a). And a photodiode 98A and 98B for receiving external light. The photocurrent generated when each photodiode of each light receiving unit receives light is input to a signal processing unit 99 provided in each light receiving unit. In the signal processing unit 99, a current-voltage conversion circuit (for example, a resistor) that converts photocurrent into voltage, an amplification circuit that amplifies the converted voltage, and A / D conversion that performs A / D conversion on the amplified voltage Circuits etc. are included. The signal processing unit 99 of the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93 may be the same. For example, the amplification factor may be the same, and the same analog voltage value may be converted into the same digital data.

  The first polarizing plate 94A of the present embodiment is provided on the optical path from the light emitting unit 91 to the measurement target, and polarizes the light emitted from the light emitting unit 91. On the other hand, the second polarizing plate 94B separates the reflected light from the measurement object into a P wave and an S wave, guides the P wave to the first light receiving unit 92, and guides the S wave to the second light receiving unit 93. Each polarizing plate 94 transmits the P wave, reflects the S wave, and emits the light irradiated from the light emitting unit 91 to the measurement object and the light received by the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 91 is polarized by being separated into waves and S waves. And the 1st light-receiving part 92 receives P wave component among the reflected lights from a measuring object, and an output voltage changes according to light reception amount. On the other hand, the second light receiving unit 93 receives the S wave in the reflected light from the measurement target, and the output voltage changes according to the amount of light received.

  Specifically, each of the polarizing plates 94 (the first polarizing plate 94A and the second polarizing plate 94B) is a polarizing plate 94 that transmits a P wave, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit 91 is the same as that of the light emitting unit 91. The first transfer plate 94A provided on the optical path to the measurement object separates the P wave (light parallel to the incident surface) and the S wave (light perpendicular to the incident surface), and only the P wave is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 65. To reach. The light applied to the toner image such as the intermediate transfer belt 65 is reflected again with P wave and S wave components, and a second polarizing plate 94B is provided on the optical path of the reflected light. The components are separated again into S waves, and the respective components are received by the second light receiving section 93 (light receiving element for S wave reflected light) and the first light receiving section 92 (light receiving element for P wave reflected light).

  Here, the measurement of toner image density on the intermediate transfer belt 65 will be described as an example. First, when the reflected light of the toner image is read, the P wave applied to the toner is disturbed in polarization, becomes reflected light including the P wave and the S wave, and is separated by the second polarizing plate 94B. The light is received by the unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93. On the other hand, since the reflected light of the intermediate transfer belt 65 without toner is not easily disturbed in polarization, the P wave component is larger than the S wave component and tends to be biased in a direction parallel to the object surface. . For example, if the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 65 to which the toner image is transferred is smooth (eg, a glossy release layer is provided on the surface), the P wave is hardly disturbed. Accordingly, the P wave irradiated from the light emitting portion 91 through the first polarizing plate 94A and reflected only by the intermediate transfer belt 65 (the same applies to the surface of the photosensitive drum 52) does not disturb the polarization so much. The light passes through and is received by the first light receiving unit 92.

  Therefore, when the toner image is irradiated with light, the first light receiving unit 92, the ratio (ie, density) of the area where the toner adheres to the surface area of the intermediate transfer belt 65 where the light emitting unit 91 irradiates the light. The ratio of the received light amount of the P wave and the S wave received by the second light receiving unit 93 and the ratio of the received light amount of the S wave received by the second light receiving unit 93 change. Accordingly, when the toner image is read, the output voltages of the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93 differ in ratio and size depending on the density of the toner image. For example, the higher the toner image density (the higher the toner distribution ratio), the smaller the P wave component, the smaller the output voltage of the first light receiving unit 92 and the greater the S wave component. The output voltage increases.

  As described above, there is a corresponding relationship between the density of the toner image and the ratio of the output voltages of the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93. The relationship is acquired in advance through experiments or the like. For each color, the correspondence between the density of the toner image and the output voltage ratio is stored as data, for example, in a table. At the time of density measurement (detection), the CPU 81 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) disposed in the control unit 8 refers to the table and determines the toner image from the output voltages of the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93. The concentration of is detected and measured.

  Here, a toner image read by the density sensor 9 is illustrated in FIG. First, when performing density calibration (calibration), the control unit 8 is composed of a plurality of patches P having different densities, and is used for density calibration for confirming whether there is a problem in the density of each patch P to be formed. A test pattern TP (for image quality confirmation) is formed on the image forming unit 5a. The density sensor 9 reads the density calibration test pattern TP formed and transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 65.

  The density calibration test pattern TP shown in FIG. 7 is formed to extend in the rotational direction (sub-scanning direction) at a substantially central position in the main scanning direction of the intermediate transfer belt 65, for example. A density sensor 9 is arranged at a position for reading this image. The position where the density calibration test pattern TP is formed and the position where the density sensor 9 is installed are not limited to the center position, and can be set as appropriate within the main scanning direction.

  The density calibration test pattern TP is formed for each color, and each color includes a plurality of patches P having different densities (FIG. 7 shows only one color). Then, the density sensor 9 sequentially reads each color and each density patch P. For example, the density calibration test pattern TP is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 65 in the order of a plurality of black patches P → a plurality of yellow patches P → a plurality of magenta patches P → a plurality of cyan patches P.

  For example, the time from when the formation of the density calibration test pattern TP is started (after the formation of the first patch P) to when the density sensor 9 reaches the reading region is known in advance. For example, when the timer 83 measures the time and approaches the reading area of the density sensor 9, the controller 8 instructs the density sensor 9 to start reading. Since the output voltage of each light receiving unit is different between when the intermediate transfer belt 65 is read and when the patch P is read, the density sensor 9 is determined to be intermediate when looking at the output voltage of each light receiving unit. The control unit 8 grasps whether the transfer belt 65 is read, the patch P is read, whether the patch P has reached the reading area of the density sensor 9, whether the patch P has passed the reading area of the density sensor 9, or the like. can do.

(Density calibration and judgment control of genuine and non-genuine products)
Next, an example of density calibration and genuine / non-genuine product judgment control in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of density calibration and genuine / non-genuine judgment control in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table of density measurement data for measuring the density of each patch P of the density calibration test pattern TP, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the table of the data for judgment used by judgment of a genuine product.

  First, in the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment, the density calibration (calibration) of the toner image formed by reading the density calibration test pattern TP with the density sensor 9 can be performed. This density calibration may be automatically performed every time a predetermined number of sheets (for example, several hundred to several thousand sheets) is printed, for example. Further, for example, the concentration calibration may be performed by a service person or a user who performs maintenance of the multifunction peripheral 100 by inputting to the operation panel 2.

  In the MFP 100 of the present embodiment, it is determined whether the toner used is a genuine product or a non-genuine product using the patch P in the density calibration test pattern TP generated at the time of density calibration. The In the following, an example will be described in which one of a plurality of patches P having different densities in one color in the density calibration test pattern TP is used to determine whether the toner is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. In other words, there are four patches P for all colors (four colors) used to determine whether the toner is genuine or non-genuine.

  Here, the necessity of determining whether it is a genuine product or a non-genuine product will be described. First, each part in the multifunction peripheral 100 is designed on the assumption that genuine toner is used, and specifications are determined and manufactured. On the other hand, for example, there are a person who duplicates the toner container 7 without permission, and a person who refills the toner container 7 with the toner for sale. When these non-genuine toner containers 7 are mounted, non-genuine toner is used.

  When the non-genuine toner is inferior or has a characteristic different from that of the genuine product, the MFP 100 may be damaged or the image quality may be deteriorated. For example, when the fluidity of non-genuine toner is worse than that of genuine toner, clogging may occur in the supply pipe 71 that carries toner from each toner container 7 to each developing unit 54 and the conveyance pipe 73 that carries waste toner. Furthermore, when the conveying member 72 and the conveying member 74 that convey toner and waste toner are rotated in a clogged state, the gear that rotates each conveying member may be damaged due to a large load.

  In addition, non-genuine toner may be easily fixed as compared with a genuine product. If the fixing member 54 is easily fixed, the conveying member 72 and the conveying member 74 are likely to be damaged. If the fixing member 54 is fixed in the developing unit 54, the quality of the toner in the developing unit 54 is deteriorated. The rotation of the roller 54c may be hindered, and the gear that rotates the developing roller 54a and the stirring member 54c may be damaged due to overload.

  In addition, for example, if the charging characteristic is different from that of a genuine product, the quality of the formed image is deteriorated. For example, when the non-genuine toner is less likely to be charged than the genuine product, it is difficult for the toner to fly from the developing roller 54a, transfer is insufficient, and the image formed is thinner than when the genuine toner is used. As a result, the color gamut that can be expressed by the multi-function peripheral 100 becomes narrower, and the gradation becomes lower. Further, when the melting points of genuine toner and non-genuine toner are different, the image quality can be deteriorated. For example, if the non-genuine product has a higher melting point of the toner than the genuine product, fixing failure occurs even if it passes through the fixing unit 5b. Then, the toner that is not fixed scatters in the user's hand, clothes, the inside of the multifunction device 100, and the periphery of the multifunction device 100, and the toner that is not fixed stains these. On the other hand, if the melting point of the non-genuine product is lower than that of the genuine product, excessive melting may occur and problems such as toner adhering to the heating roller 57 may occur.

  In this way, when a bad non-genuine product is used, damage to the multifunction device 100 and a reduction in image quality occur. Therefore, the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the genuine / non-genuine determination of the toner used at the time of density calibration is performed, which will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  First, the start in FIG. 8 is when density calibration is executed. Thereafter, the control unit 8 causes the image forming unit 5a to form a toner image of the density calibration test pattern TP for density calibration (step # 1). Thereafter, each patch P of the density calibration test pattern TP is intermediate. Transfered to the transfer belt 65, the density sensor 9 reads the patch P (step # 2). Each patch P has a certain width, and there is a time from the start of passing through the reading area of the density sensor 9 until it passes completely. Therefore, the control unit 8 (CPU 81) samples and acquires the output voltage of each light receiving unit a plurality of times (step # 3). Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 8 refers to density measurement data stored in a table format and measures the density of the read patch P (step # 4).

  Here, an example of a method for measuring the density of the patch P will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the ratio of the P wave component and the S wave component contained in the reflected light differs depending on the toner distribution ratio (density) with respect to the area of the ground (for example, the intermediate transfer belt 65 and the photosensitive drum 52). In the table as the density measurement data shown in FIG. 9A, for example, the ratio of the output voltage of each light receiving unit obtained by reading a toner image of each ideal density in advance through experiments or the like is stored. It is done. For example, the ratio is obtained by calculating (output voltage of the first light receiving unit 92 for P wave) / (output voltage of the second light receiving unit 93 for S wave). Since the output voltage ratio with respect to the density may differ depending on the color of the toner, a table may be defined for each color. In addition, it is possible to appropriately set the number of steps per color and the data indicating the relationship between density and ratio. In FIG. 9A, for example, if the ratio is determined in increments of 1%, n = 100.

  On the other hand, at the time of density calibration, for example, the control unit 8 takes the average value of the output voltage of each light receiving unit and calculates the ratio (for example, the CPU 81 calculates). For example, the CPU 81 calculates the ratio by calculating the average value of the output voltage of the first light receiving unit 92 that receives the P wave / the average value of the output voltage of the second light receiving unit 93 that receives the S wave.

  And the control part 8 calculates | requires the density | concentration with respect to the calculated | required ratio with reference to a table. Thereby, the density of the toner image formed at present can be grasped. If there is no value in the table that matches the calculated output voltage ratio, the density of the toner image formed at present can be grasped in detail by interpolation.

  For example, the control unit 8 stores the deviation between the density of the patch P read (read) and the density of the patch P to be formed (ideal density) in the storage unit 82 as density data (step # 5). Thereby, it is possible to grasp a deviation between the ideal density of each density patch P and the currently printed density. That is, when the density calibration for confirming the density of the formed image and the ideal density and deviation of the image to be formed and adjusting the deviation is performed, the control unit 8 is stored in the storage unit 82 and has different densities. Based on the image data of the density calibration test pattern TP including the patch P, the density calibration test pattern TP is formed in the image forming unit 5a, and the density of each patch P is confirmed based on the output voltage of the density sensor 9 to obtain the density. The calibration is executed, and any one of the patches P in the density calibration test pattern TP is used to determine whether the toner stored in the toner container 7 is a genuine product.

  Next, the control unit checks whether all the patches P have been read and the density measurement has not been completed (step # 6). If completed (No in step # 6), the density of each patch P stored in the storage unit 82 is confirmed. If the density tends to be lighter than the ideal density, the photosensitive drum 52 is charged. The potential, the developing bias, and the transfer bias are changed so that the formed image becomes darker. On the other hand, if the density tends to be higher than the ideal density, the charging potential of the photosensitive drum 52, the development bias, and the transfer bias are changed in a direction in which the formed image becomes thinner. That is, the parameter for image formation is changed (step # 7 → end).

  On the other hand, if not completed (Yes in step # 6), the control unit 8 confirms whether or not the patch P that has been read (read) is the patch P that is used to determine whether or not the toner is a genuine product ( Step # 8). For example, among a plurality of patches P of one color, a patch P having a medium density (a density of about 50%) can be used for determining whether or not it is a genuine product. It should be noted that the last patch P in the density calibration test pattern is not used for the patch P used to determine whether the toner is a genuine product.

  If the read patch P is not a patch P used to determine whether or not it is a genuine product (No in step # 8), the control unit 8 returns to step # 2 and the next patch P reading and density measurement are performed. On the other hand, if the patch P is used for determining whether it is a genuine product (Yes in Step # 8), the control unit 8 outputs the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93 when the patch P is read. It is confirmed whether the voltage ratio falls within the range of the output ratio determined as the judgment data (step # 9). This is to determine whether the toner used is genuine or non-genuine. As the ratio of the output voltage when the patch P is read, the ratio obtained by the density measurement in the previous step # 4 may be used.

  A non-genuine product of poor toner may have various toner particles of different sizes and irregular shapes. The multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment uses a polymerized toner in which each toner particle has a uniform size and a spherical shape. However, in order to generate the polymerized toner, a large-scale facility and technology are required. On the other hand, poor non-genuine toner can be generated more easily than polymerized toner, and may be generated by a pulverization method that requires less equipment and technology than polymerized toner. In the case of a worse toner, the particle size of the pulverized toner may not be selected.

  For example, when the patches P having the same density are formed, the genuine polymerized toner is likely to be distributed evenly in a certain area, but the coarsely pulverized toner has an irregular shape, so that there are many gaps and the photosensitive drum 52 In some cases, the amount of light reflected by the intermediate transfer belt 65 increases (the P wave component increases). Therefore, when a density patch P used to determine whether the product is genuine is formed using genuine toner and read by the density sensor 9, the output voltage of each light receiving unit (signal processing unit 99) that can be taken. The ratio range is grasped in advance and stored in the storage unit 82 as judgment data as shown in FIG.

  If it does not fall within the output voltage ratio range determined for each color (No in step # 9), the controller 8 determines that the toner of that color is a non-genuine product (step # 10). That is, the control unit 8 determines whether the toner stored in the toner container 7 is a genuine product based on the output voltage of the density sensor 9 that has read the toner image of the patch P and the determination data. The determination data defines a ratio range that is a range of ratios of output voltages of the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93 when the toner image of the patch P is read. When the ratio of the output voltage when the toner image of the patch P is read is within the ratio range, it is determined as genuine, and when it is out of the range, it is determined as non-genuine.

  Then, a notification that the product is a non-genuine product and that a replacement with a genuine product is urged is made (step # 11 → end). As a notification method to the user, for example, “a non-genuine product is used for black toner. It is exchanged by displaying characters on the liquid crystal display portion of the operation panel 2 or by sound from the sound portion. It is possible to perform a text display such as “I recommend it” or a voice notification. Further, the I / F unit 84 may notify the computer 200 (for example, a server) of a person who performs maintenance of the multifunction peripheral 100 via the external computer 200 or a network. That is, the notification unit is any one of the operation panel 2 (display unit) that performs display and notification, the sound generation unit 22 that performs notification by sound, and the I / F unit 84 (communication unit) that transmits data to the outside. Or a combination of a plurality of information and a notification unit for notifying information, and when it is determined that the toner contained in the toner container 7 is not a genuine product, the notification unit converts the toner into a genuine product instead of a genuine product. Notification of prompting replacement.

  On the other hand, if it falls within the ratio range (Yes in step # 9), the control unit 8 determines that the output voltages of the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93 are the output voltages determined as the determination data. It is confirmed whether it falls within the range (output range) (step # 12). In this confirmation, the average value of the output voltages of the respective light receiving sections obtained a plurality of times obtained in step # 4 can be used. This confirmation is also for determining whether the toner used is genuine or non-genuine.

  As described above, a non-genuine product of poor toner may have various toner particles with different sizes and irregular shapes. Therefore, there may be a difference in the magnitude of the output voltage of the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93 between a toner image formed using genuine toner and a non-genuine toner image (for example, P wave The components increase, and the output voltage of the first light receiving unit 92 becomes larger, or the output voltage of each light receiving unit decreases due to irregular reflection of light on the toner image, etc.). Therefore, the output voltage (voltage magnitude) range of each light receiving unit that can be taken when using a genuine product is grasped in advance, and data for determination is stored in the storage unit 82 as shown in FIG. 9B. Remember. In this embodiment, the range of the magnitude of the output voltage (output range) is determined as determination data for both the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93, but is determined only for one of them. Also good.

  If it does not fall within the output range defined for each patch P for determining each color (No in step # 12), the control unit 8 proceeds to step # 10. That is, the determination data defines an output range that is a range of the magnitude of the output voltage of the first light receiving unit 92 and / or the second light receiving unit 93 when the toner image of the patch P is read. When the unit 8 reads the toner image of the patch P, if the magnitude of the output voltage of the first light receiving unit 92 and / or the second light receiving unit 93 is within the output range, the unit 8 determines that it is genuine and outputs If it is out of range, it is judged as non-genuine. On the other hand, if it falls within the output range (Yes in step # 12), the control unit 8 confirms whether or not the density of the read patch P falls within the density range determined as the determination data (step # 13). In this confirmation, the density of the patch P obtained in step # 4 can be used. This confirmation is also for determining whether the toner used is genuine or non-genuine.

  As described above, non-genuine and poor toner may have different charging characteristics from genuine toner, and there is a large density difference between a toner image formed using genuine toner and a non-genuine toner image. There is. Therefore, when genuine toner is used, the possible density range is grasped in advance for each patch P of each color, and is stored in the storage unit 82 as judgment data as shown in FIG. 9B. deep.

  If the density does not fall within the density range determined for each color and each patch P (No in step # 13), the control unit 8 proceeds to step # 10. That is, the determination data defines the density range of the toner image of the patch P, and the control unit 8 is based on the density measurement data and the output voltage of the density sensor 9 that has read the toner image of the patch P. The density is measured, and if the density of the toner image of the patch P obtained by the measurement is within the density range, it is determined to be genuine, and if it is outside the density range, it is determined to be non-genuine.

  On the other hand, if it falls within the density range (Yes in step # 13), the control unit 8 determines whether the output voltage difference at each light receiving unit of the patch P read a plurality of times falls within the allowable range set as the determination data. Confirmation (step # 14). Note that the control unit 8 may use the output voltage acquired a plurality of times during the reading of the same patch P acquired in step # 3. For example, the control unit 8 obtains an output voltage difference at the first light receiving unit 92 by taking a difference between the maximum output voltage and the minimum output voltage among the plurality of acquired output voltages of the first light receiving unit 92. Further, for example, the control unit 8 obtains an output voltage difference in the second light receiving unit 93 by taking a difference between the maximum output voltage and the minimum output voltage among the plurality of acquired output voltages of the second light receiving unit 93. . This confirmation is also for determining whether the toner used is genuine or non-genuine.

  As described above, non-genuine and poor toner may have uneven charging compared to genuine toner. Therefore, density unevenness may occur in the patch P formed using non-genuine toner. Therefore, when genuine toner is used, the difference in output voltage at each light receiving section that can be taken for each color is grasped in advance as an allowable range, and stored as judgment data as shown in FIG. 9B. Stored in the unit 82.

  If the control unit 8 does not fall within the allowable range determined for each color (No in step # 14), the control unit 8 proceeds to step # 10. That is, the determination data defines an allowable range of fluctuations in the output voltage of the first light receiving unit 92 and / or the second light receiving unit 93, and the control unit 8 reads the one patch P by the density sensor 9. If the output voltage of the first light receiving unit 92 and / or the second light receiving unit 93 is acquired a plurality of times and the difference between the largest output voltage and the smallest output voltage is within an allowable range, it is genuine. If it is outside the allowable range, it is determined as non-genuine. On the other hand, if it falls within the allowable range (Yes in step # 14), for example, the process may return to step # 2.

(Replacement detection of toner container 7)
In the above, an example is described in which whether toner is genuine or non-genuine is determined at the time of density calibration. However, in the MFP 100 of this embodiment, the toner is genuine or non-genuine even when the toner container 7 is replaced. May be made. Next, detection of replacement of the toner container 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the replacement detection control of the toner container 7 in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, an example of detection of replacement of the toner container 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The start in FIG. 10 is, for example, when the power is turned on. Then, the control unit 8 receives a signal from the remaining amount sensor 56 of any of the developing units 54 that the toner has become a predetermined amount or less, and confirms whether there is the developing unit 54 in which the toner is low ( Step # 21). If there is no signal from the remaining amount sensor 56 (No in step # 21), the control unit 8 continues to check (returns to step # 21). On the other hand, if there is a signal from the remaining amount sensor 56, the control unit 8 operates the conveying member 72 to cause the developing unit 54 with less toner to replenish toner (step # 22).

  Then, the control unit 8 confirms whether a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of toner supply (start of driving of the conveying member 72) (step # 23, for example, using the time measuring unit 83). Although the predetermined time can be set as appropriate, taking into consideration the transport capability of the transport member 72, it is a time that is expected to fill the developing unit 54 with a predetermined amount or more of toner from the start of replenishment. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step # 23), the process returns to step # 22. If the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step # 23), it is confirmed based on the signal from the remaining amount sensor 56 of the developing unit 54 that has replenished toner whether the toner in the replenished developing unit 54 is less than a predetermined amount. (Step # 24). If the replenished developing unit 54 exceeds the predetermined amount based on the signal from the remaining amount sensor 56 (No in step # 24), the process returns to step # 1.

  On the other hand, if the amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount (Yes in Step # 24), the toner is not supplied to the developing unit 54 even if replenishment is performed (No in Step # 23), and the control unit 8 determines the color of the replenished color. It is recognized that the toner in the toner container 7 has become empty (step # 25), and the message “Please replace the toner container 7 of the XXX” is displayed on the operation panel 2 (step # 26).

  Next, the control unit 8 confirms that the front cover 1b has been opened and closed (step # 27). Specifically, the control part 8 should just monitor the state (voltage) of switch SW (refer FIG. 5) switched ON / OFF according to opening / closing of the front cover 1b. If the front cover 1b is not opened or closed (No in step # 27), for example, the process returns to step # 26. On the other hand, if the front cover 1b is opened / closed (Yes in step # 27), the control unit 8 operates the conveying member 72 to cause the developing unit 54 with less toner to replenish toner (step # 28). Next, the control unit 8 confirms whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of toner replenishment (start of driving of the conveying member 72) (step # 29).

  If the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step # 29), the process returns to step # 28. If the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step # 29), based on the signal of the remaining amount sensor 56 of the developing unit 54 that has replenished toner, it is confirmed whether the toner of the developing unit 54 that has been replenished has exceeded a predetermined amount. (Step # 30). If the toner amount of the developing unit 54 that has been replenished remains below a predetermined amount based on the signal from the remaining amount sensor 56 (No in step # 30), for example, step # 26. Return to. On the other hand, if it can be confirmed based on the signal from the remaining amount sensor 56 that the amount of toner in the replenished developing unit 54 has exceeded a predetermined amount (Yes in step # 30), the control unit 8 can replace the toner container 7. It is determined that the toner has been used (step # 31 → end), and the process proceeds to control for determining whether the toner is genuine or non-genuine.

  That is, the control unit 8 remains a signal indicating that the amount of toner in the developing unit 54 is equal to or less than the predetermined amount even when the image forming unit 5a performs a replenishment operation for receiving toner from the toner container 7 for a predetermined time. After receiving from the amount sensor 56, when the signal indicating that the toner amount in the developing unit 54 exceeds the predetermined amount is received from the remaining amount sensor 56 when the replenishment operation is performed again, it is determined that the toner container 7 has been replaced. Thus, the replacement of the toner container 7 is detected.

(Judgment control of genuine or non-genuine product when replacing toner container 7)
Next, an example of control for determining whether the toner is a genuine product or a non-genuine product when the toner container 7 is replaced will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of determination control of a genuine toner product and a non-genuine product when the toner container 7 is replaced in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, the start in FIG. 11 is a point in time when it is detected that the toner container 7 described with reference to FIG. 10 has been replaced.

  Next, the control unit 8 causes the patch P to be formed on the image forming unit 5a of the color whose toner container 7 has been replaced (step # 41). That is, the control unit 8 detects that the toner container 7 has been replaced. When the control unit 8 detects that the toner container 7 has been replaced, the control unit 8 forms the patch P in the image forming unit 5a and reads the patch P. Based on the output voltage of the density sensor 9, it is determined whether or not the toner stored in the toner container 7 is a genuine product. Here, as for the patch P, it is only necessary to form only one patch P having a density for judging whether the toner is genuine or non-genuine among a plurality of types (for example, a density of about 50%). Patch P). The determination data may be determined only for the patch to be formed. Next, the density sensor 9 reads the patch P (step # 42). Control unit 8 (CPU 81) samples and acquires the output voltage of each signal processing unit 99 a plurality of times (step # 43).

  Then, the control unit 8 confirms whether the ratio of the output voltages of the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93 is within the ratio range determined as the determination data (step # 44). If it falls within the ratio range (Yes in step # 44), the control unit 8 determines whether the magnitudes of the output voltages from the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93 fall within the output range determined as the determination data. Is confirmed (step # 45). If it falls within the output range (Yes in step # 45), the control unit 8 confirms whether or not the density of the read patch P falls within the density range determined as the determination data (step # 46). If it falls within the density range (Yes in step # 46), the control unit 8 determines whether the difference between the output voltages acquired a plurality of times for each light receiving unit of the read patch P falls within the allowable range set as the determination data. Confirmation (step # 47). Since Step # 44 to Step # 47 are the same as Step # 9 and Step # 12 to Step # 14 described in FIG. 9, the description in FIG. 9 is applied mutatis mutandis and description is omitted.

  If YES in step # 47, it is determined that genuine toner is contained in the newly attached toner container 7 (step # 48), and the determination of genuine toner and non-genuine toner is finished (step # 48). On the other hand, if at least one of Step # 44 to Step # 47 is No, the control unit 8 determines that the toner contained in the newly attached toner container 7 is non-genuine toner. (Step # 49), and notifies that it is a non-genuine product and prompts for replacement with a genuine product (step # 50 → end). Step # 50 may be the same as the notification (step # 11) described in FIG.

  In this way, the image forming apparatus (multifunction device 100) is usually provided with the density sensor 9 for reading the toner image and measuring the density. There may be a clear difference in the reading result of the density sensor 9 between the case where the toner image is formed with the same density and the genuine toner and the case where the non-genuine toner is poor. Therefore, according to this configuration, determination data is prepared, and it is determined whether or not the control unit 8 is a genuine product based on the reading result (output voltage) of the patch P of the density sensor 9. This eliminates the need for attaching a chip such as an IC on the toner container 7 side and providing a communication device such as a reader / writer on the main body side in order to identify genuine products and non-genuine products. The density sensor 9 is usually provided in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the image forming apparatus and the toner container 7 is not increased for confirming whether the toner is genuine. Further, genuine and non-genuine products are identified by the toner itself contained in the toner container 7 instead of the shape of the toner container 7, and even if the toner container 7 is imitated, the genuine and non-genuine products can be identified. .

  The density sensor 9 includes a first light receiving unit 92 that receives a P wave and a second light receiving unit 93 that receives an S wave, and the control unit 8 includes the first light receiving unit 92 and the second light receiving unit 93. Based on the ratio of the output voltage and the magnitude of the output voltage, it is determined whether it is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. The control unit 8 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product depending on whether or not the difference between the maximum output voltage and the minimum output voltage of the first light receiving unit 92 and / or the second light receiving unit 93 in reading one patch P is within an allowable range. Determine whether. The control unit 8 determines whether the toner image is a genuine product or a non-genuine product depending on whether the density of the toner image is within the density range. Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether the product is a genuine product or a non-genuine product using the density sensor 9.

  Further, the toner contained in the toner container 7 is not a genuine product, and it is possible to notify the user of the risk of malfunction such as failure of the image forming apparatus and abnormal image quality. As a result, it is possible to prompt the user to replace the toner container 7 with a genuine product, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems in the image forming apparatus. In addition, the operation panel 2, the sound generation unit 22, the I / F unit 84, and the like can be used for notification, so that the user can be reliably notified of the risk of malfunction. Further, when the density calibration is executed, it is determined whether or not the patch P is formed or the genuine product is used by using the patch P in the density calibration test pattern TP. Thereby, the genuine product and the non-genuine product can be identified simultaneously with the density calibration. In addition, when the patch P is formed, the image forming apparatus cannot be used. However, the image forming apparatus cannot be used only for distinguishing between genuine products and non-genuine products. high. When the toner container 7 is replaced, it is determined whether the toner stored in the toner container 7 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. Therefore, even if non-genuine toner is used, it can be quickly detected that the non-genuine toner is used. Further, the control unit 8 can recognize that the toner container 7 has been replaced without providing an expensive communication device, IC, or the like in the apparatus main body or the toner container 7.

  Next, another embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the ratio range, the output range, the density range, and the allowable range are determined for each color and one type of patch P. However, the ratio range, the output range, A concentration range and an allowable range may be determined.

  In addition, the replacement detection of the toner container 7 is detected based on whether or not the toner is supplied to the developing unit 54. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the attachment detection member 76 is attached to the toner container 7. The control unit 8 may detect that the toner container 7 has been replaced. For example, a fuse can be used as the attachment detection member 76. When the fuse is attached, a voltage is applied, and the fuse is turned on. After that, the fuse is turned off to be in a non-conductive state. That is, the toner container 7 has an attachment detection member 76 that is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed after being attached to the image forming apparatus, and the control unit 8 confirms that the attachment detection member 76 is turned on. From this, it is detected that the toner container 7 has been replaced when the attachment detection member 76 is turned off.

  In the above embodiment, the density sensor 9 provided facing the intermediate transfer belt 65 is used to measure the density of the toner image and determine whether the toner is a genuine product. On the other hand, a density sensor 9 may be provided (see FIG. 1 and the like). Thereby, the density measurement and the like can be performed in each image forming unit 50. Further, the control for determining whether or not the toner shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 is a genuine product may be performed for each image forming unit 50.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention is applicable to a density measuring device including a light emitting unit 91, a light receiving unit, and a polarizing plate 94, and an image forming apparatus including the density measuring device.

2 Operation panel (notification part, display part) 22 Sound generation part (notification part)
5a Image forming section 52 Photosensitive drum 54 Developing section 56 Remaining amount sensor (detecting body)
7 Toner container 76 Attachment detection member 8 Control unit 82 Storage unit 84 I / F unit (notification unit, communication unit) 9 Density sensor 100 Multifunction device (image forming apparatus) 91 Light emitting unit 92 First light receiving unit 93 Second light receiving unit 94A First polarizing plate 94B Second polarizing plate TP Concentration calibration test pattern P Patch

Claims (10)

An image forming unit having a photosensitive drum and forming a toner image based on the image data;
A toner container for supplying toner to the image forming unit;
A density sensor that reads the toner image formed by the image forming unit and outputs a voltage according to the density of the reading target;
Density measurement for storing image data of a patch for determining whether or not the toner contained in the toner container is a genuine product and measuring the density of the toner image of the patch based on the output voltage of the density sensor A storage unit for storing determination data for determining whether or not the toner stored in the toner container is a genuine product;
A controller that determines whether the toner contained in the toner container is a genuine product based on the output voltage of the density sensor that has read the toner image of the patch and the determination data ;
The concentration sensor is
A light emitting unit for irradiating the measurement object with light;
A first polarizing plate that is provided on an optical path from the light emitting unit to a measurement target and polarizes light emitted from the light emitting unit;
Of the reflected light from the measurement object, the first light receiving unit that receives the P wave and changes the output voltage according to the amount of received light;
Of the reflected light from the measurement object, a second light receiving unit that receives an S wave and whose output voltage changes according to the amount of light received;
A second polarizing plate that separates the reflected light from the measurement object into a P wave and an S wave, guides the P wave to the first light receiving unit, and guides the S wave to the second light receiving unit;
The determination data defines a ratio range that is a ratio range of output voltages of the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit when the toner image of the patch is read.
The control unit determines that the output voltage when the toner image of the patch is read is genuine if the ratio is within the ratio range, and determines that the ratio is non-genuine if the ratio is out of the range. Image forming apparatus. The concentration sensor is
A light emitting unit for irradiating the measurement object with light;
A first polarizing plate that is provided on an optical path from the light emitting unit to a measurement target and polarizes light emitted from the light emitting unit;
Of the reflected light from the measurement object, the first light receiving unit that receives the P wave and changes the output voltage according to the amount of received light;
Of the reflected light from the measurement object, a second light receiving unit that receives an S wave and whose output voltage changes according to the amount of light received;
A second polarizing plate that separates the reflected light from the measurement object into a P wave and an S wave, guides the P wave to the first light receiving unit, and guides the S wave to the second light receiving unit;
The determination data defines an output range that is a range of output voltages of the first light receiving unit and / or the second light receiving unit when the toner image of the patch is read.
When the toner image of the patch is read, the control unit determines that the output voltage of the first light receiving unit and / or the second light receiving unit is genuine if it is within the output range. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming apparatus is determined to be non-genuine if it is outside the output range. The determination data defines an allowable range of variation in output voltage of the first light receiving unit and / or the second light receiving unit,
The control unit acquires the output voltage of the first light receiving unit and / or the second light receiving unit a plurality of times while the density sensor reads one patch, and outputs the highest output voltage and the lowest output voltage. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the difference is determined as genuine if the difference is within the allowable range, and is determined as non-genuine if the difference is outside the allowable range. The determination data defines a density range of the toner image of the patch,
The control unit measures density based on the density measurement data and an output voltage of the density sensor that has read the toner image of the patch, and the density of the toner image of the patch obtained by the measurement is the density. within the range, judges that the genuine, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is determined that the non-genuine if outside the concentration range. An informing unit for informing information,
When it is determined that the toner stored in the toner container is not a genuine product,
The notification unit, the toner is not genuine, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that for reporting prompting the replacement of the genuine product. The notification unit is any one of a display unit that performs display and performs notification, a sound generation unit that performs notification by sound, a communication unit that transmits data to the outside, or a combination of a plurality of combinations. Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to Item 5 . When checking the density of the formed image and the ideal density and deviation of the image to be formed, and performing density calibration to adjust the deviation,
The control unit causes the image forming unit to form the density calibration test pattern based on the image data of the density calibration test pattern including patches having different densities, which are stored in the storage unit, and The density calibration is performed by checking the density of each patch based on the output voltage, and using any one of the density calibration test patterns, whether the toner contained in the toner container is a genuine product or not the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that to determine. The control unit detects that the toner container has been replaced, and when detecting that the toner container has been replaced, causes the image forming unit to form the patch, and reads the patch. based on the output voltage, an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 toner accommodated in said toner container is characterized by determining whether genuine. The image forming unit includes a developing unit for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum, and a detection body for detecting that the amount of toner in the developing unit is a predetermined amount or less,
The control unit outputs a signal indicating that the amount of toner in the developing unit is equal to or less than the predetermined amount even when the image forming unit performs a replenishment operation for receiving toner replenishment from the toner container for a predetermined time. When the signal indicating that the amount of toner in the developing unit exceeds a predetermined amount is received from the detector when the replenishment operation is performed again, it is determined that the toner container has been replaced, and the toner 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the replacement of the container is detected. The toner container has an attachment detection member that becomes non-conductive after a predetermined time has elapsed after being attached to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the control unit confirms continuity of the attachment detection member and detects that the toner container has been replaced with a new one.

Images