JP5434173B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

  An image forming apparatus such as a color printer has four color process cartridges of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and each toner cartridge is detachable from the main body. It has become.

  The image forming apparatus forms a color image by sequentially superimposing four color toner images of K, Y, M, and C on an intermediate transfer belt or the like. Process control such as color misregistration accuracy and density is determined to be used on the assumption that the arrangement when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body is constant. Here, the part where the process cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body is called a station.

  However, when the process cartridge is exchanged, there is a possibility that the process cartridge is attached to a station of a different color or the process cartridge of the same color is attached to a plurality of main bodies.

  For this reason, a technique has been developed in which the structure of the station is different for each color to prevent the process cartridges having different colors from being mounted.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-250375 (Patent Document 1) is attached with an identification information tag that is a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body and stores identification information that distinguishes it from other cartridges. A cartridge is disclosed in which an identification key is provided on an identification information tag to identify whether or not a cartridge can be mounted by mechanically engaging with an apparatus main body. Thereby, since the identification key is provided in the identification information tag, the shape and structure of the cartridge can be made common, and the combination method of the cartridge and the identification information tag and the position where the identification information tag is mounted need only be changed. Manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced.

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, the shape of the process cartridge can be made common to each color, which leads to a reduction in manufacturing cost. However, since the shape of the identification information tag attached to the process cartridge is not common to each color, the cost reduction is achieved. There is room.

On the other hand, some process cartridges are provided with a communicable nonvolatile memory (ID chip). This non-volatile memory stores and holds the remaining toner amount, serial number, manufacturer, and the like. When a standard such as I ² C is used for communication between the main device side main control IC and the ID chip, the four-color ID chips are arranged in parallel as a circuit. At this time, there is a problem that the control IC on the main body side cannot identify the station where the process cartridge is mounted.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of detecting erroneous mounting of a process cartridge while reducing manufacturing cost.

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is detachably mounted with a cartridge having a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus, a signal line that can communicate with the control unit, and an ID chip that includes a nonvolatile recording medium. an image forming apparatus that is, before Symbol cartridge is mountable, a plurality of resistors are connected in series to a signal line connected to the control means, the resistance from the control means for each arrangement of the mounting means 1 and more mounting means sum of the connected resistor is placed so that different values, and said mounting means, on a recording medium and connected to the signal lines of each cartridge mounted on the mounting means, resistance is provided having a different value for each said cartridge, bEFORE Symbol said control unit and the recording medium and the signal lines connected in series by said cartridge is mounted by mounting means A waveform detection unit for detecting a voltage waveform to be detected, a determination unit for determining whether or not the cartridge is mounted on a mounting unit corresponding to the cartridge based on the voltage waveform detected by the waveform detection unit, Communication means for communicating between the control means and the recording medium when the determination means determines that the cartridge is attached to the attachment means corresponding to the cartridge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming method includes a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus, a signal line that can communicate with the control unit, and a cartridge having an ID chip that includes a nonvolatile recording medium. an image forming apparatus to be mounted on the front Symbol cartridge is mountable, a plurality of resistors are connected in series to a signal line connected to the control unit, the resistor and the control for each arrangement of the mounting means an image forming method in an image forming apparatus and a one or more attachment means the sum of the connected from means resistance is placed so as to be different values, and said mounting means is mounted on the mounting means on the signal line connected to the recording medium of each cartridge, resistor having a different value for each cartridge is provided, said system by said cartridge is mounted by said mounting means A waveform detecting stage for detecting a voltage waveform in a signal line in which the means and the recording medium are connected in series, and the cartridge is mounted on the mounting means corresponding to the cartridge based on the voltage waveform detected in the waveform detecting stage. A determination step for determining whether or not the cartridge is mounted; and when the determination step determines that the cartridge is mounted on a mounting unit corresponding to the cartridge, communication between the control unit and the recording medium is performed. Communication control stage.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of detecting erroneous mounting of a process cartridge while reducing manufacturing costs.

1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in which a cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main functional configuration of a CPU according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration when a toner cartridge is correctly installed. The figure which shows the sum total of the series resistance in each signal line at the time of normal mounting | wearing. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration when a toner cartridge is not correctly installed. The figure which shows the sum total of the series resistance in each signal wire | line at the time of incorrect mounting | wearing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for determining communication with each cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in which a cartridge is mounted on an image forming apparatus main body according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main functional configuration of a CPU according to a second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of communication determination processing 1 for each cartridge according to the second exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of communication determination processing 2 for each cartridge according to the second exemplary embodiment.

  Embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus is, for example, an MFP.

[Example 1]
<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 in FIG. 1 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an operation unit 103, an image processing unit 104, a plotter unit 105, a scanner unit 106, a FAX communication unit 107, and a network I / F 108.

  A control unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 101 controls the entire image forming apparatus 10. The storage unit 102 stores model information, image data, image forming conditions associated with print medium information, and the like. The operation unit 103 may be provided with a display unit that inputs various information to the apparatus by a user operation and displays the various information. The image processing unit 104 performs predetermined image processing on the image data read from the scanner.

  The plotter unit 105 controls the writing operation to the print medium. The scanner unit 106 controls an operation for converting image data into data using an image sensor. The FAX communication unit 107 connects to a public network. A network I / F 108 is connected to the Internet or the like via a LAN line or the like, and communicates with a PC or the like.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in which a cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body according to the first exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus main body 30 includes a main control board 31 and a relay board 33. Other general functions of the image forming apparatus are omitted.

  A CPU 32 is mounted on the main control board 31. The toner cartridges 38 to 41 that are detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 30 have ID chips 42 to 45, respectively. Each ID chip 42-45 is provided with EEPROM 46-49, respectively. The CPU 32 and the EEPROMs 46 to 49 are connected via connectors 34 to 37 (stations) executed on the relay board 33 in the image forming apparatus main body 30.

Each of the ID chips 42 to 45 receives power supply from the image forming apparatus main body 30 and performs data communication with the CPU 32 using the I ² C communication method. In the example shown in FIG. 2, only CLK and DATA are described as signal lines. The I ² C communication method is a method for serial communication with peripheral devices, and is a method for realizing high-speed communication mainly with an EEPROM memory IC or the like.

  On the relay substrate 33, resistors (R1 to R4, R5 to R8) are connected in series. As a result, in the signal lines (CLK and DATA) from the CPU 32 to the connectors 34 to 37, the total sum of resistances connected in series to the connectors is different.

  For example, in the CLK signal line from the CPU 32 to the connector 34, the sum of the resistances connected is R1. In the CLK signal line from the CPU 32 to the connector 35, the sum of the resistances connected is R1 + R2. Thereby, the arrangement of each connector can be identified.

  Further, on each of the ID chips 42 to 45, different resistors for each toner cartridge are connected in series. Thus, the resistance values of the signal lines (CLK and DATA) from the connectors 34 to 37 to the EEPROMs 46 to 49 are different. Here, it is assumed that the resistance values of R9, R11, R13, and R15 are different. Further, it is assumed that the resistance values of R10, R12, R14, and R16 are different from each other. As a result, the ID chips 42 to 45 can be identified.

  For example, in the CLK signal line from the EEPROM 46 to the connector 34, the value of the connected resistor is R9. In the signal line from the EEPROM 47 to the connector 35, the value of the connected resistor is R11 (R9 ≠ R11).

  With the configuration as described above, the CPU 32 detects the voltage waveform for each signal line of each cartridge, and when one of the abnormal voltage waveforms is detected compared to the reference voltage waveform, the toner cartridge is correctly mounted. Judge that it is not.

  Next, functions of the CPU 32 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main functional configuration of the CPU 32 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 32 includes a waveform detection unit 321, a determination unit 322, a communication control unit 323, and a print control unit 324.

  The waveform detector 321 detects the voltage waveform on each of the DATA signal line and the CLK signal line. When each toner cartridge is attached (correctly attached) to a station corresponding to each toner cartridge, a correct voltage waveform can be detected. On the other hand, when the toner cartridge is not connected to the station corresponding to each toner cartridge (erroneous mounting), the voltage waveform cannot be correctly detected by either the CLK signal line or the DATA signal line. Therefore, when the toner cartridge is erroneously mounted, for example, a “communication error due to a dull CLK waveform” or a “communication error due to a low L level of data output from the ID chip” occurs.

  Based on the voltage waveform detected by the waveform detector 321, the determination unit 322 determines whether or not the toner cartridge is attached to a station corresponding to the toner cartridge. When the communication error described above occurs on either the CLK signal line or the DATA signal line, the determination unit 322 determines that the cartridge is not attached to the correct station. The determination unit 322 performs the above-described determination for each cartridge.

  The communication control unit 323 enables data communication between the CPU 32 and each of the EEPROMs 46 to 49 when the determination unit 322 determines that all the toner cartridges are correctly installed. Basically, when it is determined that at least one toner cartridge is not correctly mounted, data communication between the CPU 32 and each of the EEPROMs 46 to 49 is not performed.

  When the determination unit 322 determines that the black (K) toner cartridge is correctly mounted, the print control unit 324 permits monochrome printing even when other toner cartridges are not correctly mounted. At this time, the print control unit 324 controls the communication control unit 323 to enable communication between the CPU 32 and the EEPROM 46. Note that toner cartridges other than black (K) remain unpermitted for data communication.

(Concrete example)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration when the toner cartridge is correctly installed. As shown in FIG. 4, the total of the series resistance from the CPU 32 to each of the EEPROMs 46 to 49 in each signal line (CLK and DATA) is 4R. At this time, it is assumed that the voltage waveform in each signal line can be detected correctly and data communication is normally performed. In addition, when the sum of the series resistance in any one of the signal lines becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value 5R, the L level voltage applied to the resistance voltage division changes, so that the voltage waveform is deformed and a communication error occurs. The threshold value varies depending on the device configuration.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the total sum of series resistances in each signal line when normally mounted. As shown in FIG. 5, the total sum of the series resistance from the CPU 32 to each of the connectors 34 to 37 in each signal line is different. For example, for the CLK signal line, the sum of the series resistance from the CPU 32 to the (K) connector 34 is R, and the sum of the series resistance from the CPU 32 to the (Y) connector 35 is 2R. Similarly, the sum of the series resistances also differs for (M) and (C).

  For the DATA signal line, the sum of the series resistance from the CPU 32 to the (K) connector 34 is 4R, and the sum of the series resistance from the CPU 32 to the (Y) connector 35 is 3R. Similarly, the sum of the series resistances also differs for (M) and (C).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the series resistance values from the connectors 34 to 37 to the EEPROMs 46 to 49 in the signal lines are different. For example, for the CLK signal line, the value of the series resistance from the (K) connector 34 to the (K) EEPROM 46 is 3R, and the value of the series resistance from the (Y) connector 35 to the (Y) EEPROM 47 is 2R. It is. Similarly, the values of series resistance are different for (M) and (C). Note that K, Y, M, and C shown in FIG. 5 indicate the color of the toner cartridge when normally attached to each connector.

  For the DATA signal line, the value of the series resistance from the (K) connector 34 to the (K) EEPROM 46 is 0, and the value of the series resistance from the (Y) connector 35 to the (Y) EEPROM 47 is R. It is. Similarly, the values of series resistance are different for (M) and (C).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration when the toner cartridge is not correctly mounted. As shown in FIG. 6, the (Y) toner cartridge 39 is mounted on the (K) connector 34, the (M) toner cartridge 40 is mounted on the (Y) connector 35, and the (M) connector 36 is mounted. The (C) toner cartridge 41 is mounted, and the (K) toner cartridge 38 is mounted to the (C) connector. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the sum of the series resistance from the CPU 32 to each of the EEPROMs 46 to 49 in each signal line (CLK and DATA) is 5R or more in any one signal line. At this time, a voltage waveform in a signal line of 5R or more cannot be detected correctly, and a communication error occurs.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the total sum of series resistances in each signal line when erroneously mounted. As shown in FIG. 7, the sum of the series resistance from the CPU 32 to each of the connectors 34 to 37 in each signal line is the same as that in FIG.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the series resistance values from the connectors 34 to 37 to the EEPROMs 46 to 49 in each signal line are different from those in FIG. 5. For example, for the DATA signal line, the value of the series resistance from the (K) CPU 32 to the (Y) EEPROM 47 connected to the (K) connector 34 is 5R, and the CPU 32 connects to the (Y) connector 35. The value of the series resistance up to the EEPROM 48 of (M) is 5R. Therefore, the DATA signal lines of the ID chip (Y) 47 and the ID chip (M) 48 have different resistance values from those in the normal state, so that the waveform detecting unit 321 cannot correctly detect the voltage waveform and a communication error occurs. .

  Further, for the CLK signal line, the series resistance value from the CPU 32 to the (K) EEPROM 46 connected to the (C) connector 37 is 7R. Therefore, in the CLK signal line of the ID chip (K) 42, the waveform detection unit 321 cannot correctly detect the voltage waveform, and a communication error occurs. Note that K, Y, M, and C shown in FIG. 7 indicate the color of the toner cartridge when normally attached to each connector as in FIG.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for determining communication with each cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment. In step S11, the CPU 32 first accesses the ID chip 42 of (K).

  In step S <b> 12, the determination unit 322 determines whether or not the waveform detection unit 321 has correctly detected the voltage waveform in each signal line. If the determination result in step S12 is YES (determined as a correct waveform), the process proceeds to step S14, and if the determination result is NO (determined as a deformed waveform), the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the communication control unit 323 determines that there is a communication error without communicating with the ID chip in the toner cartridge because the toner cartridge is erroneously mounted, and ends the process.

  In step S14, the CPU 32 accesses the ID chips 47 to 49 for each color of CMY. In step S <b> 15, the determination unit 322 determines whether or not the waveform detection unit 321 has correctly detected the voltage waveform in each signal line of each ID chip 47 to 49. If the determination result in step S15 is YES (determined as all normal waveforms), the process proceeds to step S17. If the determination result is NO (determined as a waveform deformed by any signal line), the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, the print control unit 324 permits monochrome printing. Further, the print control unit 324 controls the communication control unit 323 to perform data communication only with the (K) color ID chip 42.

  In step S <b> 17, the CPU 32 determines that all the toner cartridges are correctly installed and executes a normal operation.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to detect erroneous mounting of the process cartridge while reducing the manufacturing cost. Further, when it is detected that the (K) color toner cartridge is at least normally mounted, the CPU can permit monochrome printing.

[Example 2]
Next, an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 will be described. In the second embodiment, when the determination unit 322 determines that the toner cartridge is erroneously mounted, the operation panel 51 displays that the toner cartridge is erroneously mounted.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in which a cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body according to the second embodiment. The resistance value shown in FIG. 9 is an example of the normal value shown in FIG. The example shown in FIG. 9 is similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, but an operation panel 51 is added to the configuration shown in FIG. 2 in order to display the contents at the time of abnormality.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of the CPU 50 in the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the CPU 50 according to the second embodiment includes a waveform detection unit 321, a determination unit 322, a communication control unit 323, a print control unit 324, and a notification unit 501. In the functions shown in FIG. 10, the same functions as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  When the determination unit 322 determines that the toner cartridge is erroneously mounted, the notification unit 501 displays information on the operation panel 51 indicating that the toner cartridge is mounted at a predetermined correct position. Thereby, the user can recognize that the toner cartridge is erroneously mounted.

  Further, the notification unit 501 may change the content displayed on the operation panel 51 depending on the number of ID chips in which a communication error has occurred. If the number of ID chips in which a communication error has occurred is an even number, there is a high possibility that the toner cartridge has been installed incorrectly, so that the notification means 501 indicates that the toner cartridge is to be mounted at a predetermined correct position. Information is displayed on the operation panel 51. If one set is mistaken, the number of communication error ID chips is 2. If two sets are wrong, the communication error ID chip is four (in the example shown in FIG. 6, the communication error is four).

  On the other hand, if the number of ID chips in which a communication error has occurred is an odd number, there is a high possibility that two, four, or two sets of toner cartridges of the same color are mounted. Information indicating that a plurality of toner cartridges are mounted on the main body is displayed on the operation panel 51.

  Since it is unlikely that all (four) toner cartridges of the same color are attached (three communication error ID chips), the odd number may be fixed to “1”.

  The determination unit 322 determines whether the ID chip that cannot be communicated is an even number or an odd number, and the notification unit 501 acquires information indicating an even number or information indicating an odd number from the determination unit 322, thereby displaying the ID chip on the operation panel 51. You may change what you do.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a communication determination process 1 for each cartridge according to the second embodiment. In the processing shown in FIG. 11, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 8, and description thereof is omitted. In the communication determination process 1, communication to each ID chip is performed only when communication to all ID chips is possible.

  In step S <b> 21, the determination unit 322 determines whether or not the voltage waveform is correctly detected in each signal line of the all-color ID chips 42 to 45 by the waveform detection unit 321. If the determination result in step S21 is YES (all normal), the process proceeds to step S17, and if the determination result is NO (at least one signal line is a communication error), the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S <b> 22, when the determination unit 322 determines that the toner cartridge is erroneously mounted, the notification unit 501 displays information on the operation panel 51 indicating that the toner cartridge is mounted at a predetermined correct position. Thereby, the user can recognize that the toner cartridge is erroneously mounted.

  Next, another operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a communication determination process 2 for each cartridge according to the second embodiment. In the process shown in FIG. 12, the same reference numerals are given to the same processes as those shown in FIG. 8 or the process shown in FIG. 11, and the description thereof is omitted. In the communication determination process 2, the content displayed on the operation panel 51 is changed depending on whether the number of ID chips that cannot communicate is an even number or an odd number.

  In step S21, when the determination unit 322 determines that at least one signal line is not communicable in the ID chip, the process proceeds to step S31. In step S31, the determination unit 322 determines whether the number of ID chips that cannot communicate is an odd number. If the determination result in step S31 is YES (odd number), the process proceeds to step S33, and if the determination result is NO (even number), the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S <b> 32, when the notification unit 501 is notified from the determination unit 322 that the number of ID chips that cannot be communicated is an even number, the notification unit 501 displays information on the operation panel 51 that the toner cartridge is mounted at a predetermined correct position. Let

  In step S <b> 33, when the notification unit 501 is notified from the determination unit 322 that the number of ID chips that cannot be communicated is an odd number, the operation panel 51 displays information indicating that the same color toner cartridge is mounted on the main body. To display.

  Accordingly, by changing the display content displayed on the operation panel 51 depending on whether the number of ID chips that cannot be communicated is an even number or an odd number, it is possible to prompt the user to take an appropriate countermeasure.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the determination unit 322 determines that the toner cartridge is erroneously installed, the operation panel 51 can display that the toner cartridge is erroneously installed. Further, according to the second embodiment, the display content displayed on the operation panel 51 can be switched depending on whether the number of ID chips that cannot communicate is an even number or an odd number.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the first and second embodiments.

10 Image Processing Device 30 Main Body 31 Substrate 32, 50 CPU
33 Relay board 34, 35, 36, 37 Connector 38, 39, 40, 41 Toner cartridge 42, 43, 44, 45 ID chip 46, 47, 48, 49 EEPROM
51 Operation Panel 321 Waveform Detection Unit 322 Determination Unit 323 Communication Control Unit 324 Print Control Unit 501 Notification Unit

JP 2005-250375 A

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus in which a cartridge having a control unit for controlling the image forming apparatus, a signal line communicable with the control unit, and an ID chip including a nonvolatile recording medium is detachably mounted.
Before Symbol cartridge is mountable, a plurality of resistors are connected in series to a signal line connected to the control means, total different values of the resistor the resistance which is connected from the control means for each arrangement of the mounting means 1 and more mounting means are placed such that,
A resistor having a different value for each cartridge is provided on a signal line connected to the mounting unit and a recording medium of each cartridge mounted to the mounting unit, and the cartridge is mounted by the mounting unit. A waveform detecting means for detecting a voltage waveform in a signal line in which the control means and the recording medium are connected in series;
Determination means for determining whether or not the cartridge is attached to the attachment means corresponding to the cartridge based on the voltage waveform detected by the waveform detection means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a communication control unit configured to perform communication between the control unit and the recording medium when the determination unit determines that the cartridge is mounted on a mounting unit corresponding to the cartridge.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a print control unit that permits execution of monochrome printing when the determination unit determines that a black cartridge is mounted on the mounting unit corresponding to the cartridge. The communication control means includes
When the determination unit determines that at least one of the cartridges other than the black cartridge is not mounted on the mounting unit corresponding to the cartridge, the recording medium of the cartridge other than the black color is recorded on the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein no communication is performed.   2. An informing means for displaying, on the display screen, the fact that the cartridge is erroneously installed when the determination means determines that the cartridge is not attached to the attachment means corresponding to the cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. And control means for controlling an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is removably mounted with an ID chip with a recording medium of the control unit can communicate with the signal line and the non-volatile, pre-Symbol cartridge Can be mounted, and a plurality of resistors are connected in series on a signal line connected to the control means, and the total resistance of the resistors connected from the control means varies depending on the arrangement of the mounting means. an image forming method in an image forming apparatus and a least one attachment means which is placed in,
A resistor having a different value for each cartridge is provided on a signal line connected to the mounting unit and a recording medium of each cartridge mounted on the mounting unit, and the cartridge is mounted by the mounting unit. A waveform detection step of detecting a voltage waveform in a signal line in which the control means and the recording medium are connected in series;
A determination step of determining whether or not the cartridge is mounted on mounting means corresponding to the cartridge based on the voltage waveform detected by the waveform detection step;
An image forming method comprising: a communication control step of performing communication between the control unit and the recording medium when it is determined in the determination step that the cartridge is mounted on a mounting unit corresponding to the cartridge.   6. The image forming method according to claim 5, further comprising: a print control step for permitting execution of monochrome printing when it is determined in the determination step that a black cartridge is mounted on the mounting unit corresponding to the cartridge. The communication control step includes
When it is determined in the determination step that at least one cartridge other than the black color cartridge is not attached to the attachment means corresponding to the cartridge, the recording medium of the non-black color cartridge is transferred to the recording medium. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein no communication is performed.   6. A notification step of displaying on the display screen that the cartridge is erroneously mounted when it is determined in the determination step that the cartridge is not mounted on the mounting means corresponding to the cartridge. 8. The image forming method according to claim 1.

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