JP6234158B2 - Image forming apparatus, notification display method and program for consumable container replacement preparation - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for displaying a consumables container preparation message when the amount of consumables (toner) in a consumable container (toner cartridge) decreases and becomes near-end, and a consumable replacement preparation notification display method And the program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus often uses a consumable (toner) stored in a consumable container (toner cartridge or toner bottle) that automatically supplies the developing device. It has been. Such an image forming apparatus is configured such that a used consumable container (hereinafter referred to as “toner cartridge”) can be easily replaced by a user.

  Such an image forming apparatus includes a detecting unit that detects the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge. The detection means detects near end (toner is low and toner cartridge is about to be replaced) and end (toner is low and toner cartridge is about to be replaced), and a warning is given to the user. Done.

  For example, in the technique of Patent Document 1, when the near-end state of the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge is detected, the consumable information is printed to notify the user of the near-end state of the remaining amount of toner, and printing is performed by thinning out dots. It is disclosed to output a caution text in which consumable information is printed with reduced quality.

JP 2002-6669 A

  In general, even if the toner cartridge is in a near-end state where the toner is low, toner remains in the toner cartridge and the developing device to which toner is supplied from the toner cartridge. The print quality will not be affected immediately. When a warning display (replacement preparation display) is displayed that the time for replacement of the toner cartridge is approaching in the near-end state, although it is not necessary to print until the print quality is lowered as in Patent Document 1, The user tends to change the toner cartridge when psychologically prompted.

  In particular, if such a toner cartridge replacement preparation message is displayed for a print job having a high priority, the user can replace the toner cartridge even though printing is sufficiently performed. It will happen. As a result, although the priority is high and the print job is rushed, the toner cartridge replacement process takes time, and the processing efficiency is deteriorated.

  Also, when processing such as warm-up and image quality adjustment is entered, the image forming apparatus enters a standby state in which processing is interrupted. In such a standby state process, if the display of the toner cartridge replacement preparation is displayed, a situation in which the user performs the toner cartridge replacement process may occur. If the exchange process is performed, the standby state process is re-executed from the beginning, and the standby state time becomes longer, resulting in a deterioration in processing efficiency.

  According to the present invention, when the image forming consumables are in a near-end state, an image forming apparatus and a consumables replacement preparation notification that prevent a reduction in work efficiency by refraining from displaying a consumable container replacement ready display depending on the situation. An object is to provide a display method and a program.

The present invention provides a detachable consumable container for storing consumables, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container, and a notification that it is time to prepare for replacement of the consumable container. An image forming apparatus for forming an image with a consumable item on a recording medium,
Based on the detection result of the remaining amount detecting unit, a consumable item remaining amount determining unit that determines a near-end state in which the consumables in the consumable item container is low, and whether the requested job requested to be processed is a high priority job. When the priority determination unit and the display unit determine that the consumables remaining amount determination unit is in a near-end state and the priority determination unit determines that the priority of the requested job is high, A replacement notification control unit that does not display a message for replacement of the consumable container, and the priority determination unit is configured to perform image formation requested by the request job when the request job is manual feed. When the recording medium size is different from the recording medium size provided in the image forming apparatus, it is determined that the job has a high priority .

  Here, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a sound generation unit for notifying the time to replace the consumable container, and the replacement notification control unit determines the remaining amount of consumables for the sound generation unit. If the priority determination unit determines that the requested job has a high priority, a sound or a voice message indicating preparation for replacement of the consumable container may be output.

Further, the present invention is a removable consumable container for storing consumables, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting a remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container, and a replacement preparation time for the consumable container. An image forming apparatus that forms a consumable image on a recording medium.
Based on the detection result of the remaining amount detecting unit, a consumable item remaining amount determining unit that determines a near-end state in which the consumables in the consumable item container is low, and whether the requested job requested to be processed is a high priority job. When the priority determination unit and the display unit determine that the consumables remaining amount determination unit is in a near-end state and the priority determination unit determines that the priority of the requested job is high, A replacement notification control unit that does not display a message for replacement of the consumable container during execution of the request job, and displays a message for replacement of the consumable container after the request job is completed. The priority determination unit includes a recording medium in which the image forming apparatus has a recording medium size for image formation requested by the requested job when the requested job is manual feed. When the size is different, and is characterized in that determines that a higher priority job.

Further, the present invention is a removable consumable container for storing consumables, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting a remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container, and a replacement preparation time for the consumable container. An image forming apparatus that forms a consumable image on a recording medium.
Based on the detection result of the remaining amount detecting unit, a consumable item remaining amount determining unit that determines a near-end state in which the consumable item in the consumable container is low, and a standby state process in which the standby state of the image forming apparatus is long are being executed. A standby determination unit that determines whether or not the display unit is in a near-end state by the consumables remaining amount determination unit, and when the standby determination unit determines that the standby state process is being performed, the consumption A replacement notification control unit that does not display a message for preparing the replacement of the product container, and the standby determination unit performs a warm-up process, an image quality adjustment process, or a recovery sequence process due to a paper jam as the standby state process. It is characterized by doing.

Further, the present invention is a removable consumable container for storing consumables, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting a remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container, and a replacement preparation time for the consumable container. A display unit for informing, a notification display method of a consumable container replacement preparation of an image forming apparatus for forming an image of a consumable on a recording medium,
Based on the detection result of the remaining amount detection unit, a consumable item remaining amount determining step for determining a near-end state in which the consumable item in the consumable item container is low, and whether the requested job requested to be processed is a high priority job. A priority determination step for determining, and when the display unit is determined to be in a near-end state by the consumables remaining amount determination step, and the priority determination step determines that the priority of the requested job is high, A replacement notification control step that does not display a message for replacement of the consumable container, and the priority determination step is performed when the requested job is a manual feed or when the requested job requests image formation. recording medium size is different from the recording medium size is provided in the image forming apparatus, to characterized in that determines that high priority jobs It is intended.

Further, the present invention is a removable consumable container for storing consumables, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting a remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container, and a replacement preparation time for the consumable container. A display unit for informing, a notification display method of a consumable container replacement preparation of an image forming apparatus for forming an image of a consumable on a recording medium,
Based on the detection result of the remaining amount detection unit, a consumable item remaining amount determining step for determining a near-end state in which the consumable item in the consumable item container is low, and whether the requested job requested to be processed is a high priority job. A priority determination step for determining, and when the display unit is determined to be in a near-end state by the consumables remaining amount determination step, and the priority determination step determines that the priority of the requested job is high, A replacement notification control step that does not display a message for preparing to replace the consumable container during execution of the request job, and displays a message to prepare for replacement of the consumable container after the request job is completed. In the priority determination step, the image forming recording medium size requested by the requested job is determined when the requested job is manual feed or when the requested job is the image forming recording medium size. When the recording medium size is provided in the forming apparatus different, is characterized in that determines that a higher priority job.

Further, the present invention is a removable consumable container for storing consumables, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting a remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container, and a replacement preparation time for the consumable container. A display unit for informing, a notification display method of a consumable container replacement preparation of an image forming apparatus for forming an image of a consumable on a recording medium,
A consumables remaining amount determining step for determining a near-end state in which the consumables in the consumables container are low based on a detection result of the remaining amount detecting unit and a standby state process in which the standby state of the image forming apparatus is long are being executed. A standby determination step for determining whether or not the display unit is in a near-end state by the consumables remaining amount determination step, and the standby determination step determines that the standby state process is being performed. A replacement notification control step that does not display a message for preparing a replacement of a product container, and the standby determination step includes a warm-up process, an image quality adjustment process, or a recovery sequence process due to a paper jam as the standby state process. It is characterized by doing.

  Further, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the notification display method of the consumable container replacement preparation.

  According to the present invention, when the remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container is in a near-end state and the priority of the requested job is high, the consumable container replacement preparation message is not displayed or until the job ends. Since it is not displayed, the user does not replace the consumable container, the job processing with a high priority is not delayed for the replacement work, and the work efficiency is not lowered.

  In addition, the consumable container replacement preparation message is not displayed, but a sound or voice notification alerts the user, but reduces the possibility that the user will replace the consumable container. Prevents work efficiency from being reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the remaining amount of the consumables in the consumable container is in the near-end state and the standby state processing is being performed such that the standby time is prolonged, the consumable container replacement preparation message is displayed. Since it is not displayed, the user does not replace the consumable container, the standby state processing is not restarted from the initial state, and the work efficiency is not reduced.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an entire image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a developing device of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the toner cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (b) is A arrow directional view of (a). 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a connection structure between the toner cartridge and the apparatus main body driving side in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the state which connected the said toner cartridge and the apparatus main body drive side, (b) is a B arrow view of (a). 3 is a partial perspective view of an image forming apparatus including a detachable toner cartridge mounted on a toner cartridge tray. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a notification procedure regarding replacement of a toner cartridge of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in toner empty determination of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. (A) is a display diagram of a toner cartridge replacement preparation message in black toner near-end determination, and (b) is a diagram in which a toner cartridge replacement preparation message in near-end determination is not displayed. FIG. 10 is a display diagram of a toner cartridge replacement message in black toner end determination. 10 is a display diagram of a toner cartridge replacement message in black toner empty determination. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a notification procedure for toner cartridge replacement in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a notification procedure for replacement of a toner cartridge in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the image forming apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a notification procedure regarding replacement of a toner cartridge of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is an example of an embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and is a block diagram showing the entire image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a photosensitive drum 3 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a charger 5 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 3, and an electrostatic surface on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3. An exposure unit (exposure device) 1 for forming a latent image, a developing device 2 for supplying toner (consumables) to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to form a toner image, and a toner for the developing device 2 A toner replenishing device (not shown) for replenishing, a transfer unit 6 for transferring the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a recording medium, and a fixing unit (fixing device) 7 for fixing the toner image on the recording medium. The replenishing device is detachably mounted with a toner cartridge (consumable container) 500 for storing consumables having storage means for storing consumables information, and forms an image using toner by electrophotography. 100, this As a characteristic structure of an image forming apparatus, it is obtained by employing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.
In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 forms multicolor and single color images on a predetermined sheet (for example, recording sheet) in accordance with image data transmitted from the outside. Apparatus main body 110 for performing the above, an image reading unit 90 for reading an original, and a paper feed cassette 81 for loading and feeding a recording medium (paper).

  The apparatus main body 110 includes an exposure unit 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a cleaner unit 4, a charger 5, a transfer unit 6, a fixing unit 7, a paper feed cassette 81, a paper discharge tray 91, and the like. ing.

  A document placement table (platen glass) 92 made of transparent glass on which a document is placed is provided above the image reading unit 90 provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 110, and an automatic operation is provided above the document placement table 92. A document processing device 230 is attached.

The automatic document processing device 230 automatically conveys the document on the document table 92.
Further, the automatic document processing device 230 is configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow M, and the document can be placed manually by opening the document table 92.

The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to a color image using each color of black (BK), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y).
Accordingly, four developing devices 2, photosensitive drums 3, chargers 5, and cleaner units 4 are provided to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors. Black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are respectively provided. These are set to form four image stations.

In addition to black (BK), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), for example, light cyan (LC) having the same hue as cyan (C) and magenta (M) and a lighter density. ) And light magenta (LM) may be used.
By using these six colors, a clearer high-quality full-color image can be obtained.

  The charger 5 is a charging unit for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential.

  The exposure unit 1 exposes the charged photosensitive drum 3 in accordance with image data input from the outside or image data obtained by reading from a document, thereby generating an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the photosensitive body. This is an image writing device formed on the surface of the drum 3. The exposure unit 1 is provided with a polygon mirror that scans the laser beam and optical elements such as a lens and a mirror for guiding the laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror to the photosensitive drum 3.

  The developing device 2 visualizes the electrostatic latent images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 3 with toners of four colors (Y, M, C, BK).

  The photosensitive drum 3 has a cylindrical shape, is disposed above the exposure unit 1, the surface thereof is cleaned by the cleaner unit 4, and the cleaned surface is uniformly charged by the charger 5.

  The cleaner unit 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

  The transfer unit 6 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt (endless belt) 61, an intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, an intermediate transfer roller 64, and an intermediate transfer roller. A belt cleaning unit 65 is provided. Four intermediate transfer rollers 64 are provided corresponding to each color of Y, M, C, and BK.

  The intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, and the intermediate transfer roller 64 are configured to stretch and drive the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  The intermediate transfer belt 61 is formed in an endless shape using a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm, and is provided so as to contact each photosensitive drum 3. A function of forming a color toner image (multicolor toner image) on the intermediate transfer belt 61 by sequentially superimposing and transferring the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 61. have.

  The intermediate transfer roller 64 is a roller whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, etc.). The intermediate transfer belt 61 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 61. A transfer bias for transferring the image onto the image 61 is applied. Specifically, a high voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 64 in order to transfer the toner image.

  As described above, the toner images visualized according to the hues on the photosensitive drums 3 are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 61. The stacked toner images as image information are transported together with the intermediate transfer belt 61, moved to a contact position (secondary transfer position, predetermined position) between the transported paper and the intermediate transfer belt 61, and moved to this contact position. The image is transferred onto the paper by the arranged transfer roller 10.

  The toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 61 or the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 61 without being transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 10 causes a color mixture of the toner in the toner image formed in the next process. Therefore, the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65 is configured to be removed and collected.

The paper feed cassette 81 is a tray for storing sheets used for image formation, and is provided below the exposure unit 1 of the apparatus main body 110. In FIG. 1, the paper feed cassette 81 is only one stage, but there may be a plurality of paper cassettes.
Above the apparatus main body 110, a paper discharge tray 91 for collecting printed sheets face down is provided.

  In addition, the apparatus main body 110 is provided with a substantially vertical sheet conveyance path S for sending the sheets in the sheet feed cassette 81 to the sheet discharge tray 91 via the transfer roller 10 and the fixing unit 7. In the vicinity of the paper transport path S from the paper feed cassette 81 to the paper discharge tray 91, a pickup roller 11a, a plurality of transport rollers 12a to 12d, a registration roller 13, a transfer roller 10, a fixing unit 7, and the like are arranged. .

  The transport rollers 12 a to 12 d are small rollers for promoting and assisting the transport of paper, and are provided along the paper transport path S. The transport roller 12b functions as a paper discharge roller that discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray 91, and is therefore referred to as a paper discharge roller.

  The pickup roller 11 a is provided near the end of the paper feed cassette 81, picks up paper one by one from the paper feed cassette 81, and supplies it to the paper transport path S.

  The registration roller 13 temporarily holds the paper conveyed through the paper conveyance path S. The sheet has a function of conveying the sheet to the transfer roller 10 at the timing when the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 is aligned with the leading edge of the sheet.

  The fixing unit 7 includes a pair of a heat roller 71 and a pressure roller 72 as the fixing roller 70, and the heat roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 are rotated and conveyed with a sheet interposed therebetween.

  The heat roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 are disposed to face each other, and a fixing nip portion is formed at a pressure contact portion between the heat roller 71 and the pressure roller 72.

  The temperature of the heat roller 71 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) so as to reach a predetermined fixing temperature. The controller controls the temperature of the heat roller 71 based on a detection signal from a temperature detector (non-contact type thermistor) (not shown) that detects the temperature of the heat roller 71 provided around the heat roller 71. It controls so that it may become the range of 200 degreeC.

  Further, the heat roller 71 has a function of fusing, mixing, and pressing the multicolor toner image transferred to the paper and thermally fixing the paper with the pressure roller 72 by thermally pressing the toner onto the paper. ing. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat roller 71 is provided with an external fixing belt 73 for heating the heat roller 71 from the outside.

  On the other hand, similarly to the heat roller 71, the pressure roller 72 is also configured by providing an elastic layer on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical metal core. And it contacts with the heat roller 71 with a predetermined pressure.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is connected to a PC, FAX, and a data management server such as a manufacturer, a sales destination or a lease destination via a network line (LAN, telephone line, etc.) not shown.

Next, the configuration of the developing device 2 constituting the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the developing device of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 2 includes a developing roller 231, first and second toner conveying rollers 232 and 233, a developing tank 234, a toner concentration sensor 235, and a doctor blade 236.

  The developing tank 234 forms an exterior portion of the developing device 2, and has a toner introduction port 234a for introducing a toner as a developer at an upper portion thereof. An opening 234b is formed on the side of the developing tank 234 facing the photosensitive drum 3. Inside the developing tank 234, a developing roller 231, a first toner transport roller 232, and a second toner transport roller 233 are disposed.

  The developing roller 231 is provided in the vicinity of the opening 234b formed in the developing tank 234, is exposed from the opening 234b, and is in contact with or close to the photosensitive drum 3. The developing roller 231 is a magnet roller for forming the magnetic brush described above.

  The first toner transport roller 232 and the second toner transport roller 233 are arranged on the bottom side of the developing tank 234 so as to be parallel to the developing roller 231 and develop while stirring the toner supplied into the developing tank 234 together with the carrier. Transport to roller 231. A toner density sensor 235 is provided at the bottom of the developing tank 234. This toner concentration sensor 235 is a magnetic permeability sensor, and detects the ratio of toner and carrier in the developing tank 234.

  The toner replenishing device disposed above the developing device 2 is supplied from a toner cartridge (consumable container) 500 that supplies toner, a toner cartridge tray 400 in which the toner cartridge 500 is disposed, and the toner cartridge 500. A toner conveyance path 612 for guiding the toner to the developing device 2 and first and second motors (not shown) are provided.

Next, the toner cartridge 500 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the toner cartridge 500 includes a columnar body having a substantially rectangular cross section, and includes a toner storage portion 502 in which supply toner is stored.

A toner supply port 540 is provided at the bottom (lower side in the figure) of the toner storage unit 502.
One end 500a of the toner cartridge 500 attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a storage unit (remaining amount detection unit) 501 in which consumable information is stored.

  The storage unit 501 is configured using any one of two-dimensional codes such as an IC chip (for example, a non-volatile memory such as a wireless IC tag and a contact type CRUM), a barcode, and a QR code (registered trademark). In the first embodiment, information regarding the toner cartridge 500 is stored in the storage unit 501. The storage unit 501 is a non-volatile memory contact type CRUM composed of a device incorporating an EEPROM or the like. In this memory, the model number of the toner cartridge, the manufacturing location, the remaining amount of toner (sequentially updated), whether it is new or not Such information is stored.

  The storage unit 501 is provided with a storage unit positioning boss 504. The storage unit positioning boss 504 is a positioning member for positioning the storage unit 501 with respect to a storage unit connector (not shown) on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 when the toner cartridge 500 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100. It is. In the drawing, reference numeral 505 denotes a connection terminal, and 506 denotes an attachment hole for attaching the storage unit 501 to the toner cartridge 500.

Next, a connection structure between the toner cartridge 500 and the drive side when the toner cartridge tray 400 is mounted in the apparatus main body 110 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a connection structure between the toner cartridge and the apparatus main body drive side in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 5A shows a state where the toner cartridge and the apparatus main body drive side are connected. Explanatory drawing, (b) is a B arrow view of (a).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the toner cartridge 500 includes a housing 510, a toner conveying member 520 that conveys toner, and a toner cartridge side coupling 530 that transmits rotational driving to the toner conveying member 520. A toner replenishing port 540 that replenishes toner from the toner cartridge 500 to the developing device 2 is formed at the bottom of the housing 510, and a toner cartridge shutter 550 that opens and closes the toner replenishing port 540 is provided.

  The toner supply port 540 faces the toner conveyance path 612 when the toner cartridge tray 400 is inserted into the apparatus main body 110 and mounted at the image forming position with the toner cartridge 500 mounted in the toner cartridge tray 400. It has become.

  The apparatus main body 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a main body side coupling support member 140 that rotatably supports a main body side coupling 130 that transmits driving to the toner cartridge side coupling 530.

  The main body side coupling support member 140 is configured to be movable toward and away from the toner cartridge 500 by a driving member (not shown).

  The main body side coupling support member 140 is provided with a cartridge shutter pressing portion 141 at a position facing the toner cartridge shutter 550 of the toner cartridge 500 in a state where the toner cartridge 500 is mounted in the apparatus main body 110.

  The cartridge shutter pressing portion 141 abuts on the toner cartridge shutter 550 and moves the toner cartridge shutter 550 as shown in FIG. 5A when the main body side coupling support member 140 moves toward the toner cartridge 500. The toner replenishing port 540 is opened to be moved.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (b), at least a portion facing the toner supply port 540 is cut out in the cartridge shutter pressing portion 141 at a position where the toner cartridge shutter 550 is moved to open the toner supply port 540. A notch 142 is formed.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of an image forming apparatus including a detachable toner cartridge mounted on a toner cartridge tray.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a toner cartridge tray 400 that removably supports a toner cartridge (consumable container) 500 on the image forming apparatus 100.

  On the operation side of the image forming apparatus 100, an operation unit 220 including a display unit using a liquid crystal panel and an input unit including a numeric keypad is provided. Details will be described later (description of FIG. 7).

  In the first embodiment, the display unit displays a message regarding replacement of the toner cartridge 500 in accordance with the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 500.

  When the operation side of the image forming apparatus 100 is a front side, the toner cartridge tray 400 is configured to be able to appear and retract on the front side 110a on the front side in the figure.

  On the toner cartridge tray 400, a plurality of toner cartridges 500 are mounted in the apparatus, and are arranged side by side at positions facing the developing device 2 corresponding to each toner cartridge 500.

  On the toner cartridge tray 400, as shown in FIG. 6, four toner cartridges 500 are arranged in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) from the left to the right in the drawing. Is installed.

  Further, the toner cartridge tray 400 is provided with a handle 401 so that the user can manually pull out the toner cartridge tray 400 from the protruding end 400a.

  The toner cartridge tray 400 can be inserted into and removed from the main body 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 along a slide rail (for example, Acculide (registered trademark)) 402.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 shows portions related to toner replacement display among the functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 100, and portions common to FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by common reference numerals.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 90, an apparatus main body 110, an image processing unit 208, an operation unit 220, and a control unit 250.

  The configuration of the image reading unit 90 and the apparatus main body 110 is as described above, but the configuration of the apparatus main body 110 in FIG. 7 describes the main part of image formation. The apparatus main body 110 includes an exposure device 1, a toner cartridge 500, a developing device 2, a transfer unit 6, and a fixing device 7. The toner cartridge 500 includes a storage unit 501 made of an IC chip or the like, and sequentially stores the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge. Further, the developing device 2 detects the toner concentration (ratio of toner and carrier) from the magnetic permeability in the developing device 2 by the toner concentration sensor 235. As will be described in detail later, the toner cartridge replacement notification and the apparatus main body stop are also performed according to the remaining amount of toner in the storage unit 501 and the toner density of the toner density sensor 235.

  The operation unit 220 includes an input unit 201 and a display unit 204.

The input unit 201 includes a plurality of keys, and receives input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys.
The plurality of keys included in the input unit 201 are hard keys including switches. Further, the input unit 201 may include a touch panel as a part of the key, or may be configured by the touch panel itself.

  The display unit 204 uses a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display), a display such as electronic paper using electrophoresis, a plasma display (PDP), a plasma tube array display (PTAD), and an electron-emitting device. A display device such as a display (FED, SED) or the like, which displays an instruction menu such as a setting screen for the user and a screen including information on acquired image data.

  When the input unit 201 includes a touch panel, or when the input unit 201 includes a touch panel, the touch panel is provided on the display unit 204. The input unit 201 of the first embodiment is assumed to include a touch panel. Note that gesture input using a finger wearable wearable interface may be used.

  The image processing unit 208 performs various data processing such as shading correction on the image data input from the image reading unit 90, and then outputs the data to the control unit 250.

  The control unit 250 controls the entire image forming apparatus 100. The image forming control unit 251 that controls image formation, the level of toner remaining in the toner cartridge (near end, end, empty: details will be described later) Toner remaining amount determining unit (consumable item remaining amount determining unit) 252, priority determining unit 253 for determining the priority of the requested job, replacement notification for controlling display such as toner cartridge replacement notification A control unit 254 is provided.

  Next, an outline of signal processing when the image forming apparatus 100 reads an original to form an image will be described.

  The image reading unit 90 includes a light source that irradiates light to the original conveyed to the original reading position and a photoelectric conversion element that receives light reflected from the original, and scans the original image according to the size of the original. The photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into image data that is an electrical signal and outputs the image data to the image processing unit 208.

  The image processing unit 208 performs various data processing and then outputs the data to the control unit 250. The image formation control unit 251 of the control unit 250 controls image formation of the apparatus main body 110 according to the image data from the image processing unit 208.

A paper feed unit (not shown in FIG. 7) conveys the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 81 to the apparatus main body 110.
A toner image is formed on the conveyed paper by the exposure device 1, the toner cartridge 500, the developing device 2, and the transfer unit 6 of the apparatus main body 110.
The fixing device 7 melts the toner image formed on the paper and fixes it on the paper. Then, the paper on which the image has been formed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 91.

  In the process of forming an image as described above, the toner in the toner cartridge 500 is consumed, and eventually the remaining amount decreases. Therefore, it is necessary to detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 500, and when the remaining amount is low or when there is no remaining amount, the apparatus notifies that and the toner cartridge needs to be replaced.

  The storage unit 501 attached to the toner cartridge 500 also serves as a toner remaining amount detection unit. The storage unit 501 stores information related to toner in advance, and stores the total amount of toner when the toner cartridge 500 is attached to the apparatus main body 110. The toner in the toner cartridge 500 is supplied to the developing device 2 by rotating the toner conveying member 520. The controller 250 can calculate the amount of toner supplied to the developing device 2 by the rotation of the toner conveying member 520, and can also calculate the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 500. For example, if the toner supply amount due to the rotation of the toner conveying member 520 per unit time is known, the toner supply amount can be known from the rotation time of the toner conveying member 520, and the current amount of toner is subtracted from the remaining amount of toner. The remaining amount of toner can be obtained. Thus, the control unit 250 sequentially stores the remaining amount of toner in the storage unit 501.

The toner remaining amount determination unit 252 of the control unit 250 determines the near end (toner is low) and end (no toner) state from the toner remaining amount of the toner cartridge 500 stored in the storage unit 501. With regard to the near-end determination, a first predetermined value serving as a threshold is set, and it is determined that the toner is near-end when the remaining amount of toner falls below that. Regarding the determination of the toner end, it is determined that the toner end is reached when the remaining amount of toner becomes zero.
Note that in the case of toner near-end / end determination, since the toner is also in the developing device 2, the image forming process is not stopped.

The priority determination unit 253 of the control unit 250 determines whether the priority of the job requested to be processed is high.
For example, when a job is requested in advance, a flag indicating that the user has a high priority is set in advance, and the priority determination unit 253 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the job has a high priority based on this flag. Good.
Further, when the requested job is manual feed, the priority determination unit 253 may determine that the priority is high. In the case of manual paper feed, it is different from the paper placed in the paper feed cassette 81, and it is determined that the priority is high as a job to be printed specially.
Further, when the requested job is a paper having a different size from the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 81, it may be determined that the priority is similarly high. For example, a postcard smaller than a predetermined size of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette.

  The exchange notification control unit 254 of the control unit 250 generates a display image on the display unit 204 and displays it. For example, based on the determination result of the toner remaining amount determination unit 252, a message for preparing or replacing the toner cartridge 500 is displayed on the display unit 204.

  The toner concentration sensor 235 installed in the developing device 2 is a magnetic permeability sensor, for example, and reads the magnetic permeability of iron contained in a carrier per unit volume around the bottom surface of the developing device 2. The greater the magnetic permeability, the lower the toner concentration. The toner concentration sensor 235 outputs the read magnetic permeability to the control unit 250.

  The toner remaining amount determination unit 252 determines that the toner is empty when the toner concentration by the toner concentration sensor 235 is equal to or less than a second predetermined amount that is a threshold value. Since the remaining amount of toner in the developing device 2 has decreased to such an extent that the print quality is deteriorated, the image formation control unit 251 immediately stops the image formation process because the print quality is adversely affected. The replacement notification control unit 254 displays on the display unit 204 that image formation has been stopped and that the toner cartridge 500 is to be replaced in an emergency.

Next, operations and operation control when replacing the toner cartridge 500 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail based on flowcharts.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a notification procedure regarding replacement of the toner cartridge of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The toner remaining amount determining unit 252 of the control unit 250 determines whether or not the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 500 has become equal to or less than a first predetermined amount (step S1). The first predetermined amount is a threshold value for determining a near-end state in which the toner in the toner cartridge 500 is low. If the near-end determination has been made, it is next determined whether or not the end state has been reached with the remaining amount of toner (step S2).

  If it is not the end determination, the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 500 is in the near-end state, and the replacement notification control unit 254 displays a replacement preparation message for the toner cartridge 500 on the display unit 204 (step S4). ). If the priority is not high, the replacement notification control unit 254 displays a replacement preparation message for the toner cartridge 500 on the display unit 204 (step S4). For example, when the toner in the near-end state is black toner, as shown in FIG. 10A, the message “There is little black toner remaining. It is time to prepare the toner cartridge.” Is displayed.

  If the priority of the requested job is high in step S3, the exchange notification control unit 254 returns to step S2 without performing any display processing on the display unit 204 as shown in FIG. wait.

If there is an end determination in step S2, the replacement notification control unit 254 displays a toner cartridge replacement message on the display unit 204 (step S5). For example, when the toner in the end state is black toner, as shown in FIG. 11, “No black toner. Replace the toner cartridge.” Is displayed.
At this time, toner remains in the developing device 2, and the image formation control unit 251 continues processing.

The image forming apparatus 100 performs toner empty determination separately from this processing. This is performed by the toner density sensor 235 of the developing device 2.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in toner empty determination of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

This toner empty determination is performed separately from the toner remaining amount detection of the toner cartridge of FIG.
The toner remaining amount determination unit 252 determines whether the toner density is equal to or lower than a second predetermined value based on the detection result of the toner density sensor 235 of the developing device (step S11). The second predetermined amount is a threshold value for determining whether the toner density of the developing device 2 is a density that can maintain the print quality. That the amount is equal to or less than the second predetermined amount means that the toner density in the developing device 2 is lowered, and that toner supply from the toner cartridge 500 is not performed. Accordingly, the toner remaining amount determination unit 252 determines that the state equal to or less than the second predetermined value is an empty state. In this case, the image formation control unit 251 interrupts the image formation process in the apparatus main body 110 (step S12). This is because the print quality cannot be maintained as it is. Since the toner cartridge in the toner empty state must be immediately replaced, the replacement notification control unit 254 displays an emergency replacement message for the toner cartridge on the display unit 204 (step S13). For example, when the toner in the empty state is black toner, as shown in FIG. 12, the message “There is no black toner. Replace the toner cartridge immediately. (Printing stopped)” is displayed. The user can grasp the situation by looking at the emergency display, and immediately replace the toner cartridge 500.

  As described above, when the near-end state of the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 500 is detected, if the priority of the requested job is high, printing should be performed preferentially. Give priority to printing. In the near-end state of the remaining amount of toner, sufficient toner remains in the toner cartridge 500 and the developing device 2, and there is little risk of quality deterioration even after printing. Further, when the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 500 is in an end state, it is detected and a replacement notification of the toner cartridge 500 is displayed, and when the toner in the developing device 2 decreases and print quality is affected. Since the toner empty detection is performed and the replacement notification of the toner cartridge 500 is displayed, there is no problem even if the toner cartridge 500 is replaced at this time. If the priority of the requested job is not high, it is not necessary to prioritize the printing process, so a replacement preparation message for the toner cartridge 500 is displayed to notify the user. Thus, when the job priority is high, the toner cartridge 500 is not replaced when the remaining amount of toner is in the near-end state, and the processing of the high priority job is not delayed due to the replacement work. There is no loss of efficiency.

  Note that the storage unit 501 is used to detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 500, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a sensor that can detect the remaining amount of toner may be provided. In this embodiment, the copy process is taken as an example, but the same process is performed even in the case of a fax process.

Second Embodiment
In the second embodiment, the replacement preparation display of the toner cartridge 500 is not displayed until the job is completed.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a notification procedure for toner cartridge replacement in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same processes as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same step symbols and description thereof is omitted.

  In step S3, the priority determination unit 253 determines that the priority of the requested job is high and does not display the toner cartridge replacement preparation during printing, as in the first embodiment. The difference is that in step S8, the image formation control unit 251 determines whether or not the job has ended, and if it has ended, displays a toner cartridge replacement preparation display as shown in FIG. It is.

  In this way, when the job processing is continuing, since the display of toner cartridge replacement preparation is not performed, the user does not replace the toner and the job processing is not hindered. Since the preparation for toner cartridge replacement is displayed after the job is completed, even if the user replaces the toner at this time, the job processing is not hindered and the work efficiency is prevented from being lowered.

  Note that the processing in the case of empty determination is the same processing as in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, notification of toner cartridge replacement preparation is made by sound.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a toner cartridge replacement notification procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The same processes as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same step symbols and description thereof is omitted.
A difference from FIG. 8 is that when it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is near-end, and the priority of the requested job is high in step S3, the cartridge replacement preparation is notified by a buzzer sound or sound, and the display unit 204 Is not notified (step S9). As an audio output portion, for example, a speaker is provided in the operation unit 220 or the apparatus main body 110 and is controlled by the exchange notification control unit 254.

In the case of a buzzer sound, only the person who knows it in detail knows what it means, so that a user who does not know it does not immediately change the cartridge. Also, in the case of audio, the user can easily grasp that it is not necessary to immediately replace it by notifying that “the toner remaining in the cartridge is low and please prepare the toner cartridge”.
When the message is displayed, even if the explanation that it is near-end is displayed, the user may replace the toner cartridge without reading it well, but in the explanation by voice, the possibility is low, Instead of displaying on the display unit 204, notification is performed by voice.

  In this way, when the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 500 is in the near-end state, if there is a request for processing a job with a high priority, the user is alerted by making a sound or sound notification, but the user is alerted. The possibility of exchanging the toner cartridge 500 is reduced, and a reduction in work efficiency due to the replacement of the toner cartridge 500 is prevented.

  Note that the processing in the case of empty determination is the same processing as in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

<Fourth embodiment>
In the first to third embodiments, the notification regarding the preparation for replacement of the toner cartridge is performed based on the priority of the job. However, in the present embodiment, the toner cartridge is changed according to the standby state processing of the image forming apparatus. Notification of replacement preparation.

  If the replacement operation of the toner cartridge 500 is started during the process in which the image forming apparatus is in a standby state (standby state process), the operation is interrupted, and eventually the standby state process is returned to the beginning. become. In the meantime, the image forming apparatus 100 is in a standby state, and the processing efficiency is poor. Therefore, during such standby state processing, notification of toner cartridge replacement preparation is refrained.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
A difference from the block diagram of FIG. 7 is that a standby determination unit 255 is provided instead of the priority determination unit 253. The standby determination unit 255 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 100-1 is a process that is in a standby state for a long time.

  A process to be a standby state process is registered in advance. Based on this, the standby determination unit 255 makes a determination. For example, the standby state processing includes warm-up processing, image quality adjustment processing in printing processing, return sequence processing due to paper jam, and the like.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a notification procedure regarding replacement of the toner cartridge of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the toner remaining amount determination unit 252 of the control unit 250 determines whether or not the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 500 has become equal to or less than a first predetermined amount (step S21). The first predetermined amount is a threshold value for determining a near-end state in which the toner in the toner cartridge 500 is low.

  If it is in the near-end state, the standby determination unit 255 determines whether the standby state process is in progress (step S22). The standby state process is given priority, and the next step is not performed until the process ends.

  When the standby state process is completed, the toner remaining amount determining unit 252 determines whether the end state where the toner remaining amount is exhausted (step S23).

  If it is not the end determination, the toner remaining amount in the toner cartridge is in the near-end state, and the replacement notification control unit 254 displays a toner cartridge replacement preparation message on the display unit 204 (step S4). For example, when the toner in the near-end state is black toner, as shown in FIG. 10A, the message “There is little black toner remaining. It is time to prepare the toner cartridge.” Is displayed. And it returns to step S23 and waits for end determination.

  If there is an end determination in step S23, the replacement notification control unit 254 displays a toner cartridge replacement message on the display unit 204 (step S25). For example, when the toner in the end state is black toner, as shown in FIG. 11, “No black toner. Replace the toner cartridge.” Is displayed.

  When the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge is in the near-end state and the standby state process is being executed, the toner cartridge replacement preparation display is not performed, so the user does not replace the toner cartridge. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a reduction in work efficiency without re-starting the standby state process from the beginning.

  Note that the processing in the case of empty determination is the same processing as in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The program that operates in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be a program that controls a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like (a program that causes a computer to function) so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments related to the present invention. . Information handled by these devices is temporarily stored in RAM (Random Access Memory) during the processing, and then stored in various ROMs such as Flash ROM (Read Only Memory) and HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Reading, correction, and writing are performed by the CPU as necessary. In addition, a program for realizing the function of each component may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform processing of each unit. Good. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

  The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory in a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case, and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time are also included. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the invention may be changed in design without departing from the gist of the present invention. Is also included.
For example, in the above embodiment, the color image forming apparatus is used, but the present invention can also be applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus.

1: Exposure unit (exposure device)
2: Developing device 3: Photoconductor drum 4: Cleaner unit 5: Charger 6: Transfer unit 7: Fixing unit (fixing device)
10: transfer roller 90: image reading unit 100: image forming apparatus 110: apparatus main body 201: input unit 204: display unit 208: image processing unit 216: piezoelectric sensor 220: operation unit 235: toner density sensor 250: control unit 251: Image formation control unit 252: Toner remaining amount determination unit 253: Priority determination unit 254: Replacement notification control unit 255: Standby determination unit 500: Toner cartridge (consumable container)
501: Storage unit

Claims (8)

A detachable consumable container for storing consumables, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container, and a display unit for notifying that it is time to replace the consumable container And an image forming apparatus for forming an image with consumables on a recording medium,
Based on the detection result of the remaining amount detecting unit, a consumable item remaining amount determining unit that determines a near-end state in which a consumable item in the consumable item container is low, and
A priority determination unit that determines whether the requested job requested to be processed is a high-priority job;
When the consumables remaining amount determining unit determines that the display unit is in a near-end state and the priority determining unit determines that the priority of the requested job is high, a message for preparing to replace the consumable container An exchange notification control unit that does not display
Equipped with a,
The priority determination unit determines whether the requested job is manual feed or when the size of an image forming recording medium requested by the requested job is different from a recording medium size provided in the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that determines that a job has a high priority . A sound generation unit for notifying when to replace the consumable container,
The replacement notification control unit determines that the sound generation unit is in a near-end state by the consumables remaining amount determination unit, and the priority determination unit determines that the priority of the requested job is high. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sound or a voice message indicating preparation for replacement of the consumable container is output. A detachable consumable container for storing consumables, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container, and a display unit for notifying that it is time to replace the consumable container And an image forming apparatus for forming an image with consumables on a recording medium,
Based on the detection result of the remaining amount detecting unit, a consumable item remaining amount determining unit that determines a near-end state in which a consumable item in the consumable item container is low, and
A priority determination unit that determines whether the requested job requested to be processed is a high-priority job;
When the consumables remaining amount determining unit determines that the display unit is in a near-end state and the priority determining unit determines that the priority of the requested job is high, the consumable item remaining during the requested job is executed. An exchange notification control unit for displaying a message for exchanging the consumables container after the request job is completed, without displaying a message for exchanging an article container.
Equipped with a,
The priority determination unit determines whether the requested job is manual feed or when the size of an image forming recording medium requested by the requested job is different from a recording medium size provided in the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that determines that a job has a high priority . A detachable consumable container for storing consumables, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container, and a display unit for notifying that it is time to replace the consumable container And an image forming apparatus for forming an image with consumables on a recording medium,
Based on the detection result of the remaining amount detecting unit, a consumable item remaining amount determining unit that determines a near-end state in which a consumable item in the consumable item container is low, and
A standby determination unit that determines whether standby processing with a long standby state of the image forming apparatus is being executed;
When the display unit determines that the consumables remaining amount determination unit is in a near-end state and the standby determination unit determines that the standby state process is being performed, a message for preparing the replacement of the consumable container is displayed. Exchange notification control unit that does not perform,
Equipped with a,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the standby determination unit sets warm-up processing, image quality adjustment processing, or recovery sequence processing due to a paper jam as the standby state processing . A detachable consumable container for storing consumables, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container, and a display unit for notifying that it is time to replace the consumable container And a notification display method for a consumable container replacement preparation of an image forming apparatus that forms an image with a consumable on a recording medium,
A consumables remaining amount determining step for determining a near-end state in which the consumables in the consumables container are low according to the detection result of the remaining amount detecting unit;
A priority determination step for determining whether the requested job to be processed is a high priority job;
When the consumables remaining amount determining step determines that the display unit is in a near-end state, and the priority determining step determines that the priority of the requested job is high, the consumable container replacement preparation message Exchange notification control step that does not display
Equipped with a,
The priority determination step is performed when the requested job is manual feed or when the recording medium size for image formation requested by the requested job is different from the recording medium size provided in the image forming apparatus. A consumable container replacement preparation notification display method, characterized in that the job is determined to have a high priority . A detachable consumable container for storing consumables, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container, and a display unit for notifying that it is time to replace the consumable container And a notification display method for a consumable container replacement preparation of an image forming apparatus that forms an image with a consumable on a recording medium,
A consumables remaining amount determining step for determining a near-end state in which the consumables in the consumables container are low according to the detection result of the remaining amount detecting unit;
A priority determination step for determining whether the requested job to be processed is a high priority job;
The display unit is determined to be in the near-end state by the consumables remaining amount determination step,
If it is determined by the priority determination step that the priority of the requested job is high, a message for preparing the replacement of the consumable container is not displayed during the execution of the requested job, and the requested job is completed. A replacement notification control step for displaying a message for replacement of the consumable container; and
Equipped with a,
The priority determination step is performed when the requested job is manual feed or when the recording medium size for image formation requested by the requested job is different from the recording medium size provided in the image forming apparatus. A consumable container replacement preparation notification display method, characterized in that the job is determined to have a high priority . A detachable consumable container for storing consumables, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of consumables in the consumable container, and a display unit for notifying that it is time to replace the consumable container And a notification display method for a consumable container replacement preparation of an image forming apparatus that forms an image with a consumable on a recording medium,
A consumables remaining amount determining step for determining a near-end state in which the consumables in the consumables container are low according to the detection result of the remaining amount detecting unit;
A standby determination step of determining whether standby state processing with a long standby state of the image forming apparatus is being executed;
When the consumables remaining amount determination step determines that the display unit is in a near-end state, and the standby determination step determines that the standby state process is being performed, a message for preparing to replace the consumable container is displayed. Exchange notification control step not performing,
Equipped with a,
In the standby determination step, a warm-up process, an image quality adjustment process, or a recovery sequence process due to a paper jam is set as the standby state process . The program for making a computer perform each step of the notification display method of the consumables container replacement preparation as described in any one of Claim 5 to 7 .

Images