JPH01285956A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To correctly control the operating time of an expendable cartridge by giving an identification value regarding how long a cartridge is used, transmitting said identification value to a main body device and giving instructions that the cartridge has to be replaced. CONSTITUTION:A semi-fixed resistance 2 is fitted to the expandable cartridge 1. The main body device 6 reads the resistance value of the semi-fixed resistance 2, and an A/D converter 3 translates it into numbers. Whenever an image is formed, the time when the expendable cartridge 1 is used is counted, and is stored in a nonvolatile memory 5. When said time exceeds a prescribed one, the main body device 6 displays the alarm to stop forming an image. When a CPU4 detects the replacement of the expandable cartridge 1, it records the resistance value of a new cartridge, and counts its operating time from zero. Thus, the side of the main body device 6 can correctly control the operating time of the expendable cartridge 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and particularly to a consumable cartridge that is removably attachable to a main body apparatus.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as a method for detecting the amount of cartridge used between stations, there is a first method in which the user presses a reset button to notify the controller of the device that the cartridge has been replaced with a new one, and the A second system was known, as described in Japanese Patent No. 58-152263, which included means for counting the amount of usage time on the cartridge side.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Among the conventional methods described above, the first method has the disadvantage that the user presses the reset button, making the operation cumbersome, and the second method requires the reset button to be pressed by the user. A mechanical or electrical counter is required to count the amount of time used, which is expensive, and there is a disadvantage that a single-use cartridge is wasteful.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks by having an identification value related to the usage time of a cartridge, and transmitting the identification value to the main unit to instruct replacement of the cartridge. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus configured with 5 ICs.

(Means for Solving the Problems) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an identification means for giving an identification value regarding the usage time of a cartridge, and an identification means for transmitting the identification value to the main unit to instruct replacement of the cartridge. It is configured to include a transmission means.

(Example) Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

1 is a consumable cartridge, 2 is a semi-fixed resistor, 3 is an A/
4 is a CPU, and 5 is a volatile memory.

A semi-fixed resistor 2 is attached to the consumable cartridge 1, and the resistance value is appropriately set for each cartridge. The main unit 6 reads the resistance value of the semi-fixed resistor 2, and the converter 3 converts it into a numerical value. CPU4
reads the resistance value when the power is turned on and at the start of printing, records it in the nonvolatile memory 5, and compares it with the previously read value. If the comparison result shows a difference, it is determined that the consumable cartridge 1 has been replaced.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG.

On the main body side, the usage time of the consumable cartridge is counted each time image formation is performed, and this is stored in the nonvolatile memory 5. When the usage time of the consumable cartridge 1 exceeds a specified value, the main unit displays an alarm and stops image formation.

When detecting replacement of the consumable cartridge 1, the CPU 4 records the resistance value of the new cartridge and starts counting the amount of usage time from zero.

A/1] If the resolution of the converter 3 is 8 bits or more, the chance that the resistance values of the two car 1-IJ edges will match by chance is less than 0.4%, and it is said that this will almost never happen. I can do it. If this coincidence occurs, it can be avoided by rotating the semi-fixed resistor 20 nohub.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, the present invention attaches a semi-fixed resistor to the consumable cartridge and distinguishes whether or not the installed consumable cartridges are the same, thereby making it possible for the main unit to This has the advantage that it is possible to accurately manage the amount of consumable cartridges used between stations. Additionally, there are fewer parts to be added, and only three electrical contacts need to be added.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1...Consumables cartridge 2...Semi-fixed resistor 3...A/D converter 4...CPU 5...Non-volatile memory 6...Main device patent applicant NEC Corporation agent Patent Attorney Hisashi Inoro Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image characterized by comprising: an identification means for giving an identification value regarding the usage time of the cartridge; and a transmission means for transmitting the identification value to the main unit and instructing replacement of the cartridge. Forming device.