JPH03269446A - Life managing system of image recording device and its using method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the reliability of life managing from being spoiled by holding the counted value of a total counter on the storage medium of a life control unit and clearing a unit counter if an emergency stop state is entered at the time of power-on operation or image recording operation. CONSTITUTION:In the image recording device which records an image on a recording sheet 3 by a recording module 1 including a consumable component 2 as a life control reference, the counted value of the total counter 6 based upon the counted value of the unit counter 5 is held on the storage medium 4a of the life control unit 4 as an image recording frequency at the timing where the unit counter reaches a unit frequency. If, however, the emergency stop state is entered at the time of the power-on operation or image recording operation, the counted value of the total counter 6 which is counted according to the counted value of the unit counter 5 is stored on the storage medium 4a of the life control unit 4 and the unit counter 5 is cleared, thus performing exceptional operation by a life managing means 7.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a life management system for an image recording device and a method of using the same, and particularly to a type in which a life management unit is attached to a consumable part serving as a life management standard. The present invention relates to an improvement of a life management system for an image recording device and a method of using the same, which is effective in the field of image recording.

[Conventional technology]

Generally, in copiers, printers, etc., it is necessary to periodically replace consumable parts such as photosensitive drums, and this type of replacement work in the past has been carried out using the so-called Tech Rep (
A Technical Repairer (abbreviation for Technical Repairer) periodically maintains and inspects the M/C (Machine) and checks the number of times the M/C has recorded images using a counter or the like on the M/C.

However, especially when it comes to small copiers and printers,
The number of M/Cs provided on the market is quite large, and T
A situation has arisen in which it is difficult to frequently perform maintenance and inspection work on consumable parts using ech Rep.

Under such circumstances, for example, the photosensitive drum alone,
Alternatively, a cartridge in the form of a photosensitive drum with a cleaner attached thereto can be detachably attached to the M/C main body, the warranty life of this cartridge is set in advance, and the customer is asked to purchase the cartridge in advance. Recently, a system (hereinafter referred to as a prepaid CRU system) in which cartridge replacement is left to the customer himself/herself is being adopted.

In such a prepaid CRU system, it is necessary to accurately notify the customer of the frequency of use of the cartridge, and conventional technical means of this type include, for example, a storage medium for storing the number of image recordings. The life management unit containing the life management unit is attached to the cartridge side, and when the cartridge is installed in the M/C main body, the number of image recordings in the storage medium of the life management unit is displayed on the display on the M/C side. Life management system is already provided (
(See Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 195854/1983).

With this type, even if the cartridge is once removed, the number of image recordings before it was removed is retained in the life management unit, so when the cartridge is installed, the above display shows that the cartridge is It is possible to accurately grasp the frequency of use.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

By the way, in the above-mentioned life management system, it is natural to write the image recording number data to the storage medium of the life management unit at every image recording cycle, but this type of writing is not suitable. This poses a problem in setting a large warranty life for the cartridge. In other words, if you try to set the guaranteed life of a cartridge to a value that exceeds the number of times that the storage medium can be written to, which is determined from the perspective of functional guarantee, there is a risk that writing errors will occur on the storage medium, which may reduce the reliability of life management. The problem arises of damage.

In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to write image recording number data to the storage medium of the life management unit each time each image recording job is completed, but in the middle of one image recording job. If the power is turned off, the image recording number data will not be written, and the reliability of the image recording number data held in the storage medium will be poor, which will impair the reliability of life management. Causes issues.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned life management system, if the storage medium of the life management unit breaks before the cartridge reaches its guaranteed life, for example,
The problem arises that the usage frequency of the cartridge becomes completely unknown, which impairs the reliability of life management.

This invention solves the above-mentioned first technical problem (insufficient management of the number of image recordings by the life management unit) and second technical problem (insufficient response to breakage of the life management unit).
This was done in order to solve the problem, and even for consumable parts with a relatively long warranty life, it is possible to accurately maintain the number of image recordings in the life management unit, or even if the life management unit is broken. An object of the present invention is to provide a life management system for an image recording device and a method for using the same, which can accurately grasp the frequency of use of consumable parts, thereby improving the reliability of life management for consumable parts.

[Means to solve the problem]

In other words, the invention for solving the first technical problem is
As shown in FIG. 1(a), in an image recording device that records an image on a recording sheet 3 in a recording module l that includes consumable parts 2 that serve as life management standards, the consumable parts 2 that serve as life management standards are A life management unit 4 that is attached and has a storage medium 4a that holds at least the life end information of the consumable part 2 and the image recording number information, a unit counter 5 that sequentially counts the number of image recordings for each unit number, and all images. A total counter 6 sequentially counts the number of recordings based on the count value of the unit counter 5, and under the condition that the count value of the unit counter 5 reaches the unit number at power-on or during image recording operation, or during image recording operation. Under conditions where an emergency shutdown situation (cycle down or shutdown) sometimes occurs, the count value of the total counter 6 counted based on the count value of the unit counter 5 is held in the storage medium 4a of the life management unit 4,
It is characterized by comprising a life management control means 7 for clearing the unit counter 5 (claim 1).
.

In such technical means, the recording module l
In addition to those in which images are formed by an electrophotographic process, any material that can record images such as thermal recording or inkjet recording can be selected as appropriate. Furthermore, the image forming system may be appropriately selected from monochrome recording, multiple color individual recording, full color overlapping recording, etc.

Further, the consumable part 2 may be a single functional part bamboo, or may be a cartridge part in which a plurality of functional parts are collected.

Further, the life management unit 4 may include at least a storage medium 4a containing predetermined information, and the storage medium 4a may be an EEPROM, a non-volatile memory (NVM: Non-V), etc.

As long as it is rewritable, such as 1atile memory, and the retained data is not erased unnecessarily, the design can be changed as appropriate.

Furthermore, the minimum information held in the storage medium 4a is life end information and image recording number information.

Here, the above-mentioned life end information is life information that should originally be guaranteed for the consumable parts 2 to be managed, but normally, a certain amount of test image recording is performed on the production line of the image recording device. Therefore, it is preferable to set the life end information by adding the number of test image recordings to the life that should originally be guaranteed (Claim 7).

In addition, in response to the request to use consumable parts 2 even if the life that should be guaranteed is exceeded as long as the image quality is good, the life that is sufficiently larger than the life that should be guaranteed should be used as life end information. What is necessary is to select one (Claim 8).

On the other hand, the image recording number information corresponds to the image recording cycle and changes from time to time, such as the number of recording sheets 3, the number of rotations of the image forming unit, the amount of toner consumed, and the amount of user web consumption. , charging time, etc. can be selected as appropriate. This information is then used to implement a process for optimal image recording.

In addition, from the perspective of further improving the performance of life management, the storage medium 4a contains order timing information that notifies when to order the next consumable part 2, and a warning that warns that the life end is approaching. It is preferable to include information (claim 9).

Furthermore, depending on the surrounding environment, the life management unit 2
The life management unit 2 is a consumable part 2 that cannot have
If the consumable part 2 is to be replaced at the same time as the consumable part 2 installed, from the viewpoint of ensuring the life management of the consumable part without a life management unit, it is necessary to replace other consumable parts in the storage medium 4a of the life management unit 4. It is preferable to also store information on the number of times of image recording of part 2 (
Claim 10).

Note that if the storage medium 4a contains characteristic information of the consumable part 2, such as photoconductor characteristics (physical properties of the photoconductor that affect image recording performance), etc., checking of the constituent elements of the consumable part 2 can be easily performed. It is possible to do so.

Further, the unit count of the unit counter 5 can be appropriately selected, including 10 times. Also, total counter 6
As long as it is counted based on the count value of the unit counter 5, either the up-count or down-count method may be used, but if the consumable part 2 is broken (the photosensitive drum is damaged) In consideration of life compensation in cases such as cases, etc., it is preferable to use a down-counting method that directly indicates the remaining number of image recordings as the number of image recordings (Claim 11).

Furthermore, the design of the life management control means 7 may be changed as appropriate, but from the viewpoint of avoiding unnecessary saving operations to the storage medium 4a as much as possible, the count value of the unit counter 5 at power-on is not zero. It is preferable to design a series of processes on the condition that (
Claim 2).

Further, as a countermeasure against destruction of the image recording number information due to a memory crash in the storage medium 4a, for example, a plurality of pieces of image recording number information are written at a predetermined address in the storage medium 4a of the life management unit 4, It is only necessary to design the image recording number information to be read out by majority vote processing (Claim 12).

Furthermore, if the image recording number information is multi-byte information including at least low-byte information, the number of times the low-byte information is written will inevitably increase, so writing errors in the storage medium 4a can be reliably prevented. From this viewpoint, it is preferable to distribute the addresses where the low byte information is stored into a plurality of blocks (Claim 13).

In this case, the design may be modified as appropriate to select which block to write the low byte information to, but from the perspective of writing approximately evenly to each block, the low byte information storage address block should be The selection may be made based on the upper plurality of bits of the upper byte information of the byte information (claim 14). here,
The upper byte information of the low byte information refers to the high byte information when the image recording number information is composed of 2 byte information, and the upper byte information when the image recording number information is composed of 3 byte information. Refers to byte information or high byte information.

In addition, the process to be carried out when the consumable part 2 reaches the end of its life may be selected as appropriate, but it is recommended that the use of the consumable part 2 that would lead to deterioration of image quality be avoided, and that the customer rewrite the data on the storage medium 4a. From the viewpoint of avoiding a situation where the consumable part 2 is misused, it is preferable to make the consumable part 2 unusable.

Here, as a process for making the consumable parts 2 unusable at the end of the life, the storage medium 4 of the life management unit 4
a is provided with check area data indicating that the consumable part 2 is not at the end of its life, and the life management control means 7 enables the use of the consumable part only when the check area data is confirmed, and at the end of its life, a predetermined Claim 15) characterized in that the check area data is confirmed by accessing the address can be selected as appropriate.

In addition, as a method to make it impossible to confirm the check area data, you can either prohibit reading of the check area data, or destroy the check area data to make it a different value from the original value, and then remove the check area data. You may choose as appropriate, such as making it unreadable as data.

On the other hand, the invention for solving the second technical means is
As shown in Figure (b), in an image recording device that records an image on a recording sheet 3 in a recording module 1 that includes a consumable part 2 that serves as a life management standard, the consumable parts 2 that serve as a life management standard are attached to , a life management unit 8 having a storage medium 8a that holds at least the product number of the consumable part 2, life end information, and image recording number information, a counter 9 that counts the total number of image recording times, and the count value of this counter 9. a life management control means 10 that causes the storage medium 8a of the life management unit 8 to hold the information, and a plurality of usage history lists including product numbers and image recording frequency information stored in the storage medium 8a of the life management unit 8. After reading out the product number and image recording frequency information of the consumable part 2 from the usage history storage means 11 that stores the set and the storage medium 8a of the life management unit 8 at power-on,
If the consumable part 2 is new, a new usage history list is added and selected, while if the consumable part 2 is a used item, the usage history list in the usage history storage means 11 is searched. However, if it is not on the list, the corresponding consumable part 2
The present invention is characterized by comprising a usage history determining means 12 that disables the usage history list, selects it if it is on the list, and employs the selected usage history list as life management data (claim 3).

In such technical means, the recording module l
As for the consumable parts 2, the design can be changed as appropriate in the same way as in the invention shown in FIG. Figure 1 (a) except for the addition of numbers.
) is similar to the life management unit 4 of the invention.

Further, the counter 9 in this invention may be selected as appropriate as long as it can count the total number of times of image recording, but from the viewpoint of solving the first technical problem, the counter 9 shown in FIG. ) It is preferable to use a counter consisting of a unit counter and a total counter as shown in FIG.

Furthermore, regarding the life management control means 10, the counter 9
Based on the configuration, the design may be changed as appropriate as long as the count value of the counter 9 is held in the storage medium 8a.

The usage history storage means 11 can be selected as appropriate, including NVM, as long as it is rewritable and will not be erased unnecessarily, and the number of usage history lists, the contents of the list, etc. can be selected as appropriate. In particular, from the viewpoint of accurately knowing the usage history of multiple consumable parts 2 that are subject to simultaneous replacement, other consumable parts that are subject to the same replacement as the consumable parts 2 that are subject to life management. It is preferable that the usage history of No. 2 is also stored (Claim 4).

Furthermore, the design of the usage history determining means 12 may be changed as appropriate as long as it can create a usage history list based on a predetermined sequence and select a target usage history list.

Moreover, by using this technical means, two methods can be arbitrarily selected as a life compensation method when the consumable component 2 to be subjected to life management is destroyed before its life.

One of them is to grasp the usage history of the consumable part 2 by searching the usage history list, and to compensate for the remaining life based on this usage history (Claim 5).

Another method is to understand the usage history of the consumable part 2 by searching the usage history list, and use the remaining life based on this usage history as new life end information of the consumable part 2 to manage its life. This new consumable part 2 is set in the storage medium 8a of the unit 8, and the life of the consumable part 2 is compensated (Claim 6).

[Effect]

In the technical means shown in FIG. 1(a), the basic function of the life management control means 7 is to store data in the life management unit 4 at the timing when the unit counter 5 reaches the unit number of times during the image recording operation. The count value of the total counter 6 based on the count value of the unit counter 5 is held in the medium 4a.

On the other hand, the exceptional action of the life management control means 7 is that when the power is turned on or an emergency pause state occurs during image recording operation, the storage medium 4 of the life management unit 4
A is caused to hold the count value of the total counter 6 based on the count value of the unit counter 5.

Further, in the technical means shown in FIG. 1(b), the usage history determining means 12 reads out the product number and image recording frequency information of the consumable part 2 from the storage medium 8a of the life management unit 8 at the time of power-on. , determines whether consumable part 2 is new or used, and if consumable part 2 is new, adds a new usage history list and selects it, while if consumable part 2 is used If so, search the usage history list in the usage history storage means ll, and if it is not on the list, make the relevant consumable part 2 unusable, and if it is on the list, select it, and save the selected usage history list to life. Adopted as management data.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

Table of Contents ■, System Overview (1) System Applicable Device Overall Configuration (2) System Applicable Target (2-a) Print Cartridge CRU (2-b) User Web CRU (3) System Overall Configuration ■, Print Cartridge CRU life management (1) Overview (2) EEPROM (2-a) Basic specifications (2-b) Interface hardware (2-c) Write sequence (2-d) Read sequence (2-e) Internal data ( 3) Counting method for number of prints % type % (3-c) Low Byte selection method (3-d)
E E F Save processing to ROM (3-e) 10
Adoption of a disk counter (3-f) Adoption of a down-counting method (3-g) EEPROM destruction processing (4) Hide file (4-a) Basic configuration (4-b) Data structure (4-c) ) List selection processing (5) Processing at power-on (6) Processing at preset (7) Processing at abnormality (8) Processing at diagnosis -a) Web motor control method % type % (2) Life management details (2-a) Web motor cumulative on time (2-b) End of life (2-c) Web counter reset method % type % ■, Life compensation (1) Overview (2) Life compensation method (2-a) Credit (CREDIT) method (2-b)
Life Compensation (LIFE C0MPEN5
(4) Points to keep in mind when producing CRU■, System modification example (1) RUN-TO-FAILUER method (2) User web CRU life management modification example■, System overview (1> System 2 shows the overall configuration of a remote printer to which the present invention is applied.

In the figure, the remote printer uses a communication language (for example, PO3TSCRIFT) from the host computer 21.
, INTERPRESS, etc.) into image data DT in a predetermined format and transfer the converted image data DT (hereinafter referred to as E S
(abbreviated as “onic Sub System”))22,
An image output terminal (hereinafter referred to as IO
T [Image Output Terminal]
) 23.

The above 10T23 is, for example, a recording module 3 that employs a so-called electrophotographic method and records images transferred from the ESS 21 on recording paper in monochrome (for example, black).
0.

The components of this recording module 30 will be explained based on FIG. 3. In the figure, 31 is a photosensitive drum, 32 is a rotron that charges the photosensitive drum 31 in advance, and 33 corresponds to an image transferred onto the photosensitive drum 31. ROS unit (Raster output 5ca) that forms a latent image.
34 is a developing unit of, for example, a magnetic brush type, which develops the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 with black toner by the beam from the ROS unit 33; 35 is a developing unit that develops the latent image potential on the photosensitive drum 31 A transfer pre-processing corotron 36 charges the supplied paper 37 and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 to the paper 37. A transfer corotron 38 removes the charge on the paper 37 after the transfer process. 39 is a cleaner that removes residual toner on the photosensitive drum 31; 40 is a photosensitive drum 31;
41 is a heat roll type fixing unit (hereinafter referred to as fuser) that fixes the unfixed toner image on paper 37 after the transfer process; 42 is a fixing unit that fixes the unfixed toner image on paper 37 after the transfer process; This is a user web that supplies user oil.

In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 31.
Charged corotron32. Cleaner 39 and static elimination lamp 40
is integrated into the print cartridge CRU (Customer).
Abbreviation for Tomer Replaceable Unit)
Furthermore, the entire fuser web mechanism is integrated to constitute a fuser web CRU 60, and each CRU 50, 60 is configured to be detachably attached to an equipment frame (not shown). It has become.

(2) System Application Target (2-a) Print Cartridge CRU The print cartridge CRU 50 in the second embodiment has a unit case 51 in which various parts such as the photosensitive drum 31 are held, as shown in FIG. , a life management unit 52 is attached to the mounting opening 51a of this unit case 51.

As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), this life management unit 52 includes an EEPROM 54 that stores data such as the end-of-life value of the number of prints and the number of printable sheets.
A connector 55 is connected to the board 53, and the connector 55 is fixed to a predetermined portion of the unit case 51 with screws or the like not shown.

Then, when the print cartridge CRU 50 is installed in a predetermined part of the machine frame from the insertion direction shown by the arrow in FIG.
(see Fig. 7). Furthermore, the fifth
In the figure, reference numeral 56 indicates an insertion portion of the connector 55, 57 indicates a guide rod for connecting the connector 55 to a connector (not shown) on the aircraft frame side, and 58 indicates a mounting hole for attaching the connector 55 to the unit case 51. .

(2-b) Fuser Web CRU As shown in FIG. 6, the Fuser Web CRU 60 includes a web supply roll 61 on which the Fuser web 42 impregnated with forza oil is wound in advance and sequentially supplied.
A web collection roll 62 that winds up the supplied fuser web 42, a press roll 63 that presses the fuser web 42 against the heat roll 41a of the fuser 41, and a web motor 64 that drives the web collection roll 62.
The user web CRU 60 is set in a predetermined position and includes a web sensor 65 that detects whether or not it is new.

In this embodiment, the web sensor 65 has a pair of arms 67 and 68 extending in the radial direction at a predetermined angle from a predetermined rotating shaft 66, and protruding from a predetermined rotation axis 66.
One arm 6 is attached to the web outer peripheral surface of the web supply roll 61.
7 in pressure contact, and so as to block the optical path of the photocoupler 69 only when the web supply roll 61 is new.
The other arm 68 is arranged in the optical path of the photocoupler 69.

This user web CRU 60 is not equipped with a life management unit 52 like the print cartridge CRU 50, and is equipped with a control board 7 of 10T23.
Life is managed on the 0 side.

(3) Overall system configuration In FIG. 7, reference numeral 70 is an IOT control board, and CPU 71. A microcomputer system includes a memory 72, 110 port 73, and a system bus 74. This 10T control board 7
0 is a console panel 75 that performs various operations, and a liquid crystal display panel (hereinafter referred to as LCD) that is provided on the console panel 75 and displays messages regarding the status of 10T23.
[Liquid Crystal Display
) 76, ROS unit 33,
It controls the developing unit 34, the user 43, the print cartridge CRU 50 (including the EEPROM 54), the user web CRU 60 (web motor 64, etc.), the paper conveyance system 77 for sequentially supplying the paper 37 to the transfer site, etc. be.

In this embodiment, the memory 72 includes the ESS 22
Recording module 30 according to print job instructions from
a recording module control program that controls the recording operation process of the ESS, a paper conveyance program that controls the paper conveyance system 77 according to print job instructions from the ESS, a print cartridge CRU50, and a user web CRU6.
A life management program for managing the life of 0 is stored in advance.

■ Life management of print cartridge CRU (1) Overview The EEPROM 54 of the life management unit 52 attached to each print cartridge CRU 50 contains
An end-of-line (End of Life) value, etc. is saved in advance, and printing is possible up to this end-of-life value. For the print cartridge CRU50 that has reached the end-of-life value, the data in the EEPROM 54 is saved based on the end-of-line detection. Destroy the print cartridge CRU5 using software.
Disable the use of 0.

In addition, the number of remaining printable pages is displayed at regular intervals using the EEPRO function.
Save in M54, print cartridge CRU50
To make it possible to grasp the frequency of use, such as how much it has been used even if it is removed.

Furthermore, even if the EEPROM 54 is damaged before its life, the usage history of how much it has been used can be viewed.

(2) EEPROM (2-a) Basic specifications The EEPROM 54 according to this embodiment is SGS-THO
This is a custom product of 5T24CO2 manufactured by MSON. still,
This 5T24CO2 is 2K Bit 5erial 2
It is a Wire Bus CMOS EEPROM.

■Bus Timing Bus timing is the timing shown in FIG. 8(a). In the same figure, SCL is 5erial
C1ock is an abbreviation, and SDA is an abbreviation for 5erial data, and will be similarly abbreviated below.

In this case, the write cycle (hereinafter, Write Cyc
5t after 5top condition (denoted by le)
art conditi.

Since it takes a maximum of 10 m5 ec to erase/program the EEPROM, it is necessary to provide an interval of 10 m5 ec or more. In addition, the 5 top Condi of the read cycle (hereinafter referred to as ReadCycle)
5tart condition after tion is 4.7
It is necessary to provide an interval of at least 1 sec.

■Data Change Data Change is set when SCL is at low level (hereinafter referred to as
(indicated by Low).

■Acknowledge Acknowledgment (hereinafter abbreviated as ACK) is SC
SDA when L is at a high level (hereinafter referred to as High)
Represented by Low.

■5tart15top Condition Figure 8 (
As shown in b), 5tart Condition is defined by the signal when SDA changes from old gh to Low while SCL High, and 5top Condition
on is when SDA is low to old gh while SCL is high
It is defined by the signal when the change occurs.

■Device Addressing (Slave
Address/8Bit)Device Address
ssing is defined by a signal as shown in FIG. 8(c).

In the same figure, the upper 4 Bits “101O” are 5T24C
O2 identification signal, the lowest bit is Read/Wr
ite (Read...1.Write...0), and the remaining 3 bits "000" are device addresses (address for selecting an IC when a plurality of BEPRPMs are connected).

■Write 0 operations ◎Byte Write This writes IByte data to the specified address.
This is realized by transmitting and receiving signals as shown in FIG. 8(d). In the same figure, Wor
d Address is the address in memory to write.
ess (00h-FFh), and the Date is the above Ad
This is the Date to write to dress.

◎Page Write This is 8 bytes consecutive from the specified address
Data is written continuously, and the 8th
This is realized by transmitting and receiving signals as shown in Figure (e). In the same figure, Word Address is the first address in the memory where 8-byte data is written.
s, and Data n-Data n+7 is the Date to write to the specified address.

■Acknowledge Polling This is Wr.
This is to confirm that the ite cycle has ended. Specifically, 5T24CO2 reduces E to memory depending on the 5top Condition when writing.
Start rage/Program and press Erage/Pr.
Even if it receives 51ave Address during ogram, it does not send ACK and t! An ACK is transmitted when the rage/Program is completed.

■Read 0operations ◎Current Address Read This is W
This is to read the data of Address+1 that was accessed the previous time (Read/Write) without specifying the address, and is shown in Figure 8 (f).
), 5T24CO2 is 5top Cond
Read 51ave Address after ition
Current Address by receiving s
Realize s Read. At this time, the mask is Data
After receiving the old gh Level and 5to instead of ACK
p Condition.

◎Random Read This is to read the memory in the 5T24CO2 specified by the mask, and as shown in Figure 8 (g), the 5T
24CO2 is Current Address Rea
Write 51av as dummy before d protocol
Random Read is realized by receiving the e Address and Word Address.

◎5equential Read This is to read the memory in 5T24CO2 continuously.As shown in Figure 8 (h), 5T24C
O2 is Current Address Read/R
By receiving ACK after transmitting the data of andam Read, 5equential Read is realized and the data of the previous Word Address+1 is continued to be transmitted.

(2-b) Interface hardware Figure 9 shows EE
The PROM interface board is shown.

In the same figure, the EEPROM 54 is connected to 5CL (Serial C1ock) from the IOT control board 70.
) from the CK port, and 5DA (Serial D
data) is transmitted and received. In this embodiment, one EEFROM 54 is connected to the IOT control board 70.
Exchange of I Byte data with “ACK”
Including this, 9 clocks are required.

Further, a voltage VPP of a predetermined level is applied to the EEPROM 54, and ports AO to A3 of the EEPROM 54 (ports used when connecting a plurality of EEPROMs 54) are grounded.

(2-c) Write sequence FIG. 1O shows the write sequence of the EEPROM 54 according to this embodiment. In this example, 5T24CO
Byte W of 2 Write 0 operations
Use the write + Page Write mode.

In the same figure, the OT control board 70 is set as an output port (step [hereinafter abbreviated as ST] 1)
After that, send “5tart Condition” and “51ave Address Write M
ode” (Sr1.3).

Thereafter, the IOT control board 70 performs an Acknowledgment reception check (ST5 to ST10) after setting it as an input port (Sr1).

The Acknowledgment reception check referred to here first checks whether or not "ACK" is received from the EEPROM 54 side. If "ACK" is received, the process advances to the next step (STII), but if "ACK" is not received, If not received, after setting it as an output port (Sr6), be careful and send “5top Condition” 9 times (5T7), “NACK (Not Acknowledgment)”.
dge)” has occurred 5 times or more.
8) If it is less than 5 times, 10 due to EEPROM restrictions.
After waiting for m5ec (Sr1), return to STI and return to S
If the number of times exceeds 5 in TI, it is assumed that the EEPROM is broken and the post-processing (STIO) set to the input port is terminated.

Here, in Sr1, “5top Condition
The reason why "on" is transmitted nine times is as follows. In other words, the EEPROM is in “5top Condition”
In the worst case, it is possible to detect I CLOC in OC1ock.
On the other hand, the Write Mode (the same applies to the Read Mode described later) is "5top C".
EEPROM
This is because nine reception opportunities are required for the user to reliably receive “5top Condition”.

After that, the IOT control board 70
After setting the output port in , write destination Add
STI 2) to send a response, then check the ACK reception after setting it to the input port (STI 3)
, 14).

Upon receiving the ACK in 5T14, the IOT control board 70 performs continuous data write processing (ST15 to 5T19).

Here, in the continuous Data Write process, first, after setting it as an output port (ST15), the IByte Data
If you want to send a 5T16), after setting it to the input port,
Performs a CK reception check (ST17, 18) and returns “ACK”.
”, it is determined whether or not to perform the next data transmission (5T19), and the processes from 5T15 to 5T19 are repeated again until it is determined that the next data transmission is not to be performed.

Then, when it is determined in 5T19 that the next data transmission will not be performed, the IOT control board 70 sets it as an output port (Sr20) and
5T21), and the series of processing ends.

(2-d) Read sequence FIG. 11 shows the read sequence of the EEPROM 54 according to this embodiment. In this example, 5T24CO
2 Read 0 operations Random
Use Read + 5equential Read mode.

In the figure, after the IOT control board 70 is set as an output port (STI), the state is "5tart C."

"51ave A" and "51ave A
ddressWrite Mode” (ST
2,3).

After that, the IOT control board 70 sets it as an input port (ST4), and then performs an ACK reception check (ST5).
~5TIO).

Then, when “ACK” is received in ST5, the IO
The T control board 70 is set as an output port (
STII), then send the Read destination address5.
T12), then, after setting it as an input port, an ACK reception check is performed (ST13, ST14).

When the 10T control board 70 receives "ACK" in 5T14, the 10T control board 70 sets the output (ST15) and then transmits "5ta1tCondition" (ST15).
16) together with “51ave Address Rea
dMode” to the input port (ST 17), then set it to the input port and check the ACK reception (ST 17).
ST 1 B, 19).

Then, upon receiving 'ACK' at 5T19,
Perform continuous Data Read processing (ST20 to ST2
4).

Here, in the continuous Data Read process, first, IBy
5T20), then the next D
5T21) and the next D
If you want to read ATA, perform an ACK reception check after setting it as an output port (ST22, 23), and read “A”.
CK” is received, input settings again ST 24
), read IByte Data (ST20)
.

Then, until it is determined not to read the next data,
Repeat the processes from 5T20 to 5T24.

Then, when it is determined in ST21 that the next data is not to be read, the IOT control board 70 sets it as an output port (ST25) and
5T26), and the series of processing ends.

(2-e) Internal Data In this embodiment, the EEPROM 54 stores the following information.

■Princess This does not indicate the number of prints per se, but rather how many more prints can be made, and directly indicates the customer's print usage frequency.

■Re-Order print (Re-Order
(Po1nt) This prompts the customer to "Re-order", and in this example, the End Of
10K remaining prints until Life print count
[2710hl (specifically, the number of prints is 40.1K)
) are saved.

■Warnin Print (Warnin P
o1nt) This prompts the customer to "Warning", and in this example, the End Of Life
Number of remaining prints up to e-print number 5K [1388
hl (specifically, equivalent to the number of prints of 45.1K) is saved.

■End Of Life print sheet (E+td O
f Life Point) In this example, the end-of-life value 50.1K[00C364h1 is saved. This end-of-life value of 50.1 is set by taking into account the customer's compensation life of 50K and the test prints on the production line, etc. of 0.1K.

■CRU Differentiation (OEM)
10 Number This is OEM (Original)
This is another identification number (10Number) (abbreviation for Equipment Manufacturing), and is saved as IByte Data, for example.

To be more specific, this 10 Number is used to distinguish between products that meet the customer's special requirements and general products.For example, the specifications for cold regions and the specifications for hot and humid regions are used. By changing the sensitivity of the photosensitive material at the center,
It is used to identify these products when the composition of the developer is different.

■Batch Nnmber This means a serial number, and is saved as 6-byte data, for example.

(3) Counting method for number of prints % type % In this embodiment, the data of the number of remaining prints stored in the EEPROM is 0 to 50 in this embodiment.
．． There is a 1K test, but the following will be explained later: (1) RUN TOF
In the AILURE method, for example, the number is 120K, so taking these into consideration, a 3-byte counter (3-byte Co
unter) is used.

3Byte (High Byte) of this 3byte counter
e/Middle Byte/Low Byte) is an important value to know the frequency of print use, and assuming that it is destroyed for some reason, High Byte/M
Idle Byte has 5 same values, Low B
yte has three same values. and,
When reading each Byte, majority decision processing is performed assuming that each data is different.

In addition, the write enable count value of the EEPROM used in this embodiment is
Considering t), it is necessary to avoid writing to the same address more than 10,000 times.
In this embodiment, the Low Byte is distributed and stored in 16 blocks according to the total number of prints.

FIG. 12 shows a memory map of the EEPROM used in this embodiment.

In the same figure, “Low Byte (Counter
l-Counter3)” is Adr (Address
(abbreviation)■～Adr@, and is distributed and stored in “Middle
e Byte/High Byte (Counterl
~Counter5)” is stored in Adr@/Adr@, “Re-0rder Po1nt”, “W
``arning Point'', ``End 0f
Life Point, “CRU Differ
tion, “Batch Number”
are respectively stored in Adr@) ~Adr@, and furthermore, “
"CRU Check Area" is stored in Adr@.

Here, the above "CRU Check Area" is used to check whether or not it is an end-on-life CRU, and a predetermined value such as "5Ah" is set as the initial value, and the CRU is used at the end-on-life time. ,E
By destroying the EPROM data, the result is “
A value other than "5Ah" is set.

(3-b) Majority decision processing when reading each Byte Multiple (3 or 5) each Byte of the 3-byte counter
Along with writing, multiple pieces of data of each Byte
is assumed to be different, and in this case, Read
Sometimes it is necessary to process which data should be specified.

Figures 13 and 14 show the L adopted in this example.
ow Byte (3 pieces) and Middle Byte
/High Byte (5 pieces) majority processing flow.

In FIG. 13, first, three D of Low Byte
After extracting (STI) atal ~ Data3, Da
Check whether tal = Data2, and set Data
If =Data2, select Data (Sr1
, 3).

On the other hand, in the case of Data + Data2, Data
Please check whether l = Data3 (ST4)
, Data is selected if Data=Data3 (Sr3). If Data≠Data3, check whether Data2 = Data3 (ST5), and if Data2 = Data3, select Data2 (5T6);
If ≠Data3 (all Data are different), select the first Data (Sr3).

In this way, at the stage where the selected Data is determined, the Low Byte (3 pieces) majority voting process ends.

In addition, in FIG. 14, first, Middle By
5 Data-Dat of te/High Byte
After extracting a5 (STI), Datal and remaining Da
ta (Sr1).

In this case, check whether there are two or more same data as Data in the remaining oata (5T3)
, select Data if there are two or more (Sr1).

If there are no two or more same items, Data = Da
Please check whether it is ta2 or not.
al = Data27: If present, Data3 = Data
Please check whether 4 = Data5 or not (ST 6)
, Data3 is selected if Data3 = Data4 = Data5 (Sr1). On the other hand, Data3
If ≠Data4≠Data5, select Data (Sr1).

Also, in Sr1, if Data ≠ Data2, Data = Data3 or Data4 o
Please check whether it is Data5 or not (ST8)
, Data = Data3 or Data4or
If it is Data 5, check whether the remaining 3 Data match each other (5T9), and the remaining 3 Data
If they match, select Data2 (STIO)
. On the other hand, if the remaining 3 oata do not match each other, D
atal is selected (ST4).

Furthermore, in ST9, Data +Data3 o
r If Data4 or Data5, Data
Compare 2 and Data3 to Data5 (STII)
, and check whether there is one or more of the same data as Data2 in Data3 to Data5 (5T12),
If there is one or more same items, select Data2 (ST
10). If there is no same one or more, Data
Please check whether 3=Data4=Data5 (ST6), Data3=Data4=
If it is Data5, select Data3 (ST7)-
On the other hand, if Data3≠Data4≠Data5, then Da
tal is selected (ST4).

In this way, at the stage where the selected Data is determined, N1ddle Byte/High Byte
(5) majority voting process is completed.

(3-c) Low Byte Selection Method FIG. 15 shows the Low Byte selection method adopted in this embodiment.

In the same figure, 16 booths o-7 (Adr■~Adr@1
) to use as the Low nyte is determined by the upper N1 of Middle Byte (aa-at).
bble(a4-ay).

For example, (a4...at) → selection block (0
000) → Adr■ (0001) → Adr■ (1111) -Adr@.

According to this method, Low Byte is written a maximum of 4095 times per block, and the EEPRO
Lifespan of M (Wr less than 10,000 times for the same address)
ite).

(3-d) Save processing to EEPROM Figure 16 shows EE
The flow of save processing to FROM is shown.

In the same figure, first, it is determined whether the High Byte is changed or not.
When it is determined that e will be changed, the old gh Byte is changed to W.
After rite (ST2), if not, immediately proceed to ST3.

Then, in ST3, after calculating the selection block (Adr) of the Low Byte from the Middle Byte, it is determined whether or not the Middle Byte is to be changed (ST4). When it is determined that the Middle Byte is to be changed, the Middle Byte is Write
e After doing so (ST5), if not, immediately,
Low Byte in the selected block calculated in ST3
Write (ST6).

After this, read the data written in ST7.
5T7), the read data is the written data
Check whether they are the same (5T8), and if they are the same, end the save process.

On the other hand, in ST8, if the read Data is different from the written aata, it is determined as NG and the 8th block 1 to S
Repeat the process up to T8, and if NG continues 5 times in a row, eject the paper from the M/C (abbreviation for Machine) and perform cycle down processing (ST9, 10), then,
“EEFR” indicates that the EEPROM is corrupted.
OM broken display" is performed (STI 1), and the series of processing ends.

(3-e) Adoption of 10-sheet counter As shown in FIG. 17, the IOT includes a total counter 81 that counts the number of remaining prints, as well as a 10-sheet counter 82 that counts the number of prints every 10 sheets. 72 non-volatile memories (hereinafter referred to as N V M [Non
Volatile Memory> area.

The purposes of using this 10-sheet counter are: (1) to set the timing for saving every 10 sheets in the EEPROM 54, and (2) to perform correction when the power is turned off before saving.

Note that if the value of the 10-sheet counter is 11 or more due to NVM failure or the like, it is set to 10.

In this embodiment, the following processing is performed using a 10-sheet counter.

When the power is turned on (see FIG. 20) If the value of the 10-sheet counter 82 is not 0 when the power is turned on, the value of the 10-sheet counter 82 is subtracted from the total counter 81 and this value is saved in the EEPROM 54.

To write it schematically, it is as follows: total counter 10 sheets counter (≠0) → total counter → EEPROM.

Here, when the 10-sheet counter 82 is not 0, the EEP
Occurs when the count value is saved in ROM. In addition, the timing for clearing the 10 sheets counter to 0 is EEPRO.
This is the time of "Verify OK" in the process of ST7 and ST8 of the save process to M (see FIG. 16). Therefore, EEP
The 10-sheet counter 82 is cleared to 0 when the save process to the ROM is completed.

01971 hours (see Figure 21) When printing is started and the 10-sheet counter 82 reaches 10, or when a cycle down/shutdown occurs, subtract the value of the 10-sheet counter 82 from the total counter 81 and save this value to the EEPROM 54. do.

Written schematically, Total counter 10 pieces counter →Total counter →EEPROM becomes.

(3=f) Adoption of countdown method This is a method for counting down the print volume.

In this method, as shown in FIG. 21, printing is started and the user exit switch SW (a switch disposed at the exit part of the user 41 and detects that paper passes through the user 41) is used.
The 10 sheet counter 82 is incremented at the off timing of ST1.2), )-tal counter 8.
Only the calculation is subtracted from 1 (5T3), and this calculated value is “En
d of Life” “Warning Re
-0rder” ST4, 9.11
)do.

Then, when the 10 sheet counter 82 reaches 10 (ST1
3), or during cycle down/shutdown (
In ST17), subtract the value of the 10-sheet counter 82 from the total counter 81 (countdown) (ST15, 18).
), save this value in EEFROM (ST16, 1
9).

(3-g) EEPROM Destruction Processing The IOT control board 70 destroys a predetermined address (TBD) in the EEFROM when the CRU reaches its end-off life.
Address) and disables the EEPROM (see Figure 20, 5T24, Figure 21, 5TII).
.

In this embodiment, data in the EEFROM is destroyed by accessing a predetermined address in the EEFROM. Then, the EEFROM 5erial
All data is output at "Low Level", so for example, even if you read "CRU Check Area", the value will be "00h" and will never be read as "5Ah".As a result, this cartridge has reached the end of its life. (Fig. 21, 5TII)
, 12).

(4) History File
(4-a) Basic configuration As shown in FIG. 18, the history file 100 collects usage history data of the print cartridge CRU 50 and user web CRU 60 in order to know which CRU the customer has used and how much. It is something to remember.

This hysteresis file 10o is created on the NVM on the IOT control board 70, and the EEFR
OM54, print counter 8° (total counter 8
1.10 sheet counter 82), a web counter (counter for counting the remaining time that the web motor of the user web CRU can be turned on) 90, and usage history data stored in the EEFROM 54 can be filed. For details on the above web counter, please refer to ■(2)
).

Here, as the usage history data, the serial number of the print cartridge CRU + the remaining number of printable sheets and the remaining time for which the web motor of the user web CRU can be turned on are used.

(4-b) Data structure FIG. 19 shows an example of the data structure of the hysteresis file.

In this embodiment, the maximum number of lists in the history file is 10, and if the list exceeds 10, the oldest list is deleted and used (First-In-First-Ou).
t).

Each list (Listl-List10) includes "5erial No. (6 Byte)""Remaining number of printable sheets (3 Byte)""Web
The remaining time for Motor On (4 bytes) is provided.

(4-c) List selection process This list selection process is as follows (see FIG. 20(a) for ■■, and FIG. 21 for ■).

■ When the power is turned on (when the front interlock is opened/closed), the Batch No., (Ser.
ial No.) and the remaining number of printable sheets (ST2゜7).

■ Then, check whether the print cartridge CRU is new (5T13), and if it is new, first reset the web counter to the end-off life value (ST14) and set the counter in the EEPROM to the end-off life value. After rewriting (ST 15), check whether the list is completely filled in (5T16)
, select an empty list if it is empty (ST17
) On the other hand, if all are filled, delete the oldest list and select 5T18), then create a new list (BatchNO0
/Remaining number of printable sheets (Print Count)/
Remaining time when web motor can be turned on (Web Count)
) is registered (ST19).

In 5T13, if it is determined that the item is a used item, the stored file is searched, and if the item has been restored, the list is selected (ST20). On the other hand, if it is not on the list, it has been used by another machine, so its use is prohibited (ST21).

(2) Printing control is performed based on the remaining printable number (Print Count) value/remaining web motor on time (Web Count) value of the list selected in this way.

In this case, at the same time as saving the Pr1nt Count value in EEPROM, Pr1n is also saved in the hysteresis file.
Write the t Count value and Web Count value (STI5.16, 19.20).

Additionally, if end-of-line occurs, the list of print cartridge CRU is deleted (ST16).
.

(5) Processing at power-on The processing flow at power-on (including opening and closing of the front interlock) is shown in FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b).

In FIG. 20(a), when the power is turned on, first, E
Check Area Dat from within the E P ROM
a ”“Batch No.” “OEM ID N”
o, “End of Life value” Warnin
g value @ “Re-0rder value” “Pr1nt Co
After reading “unt value” (STI-8T7), “ID-
Check whether NO-COME flag is set (5T8). At this time, the IOT is
), always check whether the 10 Number has arrived from the ESS.
When receiving amber, “1010-No-COfl
ag”.

Therefore, at the stage when the IOT receives the ID Number, "ID-No-COME fl
ag” is set, and then ID Num
Check whether the number is correct (5T9), and if it is not correct, 10 Number is displayed as unregistered (ST
IO) End the process.

In addition, if 10 Number is determined to be correct, the above "Check Area Data" will be set to "5".
Please check if it is ``Ah'' 5TII), ``5
If it is not Ah', an Eld Of Life display is performed (ST12) and the process ends.

If it is determined in 5T11 that the print cartridge is "5Ah", after the list selection process (ST13 to ST21) of the history file is performed, the currently installed print cartridge CRU in the history file is
A pointer pointing to the list is set (ST22).

After this, check whether the CRU is "End of Life" (5T23), "End of Life".
e”, EEPROM destruction processing (ST24)
At the same time, display the End of Life (
ST25) End the process.

At 5T23, if it is not End of Life, then check whether the 10 sheet counter is 0 or not.
6) If it is not O, save the total count value in the EEPROM and write the print count value in the list of the history file (ST27.28). After this, through the judgment process of 5T23 and 5726, it is next checked whether the print count value is "Warning", and if it is "Warning", a warning is displayed (ST29.30), and if "Warning" If not, then check whether it is “Re-0rder” or not.
If “Re-0rder”, Re-0rder is displayed (ST31.32), Warning is displayed, and Re-0rder is displayed (ST31.32).
After displaying -0rder, or 'Warn
ing and “Re-0rder”, C
If the RU is in the Ready state, set ST33),
Finish the series of processing.

(6) Processing during printing FIG. 21 shows the processing flow during the print operation.

In the figure, when printing is started, the STI first increments the 10-sheet counter according to the off timing of the user exit switch SW.

2) Calculate the current total count (S73)
.

After this, “End of Life” is determined based on the above calculated value.
5T4), "End of L"
If it is, eject the paper in the M/C and cycle down (ST5), and delete the list of dead files (5T6). After the L is completed, destroy the EEPROM and display the End of Life message Do (ST
7,8).

In ST4, if it is not "End of Life", then it is checked whether the above calculated value is "Warning", and if it is "Warning", it is
g is displayed (ST9, 10), and “Warning” is displayed.
If not, next check whether it is "Re-0rder", and if it is "R2-order", check whether it is "Re-0rder".
Perform display (STI 1, 12).

Then, after the Warning display and Re-0rder display, or "Warning" and "Re-0rder"
-0rder'', then check whether the 10 sheet counter is 10 or not.STI 3), 1
If it is 0, count down the IO from the total counter (ST14), save the print count value in the EEPROM, rewrite the history file list (ST15, ST16), and proceed to the next 5TI7.

On the other hand, if it is determined that 5T13 is not 10, ST1? Proceed to and repeat the process from STI to 5T16 unless cycled down/shutdown.
At the time of cycle down/shutdown, the value of the 10-sheet counter is counted down from the total counter (5T1B), the print count value is saved in the EEPROM, and the list of the history file is rewritten (ST19, ST20).

At this stage, the printer has returned to standby mode.

(7) Processing in case of abnormality ■Processing when the power is turned off while EEPROM is being saved.

In this case, the print count value is not saved, but 1
The values of the 0 sheet counter and the total counter are held.

When the power is turned on next time, if the value of the 10 sheets counter is not O, there is no problem because the value obtained by subtracting the value of the 10 sheets counter from the total counter is saved in the EEPROM.

■Processing when the front interlocker is opened during EEFROM access In this case, the print operation is prohibited by the shutdown process, but the transmission and reception of signals between the EEPROM and the IOT control board continues, so this is a particular problem. It won't be.

(8) Processing during diagnosis FIG. 22 shows the processing during diagnosis.

In the same figure, start IOT diagnosis, DIAG■～
Select one up to DIAG■ (STI.

3.5, 7, 9.11), and the Pr1nt Count remaining number display (ST2
), ID number display (S T 4 ), 5e
Real Number display (ST 6), End
of Life value display (ST8), Web motor
On remaining time display (ST 10), HISTO
RY FILE display (ST12) is performed.

Then, look at the old 5TORY FILE display and select End.
If you operate the End of Life value setting key, it will be determined whether or not the End of Life value setting key is operated.
EN5ATION ' wo execution L (ST14), otherwise the process returns to ST1 again.

Incidentally, if none of the above DIAG ■ to ■ is selected, other selected diag processing is performed (ST
15).

■ Life management of Fuuser Web CRU (1) Preconditions for life management (1-a) Web motor control method In Figure 6, since the web motor 64 rotates at a constant speed, the shaft diameter on the winding side is thick. As a result, the speed of the fuser web 32 on the heat roll 41a increases, and the amount of fuser oil to be supplied increases. Therefore, in order to supply an appropriate amount of fuser oil onto the heat roll 41a, it is necessary to perform chopping control while the web motor 64 is on.

◎Web motor on/off timing ■On timing When the leading edge of the paper comes a predetermined distance from the fuser nip (
(When a predetermined time T has elapsed since the registration gate oven for positioning the paper disposed in front of the transfer unit position).

■Off timing When the trailing edge of the paper has passed by a predetermined distance immediately after the fuser nip (when a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the fuser exit switch was turned off).

◎Chopping Control Method In this embodiment, chopping is performed with one cycle T0 of 3.17 seconds, during which on and off is performed, and the on/off timing is changed depending on the total on time of the web motor and the number of continuous prints.

A part of the web motor chopping time setting list is shown in FIG.

In the figure, 93882 seconds is a warning time, and 95736 seconds is an end of life time.

In addition, Registration Gat
e) , User Exit Switch (Puser Exit Switch)
5w1tch) on/off, web motor (Web
Motor) on/off control.

FIG. 24 shows an example of a timing chart for chopping control of the web motor. In the figure, the web counter counts only the chopping on time (lattice-shaped hatched area) of the web motor.

(1-b) Web sensor This is for checking whether a user web CRU is set in the user unit and checking whether the user web CRU is new.

The detection timing of this web sensor is when the front interlock is closed and the print cartridge CR
It's time for U to be new.

At this time, the user web CRU is stored in the user unit.
If the user web CRU is set in the user unit and it is a new one, the web sensor will turn on. , the web sensor will be turned off.

(2) Life management details Since the user web CRU does not have a sensor etc. to detect the remaining amount, the time the web motor is turned on is accumulated (D
(including those in IAG), and detects the level of web consumption.

(2-a) Cumulative on time of web motor ◎ Calculation method The cumulative on time of web motor is NVM4 By of IOT
te (web counter 90: see FIG. 18) in BCD, and counting is performed in units of 10 m5ec.

Therefore, the maximum value of the counter is 999999.99 seconds
It is.

◎How to check web consumption The actual cumulative on-time count of the web motor is lQm.
The on/off control of the web motor is performed in seconds using the upper 3 bytes of the 4 bytes of the web counter (1 sec accuracy).

(2-b) End of line◎Warning time Web motor cumulative time is 1564.7 minutes (93882 minutes)
sec) (the remaining time that the web motor can be turned on is 1854 [95736-93882] 5ea), a warning is detected.

◎End of Life time Web motor cumulative time is 1595.6 minutes (95736 minutes)
sec) (the remaining turn-on time of the web motor is 0), Web En+j of Life is detected and the M/C is cycled down.

How to clear Web End of Life detection:
Print cartridge CRU and user web CRU (
(pair) and close the front interlock or power off/on.

(2-C) How to reset the web counter The web counter is reset when a new print cartridge CRU is set (Figure 20 (a) STI 3, 1
(see 4).

Here, as the web counter reset operation, the End of Life value (95736,
00sec). Thereafter, the web counter counts down in units of lQmsEIC.

(2-d) Unlike the print cartridge CRU, the historical file user web CRU does not have a medium for holding data.

Therefore, the value of the counter at the time of replacement cannot be retained, and even the fact that it has been replaced cannot be detected.

Therefore, the user web CRU should basically be replaced at the same time as the print cartridge CRU, and if they are always used in pairs, the web motor on/off control can be controlled by using the fuse file as shown in Figure 19. can be controlled individually.

■, Life insurance (1) Overview Since print cartridge CRU etc. are units purchased by the customer in advance, print cartridge CR
If the EEPROM of the U is damaged before its life or the drum is damaged, it is necessary to compensate for the remaining life.

(2) Life Compensation Method (2-a) Credit (CREDIT) Method This is a method of compensating for the remaining life by paying in cash.

More specifically, for example, in FIG.
Rep (Technical Repairer)
DIAG■”, the LCD message will be “CRU HISTORY F”, as shown in Figure 25, for example.
ILE". Here, by operating a predetermined function key, Tech Rep searches the hidden file and checks the list to be credited. Then, if it is found, the list shown in FIG. The compensation is calculated and paid from the print count value (2000 in the example).At this time, if the print cartridge CR
The compensation will only be valid if the U is confirmed to be defective, and after compensation, Tech Rep will take the defective print cartridge CRU and user web CRU home to prohibit their reuse.

Also, if the list is not found when searching the hysteria file, please check the new print cartridge C-R.
Give U instead.

(2-b) Life compensation (LIFE C0
(MPEN5ATION) method This is a method in which the remaining life of the print cartridge CRU is compensated in the form of prints by replacing the print cartridge with a new one.

Now, assuming that there are only 20 remaining print cartridge CRUs with 5erial No. 100 and they become unusable due to EEPROM failure, we will print 5erial No. 2.
00 new print cartridges CRU for compensation
It shall be set to U.

The specific execution modes of Tech Rep in this case are as follows.

■ Same as the credit method, the old 5TORY is displayed on the LCD.
Search FILE and display the target list on the LCD. At this time, the print count value is 2.
Assume that 0000 is displayed.

■ Pull out the print cartridge CRU and user web CRU currently in use from the M/C (abbreviation for Machine).

■ Insert a new print cartridge CRU into M/
Set to C.

■Operate the find of Life value setting keys as appropriate,
End of Life the remaining life amount (20K) listed above
Set as e value.

■ Pull out the print cartridge CRU after completing the settings.

■ Set the print cartridge CRU and user web CRU that you pulled out in step ■.

■ Power on (end).

In this case, it is necessary to also leave the user web CRU to be paired with the new print cartridge CRU for replacement.

Note that (2) is valid only if the print cartridge CRU is confirmed to be defective, and after compensation, Tech Rep takes the defective print cartridge CRU and user web CRU home to prohibit reuse.

Also, if the list is not found, a new print cartridge CRU is given instead.

(3) How to replace CRU■ Print cartridge CRU/Fuser web CR
U always uses the same 5erial No., and the latter one is bare.

■ If you replace the print cartridge CRU during use, be sure to use the same 5erial print cartridge CRU.
Replace it with the one marked No.

■ Print Cartridge CRU/Fuser Web CR
Regardless of which U has reached the end of life, both will be replaced with new ones.

■ If the Fuuser Web CRU breaks before its life, replace it with a new one, and replace the print cartridge CRU with the same 5er.
Replace with one with real number.

Defective user web CRU and print cartridge C
RU will be collected by Tech Rep.

(4) Points to keep in mind when producing CRU■ After checking the print cartridge CRU on the production line, set the count value to the unused state (FFFFFFh). This causes the software to output the count value “FFF”.
FFFh", the cartridge can be detected as new.

■ Test prints on the M/C production line should be limited to 100 sheets or less. If more than 100 sheets are sampled, the CRU (print cartridge/user web) will be replaced with a new one before being shipped.

In this case, if the life to be compensated to the customer is originally set to 50, the End of Life value is set in advance to 50.1K in consideration of the test print, and 50K is ensured for the customer.

■ Print cartridge CRU and user web C
The RUs are labeled with the same 5erial number and packaged.

■ Modified example of the system (1) RUN-To-FAILUER method In this method, the end of life value of the cartridge is set sufficiently larger than the original lifespan of the photosensitive drum (physical lifespan), and the end of life value is set in software. The drum is designed to reach the end of its life before the Life is detected. Note that no changes are required to the software when adopting this method.

In such a system, the customer can print while the photosensitive drum is in good condition, and only needs to replace the cartridge when the image quality deteriorates. In this method, prepaid CRU
Unlike the previous method, the system uses a method in which you pay for the amount of prints taken after the fact.

In this embodiment, since the EEPROM counter has a 3-byte configuration, it is possible to set a value larger than 50 (for example, 120K) as the Eod □f Life value.

(2) Life management modification example of the user web CRU In this embodiment, the user web CRU does not have a storage medium (EEPROM) like the print cartridge CRU, but is always replaced at the same time as the print cartridge CRU. It is something.

Therefore, by storing the web counter values of the user web CRUs in the EEPROM, it becomes possible to reliably manage the lives of a plurality of CRUs with one life management unit.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the life management system for an image recording device according to claim 1, the life management unit saves the number of times of image recording on the storage medium for each unit number of times, and saves the number of times of image recording for each unit number of times. If the computer is turned off without any operation or enters an emergency hibernation state, the number of image recordings will be saved as an exception, so the number of times saved on the storage medium will not increase unnecessarily. Therefore, the number of image recordings can be accurately saved in the storage medium, and the reliability of life management can be improved accordingly.

In particular, according to the life management system for an image recording device according to claim 2, the number of times of image recording is saved only when the count value of the unit counter is not zero when the power is turned on. Save operations can be reliably avoided.

Further, according to the life management system for an image recording device according to claim 3, since it includes a usage history list of a plurality of consumable parts used in the image recording device, even if the life management unit is broken, Also, by referring to the usage history list, the life management unit can grasp the usage frequency of the broken consumable parts, and the reliability of life management can be improved accordingly.

In particular, according to the life management system for an image recording device according to claim 4, since the usage history of other consumable parts that are the same replacement target as the consumable parts that are subject to life management is also stored, It is possible to accurately grasp the usage history of multiple consumable parts.

Further, according to the method of using the life management system for an image recording device according to claim 5 or 6, it is possible to accurately grasp the remaining life of a broken consumable part, and compensate for that life by credit or by replacing it with a new consumable part. By doing so, you can ensure that your life insurance coverage is guaranteed.

Further, according to the life management system for an image recording device according to claim 7, the number of test image recordings in the preliminary stage provided to the customer can be excluded from the life guarantee needle, so that the life that should be guaranteed can be guaranteed. can be secured.

Further, according to the life management system for an image recording device according to claim 8, since the life end information is selected as the life end information which is sufficiently larger than the life that should be guaranteed originally, the life that should be guaranteed originally is Even if the image quality is exceeded, it is possible to continue using consumable parts as long as the image quality is good.

Further, according to the life management system for an image recording device according to claim 9, it is possible to notify the customer of the time to order the next consumable parts and warn that the customer is approaching the end of the life. performance can be further improved.

Furthermore, according to the life management system for an image recording device according to claim 1O, for a plurality of consumable parts to be replaced simultaneously, images of other consumable parts are recorded in the storage medium of the life management unit of one consumable part. Since the number of times information is also stored, it is possible to reliably manage the life of consumable parts that cannot have a life management unit due to the surrounding environment or the like.

Further, according to the life management system for an image recording device according to claim 11, since the number of recorded images is down-counted, even if a consumable part is broken, the remaining number of times that images can be recorded can be displayed as is. This makes life insurance extremely easy.

According to the life management system for an image recording device according to claim 12, even if part of the image recording number information is destroyed due to a memory crash in the storage medium of the life management unit, correct image recording number information can be read out. This makes it possible to improve the reliability of the information on the number of times of image recording in the storage medium.

Further, according to the life management system for an image recording device according to claim 13, when the image recording number information is multi-byte information, the addresses in which the low-byte information is stored are distributed over a plurality of blocks. Even if the number of times the byte information is written inevitably increases, writing errors on the storage medium can be reliably prevented.

In particular, according to the life management system for an image recording apparatus according to claim 14, since the storage address block of the low byte information is selected by the upper multiple bit data of the upper byte information of the low byte information, the The number of times the byte information is written can be set approximately equal.

Further, according to the life management system for an image recording apparatus according to claim 15, the storage medium of the life management unit is provided with check area data indicating that the consumable part is not at the end of its life, and the life management control means By accessing a predetermined address at the end of life, the life management unit is destroyed and reading of the check area data is prohibited, which is a relatively simple method that ensures that consumable parts are unusable at the end of life. be able to.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1(a) and 1(b) are block diagrams showing the configuration of a life management system for an image recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image recording apparatus used in the embodiment, and The figure is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a recording module used in this embodiment, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a print cartridge CRU used in this embodiment, and FIG.
a) is a view in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 4, (b) is a bottom view thereof, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the user web CRU,
FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of IOT used in the embodiment,
Figures 8(a) to (h) show the EEPRO used in the example.
An explanatory diagram showing the basic specifications of M, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the eight-domain interface of EEPROM, and FIG.
Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the EEPROM write sequence, Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the EEPROM write sequence, Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the memory map of E'EF ROM, and Figure 13 is the Low A flowchart showing the majority voting process of Byte, FIG. 14 is the Middle
A flowchart showing the majority decision process for Byte/High Byte, FIG. 15 shows the Lo
An explanatory diagram showing how to select w Byte, Figure 16 is EE
Flowchart showing save processing to PROM, No. 17
The figure is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a counter for counting the number of prints used in this embodiment, Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the bottom of the hysteresis aisle tank used in this embodiment, and Fig. 19 is the data structure of the hysteresis aisle. An explanatory diagram showing an example, FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b) are flowcharts showing the process at power-on, FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the process at print, and FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the process at diak. Explanatory diagram showing, second
Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table of web motor chopping time, Fig. 24 is a timing chart showing the control operation process of the web motor, Fig. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a credit method as life compensation, and Fig. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a life compensation method. It is an explanatory diagram showing a life compensation system as compensation. [Explanation of symbols] l... Recording module 2... Consumable parts 3... Recording sheet 4... Life management unit 4a... Storage medium 5... Unit counter 6... Total counter 7... ... Life management control means 8 ... Life management unit 8a ... Storage medium 9 ... Counter IO ... Life management control means 11 ... Usage history storage means 12 ... Usage history determination means 2nd Figure 1 8 6 Figure 4 Figure 8 Figure 9 (b) Figure 9 ○ Figure 11 Tadashi Sanji (STI2) [EEEI (STI3) ■ Figure 12 Figure 0 (EEEI) Figure 13 ( Figure 15 Middle Byte Low Byte [E ← Tsumugi (STI+) G's C yo Figure 23 Figure 25 Procedural Amendment (Voluntary) September 5, 1990 l. 2゜3゜4゜

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) In an image recording device that records an image on a recording sheet (3) in a recording module (1) that includes consumable parts (2) that serve as life management standards, the consumable parts that serve as life management standards A life management unit (4) that is attached to the component (2) and has a storage medium (4a) in which at least life end information and image recording frequency information of the consumable component (2) are retained, and a life management unit (4) that records the number of image recordings per unit number of times. a unit counter (5) that sequentially counts the total number of image recordings based on the count value of the unit counter (5); 5)
The count value of the total counter (6) is counted based on the count value of the unit counter (5) under the condition that the count value of has reached the unit number of times, or under the condition that an emergency stop situation occurs during the image recording operation. is held in the storage medium (4a) of the life management unit (4), and the unit counter (
5) A life management system for an image recording device, comprising a life management control means (7) for performing clear operation. 2) The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the life management means (7) executes a series of processes on the condition that the count value of the unit counter (5) is not zero when the power is turned on. life management system. 3) In an image recording device that records images on a recording sheet (3) in a recording module (1) that includes a consumable part (2) that serves as a life management standard, attaching it to the consumable part (2) that serves as a life management standard. storage medium (2) that holds at least the product number, life end information, and image recording frequency information of the consumable part (2).
8a), a counter (9) for counting the total number of times of image recording, and the count value of this counter (9) is retained in the storage medium (8a) of the life management unit (8). Life management control means (1
0), and a usage history memory that stores a plurality of usage history lists including product numbers and image recording frequency information of the consumable parts (2) stored in the storage medium (8a) of the life management unit (8). means (11), and a storage medium (of the life management unit (8) at power-on).
After reading the product number and image recording frequency information from 8a), if the consumable part (2) is new, add a new usage history list and select it, and if the consumable part (2) is used If it is a consumable part, search the usage history list in the usage history storage means (11), and if it is not on the list, the consumable part (2) in question cannot be used, and if it is on the list, select it and select it. A life management system for an image recording device, comprising: usage history determining means (12) that employs a usage history list as life management data. 4) Among the things described in claim 3, the life management unit (
8) is equipped with another consumable part (2) that is to be replaced at the same time as the consumable part (2) to which the consumable part (2) is attached, and the above usage history list includes the image recording frequency information of the other consumable part (2). A life management system for an image recording device, characterized in that: 5) Among the items described in claim 3, where the consumable part (2) subject to life management is destroyed before its life, the usage history of the consumable part (2) is grasped by searching the usage history list, A method of using a life management system for an image recording device, characterized in that a credit is compensated for the remaining life based on the usage history. 6) Among the items described in claim 3, where the consumable part (2) subject to life management is destroyed before its life, the usage history of the consumable part (2) is grasped by searching the usage history list, The remaining life based on this usage history is used as the new consumable part (2) life end information.
A method of using a life management system for an image recording apparatus, characterized in that the life management system is set in the storage medium (8a) of the life management unit (8), and the new consumable part (2) is used to compensate for the life. 7) In the product according to claim 1 or 3, the test image is set in advance as life end information to be stored in the storage medium (4a, 8a) of the life management unit (4, 8) to be originally compensated. A life management system for an image recording device, characterized in that a device with an added number of recordings is selected. 8) In the product according to claim 1 or 3, the life end information to be stored in the storage medium (4a, 8a) of the life management unit (4, 8) is selected to be somewhat larger than the information that should originally be compensated. A life management system for an image recording device characterized by: 9) In the device according to claim 1 or 3, the storage medium (4a, 8a) of the life management unit (4, 8) includes:
Life of an image recording device characterized by comprising at least one of order time information that notifies the order time of the next consumable part (2) and warning information that warns that the life end is approaching. management system. 10) A consumable part (2) according to claim 1 or 3, to which a life management unit (4, 8) is attached.
In those equipped with other consumable parts (2) to be replaced at the same time, the storage medium (4a, 8a) of the life management unit (4, 8)
) also stores image recording frequency information of the other consumable part (2). 11) Image recording according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the total counter (6) or the counter (9) counts down the number of image recordings and has the remaining number of image recordings as a count value. Equipment life management system. 12) In the device according to claim 1, 3 or 10, the life management control means (7, 10) comprises a life management unit (
4, 8) A plurality of pieces of image recording number information are written at predetermined addresses in the storage medium (4a, 8a), and the plurality of pieces of image recording number information at the predetermined addresses are read out by majority vote processing. Features a life management system for image recording devices. 13) Among the things according to claim 1, 3, or 10, when the image recording number information is multi-byte information including at least low-byte information, the life management control means (7, 10) is configured to control the life management unit (4). , 8) A life management system for an image recording device, characterized in that the addresses at which the low-byte information of the storage medium (4a, 8a) is stored are distributed into a plurality of blocks. 14) The life management system for an image recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the storage address block of the low byte information is selected based on upper plural bit data of the upper byte information of the low byte information. 15) In the product according to claim 1 or 3, the storage medium (4a, 8a) of the life management unit (4, 8) includes check area data indicating that the consumable part (2) is not at the end of its life, Life management control means (7
, 10) is characterized in that the consumable parts can be used only when the check area data is confirmed, and the check area data cannot be confirmed by accessing a predetermined address at the end of life. Life management system for image recording devices.