JPH04191874A - Method and device for detecting toner empty - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To dynamically decide 'no toner' while measuring the black dot quantity (density) of an outputted image by counting the number of passing papers and the number of black data in image data after the output of a toner residual sensor and outputting a toner empty signal when any one of the numbers attains a previously set value. CONSTITUTION:When the output of the toner sensor 9 is found at the time of checking, a counter A 11 is incremented and a counter B 12 is turned on. When the value (n) of the counter A 11 attains a previously set value N, the display of 'no toner' is executed on a display part 7. When the value (n) does not attain the value N, whether or not the value (m) of the counter B 12 attains a previously set value M is checked. When the value (m) attains the value M, the display of 'no toner' is executed on the display part 7. Thus, 'no toner' is dynamically decided while measuring the black dot quantity (density) of the outputted image.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a toner empty detection method and a device therefor, and in particular, to dynamically determines toner end while measuring the amount of black dots (density) of an output image. The present invention relates to a toner empty detection method and an apparatus therefor.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, for example, electrophotographic facsimile machines have been provided with a sensor for detecting the amount of remaining toner and warning that the toner is empty in order to maintain print quality.

In a conventional facsimile machine of this type, after the toner empty sensor is turned on, a certain number of sheets, for example, lOO
After a sheet has been passed, "Toner End" is displayed and the device stops.

Regarding this, for example, see the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, ``
"Electronic Information and Communication Handbook" (published by Ohmsha).

+988) The description in Part 8, Division 4 is helpful.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, even though the amount of toner used is significantly different between all-white and all-black, no consideration is given to the density (black dot amount) of the output paper. The above-mentioned value of 100 sheets passed is also set as an average value.

Therefore, when all black is output continuously, there is a problem that the toner runs out after a few sheets, resulting in blurred images or all white output images. Furthermore, if a sufficient degree of safety is taken into account to avoid this, another problem will arise in that the frequency of toner replenishment will increase, making operations cumbersome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional technology, and to measure the amount of black dots (density) of the image to be output while also detecting toner end. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner empty detection method and a device therefor that enable dynamic determination.

[Means for Solving the Problems 1] The above-mentioned object of the present invention is to detect the remaining amount of toner in toner empty detection using a remaining toner amount sensor in an apparatus that prints by electrophotography based on serially outputted image data. This is achieved by configuring the system to count the number of sheets passed and the number of black data in the image data after the sensor outputs, and output a toner empty signal when either of them reaches a predetermined value. be done.

[Effect]

In the present invention, in addition to the conventionally provided means for counting the number of passed sheets, a means for counting the amount of black data in the image data is provided. Toner empty is determined based on the counter output that reaches the value. This has the effect of enabling more detailed management.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electrophotographic facsimile machine showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a CPU that controls the entire device, 2 is a scanner unit for reading the transmitted original, 3 is a storage device (ROM) that stores programs, data, etc. required by cput, and 4 is a temporary 5 is a modem for communication, 6 is a network control unit (NCU) that controls connection with the line, and 7 is a display for displaying input/output information during transmission and reception. 8 is a plotter control unit that controls a laser driver 10 for printing with a laser beam, 9 is a toner sensor that outputs a signal when the remaining amount of toner is below a predetermined value, and 11 is received image information. A counter (hereinafter referred to as "counter A") that counts the number of sheets of output paper when outputting , and 12 represents a counter that counts the number of black data in the A image information (hereinafter referred to as F counter output). .

Note that the counter All counts the number of output sheets based on the information regarding the number of received sheets in the received information, and the counter BI2 counts the serial image information in the received information output to the laser driver IO. It is.

The general operation of the facsimile machine described above is the same as that of conventional machines, so a description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the operation related to toner empty detection in the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment will be explained based on the operation flowchart shown in FIG.

Upon reception, the facsimile machine activates the process shown in FIG. 1 to monitor the presence or absence of an output from the toner sensor 9 (step 21), and if there is no output, resets counters A and B (step 27), and operates the plotter. This operation is repeated until the end (step 28).

In the check in step 21, the toner sensor 9
If there is an output, the process proceeds to step 22 where counter A is incremented by 1, and counter B is turned on at step 23. As mentioned above, counter BI2 is
It has a function of counting serial image information in the received information output from the plotter control section 8 to the laser driver 10, and starts this operation when turned on.

Next, in step 24, it is checked whether the value n of the counter A has reached the preset value N, and if the value n of the counter A has reached the preset value N, In step 25, "toner end" is displayed on the display section 7. Further, if the value n of the counter A has not reached the preset value N, step 26
, the value m of the counter B is set to the preset value M.
If the value m of the counter B has reached the preset value M, as in the case of the counter A above, in step 25, a message is displayed on the display section 7. Displays "Toner End". Counter B value m
If the value M has not reached the preset value M, the process proceeds to step 28, where it is checked whether or not the plotter operation has ended, and if it has, the process ends. Also,
If the operation of the plotter has not been completed, the processing from step 21 onwards is repeated.

According to the above embodiment, toner empty is detected not only based on the number of sheets passed, but also by taking into account the amount of toner actually consumed, so that all black is output continuously. Even in such cases, it is possible to solve the problem of image blurring or output images having blank spaces, and to perform highly reliable toner empty detection.

Further, the frequency of toner replenishment will not increase more than necessary.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiment shows an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention should not be limited thereto. For example, it is clear that the toner end detection according to the present invention is effective not only for facsimile machines but also for so-called digital copying machines that serially transmit image information.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in toner empty detection using a toner remaining amount sensor in an apparatus that prints by electrophotography based on serially outputted image data, After receiving the output from the remaining toner amount sensor, the number of sheets of paper passed and the number of black data in the image data are counted, and when either of them reaches a predetermined value, a toner empty signal is output. Therefore, it is possible to realize a toner empty detection method and a device therefor that can dynamically determine toner end while measuring the amount of black dots (density) of an output image.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the main part of the operation of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the facsimile machine according to the embodiment. 1: CPU, 2 S'li-'rsW, 3: ROM,
4+RAM, 5・Modem, 6: NCU, 7・Display unit, 8
, plotter control unit, 9: toner sensor, lo: laser driver, 11: counter for counting the number of output sheets (
Counter A), 12: Counter for counting the number of black data in output image information (counter B), 21 to 28. processing step. Figure 1

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a toner empty detection method using a toner remaining amount sensor in a device that performs electrophotographic printing based on serially outputted image data, after the output of the toner remaining amount sensor, the number of sheets to be passed is determined. 1. A toner empty detection method comprising counting the number of black data in image data and outputting a toner empty signal when one of them reaches a predetermined value. (2) In a device that performs electrophotographic printing based on image data that is serially output, in addition to a means for counting the number of sheets passed, the device starts counting when the remaining amount of toner falls below a certain level. A toner empty detection device comprising a black data number counting means, and a control means for outputting a toner empty signal when one of the counts by the two counting means reaches a predetermined value. .