JPH0667483A - Communication error preventing device for drum peripheral unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a communication error preventing device for a drum peripheral unit, capable of surely preventing a communication error without reducing the working ratio of an image recorder and further, deteriorating the performance of the recording speed, etc., of the image recorder, even if the communication error arises at the time of storing image recording data on a storage element provided on the drum peripheral unit freely attachable/ detachable to/from an image recorder main body. CONSTITUTION:The communication error preventing device for the drum peripheral unit, is constituted so as to provide a control means 71 continuing an action for writing the next image recording data on the storage element 54 at the time of writing the next image recording data, until the writing action of series of image recording data is completed, when an error in the writing of the image recording data is detected by a confirming means 17, and interrupting the writing action for the first time when the error in the writing is detected at the time of writing the final image recording data, to display the fact.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication error preventing device for a drum peripheral unit used in an image recording apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, and further to a photosensitive drum alone or a photosensitive drum. The present invention relates to a device for preventing a communication error when data such as the number of recorded images is stored in a drum peripheral unit that is unitized in a form in which peripheral members are attached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an image recording apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, an image is exposed on the surface of a uniformly charged photosensitive drum to form an electrostatic latent image. The image is recorded on the recording paper through a process of developing and transferring the latent image. by the way,
The above-mentioned photoconductor drum repeats each process such as charging, exposure, development, and transfer in accordance with the image recording operation,
When the photoconductor layer on the surface is gradually deteriorated or damaged and an image is recorded on several thousand to tens of thousands of recording sheets, it becomes impossible to perform image recording while maintaining a predetermined image quality. The need to replace Further, a member arranged around the photosensitive drum, for example, a cleaner for removing toner and the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum,
Repeating the image recording operation deteriorates the cleaner blade and the like, and if a large number of images are recorded, it becomes impossible to maintain a predetermined cleaning performance, so that it becomes necessary to replace the cleaner.

Therefore, in the image recording apparatus such as the electrophotographic copying machine and the printer, a service engineer regularly performs maintenance and inspection of the apparatus and checks the number of image recordings with a counter or the like provided in the apparatus main body. When the number of recorded images reaches a predetermined value, consumable parts such as a photosensitive drum and a cleaner are replaced.

However, in recent years, with the dramatic increase in image information processed in offices and the like, the number of image recording devices such as electrophotographic copying machines and printers provided on the market has increased dramatically, It has become difficult for service engineers to frequently perform maintenance inspections on consumable parts for all of them. Therefore, there is a possibility that the image recording apparatus may be continuously used in a state where the image quality of the recorded image is deteriorated, or the copier or the like may not be usable until the photosensitive drum or the like is replaced. .

Under such circumstances, for example, the photosensitive drum alone or a drum peripheral unit unitized by attaching a cleaner or the like to the photosensitive drum can be detachably attached to the main body of the image recording apparatus. By configuring in advance, the number of image recordings guaranteed for this replaceable drum peripheral unit is set in advance, the customer purchases the drum peripheral unit in advance, and the customer replaces the drum peripheral unit with The so-called Customer Replaceable Unit system (hereinafter referred to as the CRU system), which avoids the inconvenience, is being adopted recently.

In such a CRU system, in order to guarantee a predetermined number of image recordings for the drum peripheral unit, not only the frequency of use of the drum peripheral unit is managed on the image recording apparatus main body side. However, it is necessary to accurately manage the drum peripheral unit itself.

Conventionally, as a technical means of this kind, for example, when a storage element for storing the number of recorded images is attached to the drum peripheral unit side and the drum peripheral unit is mounted on the image recording apparatus main body, A system has already been proposed in which the number of recorded images stored in a storage element is displayed on a display unit on the image recording device side (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-195854).

In this type, even if the drum peripheral unit is once removed, the number of image recordings before the removal is held in the storage element. With the display, it is possible to accurately grasp the frequency of use of the drum peripheral unit.

The structure for storing the number of recorded images in the drum peripheral unit in the image recording apparatus capable of managing the number of recorded images on the drum peripheral unit side of this kind will be further described as follows. That is, as described above, the drum peripheral unit is configured by the photosensitive drum alone or integrally formed by attaching the peripheral member such as the cleaner to the photosensitive drum. It is detachable from the device body. The drum peripheral unit is provided with, for example, an EEPROM as a storage element for storing the number of recorded images, and this EEPROM is provided on the apparatus main body side when the drum peripheral unit is mounted on the image recording apparatus main body. Further, the CPU for managing the image recording operation is electrically connected to enable communication of data and the like.

When the user records an image in the above image recording apparatus, the user sets a desired number of image recordings on the console panel and presses the start button to cause the image recording apparatus to perform a predetermined image recording operation. To start. Then, the image recording apparatus counts the number of recorded images by the operation of the optical system for scanning and exposing the image of the document or the operation of discharging the recording sheet on which the image is recorded. At that time, the CPU of the image recording apparatus main body performs the EE of the drum peripheral unit via the communication line for each image recording operation.
The operation of storing the number of recorded images in the PROM is performed.

To store the number of recorded images, first, the CPU of the main body of the image recording apparatus performs a writing operation of writing "N" the number of recorded images in the EEPROM of the drum peripheral unit via the communication line, and then CPU of image recording device body
Performs a read operation of reading the written image recording number "N" from the EEPROM of the drum peripheral unit via the communication line. Next, it is determined whether or not the number of recorded images written in the EEPROM of the drum peripheral unit matches the number of recorded images read from the EEPROM of the drum peripheral unit.

EEPRO of the drum peripheral unit
If the number of recorded images written in M matches the number of recorded images read from the EEPROM of this drum peripheral unit, it is determined that the operation for writing the number of recorded images is normally performed, and the next image recording is performed. The image recording operation of the apparatus main body and the operation of storing the number of recorded images are continued. on the other hand,
If the number of recorded images of both does not match, it is determined that a communication error has occurred in the operation of writing the number of recorded images, the EEPROM of the drum peripheral unit is set in the unwritable state, and a message to that effect is displayed. The image recording operation of is stopped. At that time, when there is a recording sheet on which an image is being recorded in the main body of the image recording apparatus, the image recording operation of the main body of the image recording apparatus is stopped when the discharging operation is completed.

[0013]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. That is, in the image recording apparatus in which the so-called CRU system is adopted and the number of image recordings can be stored in the drum peripheral unit itself as described above, the drum peripheral unit is detachable from the image recording apparatus main body and Since the peripheral unit itself must be provided with an EEPROM for storing the number of recorded images, the communication for storing the number of recorded images from the CPU of the main body of the image recording device to the EEPROM of the drum peripheral unit requires serial communication with few lines. Is used. In addition, this communication line is inevitably arranged around the photosensitive drum, and must pass near a corotron for charging, transferring or separating to which a high voltage is applied, or a high voltage line for applying a high voltage. . Therefore, the CPU of the main body of the image recording apparatus writes or reads the number of recorded images in the EEPROM of the drum peripheral unit. Therefore,
During operation, it is susceptible to noise from the corotron and the like, and a communication error may occur during a write or read operation.

By the way, the EEPR of the drum peripheral unit
If a communication error occurs during the operation of storing the number of recorded images in the OM, it becomes impossible for the drum peripheral unit side to accurately manage the number of recorded images. For this reason, financial problems may occur unless measures are taken to stop the image recording operation of the image recording apparatus.

However, the EE of the drum peripheral unit
If a communication error occurs during the storage operation in the PROM and the image recording operation of the image recording apparatus main body is immediately stopped, the image recording apparatus cannot be used until a service engineer is called for maintenance and inspection of the apparatus. Therefore, there is a problem in that the operability of the image recording apparatus is reduced.

To solve this problem, the image recording operation of the main body of the image recording apparatus is not stopped immediately when a communication error occurs during the storage operation in the EEPROM of the drum peripheral unit, but the drum is repeatedly operated a plurality of times. It is conceivable to try the storing operation in the EEPROM of the peripheral unit and stop the image recording operation of the image recording apparatus main body only when the communication error still occurs. Such technical means can be actually adopted and expected to some extent.

However, in this case, the CPU of the main body of the image recording apparatus is replaced with the EEPROM of the drum peripheral unit.
In addition, the communication time for storing the number of recorded images is increased by the time required for retry when a communication error occurs. As a result, the CPU of the main body of the image recording apparatus delays the operation of controlling other image recording operations, and this causes a new problem that the recording speed of the image recording apparatus is reduced.

[0018]

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
The purpose is that even if a communication error occurs when storing image recording data in the storage element provided in the drum peripheral unit that is detachable from the image recording apparatus main body,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication error prevention device for a drum peripheral unit capable of surely preventing a communication error without deteriorating the operability of the image recording device and further reducing the performance such as the recording speed of the image recording device. .

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a storage element provided in a drum peripheral unit which is detachably attached to the image recording apparatus main body, and a writing operation for writing image recording data in the storage element. Means, reading means for reading out the image recording data written in the storage element, image recording data for writing in the storage element by the writing means, and image recording data read out from the storage element by the reading means. In the communication error prevention device for the drum peripheral unit, which is provided with a confirmation means for comparing and comparing the image recording data with the storage element of the drum peripheral unit, writing the image recording data by the confirmation means. If an error is detected, the operation of writing the next image recording data in the storage element at the time of writing the next image recording data is performed by writing a series of image recording data. It continues until the actual operation is finished, and the first time be configured to include a control means for displaying to that effect to interrupt the write operation when detecting a write error during writing of the last image recording data.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage element provided in a drum peripheral unit detachably attached to the image recording apparatus main body, and a writing operation for writing image recording data in the storage element. Means, reading means for reading out the image recording data written in the storage element, image recording data for writing in the storage element by the writing means, and image recording data read out from the storage element by the reading means. In the communication device for preventing communication error of the drum peripheral unit, which is provided with a checking means for comparing and comparing the image recording data with the storage element of the drum peripheral unit,
When a writing error of image recording data is detected by the confirmation means, all the loads of the image recording device are turned off,
When the image recording apparatus is stopped, writing and reading of the image recording data are executed, and a control means for performing a confirmation operation by the confirmation means is provided.

[0021]

In the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention, even when the writing error of the image recording data is detected by the confirmation means, it is replaced with the data in which the previous error occurred when writing the next image recording data. Since the operation of writing the next image recording data in the storage element is sequentially performed until the writing operation of the series of image recording data is completed, noise is accidentally generated during the storage operation in the storage element of the drum peripheral unit. Even if a communication error occurs, the probability of writing as the next image recording data is high, and it is not necessary to immediately stop the image recording operation of the image recording apparatus main body. Therefore, even if a communication error occurs, the operability of the image recording device is not reduced. Further, at the time of writing the final image recording data, since the writing is performed after the image recording device is stopped, it is possible to perform the communication in a state where the driving device as the noise source is stopped. As a result, it is possible to prevent an accidental communication error trouble due to the influence of noise from occurring in the communication with the storage element of the drum peripheral unit. Further, when the communication error is not finally resolved, the write operation is interrupted and a message to that effect is displayed, so that the failure can be reliably detected.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an electrophotographic copying machine to which a communication error prevention device for a drum peripheral unit according to the present invention is applied.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 31 denotes a photosensitive drum, which is rotatably arranged in the direction of the arrow by a driving means (not shown). The surface of the photoconductor drum 31 is previously charged by the corotron 3.
After being uniformly charged by 2, the ROS unit 33
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the transferred image is formed by (Raster Output Scanner Unit). At this time, the non-image area other than the image recording size on the photosensitive drum 31 is exposed by an erase lamp unit (not shown) such as an LED, and the charges are erased so as not to be developed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is developed by, for example, a magnetic brush type developing unit 34 having black toner, and then charged by a pre-transfer corotron 35 so that the latent image potential becomes uniform. Be lowered. And
The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred onto the recording paper 37 supplied to the photosensitive drum 31 in synchronization with the toner image by the charging of the transfer corotron 36. The recording paper 37 to which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photoconductor drum 31 by the separation corotron 38, fixed by the fixing unit 41, and discharged to the outside of the apparatus. At that time, a paper detection switch SW for detecting passage of recording paper is provided on the paper ejection side of the fixing unit 41. After the toner image is transferred, the surface of the photoconductor drum 31 is cleaned by a cleaner 39 to remove residual toner and the like, and then a static elimination lamp 40 is used to remove residual charges, thereby preparing for the next image recording step.

In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 31, the charging corotron 32, the cleaner 39, and the discharging lamp 40 are integrated into a unit to form a drum peripheral unit 50. Is detachably attached to a device frame (not shown). The drum peripheral unit 50
Is set in advance with a guaranteed number of image recordings, and asks the customer to purchase the drum peripheral unit 50 in advance.
When the number of recorded images reaches a predetermined value, a message to that effect is displayed as a message on the console panel of the apparatus, and the so-called CRU system is adopted, which allows the customer to replace the drum peripheral unit.

As shown in FIG. 3, the CRU type drum peripheral unit 50 in this embodiment has a photosensitive drum 3 as shown in FIG.
It has a unit case 51 for holding each component such as 1.
On the tip surface of the mounting side of the unit case 51,
The mounting opening 51a is formed, and the mounting opening 51a is formed.
The storage element unit 52 is attached to the.

This storage element unit 52 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), an EEPROM 54 for storing data such as the number of recorded images is attached to a substrate 53. A connector 55 is connected to the substrate 53 and the connector 55 is connected to the unit. It is fixed to a predetermined portion of the case 51 with a screw or the like not shown. The EEPROM 54 is connected to the control board 70 on the main body side of the electrophotographic copying machine through the connector 55 at the stage where the drum peripheral unit 50 is mounted on a predetermined portion of the machine body frame from the insertion direction shown by the arrow in FIG. It has become so. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 56 is an insertion portion of the connector 55, 57 is a guide rod for connecting the connector 55 to a connector (not shown) on the machine body frame side, and 5
Reference numeral 8 is an attachment hole for attaching the connector 55 to the unit case 51.

By the way, in this embodiment, the writing means for writing the image recording data in the memory element provided in the drum peripheral unit, the reading means for reading the image recording data written in the memory element, and the above-mentioned means. The image recording data written in the storage element by the writing means is compared with the image recording data read out from the storage element by the reading means, and whether or not the image recording data is correctly written in the storage element of the drum peripheral unit. When the next image recording data is written, the operation of writing the next image recording data into the storage element is performed even when the writing error of the image recording data is detected by the confirmation means. , Continue until the operation of writing a series of image recording data is completed,
When a writing error is detected at the time of writing the final image recording data, the writing operation is interrupted for the first time, and a control means for displaying the fact is provided.

FIG. 5 shows a control board of the electrophotographic copying machine, which is a control board 70.
Is a memory 72 including a CPU 71, a ROM / RAM, an NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM), and an I / O port 73.
And a system bus 74 constitute a microcomputer system. This control board 70
Is a console panel 75 for performing various operations, a liquid crystal display panel 76 provided on the console panel 75 for displaying messages regarding the state of the copying machine, and the ROS unit 3
3, the developing unit 34, the fixing unit 41, the drum peripheral unit 50 (including the EEPROM 54), and a paper transport system 77 for sequentially supplying the recording paper 37 to the transfer portion.
And the like to control the operation.

In this embodiment, R of the memory 72 is
The OM includes an image recording control program for controlling the image recording operation according to the transferred image information, a paper conveyance program for controlling the paper conveyance system 77 according to a copying operation instruction,
An image recording operation management program for storing data such as the number of recorded images is previously stored in the drum peripheral unit 50. Further, the NVRAM of the memory 72 stores maintenance adjustment values, customer control information set values, integration counters, and the like.

The CRU type drum peripheral unit 50
In the EEPROM 54 attached to the, the end-of-life value indicating the number of maintenance sheets and the first life value and the second life value for displaying a warning are stored in advance and can be recorded by the drum peripheral unit 50. The remaining number of sheets, that is, the usable sheet number counter value (user counter value) is stored. Then, the remaining usable number is displayed and the EEPROM 54
Up to the end of life value stored in advance can be printed. With respect to the CRU type drum peripheral unit 50 that has reached the end of life value, it is configured so that the drum peripheral unit 50 cannot be further used by software based on the detection of the end of life. Further, the stored contents may be destroyed so that they cannot be used again.

Further, the number of image recordings is stored in the EEPROM 54 for each image recording operation so that the frequency of use can be grasped even if the drum peripheral unit 50 is removed from the main body of the device on the way. Has become.

EEPRO of the drum peripheral unit 50
The data stored in M54 will be described below individually.

FIG. 6 shows an address map of eight types of data stored in the EEPROM 54.
Each data is composed of 2-byte data and is stored separately in the order of upper and lower bytes.

The memory 72 of the control board is provided with a storage area corresponding to the address map in the EEPROM 54.

1. Usable number (user counter (C
A)) Based on this data, not only the number of prints of the image recorded according to the operation on the console panel 75 itself is displayed, but also the number of prints that can be printed is indicated to directly indicate the frequency of print use by the customer. It can also be displayed.

2. Number of end of life prints (EO
F) In this embodiment, the end of life value is stored.
The end-of-life value is set in consideration of the test life of the production line etc. in the compensation life for the customer.

3. The second life value (PL
S) This is to warn the customer that the apparatus is about to stop, and in this embodiment, the number of remaining prints up to the number of end-of-life prints is stored.

4. The first life value (PL
F) This prompts the customer to reorder the drum peripheral unit 50. In this embodiment, the number of prints remaining up to the number of end-of-sif prints is stored.

5. Product code (PRCD), manufacturing lot No. (LTNO), compatible model code (AVMC), manufacturing date (PDTE) These are numbers for identifying the drum peripheral unit 50. Even if they are of the same type, they are for other devices or products of other manufacturers. This is to prevent erroneous insertion such as.

EEPRO of the drum peripheral unit 50
As M54, for example, X2404 manufactured by Xicor is used. As shown in FIG. 7, the EEPROM 54 is connected to the CPU 71 of the control board 70 via two communication lines, a data line (DAT) 61 and a clock line (CLK) 62, excluding the power supply line. Cage,
Writing and reading of data with the CPU 71 are performed by bidirectional serial communication.

The two communication lines are as shown in FIG.
The terminals P1 and P2 of the I / O port 73 on the control board 70 are respectively connected. Then, the data sending side outputs the clock signal and the data signal through the two communication lines of the data line (DAT) 61 and the clock line (CLK) 62, and the data receiving side is sent. Data is taken in in synchronization with the clock signal. Also, since data is sent bidirectionally, that is, both reading and writing are performed, the terminals P1 and P2 of the I / O port 73 are
Functions are appropriately set in the output port and the input port according to the transmission and reception of data. The I / O ports P1 and P2 are pulled up by a resistor (not shown), and when the communication line is not properly connected, this resistor maintains a high level.

In the read / write operation, a transmission procedure for serially transmitting each piece of address and data information using one data line is predetermined, and communication is performed based on this transmission procedure. Information is transmitted in groups of data bits sandwiched between start and stop bits.

FIG. 8 shows that a start bit, a stop bit and a data bit are formed depending on the relationship between the data signal and the clock signal. Clock signal (CL
When the data signal falls while K) is "1", it becomes a start bit, and when it rises, it becomes a stop bit. Between the start bit and the stop bit, data bits are taken in as data bits in synchronization with the clock signal. In addition,
This information is sent in units of 8 bits (1 byte) of data bits.

FIG. 9 shows the mode setting information (1 byte) for setting the read / write operation to the EEPROM 54. The least significant bit is for setting the read / write operation, and "1" indicates the read mode and "0" indicates the write mode. The upper 3 bits (A0 to A2) are
Although it can be set arbitrarily according to the storage area size, in this embodiment, all are fixed to 0. The 4 most significant bits are fixed bits set to "1010".

FIG. 10 shows a reading sequence when reading 1-byte information from the EEPROM 54. First, the start bit is followed by the EEPROM 54
After the write mode is set, the address data (1 byte) is sent, the read mode is set subsequently to the start bit, and the read data (1 byte) sent from the EEPROM 54 is received. I / O at this time
The functions of the terminals P1 and P2 of the port 73 are appropriately set for the output port and the input port according to the transmission and reception of data. Further, if the reception signal (ACK) and the setting of the reading mode are sent to the EEPROM 54 following this sequence, E
Since the read data (1 byte) of the next address is sent from the EPROM 54, the adjacent address areas can be sequentially read. In addition, EEP
When bit information is sequentially sent to the ROM 54, the EEPROM 5
From 4, a reception signal (ACK) is sent for each byte. Although not used in this embodiment, this signal (ACK) can be used to detect an abnormality during communication.

FIG. 11 shows a writing sequence for storing 1-byte information in the EEPROM 54. First, the write mode is set to the EEPROM 54 after the start bit, the address data (1 byte) is sent, and then the write data (1 byte) is given in the same mode.

In the electrophotographic copying machine to which the communication error of the drum peripheral unit according to this embodiment is applied in the above-mentioned structure, the communication error of the drum peripheral unit is prevented as follows.

First, when the power of the electrophotographic copying machine is turned on, the control operation as shown in FIG. 12 is started. That is, when the power of the copying machine is turned on, the control board 7
The CPU 71 of 0 executes an initialization subroutine for setting various registers and flags used for controlling the operation of the copying machine to initial values (step 1). Next, from the EEPROM 54 of the drum peripheral unit 50, all eight types of information (FIG. 6) necessary for managing the copying operation are read out,
EEP stored in the memory 72 of the control board 70
A ROM reading subroutine is performed (step 2). After that, the read information is checked and the EEPROM5
Check the contents of the user counter (whether the number of used sheets is left) or the connection failure of the connector to No. 4 (when the read information is FFFF), and perform an error check subroutine to take warnings or prohibit copying operations according to the contents. . If there is a remaining number of sheets, the value (C
The value (CAR) read in A) is transferred to the user counter (CA) of the memory 72 (step 3). afterwards,
In response to a key input from the console panel 75 of the copying machine, an input key processing subroutine for performing operation settings such as the set number of sheets (COS) of the copying machine and the operation mode is performed (step 4).

When the user operates the start key in the electrophotographic copying machine (step 5), the value of the copy counter (COC) is set to 0 (step 6), and then the copy execution subroutine for executing the copying operation is executed. Perform (step 7). At this time, if one copy is made, the value (CA) of the user counter is decremented by 1 (step 8),
EEPROM write subroutine and EEPROM
Perform a read subroutine to M (steps 9 and 1)
0). Since writing and reading take time in serial communication, the writing and reading are performed at a timing when the copying machine control of the CPU 71 has a margin. In this embodiment, the final copying paper was discharged at the time of discharging, and the copying machines other than that were processed at the time when the exposure lamp finished scanning the original and returned.

Thereafter, it is judged whether or not the value (CA) of the user counter in the memory 72 and the value (CAR) of the user counter read from the EEPROM are equal (step 1
1) If they are equal, the error flag EF is set to 0 (step 11 '), an error check subroutine is performed (step 12), and 1 is added to the copy number counter value (COC) (step 14). On the other hand, if they are not equal, the error flag EF1 is set to 1 (step 1
3) Add 1 to the copy number counter value (COC) (step 14).

Next, the set number counter value (COS) is compared with the copy number counter value (COC). If they are not equal, the process returns to step 7. If the set number counter value (COS) is equal to the number of copies counter value (COC), it is then determined whether or not the error flag EF1 is 1 (step 16). If it is 0, the process returns to step 3. The copy operation ends. If EF1 is 1, the process proceeds to step 17, and writing to the EEPROM 54 is performed again.

The updating and checking are performed again in steps 17 to 19, and if the updating cannot be performed, the operation returns to step 17 and is repeated until the stop flag (MCC) of the operation of the copying machine is detected (step 20).

When the operation stop flag MCC of the copying machine is 1, that is, when the operation stop of the copying machine is detected, the error flag EF2 is set (steps 21 to 22).
Returning to step 17, the update and check are performed once again in this stopped state (steps 17 to 19). If this does not work as a result, it is determined that a real failure has occurred, and "Failure" is displayed on the LCD of the console panel 75.
The failure display displayed on 76 is performed (step 23), and the process returns to step 3.

FIG. 13 shows a read subroutine to the EEPROM 54. This EEPROM5
In the read subroutine for 4, the upper byte address of the user counter (CA) of the memory 72 provided in the console panel 75 is first set in the address pointer (ADPT) (step 201). next,
After setting the I / O port P2 as the output port (step 202), the storage address of the user counter (CA) set in the EEPROM is output to the EEPROM 54 (steps 203 to 205). After that, a flag (DRF) indicating whether or not the first data reading is performed when the power is turned on.
(Step 206), in the case of the first data read (when DRF is 0), the read count 16 of eight types of information (16 bytes) is set in the loop counter (LPC), and the data is sequentially read for each byte. Further, 16 bytes of data are stored in consecutive areas from the upper byte address of the user counter (CA) of the memory 72 (steps 207 to 218).

On the other hand, in the case of the second and subsequent data reading (when the DRF is 1), the reading count 2 of the user counter (CA) information (2 bytes) is set to the loop counter LP.
C (step 208) and the user counter (C
Read only A).

In these loop steps 209 to 217, the read mode is output to the EEPROM 54 (step 209), the I / O port P2 is set as an input port (step 210), and 8-bit data (DIN) is fetched ( Step 211).

Next, the data (DI) read from the EEPROM 54 at the address indicated by the address pointer (ADPT).
N) is transferred (step 212), and then I / O port P2
Is set to the output port (step 213), and EEPRO
Send a reception signal (ACK) to M54 (step 21)
4). Then, the address pointer (ADPT) is incremented by 1 (step 215) and the loop counter (LPC) is decremented by 1 (step 2).
16) and determine whether the reading is completed (step 2
17) If not finished (when LPC is 0 or more)
Returns to step 209. When all the data has been read (when LPC is 0), a stop bit is sent (step 218).

FIG. 14 shows a writing subroutine to the EEPROM 54. In this writing subroutine to the EEPROM 54, the user counter (CA) of the memory 72 provided in the console panel 75
The updated 2-byte data in the storage area is stored in the EEPROM.
54 is written.

First, after setting the I / O ports P1 and P2 as output ports (step 101), the EEPROM 54
The address of the user counter (CA) on the EEPROM is output to (steps 102 to 104). Next, after the updated upper byte data of the user counter (CA) is output (step 105), a stop bit is sent (step 106) to complete the writing of the upper byte data.

Similarly, the address of the user counter (CA) is incremented by 1 and sent (steps 107 to 1).
09), and write the lower byte data of the user counter (CAT) (steps 110 to 111).

FIG. 15 shows a subroutine for checking the data read from the EEPROM 54 and written in the memory 72.

In this subroutine, first, a flag (DRF) indicating whether or not the first data reading is performed when the power is turned on is checked (step 301), and DRF is 1 (2).
If the reading is from the second time onward), the process proceeds to step 305. On the other hand, if DRF is equal to 0 (in the case of the first data) and DRF is set to 1 (step 301 '), it is first checked whether or not the data was correctly read (steps 302 to 305).

That is, in the case of the first data reading, four kinds of data (PLF, PLS, EOL, CA) of the read eight kinds of 2-byte information are compared with FFFF (steps 302 to 305), and the data is read. Check if was read correctly.

On the other hand, in the case of the second and subsequent data reading, the process jumps to step 305 and only the data of the user counter (CA) is compared with FFFF.

If the data is FFFF in this comparison, it is determined that the connector is disconnected, and a warning message "Please install the drum unit correctly" is displayed (step 306), and if there is an error. Sets the copy number counter (COC) to the copy setting number (COS) and prohibits the continuation of the copy operation thereafter (step 30).
9).

Next, it is checked from the data (CAR) read from the user counter (CA) of the EEPROM 54 whether or not it is necessary to give a warning regarding the remaining number of sheets and consumables arrangement (steps 307 to 314). That is, it is determined whether the value obtained by subtracting the value of the user counter (CAR) from the end of life value (EOL) is less than 0 or not less than 0 (step 307). Is displayed "(step 30)
8).

On the other hand, when the value obtained by subtracting the value of the user counter (CAR) from the end of life value (EOL) is less than 0, the value of the user counter (CAR) is compared with the second life value (PLS). Then (step 310),
If it is 0 or more, a warning "Please order a new drum unit" will be lit and displayed (step 31).
1).

When the value of the user counter (CAR) is less than or equal to the second life value (PLS), the value of the user counter (CAR) is compared with the first life value (PLF) (step). 312). If it is 0 or more, a warning "please arrange a new drum unit" is displayed in a blinking manner (step 313). If it is less than 0, the read data (CA) is stored in the memory 72 by the user. Set in the counter (CAT).

As described above, even when the CPU 71 detects an error in writing the number-of-copies data, the next image recording data is written in the EEPROM 54 instead of the data in which the error occurred last time when writing the next image recording data. The operation is sequentially performed until the writing operation of the image recording data accompanying the series of copying operations is completed. As a result, even if a communication error occurs accidentally due to noise or the like during the storage operation in the EEPROM 54 of the drum peripheral unit 50, the probability that the image data will be written as the next image recording data is high, and even if a communication error occurs, the copying machine can be used. It does not reduce the operability of. The last image recording data is written after the copying machine is stopped, and when an error is detected in this writing, it is judged as a failure for the first time and the fact is displayed and the subsequent copying operation is prohibited ( Since the step 23) is performed, the final writing operation can be performed in a state where the drive device as the noise source is stopped, and the EEP of the drum peripheral unit 50 is performed.
It is possible to prevent accidental communication error trouble due to the influence of noise on the ROM 54.

In the above embodiment, EEPRO
It is also possible to rewrite the stored data of M54 to an arbitrary value as required, and for example, a service engineer can set a specific maintenance mode and rewrite it from an input means such as a ten key of a copying machine. In this case, the user's remaining number of sheets can be guaranteed even if a small number of copies are made for maintenance adjustment.

[0072]

According to the present invention, which has the above-described structure and operation, a communication error occurs when storing image recording data in a storage element provided in a drum peripheral unit which is detachably attached to the image recording apparatus main body. Provided is a communication error prevention device for a drum peripheral unit capable of reliably preventing a communication error even in the case of a drop, without deteriorating the operability of the image recording device and further reducing the performance such as the recording speed of the image recording device. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an electrophotographic copying machine to which an embodiment of a communication error prevention device for a drum peripheral unit according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an image recording unit of the electrophotographic copying machine. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the drum peripheral unit. 4A and 4B are a plan view and a front view, respectively, showing the storage element of the drum peripheral unit. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the electrophotographic copying machine. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage contents of the EEPROM. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a connection state between the EEPROM and the control board. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a start bit and the like when reading and writing data in the EEPROM. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the mode setting to the EEPROM. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a dimming sequence showing the read mode to the EEPROM. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a dimming sequence showing a writing mode to the EEPROM. FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 50 drum peripheral unit 54 storage element 71 CPU 72 memory 73 input / output port

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 30, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Brief description of the drawing

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an electrophotographic copying machine to which an embodiment of a communication error prevention device for a drum peripheral unit according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an image recording unit of the electrophotographic copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a drum peripheral unit.

4A and 4B are a plan view and a front view, respectively, showing a storage element of a drum peripheral unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the electrophotographic copying machine.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing storage contents of an EEPROM.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a connection state between an EEPROM and a control board.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a start bit and the like when reading and writing data in the EEPROM.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing mode setting to the EEPROM.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a timing sequence showing a read mode to the EEPROM.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a timing sequence showing a writing mode to the EEPROM.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the operation of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the operation of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the operation of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a flow chart showing the operation of the system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flow chart which shows operation.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 50 drum peripheral unit, 54 storage element, 71 C
PU, 72 memory, 73 I / O port.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 8]

[Figure 1]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 9]

FIG. 11

[Fig. 12]

[Figure 5]

FIG. 17

[Figure 6]

[Fig. 13]

[Figure 10]

FIG. 14

FIG. 15

FIG. 16

FIG. 18

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A storage element provided in a drum peripheral unit that is attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image recording apparatus, writing means for writing image recording data in the storage element, and image recording data written in the storage element. And the image recording data written in the storage element by the writing means and the image recording data read from the storage element by the reading means are compared, and the image recording data is stored in the storage element of the drum peripheral unit. In the communication error prevention device for the drum peripheral unit, which is provided with a confirming means for confirming whether or not the data has been written correctly, when the writing error of the image record data is detected by the confirming means, the next image record data is written. Sometimes, the operation of writing the next image recording data in the storage element is continued until the writing operation of the series of image recording data is completed,
A communication error prevention device for a drum peripheral unit, comprising control means for interrupting a writing operation and displaying a message to that effect when a writing error is detected at the time of writing the last image recording data. 2. A storage element provided in a drum peripheral unit that is attachable to and detachable from the main body of the image recording apparatus, writing means for writing image recording data in the storage element, and image recording data written in the storage element. And the image recording data written in the storage element by the writing means and the image recording data read from the storage element by the reading means are compared, and the image recording data is stored in the storage element of the drum peripheral unit. In the communication error prevention device for the drum peripheral unit, which is provided with a confirmation means for confirming whether or not the data has been correctly written, when the writing error of the image recording data is detected by the confirmation means, the entire load of the image recording device is Is turned off, and when the image recording apparatus is stopped, writing and reading of the image recording data are executed, and a control means for performing a confirmation operation by the confirmation means is provided. A communication error prevention device for a drum peripheral unit characterized by the above.