JPH0723199A - Image photographic printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an image photographic printer miniaturized and light in weight and capable of easily performing the exchange of consumables. CONSTITUTION:Counters 61, 62 which count the respective exchange time are provided for a photosensitive part provided for a recording part 23 and developing part cartridges 32, 38, and the number of times of photographic print of the recording part 23 is supplied from a photographic print counter 31. When the number of sheets of photographic print counted by the counters 61, 62 exceeds the service life of the cartridges 32, 38 stored in a RAM 25, the operation of the recording part 23 is stopped. When the exchange of the cartridge is detected by an opening/closing sensor 63 and information decided in advance is read from handling cards attached on the cartridges 32, 38 by a reading part 21, corresponding counters 61, 62 are initialized, and the recording part 23 is operated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus suitable for use in a facsimile apparatus or the like that optically reads information written on a document and performs information communication or copying based on the read information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recording section of a conventional facsimile apparatus, received image information is printed on a printing paper and output. In the recording unit, consumable parts having relatively short life such as toner, photosensitive drum, and developing tank are individually integrated and housed in a cartridge, and when replacing each part, a facsimile machine is used together with the housing of the cartridge. By making it detachable, replacement work of consumable parts is facilitated. Also, these consumable parts are accurately positioned by mounting them on the facsimile device together with the housing of the cartridge, so that the facsimile device can be operated in the same state as before the replacement of the consumable parts without the need for mounting adjustment after replacement. Designed.

Among the above-mentioned consumable parts, the life of the photosensitive drum and the developing tank depends on the number of times of printing, so that it is possible that defective printing may occur if the above-mentioned consumable parts that have reached the end of their life are used as they are. In order to prevent this, the facsimile apparatus counts the number of times of printing with a counter corresponding to each consumable part provided in the memory and manages the replacement time of the consumable part. The function of the recording unit is stopped when the time to replace the consumable part has passed, and after the consumable part is replaced and the counter corresponding to the replaced consumable part is initialized, the recording unit is returned to the operating state again. Conventionally, the counter of the above-mentioned consumable parts has been initialized by the user operating a key from the operation panel of the facsimile apparatus. However, since the replacement work of consumable parts does not occur as frequently as the transmission / reception operation of the facsimile machine, the user forgets the operation procedure for initialization by the time of the next replacement work, and see the instruction manual. However, it is troublesome to operate. For this reason, there has been proposed a facsimile machine in which the counter for consumable parts is automatically initialized only by exchanging consumable parts.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a counter initializing means of the conventional developing section cartridge 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the developing unit cartridge 1 is provided with a fuse 2. When the developing unit cartridge 1 is mounted in the facsimile machine in the direction of arrow A, the connection terminal 3 of the facsimile machine and the fuse 2 are connected. At this time, the facsimile apparatus detects whether or not the fuse 2 is blown, and if the fuse 2 is not blown, blows it and initializes the developing unit counter. If the fuse 2 has already been blown, the initialization is not performed.

The price of the consumable cartridge as described above varies depending on the distribution channel. Therefore, in order to manage the price of the product, the cartridge housing and the cartridge mounting portion of the facsimile device are provided with irregularities having different shapes for each distribution route, and the predetermined distribution route is passed to each facsimile device. It is designed so that only cartridges can be installed.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing fitting portions 11a and 11b between the frame of the facsimile apparatus and the developing portion cartridge 4 and fitting portions 10a and 10b between the developing portion cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 7. As shown in FIG. 11A, the toner cartridge 7 has a rib portion 8 along the outer circumference in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and is attached to the developing portion cartridge 4 by being inserted into the developing portion cartridge 4 in the arrow B direction. Toner is supplied to the developing tank. As shown in FIG. 11B, the fitting portions 10a and 10b between the housing of the developing unit cartridge 4 and the housing of the toner cartridge 7 are provided with convex portions 6 on the developing unit cartridge 4 side and on the toner cartridge 7 side, respectively. The notch 12 is formed. See also FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the developing unit cartridge 4 is attached to the facsimile apparatus by being inserted into the facsimile apparatus in the arrow C direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the fitting portions 11a and 11b of the facsimile device and the developing portion cartridge 4 are each provided with a convex portion 9 on the facsimile device side, and a convex portion 5 on the developing portion cartridge 4 side.
Is formed. When the convex portions 9a, 5a, 6a as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 11B are formed, the developing unit cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 7 cannot be mounted in the facsimile device.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned facsimile machine, the fuse 2 must be attached to the developing section cartridge 1 and means for blowing the fuse 2 must be provided in the facsimile machine. As a result, the structure becomes complicated, resulting in an increase in cost and an increase in size of the facsimile machine. Further, the number of places where a defect such as a defective connection between the fuse 2 and the terminal 3 may occur is inconvenient.

Further, in order to form irregularities having different shapes for each distribution channel on the cartridge housing and the facsimile apparatus, molds for the cartridge housing and the facsimile apparatus housing are required for the number of distribution channels, which is troublesome for manufacturing and product management. This increases the manufacturing cost. Further, the cartridge housing, for example, the rib portion 8 of the toner cartridge 7
11C, the toner cartridge 7 can be easily formed by notching the broken line portion 12a.
Can be attached to.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems and to provide a light and compact image printing apparatus which is easy to replace and can be used as an expendable item.

[0010]

The present invention includes a reading means for reading image information of an original, a printing means for printing the image information on a recording paper, and a cartridge section for individually exchanging a plurality of printing consumables. In an image printing apparatus, replacement determining means for determining the replacement time of each printing consumable, and holding the printing means in a stopped state in response to a replacement instruction from the replacement determining means, are attached to a new consumable cartridge. Read identification information, compares the read identification information with predetermined identification information, and when both pieces of identification information match each other, a control means for canceling holding of the stopped state of the printing means is included. A characteristic image printing apparatus.

Further, in the present invention, the exchange judging means includes counting means for counting the number of times of printing by the printing means, and judges the exchange time based on the count value by the counting means, and the counting means is for controlling the control. The means is initialized when it detects a match between the identification information of the new consumable cartridge and the predetermined identification information.

The present invention further comprises memory means for storing the identification information read from the consumable cartridge, and the control means stores the newly read identification information and the identification information previously stored in the memory means. It is characterized by comparing.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, when the memory means stores new identification information, when the memory capacity is exceeded, the first stored information is sequentially rewritten to new identification information.

Further, according to the present invention, a specific mark is attached to the consumable cartridge, and the control means compares the specific mark read from the new consumable cartridge with a predetermined specific mark. , When the two marks match, the operation shifts to the comparison operation of the identification information.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the control means includes means for adding invalid information indicating invalidity to the consumable cartridge when the identification information is read from the consumable cartridge.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the control means prevents a shift to the comparing operation of the identification information when the invalid information is detected from the consumable cartridge.

Further, according to the present invention, communication means for performing information communication via a communication line, and information stored in the memory means on the basis of a transmission request of a destination registered in advance are read out by the communication means. It is characterized by including a transmission control means for transmitting.

[0018]

According to the present invention, the replacement determining means determines the replacement timing of each printing consumable, and the control means responds to the replacement instruction from the replacement determining means to hold the printing means in a stopped state, while The identification information attached to the consumable cartridge is read, the read identification information is compared with the predetermined identification information, and when both the identification information match, the holding state of the printing means is released. As described above, the image printing apparatus of the present invention prevents the occurrence of printing defects and failures due to the printing unit being operated with the consumable cartridge that has passed the replacement time being retained by holding the printing unit in the stopped state. can do. Further, since the identification information does not match in a consumable cartridge that does not match the image printing apparatus, the printing unit does not operate, and a consumable cartridge that does not match the image printing apparatus is mounted and the printing unit operates. It is possible to prevent defective printing and failure.

According to the invention, the replacement judging means judges the replacement timing of the consumable item based on the count value of the number of times of printing of the printing means counted by the counting means, and the counting means is newly controlled by the control means. It is initialized by detecting the coincidence between the identification information of the consumable cartridge and the predetermined identification information. As a result, the image printing apparatus of the present invention can automatically initialize the counting means and manage the replacement time of printing consumables.

According to the invention, the image printing apparatus stores the identification information read from the consumable cartridge in the memory means, and the control means stores the newly read identification information and the memory means in advance. Compare with the identification information.
As a result, it is possible to prevent the counting means from being initialized due to the same identification information being read again, and a consumable cartridge that has passed the replacement time or a consumable cartridge that is not compatible with the image printing apparatus is attached to the printing means. Can be prevented from operating.

Further, according to the present invention, when the memory means exceeds the memory capacity for storing new identification information, the first stored information is sequentially rewritten to new identification information. As a result, the identification information can be efficiently stored within the limited memory capacity.

According to the invention, the consumable cartridge is provided with a specific mark, and the control means compares the specific mark read from the new consumable cartridge with a predetermined specific mark. Then, when both marks match, the operation shifts to the comparison operation of the identification information. Therefore, when the two marks do not match, the comparison operation of the identification information is not performed, so that the matching time by the control means can be shortened.

Further, according to the invention, when the control means reads the identification information from the consumable cartridge, the control means adds invalid information indicating invalidity to the consumable cartridge. Thereby, it is possible to visually confirm whether or not the identification information has already been read. Therefore,
It is possible to prevent the user from accidentally causing the image printing apparatus to read again the identification information that has already been read once.

Further, according to the invention, the control means prevents the shift to the comparing operation of the identification information when the invalid information is detected from the consumable cartridge. As a result, it is possible to prevent the counting means from being initialized by the same identification information, and the printing means is operated by mounting a consumable cartridge whose replacement time has expired or a cartridge not compatible with the image printing apparatus. Can be prevented.

Further, according to the invention, the transmission control means reads the information stored in the memory means on the basis of the transmission request of the destination registered in advance, and the communication means transmits the information via the communication line. Send. As a result, the image printing apparatus can automatically transmit the information stored in the memory means to the destination registered in advance in response to the transmission request from the destination.

[0026]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall construction of a facsimile apparatus 20 which is an embodiment of the present invention. The reading unit 21 sequentially decomposes the transmission document into a large number of fine pixels in a grid pattern according to a certain rule, and converts the light and shade of each pixel into a time-series electric signal by photoelectric conversion or the like. The image processing unit 22 converts an electric signal input from the reading unit 21 into image information of a digital signal that can be processed by a CPU 24, which will be described later, at the time of transmission, converts the received image information into an electric signal at the time of reception, and a recording unit. To 23. The recording unit 23 records the received image information on paper based on the electric signal input from the image processing unit 22.

The CPU 24 is a central processing unit for controlling the operation of the entire facsimile apparatus 20, and recognizes from the image information read by the reading unit 21 that it is a handling card 50 described later in which an image is enclosed in a consumable cartridge. Sometimes
The information written on the handling card 50 is stored in a nonvolatile memory 60 described later, and a predetermined process is performed based on the information. RAM (random access memory) 25 is
In addition to storing registered dial numbers and the like, it is a memory that temporarily stores a certain amount of image information as an input / output buffer when transmitting and receiving image information. The non-volatile memory 60 is a memory whose stored contents are not erased even when the power of the facsimile device 20 is turned off, and stores information about the consumable cartridge.

The modem 26 modulates the information to transmit the image information via the communication line and demodulates the received image information. The dial control unit 27 generates a dial signal for selecting and calling a desired subscriber from a large number of subscribers. The line interface 28 performs call originating / receiving processing such as calling a telephone or facsimile machine of a communication partner, and switches the telephone and the facsimile machine to connect to the line.

The keyboard 29 includes a numeric keypad, function keys, a one-touch dial key, etc., for inputting a dial number of a call destination and data such as speed dial registration, and for giving an operation instruction corresponding to each function key. To do. The display unit 30 displays the dial number input from the keyboard 29, the reception state of the facsimile device 20, and the like. The print counter 31 counts the number of prints in the recording unit 23 and outputs it to the CPU 24. The photosensitive section cartridge 32 is a cartridge in which the consumable parts of the photosensitive section such as the photosensitive drum 32a are housed, and the developing section cartridge 38 stores the consumable parts of the developing section such as the developing tank 38a including rollers in the cartridge. It is stored as one unit. The photosensitive section counter 61 manages the replacement time of the photosensitive section cartridge 32 based on the count value given from the printing counter 31, and the developing section counter 62 similarly manages the replacement time of the developing section cartridge 38. The open / close sensor 63 includes the consumable cartridges 32, 37, 38.
It is a sensor for detecting the opening / closing of the opening of the facsimile device for the replacement of the sheet and the removal of a paper jam (jam).

FIG. 2 shows the reading unit 2 of the facsimile device 20.
3 is a cross-sectional view of 1 and a recording unit 23. FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the document is inserted in the reading unit 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow R with the paper face down. A plurality of documents are separated one by one by a document separating roller 35, and are conveyed to a reading surface by a document conveying roller 36. The document is scanned by a light beam emitted from below the reading surface, the intensity of the reflected light is read by a sensor (not shown), and is output to the image processing unit 22 as an electric signal indicating pixel information of a pixel on the scanning line.

In the recording section 23, the photosensitive drum 32a having photosensitive conductivity is uniformly charged by the charger 33. The photoconductor drum 32a is provided with a laser head 34 based on an image signal from an image processing unit 22 (not shown).
It is exposed by the light emitted from. Photoconductor drum 3
The photosensitive portion 2a becomes a conductor and releases the charged electric charge. On the other hand, the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 37 to the developing tank 3.
8a, and is charged with an electric charge opposite to that of the photosensitive drum 32a. The toner is attached to the charging portion of the photosensitive drum 32a via the roller of the developing tank 38, and the above-mentioned image is visualized. In synchronism with this, the printing paper supplied from the paper cassette 37 is carried to the transfer portion one by one by the paper carrying roller 40 and the registration roller 41.

The image visualized on the photosensitive drum 32a is the above-mentioned sheet conveying roller 40 and registration roller 41.
Is transferred onto the printing paper conveyed between the photoconductor drum 32a and the transfer device 42. The image fixing device 43 fixes the image on the printing paper on which the image is transferred, and the paper is ejected to the paper ejection tray 46 by the conveyance roller 45. After the image transfer, the photosensitive drum 32a is cleaned of the adsorbed toner by a cleaner, and is further subjected to processing such as charging, exposure, development and transfer.

The above-mentioned toner is a consumable item, and the photoconductor drum 32 and the developing tank 38 are consumable items having a shorter component life than the other parts of the facsimile apparatus 20, and must be replaced depending on their respective lifetimes. The life of these parts is
For example, the toner section 37 prints 3K and the developing section 38 prints 3K.
0K prints, and the photosensitive section 32 is 15K prints, while the life of the facsimile device 20 is 100K prints. For this reason, these are enclosed in individual containers (cartridges), and at the time of replacement, these consumable parts are replaced together with the housings of the respective cartridges.

The life of each of the above cartridges is stored in the memory of the facsimile apparatus 20, and when the number of prints counted by the print counter 31 exceeds the life of each of the cartridges 32 and 38, the recording unit 23 automatically. It is stopped and put into a non-operational state. In the toner cartridge 37, the recording unit 23 is stopped when the toner is used up.

When the consumable cartridge to be replaced is replaced after the recording section 23 is stopped, the opening / closing sensor 63 detects the replacement of the consumable cartridge, and only the reading section 21 of the facsimile apparatus 20 is activated. . At this time, the reading unit 21 reads the handling card 50 described later attached to the consumable cartridge replaced. The CPU 24 determines from the identification number 59 of the handling card 50 whether the exchanged consumable cartridge is compatible with the facsimile device 20, and if it is compatible, the consumable counter is initialized and the facsimile device 20 is activated. Return to operating status. Further, the read identification number 59 is written in the non-volatile memory 60, and information regarding the consumable cartridge is stored. If it is determined that the exchanged consumable cartridge does not match the facsimile device 20, only the reading unit 21 is activated and the consumable counter is not initialized.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of information recorded on the handling card 50, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a packaging state of the photosensitive cartridge 32 and the handling card 50. The handling card 50 includes, for example, a method for mounting the cartridge in the facsimile device 20, a method for removing the cartridge from the facsimile device 20, precautions for handling, and the like, and is included in the consumable cartridge. On the back surface of the handling card 50, a start detection mark 55, a company name identification code 56, and a distribution channel identification code 5 are provided in a reading direction indicated by an arrow R in FIG.
7 and an identification symbol 59 such as a serial number 58 having a serial number for each product are described.

The identification card 59 is read by inserting the handling card 50 into the reading section 21 of the facsimile device 20 shown in FIG. The start detection mark 55 is an identification symbol 5 due to a shift or the like when the handling card 50 is inserted into the reading unit 21.
It is provided so that a reading error of 9 does not occur, and the identification code 59
Indicates the reference position where is described. Further, the start detection mark 55 is collated with the reference data stored in the memory 25, and if the collation results match, the identification symbol 59 is sequentially stored in the memory 25 from the company name identification symbol 56. It is collated with the reference data.

The distribution channel identification symbol 57 is a number indicating the distribution channel of the consumable cartridge, and is provided to manage the price of the consumable cartridge having a different selling price depending on the distribution channel. Replaced consumable cartridge is CP
If the U24 determines that the facsimile device 20 is not compatible, the consumable item counter is not initialized, and only the reading unit 21 is activated. The manufacturing number 58 is provided to prevent the replacement time of the consumable cartridge of the facsimile apparatus 20 from being shifted when the same handling card 50 is used again, and the nonvolatile memory 6 is provided.
When the two coincide with each other by collating with the manufacturing number 58 stored in 0, it is determined that the replaced consumable cartridge is not compatible with the facsimile device 20.

As described above, the company name identification code 56 and the distribution channel identification code 5 of the identification code 59 of the handling card 50.
7 is collated with the reference data stored in the memory in advance and the two coincide with each other, and the serial number 58 is collated with the serial number 58 of the identification symbol 59 stored in the memory and both coincide with each other. If not, the replaced consumable cartridge is determined to be compatible with the facsimile device 20.

Regarding the verification of the manufacturing number 58, after the handling card 50 is read by the reading section 21, a reading end stamp is imprinted on a predetermined position of the handling card 50, and the handling card having the reading end stamp imprinted thereon. When 50 is read, it may be determined that the replaced consumable cartridge is not compatible with the facsimile device 20. 2. Description of the Related Art Some facsimile machines have a structure capable of impressing a "done" stamp on a document that has been read when the document is transmitted. By using this structure, the reading completion stamp can be stamped.

As shown in FIG. 4, the above-mentioned handling card 50.
Are packaged and distributed in a consumable cartridge, for example, a photosensitive cartridge 32. The photoconductor cartridge 32 is packaged by a sealing member 52 realized by, for example, a vinyl sheet, sandwiched by a pair of cushioning materials 54, and a handling card 50 is attached and stored in a packaging case 53.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the initialization operation of the facsimile device 20 when the consumable cartridge is replaced. As described above, when either the photosensitive section counter 61 or the developing section counter 62 counts the number of printed images beyond the life of the corresponding consumable cartridge, that is, the photosensitive section cartridge 32 or the developing section cartridge 38, or the toner cartridge. When the toner of 37 is exhausted, the CPU 24 stops the recording unit 23 based on the program. Next, step i1 shown in FIG.
Then, the consumable cartridge that has exceeded the component life is removed from the facsimile device 20, and a new consumable cartridge is attached to the facsimile device 20 based on the attachment method described on the handling card 50. After that, when the main body cover of the facsimile apparatus 20 is closed, it is detected by the opening / closing sensor 63 attached to the main body cover that the replacement of the consumable cartridge has been completed.

In step i2, it is determined whether or not there is a document in the reading section 21, and if there is a document, the process proceeds to step i3, and if there is no document, the process returns to step i2 to wait for the document insertion. At step i3, the handling card 50, which is a document, is read, and the identification symbol 59 is recognized as data of the exchanged consumable cartridge from the read image information. At step i4, the identification symbol 59 read at step i3.
Is collated with the reference data stored in the RAM 25 and the manufacturing number 58 stored in the non-volatile memory 60.

At step i5, it is judged from the collation result at step i4 whether or not the consumable cartridge exchanged is compatible with the facsimile apparatus 20, and if it is judged to be compatible, the process proceeds to step i6 and it is judged that they are not compatible. If so, the processing results of steps i3 and i4 are cleared, and the process returns to step i2 and only the reading unit 21 is activated until the proper identification symbol 59 is read. At step i6, the corresponding consumable item counters 61 and 62 are initialized. In step i7, the facsimile device 20 is returned to the operating state.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the facsimile device 20 when the identification symbol 59 of the handling card 50 is collated. Step j as shown in FIG.
1, the company name identification code 56 of the identification code 59 read in step i3 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
It is compared with the reference data stored in 5, and if they match, the procedure moves to step j2, and if they do not match, it moves to step j6.

At step j2, the distribution channel identification symbol 57
Is compared with the reference data stored in the RAM 25, and if they match, the process moves to step j3, and if they do not match, the process moves to step j6. At step j3, the serial number 58 stored in the non-volatile memory 60 in the RAM 25 is sequentially read out and collated with the serial number 58 of the identification symbol 59 read at step i3 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step j4, as a result of the collation performed in step j3, if any of the serial numbers 58 stored in the non-volatile memory 60 matches the serial number 58 read from the handling card 50, the process is performed. Is completed, the process returns to step i5 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and if there is no match, the process proceeds to step j5. At step j5, the read manufacturing number 58 is registered in the non-volatile memory 60, and
It returns to step i5 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

As described above, information about each consumable cartridge is stored in the non-volatile memory 60 every time the consumable cartridge is replaced. However, the life of each consumable cartridge is, for example, 3K prints for the toner cartridge 37, 15K prints for the photoconductor cartridge 32, and 30K prints for the developing cartridge 38. Will be accumulated. On the other hand, since the non-volatile memory 60 is expensive, it has a limited storage capacity, and therefore it must be used efficiently. For this reason, when writing information exceeding the storage capacity of the non-volatile memory 60, the oldest information among the accumulated information is rewritten with new information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the storage area 72 set in the non-volatile memory 60. As shown in FIG. 7, addresses A to D in the nonvolatile memory 60
In the storage area 72 up to, information on N (N is a natural number) consumable cartridges, that is, the serial number of the consumable cartridge, the replacement date, and the cumulative number of prints when the consumable cartridge is replaced is written. Get caught. When writing the 1st to Nth information in the storage area 72, the storage area 64 to the storage area 65 indicated by the address A are written.
Information is sequentially written up to the storage area 71 indicated by ˜70 and address D. When writing more than N pieces of information, the oldest information among the information stored in the storage area 72 is the address, that is, the address. The information is sequentially rewritten with new information written in the storage area 64 indicated by A.

Address B is stored in the storage area 72 shown in FIG.
The newest information is written in the storage area 68 indicated by, and the oldest information is written in the storage area 69 indicated by address C. The pointer X is a register that stores the addresses of the storage areas 64-71 in the storage area 72, and the CPU 24 reads information from the storage area indicated by the address stored in the pointer X to perform processing, or to the storage area concerned. Write information.

At the time of collating the serial number 58, which will be described later, information is sequentially read from the oldest information indicated by the address C and collated with the serial number 58 read from the handling card 50. As a result of the collation, if the stored information matches the serial number 58 read from the handling card 50, it is determined that the replaced consumable cartridge is incompatible with the facsimile device 20, and there is no matching information. For example, the exchanged consumable cartridge is determined to be compatible with the facsimile device 20.

FIG. 8 shows the facsimile apparatus 2 in more detail of the processing performed in step j3 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of 0. Figure 8
As shown in, in step k1, the natural number N is stored in the register indicated by the variable i in order to count the number of times of the same processing, that is, the collation of the manufacturing number 58. Step k2
Then, the address C is stored in the pointer X.

In step k3, the information read from the handling card 50, that is, the serial number 5 of the consumable cartridge
8 and the storage area 6 indicated by the pointer X in the storage area 72
The information of 9 is compared, and it is determined whether or not both match. If the information read at this time and the information stored in the memory match, the process proceeds to step k9, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step k4. At step k4, the variable i
The calculation result of i-1 is stored in the register indicated by.

At step k5, it is judged whether or not the value stored in the register indicated by the variable i is 0, and i =
If 0, that is, if collation of all N pieces of information in the storage area 72 is completed, the process proceeds to step k10, and if i = 0, the process proceeds to step k6.

At step k6, the address stored in the pointer X is compared with the address D. If the address stored in the pointer X and the address D match, the process proceeds to step k8, and if they do not match, the step k7. Move on to. In step k7, the address of the next storage area is stored in the pointer X, and the process returns to step k3 to repeat the collation of information. At step k8, the address A of the storage area 64 is stored in the pointer X, and the process returns to step k3 to repeat the collation of information.

At step k9, information indicating that the consumable cartridge is not compatible is stored in the register corresponding to the variable j as a result of collation, and the process returns to step j4 of the flowchart shown in FIG. At step k10, as a result of the collation, the information indicating that the consumable cartridge is compatible is stored in the register corresponding to the variable j, and the process returns to step j4 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the facsimile device 20 receives a transmission request from a predetermined service station, the facsimile device 20 transmits the information of the consumable cartridge stored in the non-volatile memory 60 to the service station via the communication line. To do.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the operations of the facsimile device 20 and the service station when transmitting the information of the consumable cartridge through the communication line. The flowchart shown in FIG. 9A shows the operation on the service station side, and the flowchart shown in FIG. 9B shows the operation of the facsimile apparatus 20. In step p1 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 9A, the facsimile apparatus 20 detects a transmission request signal from a predetermined service station, moves to step p2 if there is a transmission request, and moves to step p2 if there is no transmission request. Return to p1 and wait for a transmission request. In step p2, information on the consumable cartridge stored in the non-volatile memory 60, that is, the serial number 58 of the consumable cartridge, the replacement date of the consumable cartridge, and the cumulative number of printed images of the facsimile device 20 at the time of replacement is displayed. It is converted into communication information that can be transmitted via a communication line. In step p3, the dial number of the service station is selected and the communication information is transmitted.

In step q1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9B, the service station transmits a signal indicating a transmission request to the facsimile device 20. In step q2, the information about the consumable cartridge is read from the communication information transmitted from the facsimile device 20. At step q3, the information read at step q2 is output. The service person can analyze the usage status of the facsimile device 20 based on the information output in step q3, and can be useful for investigating the cause of the failure of the facsimile device 20 and improving the service.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the facsimile apparatus 20 counts the number of printed images in the photosensitive section counter 61 and the developing section counter 62, and based on this counted value, the replacement timing of the consumable cartridges 32 and 38. To detect. The facsimile device 20 stops the function of the recording unit 23 when it is time to replace the consumable cartridge, and after the consumable cartridge is replaced, the handling card 50 included in the consumable cartridge to the consumption card described in the handling card 50. The counter 6 is read when it is determined that the consumable cartridge that has been exchanged is read by reading the information about the article cartridge and collating it with predetermined information.
1, 62 are initialized and the facsimile device 20 is put into operation. When the exchanged consumable cartridge is determined to be incompatible with the facsimile device 20, the facsimile device 20 activates only the reading unit 21 and stops the function of the recording unit 23 until the information determined to be compatible is read. To do.

This saves the labor of initializing the consumables counter, and the replacement of the consumables cartridge and the work associated therewith can be easily performed. Further, since it is not necessary to add a new device for performing this processing, it is possible to facilitate the replacement work of the consumable cartridge without increasing the cost and upsizing the facsimile device 20.

Further, since the function of the recording unit 23 is stopped until the information indicating that the consumable cartridge is compatible with the facsimile device 20 is read from the handling card 50, the recording unit 23 is operated using the cartridge which is not compatible with the facsimile device 20. The facsimile machine 2
It is possible to prevent the failure of 0.

In the facsimile device 20, the distribution channel identification symbol 57 and the manufacturing number 58 of the consumable cartridge are written on the handling card 50 of the consumable cartridge, and the distribution channel differs depending on the predetermined information. The selling price can be managed. This saves the labor of processing the shape of the consumable cartridge,
The manufacturing cost of the consumable cartridge can be reduced. In addition, the distribution channel identification symbol 57 is the facsimile device 2
Since it is a code that can be identified only inside 0, it is difficult to rewrite this code with an identification code suitable for the facsimile device 20. Therefore, it is possible to manage the price of the consumable cartridge based on the correct information without easily processing the information written on the handling card 50.

Further, the facsimile device 20 stores the serial number 58 of the consumable cartridge read from the handling card 50 in the non-volatile memory 60, the replacement date of the consumable cartridge, and the cumulative number of printed images of the facsimile device 20 at the time of replacement. By accumulating information and collating the manufacturing number 58 read from the handling card 50 of the newly replaced consumable cartridge with the manufacturing number 58, the handling card 50 used in the past is invalidated. Alternatively, the handling card 50 once read is stamped, and the stamped handling card 50 is invalidated, thereby invalidating the handling card 50 used in the past. by this,
It is possible to prevent the facsimile machine 20 from operating by continuing to use the consumable cartridge whose replacement time has expired due to the repeated use of the same handling card 50 or using the consumable cartridge that is not compatible with the facsimile apparatus 20. can do.

Further, when writing information into the storage area 72 in the non-volatile memory 60 in excess of the storage capacity of the storage area 72, the facsimile device 20 rewrites the oldest information among the stored information with new information. This allows the memory to be used efficiently.

Further, the facsimile device 20 transmits the information about the above-mentioned consumable cartridge stored in the non-volatile memory 60 to the service station in response to a predetermined transmission request from the service station. As a result, when a failure occurs in the facsimile machine 20, the service station side can investigate the cause based on the transmitted information, and properly supply a consumable cartridge that is about to be replaced. It can be useful for providing.

[0067]

According to the present invention, the image printing apparatus determines the replacement time of the consumable cartridge and holds the printing means in the stopped state. Further, the identification information is read from the new consumable cartridge, the read identification information is compared with the predetermined identification information, and when both match, the holding of the stopped state of the printing means is released. As a result, in the image printing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the printing means from operating with the consumable cartridge for which the replacement time has passed being mounted. Further, as a result, the image printing apparatus can prevent the consumable cartridge that is not compatible with the image printing apparatus from being mounted and the printing unit being operated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent printing defects and failures due to the life of consumables and incompatibility with the image printing apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, the replacement judging means judges the replacement time of the consumable goods based on the number of times of printing of the printing means counted by the counting means, and the counting means uses the identification information of the new consumable cartridge. It is initialized if it matches the predetermined identification information. As a result, the image printing apparatus of the present invention can automatically initialize the counting means and manage the replacement time of printing consumables.

According to the invention, the image printing apparatus stores the identification information read from the consumable cartridge in the memory means and compares the newly read identification information with the identification information stored in the memory means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the counting means from being further initialized by the identification information that has already been read once, and the printing means is operated by mounting the expendable cartridge that has passed the replacement time or the expendable cartridge that is not compatible with the image printing apparatus. Can be prevented.

Further, according to the present invention, when the memory means exceeds the memory capacity for storing new identification information, the information stored first is rewritten in sequence to the new identification information. It is possible to efficiently store relatively important identification information within the range.

Further, according to the present invention, the consumable cartridge is provided with a specific mark and is compared with a predetermined specific mark. As a result of this comparison, when both marks match, the identification information is compared. Therefore, when the two marks do not match, the comparison operation of the identification information is not performed, and thus the collation time by the control means can be shortened.

Further, according to the present invention, the control means, when the identification information is read from the consumable cartridge, adds invalid information indicating invalidity to the cartridge. Thereby, it is possible to visually confirm whether or not the identification information has already been read once. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally causing the image printing apparatus to read again the identification information that has already been read.

Further, according to the present invention, the control means prevents the shift to the comparison operation of the identification information when the invalid information is detected from the consumable cartridge. Therefore, since the image printing apparatus of the present invention does not compare the identification information read from the consumable cartridge with the identification information stored in the memory means when the identification information read once is read again, the control means It is possible to shorten the collation time due to. Further, the counting means is prevented from being initialized by the identification information that has already been read once, and the printing means is operated by mounting a consumable cartridge that has passed the replacement time or a consumable cartridge that is not compatible with the image printing apparatus. Can be prevented.

Further, according to the present invention, the transmission control means reads the information stored in the memory means on the basis of the transmission request of the destination registered in advance, and the communication means transmits the information via the communication line. Send. As a result, the image printing apparatus can automatically transmit the information stored in the memory means to the destination registered in advance in response to the transmission request from the destination.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a facsimile device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a reading unit 21 and a recording unit 23 of the facsimile device 20.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of information written on a handling card 50.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a packaged state of a photosensitive section cartridge 32 and a handling card 50 thereof.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an initialization operation of the facsimile device 20 when a consumable cartridge is replaced.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the facsimile device 20 when collating the identification symbol 59 of the handling card 50.

FIG. 7 is a storage area 7 set in the nonvolatile memory 60.
It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of 2.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the process of step j3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 in more detail.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operations of the facsimile device 20 and the service station side when transmitting the information of the consumable cartridge through the communication line.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a counter initializing means of the conventional developing section cartridge 1.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a frame of the facsimile apparatus and fitting portions 11a and 11b of the developing portion cartridge 4 and fitting portions 10a and 10 of the developing portion cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 7.
It is a perspective view which shows b.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 Facsimile Machine 21 Reading Section 22 Image Processing Section 23 Recording Section 24 CPU (Central Processing Unit) 25 RAM (Random Access Memory) 26 Modem 27 Dial Control Section 28 Line Interface 29 Keyboard 30 Display Section 31 Printing Counter 32 Photosensitive Section Cartridge 38 Development Section cartridge 60 non-volatile memory 61 photosensitive section counter 62 developing section counter 63 open / close sensor

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masahei Otani 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Within Sharp Co., Ltd. (72) Masafumi Matsumoto 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside the company

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image printing apparatus comprising: a reading unit for reading image information of a document; a printing unit for printing the image information on a recording sheet; and a cartridge unit capable of individually exchanging a plurality of printing consumables. An exchange determining means for determining the time for exchanging the article, and a holding means for holding the printing means in response to an exchange instruction from the exchange determining means, while reading the identification information attached to the new consumable cartridge, An image printing apparatus comprising: a control unit that compares the read identification information with predetermined identification information, and releases the holding state of the printing unit when the identification information matches. 2. The replacement judging means includes counting means for counting the number of times of printing by the printing means, judging the replacement time based on the count value by the counting means, and the counting means is newly controlled by the control means. 2. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image printing apparatus is initialized when a match between the identification information of a different consumable cartridge and predetermined identification information is detected. 3. The memory means for storing the identification information read from the consumable cartridge is provided, and the control means compares the newly read identification information with the identification information previously stored in the memory means. The image printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The image printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the memory means exceeds the memory capacity for storing new identification information, the first stored information is rewritten to new identification information in sequence. . 5. The consumable cartridge is provided with a specific mark, and the control means compares the specific mark read from a new consumable cartridge with a predetermined specific mark, and the both marks are compared. 2. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image printing apparatus shifts to a comparison operation of the identification information when they match. 6. The image print according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes means for adding invalid information indicating invalidity to the consumable cartridge when the identification information is read from the consumable cartridge. apparatus. 7. The image printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control means prevents a transition to a comparison operation of the identification information when the invalid information is detected from a consumable cartridge. 8. Communication means for performing information communication via a communication line, and transmission for reading information stored in said memory means on the basis of a transmission request of a destination registered in advance and transmitting it by said communication means The image printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a control unit.