JPH11194682A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain the number of rewriting times in a memory to the minimum and to preserve accurate unit information in the memory by writing data in the memory of a consumable goods unit in the case of detecting that an opening/closing member is changed from a closed state to an opened state or detecting the designation of turning off a power source. SOLUTION: A printing start instruction (S421), opening a door (S423) and turning off the power source (S424) transmitted from a printer controller are monitored. In the case of judging that the door is opened (S423), a write-in sequence (S425) for writing desired information in the EEPROM of a photoreceptor drum from a CPU is executed by judging that the photoreceptor drum is exchanged by a user. In the case of judging that the door is closed (S426), the read-in sequence for reading the desired information from the EEPROM of the photoreceptor drum is executed (S420). In the case of judging that the user turns off the power source switch (S427), the write-in sequence for writing the desired information in the EEPROM of the photoreceptor drum is performed (S425).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to control of writing data to a memory provided in a cartridge detachably formed in an image recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used as a main body of the image forming apparatus. A process cartridge system which can be attached to and detached from is used. According to this process cartridge system, maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a serviceman, so that operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

In particular, in a color laser beam printer, a process cartridge (photosensitive drum cartridge) in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning unit, and a waste toner container are integrated, and magenta, cyan, yellow, and black toners are contained. Maintenance-free operation is realized by making the developing cartridges for each color detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.

In such an image forming apparatus, for example, when the functions of the components incorporated in the reprocess cartridge have deteriorated due to long-term use, the entire process cartridge is replaced. This replacement operation is a very simple operation such as opening the image forming apparatus main body with one touch, taking out the old process cartridge from the inside of the apparatus main body, and installing a new process cartridge in the apparatus main body. What you get.

Further, recently, the above-mentioned functions have been further developed to improve the usability of the user of the image forming apparatus, and the following functions are provided. (1) An electronic device such as a memory is mounted on a process cartridge. When the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus refers to the data and performs an image forming operation under the optimum conditions of the process cartridge when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. . (2) A function that detects the remaining life of the photosensitive drum during the image forming operation and stores the data in a memory so that the remaining life of the photosensitive drum can be sequentially referred to. (3) The diagnostic data of the image forming apparatus which stores the diagnostic data of the image forming apparatus main body in the memory of the process cartridge and enables the service provider to promptly respond to the service by referring to the contents at the time of abnormality occurrence or maintenance. Self-diagnosis function. Attempts have been made to add

When the above functions are added to an image forming apparatus, it is necessary to mount an electronic device such as an EEPROM on a detachable unit such as a process cartridge. In a conventional process cartridge equipped with these electronic devices, an electronic device such as a memory and a connector are provided on a printed board, and the printed board is mounted on the process cartridge.

In the case where electric components are mounted on a process cartridge detachably mountable to the apparatus main body as described above,
On a printed circuit board, for example, an IC such as a non-volatile memory,
Further, electronic components and functional components such as diodes, resistors, capacitors, connectors and the like for protecting the IC from external surge pulses are generally mounted on a printed circuit board.

[0008] As a connector, there is also a connector which is not a board mounted type but is configured to be pulled out by a cable.

[0009]

However, since noise is generated in the image forming apparatus due to driving of mechanical members and high voltage generators, it is necessary to consider the timing of writing data to the memory of the process cartridge. No.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to an image recording apparatus in which a consumable unit having a memory is detachable. First detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the opening and closing member, and second detection means for detecting an instruction to turn off the power of the image recording image device by the operator,
When the first detecting means detects that the opening / closing member has changed from the closed state to the open state, or the second detecting means
Control means for writing data to the memory of the consumable unit when a power-off instruction is detected by the detection means,
It has.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a color laser beam printer (hereinafter simply referred to as "printer") to which the present invention can be applied.

In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
The transfer paper P fed from 01 by the conveying means 102 or the like is gripped at its leading end by a gripper 103f, so that the transfer drum 103
Is held on the outer periphery of. At this time, the detector 8 detects the leading end of the transfer paper P, and a vertical synchronization signal (described later) is generated based on the detection signal. The latent image of each color formed on the image carrier (hereinafter, referred to as “photosensitive drum”) 100 by the optical unit 107 is developed by each color developing device Dy, Dc, Dm, Db, and the paper around the transfer drum is formed. Is transferred a plurality of times to form a multicolor image. After that, the transfer paper P is transferred to the transfer drum 103
The sheet is further separated and fixed by the fixing unit 104, and is discharged to a sheet discharge tray unit 106 from a sheet discharge unit 105 serving as a conveyance unit.

Here, the developing units Dy, Dc, Db, Dm of the respective colors are:
The developing device selection mechanism 108 has rotatable support shafts at both ends thereof, each rotatable about the shaft. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the developing devices Dy, Dc, Db, and Dm maintain their postures even if the developing device selection mechanism 108 rotates about the rotation shaft 110 for developing device selection. Can be kept constant. After the selected developing device moves to the developing position, the developing device selecting mechanism
108, the selection mechanism holding frame 109 is integrated with the developing device around the fulcrum 100b, and the photosensitive drum 1 is moved by the solenoid 109a.
It is pulled in the direction of 00 and moves in the direction of the photosensitive drum 100.

Next, the color image forming operation of the color laser beam printer having the above configuration will be specifically described.

First, the photosensitive drum 100 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charger 111, and a latent image of, for example, M (magenta) color is formed on the photosensitive drum 100 by exposure to the laser beam L. The image is developed by the color developing device Dm, and a first toner image of M (magenta) is formed on the photosensitive drum 100. On the other hand, the transfer paper
P is fed and the polarity is opposite to the toner (for example, positive polarity)
Is applied to the transfer drum 103, the first toner image on the photosensitive drum 100 is transferred to the transfer paper P, and the transfer paper P is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the transfer drum 103. Is done. After that, the M (magenta) toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 100 is removed by the cleaner 112 and sent to the waste toner container 180 to prepare for the next color latent image forming and developing process. In the present embodiment, the waste toner container 180, the photosensitive drum 100, and the charger 111 are provided in the same unit, and constitute a process cartridge (photosensitive drum cartridge) 199. This process cartridge 199 is provided with mounting means 8
It is detachably attached to the main body of the device via a 0.

Next, a second C (cyan) latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 100 by the laser beam L, and then the second latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed by the C (cyan) developing unit Dc.
The second latent image is developed to form a C (cyan) second toner image. Then, the C (cyan) second toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper P in accordance with the position of the M (magenta) first toner image previously transferred onto the transfer paper P. This 2
In transferring the color toner image, a + 2.lkV bias voltage is applied to the transfer drum 103 immediately before the transfer paper P reaches the transfer portion.

Similarly, third and fourth latent images of Y (yellow) color and Bk (black) color are sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 100, and are sequentially developed by developing units Dy and Db, respectively. The third and fourth toner images of Y (yellow) and Bk (black) colors are sequentially transferred in alignment with the toner image previously transferred onto the transfer paper P. Thus, the transfer paper P
The four color toner images are formed on top of each other.

The reason why the transfer bias voltage is increased every time a toner image of each color is transferred is to prevent a decrease in transfer efficiency. The main cause of the decrease in transfer efficiency is that when the transfer paper separates from the photosensitive drum 100 after the transfer, the surface of the transfer paper is charged to a polarity opposite to the transfer bias voltage by air discharge (the transfer paper carrying the transfer paper). The surface of the drum is also slightly charged). Since the charged charges are accumulated each time the transfer is performed, if the transfer bias voltage is constant, the transfer electric field decreases every time the transfer is performed.

In the transfer of the fourth color, when the leading edge of the transfer paper reaches the transfer start position (including immediately before and after), the transfer of the fourth toner image is performed at an effective AC voltage of 5.5 kV (frequency is 500 Hz). A DC bias voltage of the same polarity and the same potential as the transfer bias applied at that time is applied to the charger 111 while superimposing a DC bias voltage of +3.0 kV. The reason why the charger 111 is operated when the leading edge of the transfer paper reaches the transfer start position during the transfer of the fourth color is to prevent transfer unevenness. In particular, in the transfer of a full-color image, even if slight transfer unevenness occurs, it is easy to stand out as a color difference.
It is necessary to apply a required bias voltage to 111 to perform a discharging operation.

Thereafter, when the leading end of the transfer paper P on which the four color toner images are superimposed and transferred approaches the separation position, the separation claw 113 approaches and the leading end comes into contact with the surface of the transfer drum 103 and the transfer paper P
From the transfer drum 103. The tip of the separation claw 113 keeps contact with the surface of the transfer drum, and then the transfer drum 10
Move away from 3 and return to the original position. As described above, the charger 111 operates from the time when the leading end of the transfer paper reaches the transfer start position of the final color (the fourth color) to the time when the rear end of the transfer paper leaves the transfer drum 111, and the accumulated electric charge ( (The polarity opposite to the toner) is removed to facilitate separation of the transfer paper by the separation claws 1-13 and to reduce air discharge during separation. Note that the rear end of the transfer paper is at the transfer end position (the photosensitive drum 100 and the transfer drum 103).
Then, the transfer bias voltage applied to the transfer drum 103 is turned off (ground potential). At the same time, the bias voltage applied to the charger 111 is turned off. Next, the separated transfer paper P
Is transferred to a fixing device 104, where the toner image on the transfer paper is fixed and discharged onto a paper discharge tray 106.

Next, the operation of image formation by laser beam scanning will be described.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 107 denotes an optical unit;
It comprises a detector 9, a semiconductor laser 120, a polygon mirror 121, a scanner motor 122, a lens 123, and a mirror 125. Recording paper P is fed, and its leading end is
Once, the image signal VDO for one page is output to the semiconductor laser 120 in synchronization with the image signal VDO.
Is emitted toward a polygon mirror 121 rotated by a scanner motor 122, and the emitted light beam L is guided to the photosensitive drum 100 by a lens 123 and a mirror 125. When the light beam L is emitted, the light beam L is detected by the detector 9 arranged on the main scanning axis, and a BD (beam detection) signal serving as a horizontal synchronization signal is output. As a result, the photosensitive drum 100 is scanned and exposed by the light beam L in synchronization with the BD signal, and an electrostatic latent image is formed.

The color laser beam printer of this embodiment outputs an image at a resolution of 600 dots / inch (dpi) through the above-described image forming process.

The input data of this apparatus includes color image data (for example, data represented by RGB components) generated by a host computer (hereinafter, referred to as a “host”) and other image data generating apparatuses (still image data). For example, image data generated by a recorder or the like and stored in some storage medium can be considered. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus is provided with a printer controller 2 that receives image information from a host and generates image data, and a signal processing unit 4 that processes the image data.

In some embodiments described below, color image data sent from the host is considered as input data.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the printer 1. In FIG. 2, a printer 1 receives and expands image information 5 in a predetermined description language sent from a host computer (hereinafter, referred to as a host) 1000, and forms each color component with 8 bits (DO to D7). YMCBk image signal 6
It is composed of a printer controller 2 and a printer engine 3 which output as a printer. Alternatively, the host 1 may send out bit data such as RGB read by an image reader or the like as image information 5, and in this case, the printer controller 2 processes without interpreting this.

Various image signals other than the image signal 6 are transmitted and received between the printer controller 2 and the printer engine 3 in the form of serial communication. These image signals include
A page (sub-scanning direction) synchronization signal (PSYNC), a main scanning direction synchronization signal (LSYNC), and a data transfer clock (VCL) sent from the printer engine 3 to the printer controller 2
K) there. The printer controller 2 converts the image signal 6 into an 8-bit signal of each color component by a data transfer clock (VCL
Output in sync with K).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the printer engine 3. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, a reference clock from a reference oscillator 10 included in an optical unit 107 is frequency-divided by a frequency divider 11 so that a phase difference between the frequency-divided clock and a feedback signal from the scanner motor 122 is set to a predetermined amount. The motor 122 is rotated at a constant speed by the motor control circuit 12 (including a known phase control circuit not shown). Then, the rotation of the scanner motor 122 is transmitted to the polygon mirror 121, and the polygon mirror 121 is rotated at a constant speed.

On the other hand, the transfer drum 103 is rotated at a constant speed by a drive motor (not shown), the leading end of the recording paper P on the transfer drum 103 is detected by the detector 8, and a vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC)
Is output to the signal processing unit 4. Then, the vertical synchronization signal (V
SYNC) defines the leading edge of each color image. After the vertical synchronizing signal (VSYNC) is output, the image signal (VDO) is sequentially transmitted to the semiconductor laser 120 in synchronization with the BD signal, using the BD signal generated by the detector 9 as the horizontal synchronizing signal (HSYNC). Is done.

The CPU 14 included in the signal processing unit 4 performs serial communication with the printer controller 2 via the communication line 15 to exchange control signals, and
Synchronize the operations of 2 and Printer Engine 3. Also CPU14
Are developing device memories 203 to 207, a photosensitive drum memory 207,
The backup memory 230 communicates via the serial communication line 202. The developing device memory is an EEPROM attached to each color developing device, and the photosensitive drum memory is a process cartridge, that is, an EEPROM attached to the photosensitive drum cartridge.

In FIG. 3, a door sensor 416 is a switch for detecting opening and closing of a door when a photosensitive drum cartridge or a developing device cartridge is replaced or removed. If the output signal 418 of this sensor indicates that the door is open, C
The PU 14 determines that one of the cartridges has been replaced or removed by the user, and updates the contents of the memories 203 to 207. From the time the door sensor 416 detects that the door is open to the time the user removes the cartridge,
The CPU 14 updates the data in the memories 203 to 207 until each of the I / Os 3 to 207 is disconnected from the printer main body.

The power switch 415 is for the user to turn on or off the power of the printer body.
In such a case, first, after the CPU 14 recognizes the OFF instruction of the signal 417, the CPU 14 instructs a power supply unit (not shown) to turn off the power. After recognizing the OFF instruction of the signal 417, the CPU 14 updates the data in each of the memories 203 to 207,
Thereafter, the power supply unit (not shown) is instructed to turn off the power.

FIG. 4 shows the timings of the above-described vertical synchronizing signal (VSYNC), horizontal synchronizing signal (HSYNC), and image signal (VDO) in the image forming process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the exchange of signals between the signal processing section 4, the black developing device memory 206, and the photosensitive drum memory 207. In the same figure, the photosensitive drum cartridge side (CRG
One of the connectors (first connector) 196 is a connector fitting surface, and the other is an IC socket shape.
A photosensitive drum memory, that is, an EEPROM 207 is attached to the photosensitive drum cartridge 199 in a state of being inserted into the socket. Then, a signal is sent to the CPU 14 of the signal processing unit 4 by fitting with a main body side connector (second connector) 195 attached to the printer main body.

The power supply Vcc supplied to the EEPROM 207 is
Can be turned ON / OFF by the CPU port VCCO
When N is “LOW”, the power is turned on, and when “High”, the power is turned off. CPU14
Turns on the power supply during the read or write operation of the EEPROM, reads the data signal 184 in synchronization with the clock signal 182 at the time of reading, and reads the data signal 183 in synchronization with the clock signal 182 at the time of writing. Send to EEPROM and write to memory. A signal 186 is a photosensitive drum presence / absence detection signal. The CPU 14 monitors this signal and determines that there is no photosensitive drum cartridge when "LOW" and that there is a photosensitive drum cartridge when "High". When the photosensitive drum cartridge is inserted into the main body and the connectors are fitted to each other, the power supply Vcc of the EEPROM is returned, and the presence / absence detection signal becomes “High”. Further, the CRG side connector 198 is connected to the black developing device memory EE.
With the PROM 206 inserted, it is attached to the black developing cartridge. The exchange of signals is the same as in the case of the photosensitive drum cartridge described above.

The EEPROMs 207 and 206 are both Dip-shaped ICs, and are directly connected to the CRG-side connectors 196 and 198. Figure 6
4 is an example of a pin arrangement of a Dip-shaped EEPROM-IC.

FIG. 7 shows how the photosensitive drum cartridge 199, the above-mentioned EEPROM 207, and the cartridge-side connector 196 are attached. The photosensitive drum cartridge 199 mainly includes a photosensitive drum 100, a waste toner container 180, an EEPROM 207,
It is composed of a cartridge side connector 196 and a screw 360 for connecting the connector 196 to the cartridge.

FIG. 8 shows the cartridge side connector 196 (or
FIG. 198) illustrates the shapes of the main body side connector 195 (or 197) and the EEPROM 207 (or 206). As shown in the figure, the cartridge side connector 196 is fixed to the connector mounting portion 354 of the photosensitive drum cartridge 199 by a screw 360. The main body side connector 195 is fixed to the mounting part 358 of the main body by a screw 356.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show flowcharts of an access process to the photosensitive drum memory. FIG. 9 is an overall flowchart from power ON to power OFF of the printer, FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an EEPROM reading sequence, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an EEPROM writing sequence.

First, FIG. 9 will be described. When the power of the printer is turned on (419), the CPU 14 starts up and reads a sequence of reading desired information from the EEPROM of the photosensitive drum (42).
Perform 0). A detailed description of the reading sequence (420) will be described later. After this, the printer enters the standby state, and the print start command (421) sent from the printer controller
And monitor the door open (423) and power OFF (424). When the printing start command (421) is sent, the printer performs a printing operation (422). When it is determined that the door is opened (423), it is determined that the photosensitive drum is to be replaced by the user, and a writing sequence (425) for writing desired information from the CPU 14 to the EEPROM of the photosensitive drum is performed. And it is determined that the door is closed (426)
Then, a sequence for reading desired information from the EEPROM of the photosensitive drum is performed (420), and the apparatus again enters the standby state.
If it is determined that the user has turned off the power switch (427),
A write sequence for writing desired information to the EEPROM of the photosensitive drum is performed from the CPU 14 (425), and a power supply unit (not shown) is instructed to stop supplying power, and the power supply of the printer body is stopped.

Next, FIG. 10 will be described. This figure is
It is a detailed flowchart of an EEPROM reading sequence (420). The CPU 14 reads the data stored in the EEPROM (429). Then, the CPU 14 confirms that the read data is normal by the checksum (43
0). If a checksum error occurs, repeat the reading several times.
Warn of EEPROM failure (433). If the read data is normal, the printer starts mechanical drive (431)
Then, the high voltage generation unit for the electrophotographic process is started (432).

In the above processing, the CPU 14 can access the EEPROM while the high voltage of the printer body and the mechanical drive are both OFF, so that erroneous reading due to noise or erroneous recognition of a read command as another command (write command, etc.) And reliability is improved.

Next, FIG. 11 will be described. This figure is
It is a detailed flowchart of an EEPROM write sequence (425). First, the printer body stops the high voltage generation unit for the electrophotographic process (436) and stops the mechanical drive (437). And CPU14 is R of CPU14.
Write the data stored in AM to EEPROM (43
8).

In the above processing, the CPU 14 can access the EEPROM while the high voltage of the printer body and the mechanical drive are both OFF, so that erroneous writing due to noise or erroneous recognition of a write command as another command (such as an all erase command, etc.) ) Is eliminated, and the reliability is improved.

The information stored in the photosensitive drum memory 207 includes, for example, information on the remaining life of the photosensitive drum, the number of prints, and the state of the waste toner container.

In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum cartridge 199 as a process cartridge has been described as an example. However, the same applies to units such as a developing device cartridge in which magenta, cyan, yellow, and black toners are sealed, and a fixing device. The EEPROM may be attached by using.
Further, the connector and the memory described above may be mounted on a process cartridge in which the photosensitive drum, the developing device, and the waste toner container are integrated.

In this embodiment, the memory IC is replaced with an EEPROM.
However, other nonvolatile memories may be used.

The image recording apparatus can be applied not only to a laser beam printer but also to an electrophotographic printer and a copying machine.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 100 is transferred to the transfer drum 1
Although the case where the present invention is applied to a color laser beam printer for transferring to the transfer paper P carried on 03 has been described,
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a color laser for temporarily transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 71 to the intermediate transfer unit, and thereafter collectively transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer unit to the transfer paper P Applied to beam printer. That is, in FIG. 12, the photosensitive drum 71 is driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure by a driving unit (not shown), and is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the roller charger 72. Next, a signal corresponding to the image of the yellow component is input, and the exposure device 73 irradiates the photosensitive drum 71 with a laser beam to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 71.

When the photosensitive drum 71 further moves in the direction of the arrow, of the developing devices 74a, 74b, 74c and 74d supported by the support 75,
For example, the support 5 is rotated such that the developing device 74a containing yellow toner faces the photosensitive drum 71, and the latent image is visualized by the developing device 74a. Next, the developed toner image is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 6 which is an intermediate transfer member.
6 is transferred.

The intermediate transfer belt 66 has three support rollers 6
The support rollers 62, which are stretched on 1, 62, and 63 and are connected to a drive source (not shown), rotate to move in the direction of the arrow in the figure. In addition, a primary transfer roller 64 is provided at the photosensitive drum facing portion inside the intermediate transfer belt 66, a predetermined bias is applied from a high voltage power supply (not shown), and the toner on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 66. Transcribed.

The above steps are further performed by, for example, the developing devices 74b, 74c, and 74d in the order of magenta, cyan, and black, thereby forming four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 66. The four color toner images are collectively transferred by the secondary transfer roller 65 onto the transfer paper P conveyed from the paper feeding device 76 via the conveying means 77 in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 66. Further, the transfer paper is fused and fixed by the heat and pressure fixing devices 7 and 8 to obtain a color image. Photosensitive drum
The transfer residual toner on 71 is cleaned by a cleaning device 9 having blade means.

In this embodiment, the charging roller
72, the photosensitive drum 71, and the cleaning device 79 are configured as an integral process cartridge 90, and are detachable from the apparatus main body by the mounting guide means 80. Furthermore,
As in the first embodiment, the memory IC includes a memory IC including first and second connectors, and includes a connector 84 that functions similarly.

Each of the four color developing units 74a to 74d is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body, similarly to the process cartridge. With these configurations, the user can easily perform the replacement and maintenance of the above-described members, which has been conventionally performed by a service person.

By applying the processing described in the first embodiment to the full-color image forming apparatus having such a configuration,
Reading and writing of a highly reliable memory similar to the above can be performed. In addition, in the image forming apparatus having this configuration, a memory may be mounted on the intermediate transfer belt unit (a unit including the intermediate transfer belt 66, the support rollers 61, 62, 63, and the primary transfer roller 64).

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image recording apparatus in which a consumable unit having a memory is detachable, an opening / closing member that is opened / closed for attaching / detaching the consumable unit, first detection means for detecting opening / closing of the opening / closing member, and A second detection unit that detects an instruction to turn off the power of the image recording image device, and a case where the first detection unit detects that the opening / closing member has changed from a closed state to an open state, or the second detection Control means for writing data to the memory of the consumable unit when the power-off instruction is detected by the means,
The following contents can be realized. (1) Accurate unit information (for example, remaining life or the number of prints) can be stored in the memory while minimizing the number of times of rewriting of the memory, and reliability can be improved. (2) The memory can be accessed without being affected by noise from the high-voltage generation unit or mechanical drive (motor, clutch, etc.), thereby preventing damage to the memory contents due to erroneous writing and improving reliability. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image recording apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printer engine.

FIG. 4 is a time chart of a synchronization signal and an image signal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating exchange of signals between a signal processing unit, a black developing device memory, and a photosensitive drum memory.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a pin arrangement of an EEPROM-IC.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a manner in which a photosensitive drum cartridge, an EEPROM, and a connector on the cartridge side are attached.

FIG. 8 shows a connector on the cartridge side, a connector on the main body side, and EE.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a shape of a PROM.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing from power ON to power OFF of the printer.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an EEPROM reading sequence.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an EEPROM write sequence.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of an image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 CPU 203 Magenta developing device memory 204 Cyan developing device memory 205 Yellow developing device memory 206 Black developing device memory 207 Photosensitive drum memory 415 Power switch 416 Door open / close sensor

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus in which a consumable unit having a memory is detachable, comprising: an opening / closing member which is opened / closed for attaching / detaching the consumable unit; and first detecting means for detecting opening / closing of the opening / closing member. A second detection unit that detects an instruction to turn off the power of the image recording image device by the operator,
When the first detecting means detects that the opening / closing member has changed from the closed state to the open state, or the second detecting means
Control means for writing data to the memory of the consumable unit when a power-off instruction is detected by the detection means,
An image recording apparatus comprising: 2. When the first detection means detects that the open / close member has changed from an open state to a closed state,
2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit reads data in a memory of the consumable unit while driving of a mechanical member of the image recording apparatus is stopped. 3. The consumable unit according to claim 3, wherein the control unit writes data to a memory of the consumable unit while driving of a mechanical member of the image recording apparatus is stopped.
The image recording device according to 1. 4. A generator for generating a high voltage required for image recording, wherein the controller writes data to the memory of the consumable unit while the generation of the high voltage is stopped from the generator. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus includes: 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable unit is a process unit for recording an image. 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said process is a developing unit or a photoconductor unit. 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory of the consumable unit is a nonvolatile memory. 8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means causes the consumable unit to store data on the life of the consumable unit. 9. A method for controlling an image recording apparatus in which a consumable unit having a memory is detachable, a first detecting step of detecting opening and closing of an opening / closing member which is opened and closed for attaching and detaching the consumable unit, A second detection step of detecting an instruction to turn off the power of the image recording / imaging device by a person, and a case where it is detected that the opening / closing member has changed from a closed state to an open state in the first detection step, or A writing step of writing data to a memory of the consumable unit when a power-off instruction is detected in the detecting step (2). 10. When the first detecting step detects that the opening / closing member has changed from the open state to the closed state, the driving of the mechanical member of the image recording apparatus is stopped in a state where the driving of the mechanical member is stopped. 10. The control method for an image recording apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a reading step of reading data in a memory of the product unit. 11. The image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, in the writing step, data is written to a memory of the consumable unit while driving of a mechanical member of the image recording apparatus is stopped. Control method. 12. In the writing step, data is written to the memory of the consumable unit while the generation of the high voltage is stopped from the generating means for generating the high voltage necessary for image recording. 9. The method for controlling an image recording device according to item 9. 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the consumable unit is a process unit for recording an image. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the process is a developing unit or a photoreceptor unit. 15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the memory of the consumable unit is a nonvolatile memory. 16. The method according to claim 9, wherein said control means causes the consumable unit to store data on the life of the consumable unit.