JP2006201430A - Cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for more reliably determining whether a cartridge is refilled with toner or not. <P>SOLUTION: A memory section 111 stores the number of sheets on which the cartridge 110 allows printing. A cartridge condition output section 112 outputs a signal indicating whether the cartridge 110 is a fresh one or not. When the cartridge 110 is mounted on a printer main body 120, the cartridge condition control section 122 checks the output of the cartridge condition output section 112. When the output is an H level signal, a determination is made that the cartridge 110 is a fresh one, and an instruction is given to the cartridge condition output section 112 to output an L level signal thereafter. On the other hand, when the output is the L level signal, the content of the memory section 111 is compared with that of a memory section 121. If they coincide with each other, a determination is made that the cartridge 110 is a genuine product. If they do not coincide with each other, a determination is made that the cartridge 110 is not a genuine one (refilled one). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer, and a cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, or a printer, when a consumable material such as toner runs out, the consumable material is generally replenished by replacing a cartridge that contains the consumable material.

  Used cartridges that are free of consumables such as toner are collected by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus via a cartridge retailer or the like and recycled as much as possible. On the other hand, the cartridge may be reused by refilling the toner by a third party other than the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus.

  The components and the like of the toner and the like filled in the cartridge (genuine product) supplied by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus are determined in consideration of the characteristics of each image forming apparatus. On the other hand, the toner used by a third party does not necessarily match the genuine product, so the image forming apparatus operates in the same manner as a cartridge (genuine product) supplied by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. However, the original print quality of the image forming apparatus cannot be maintained, and in the worst case, it may cause a failure. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to discriminate between genuine cartridges and cartridges that have been refilled by a third party, at least in order to prompt the user to confirm that there is no possibility of deterioration in print quality or failure. .

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-100530 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1), in order to reliably detect a cartridge refilled with toner or the like, a memory is provided in the cartridge, and the remaining amount of toner is periodically stored in the memory. When the removed cartridge is set in the printer body again, the remaining amount of toner is measured, and the measured remaining amount of toner is compared with the remaining amount of toner read from the memory. And a method for detecting a cartridge refilled with toner.

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, when the remaining amount of toner written in the memory is rewritten by, for example, refilling the toner and copying the contents of the memory of the new cartridge, Can not be distinguished.

JP 2001-100530 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a system that can more reliably determine a cartridge in which toner or the like has been refilled.

  A cartridge according to the present invention is a cartridge that stores a consumable material (for example, toner) consumed by an image forming apparatus, and a memory unit that stores information about the cartridge and a cartridge that outputs a signal indicating the state of the cartridge And a status output unit.

  In this case, the cartridge status output unit may change the output status only once in response to an instruction from the image forming apparatus.

  In the above case, the cartridge status output unit may output a signal indicating whether or not the cartridge is new, and whether or not the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. A signal indicating that may be output.

  The cartridge status output unit is constituted by a fuse, for example. Further, the memory unit may store the number of sheets that can be printed by the cartridge.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus to which the cartridge is mounted, and includes a cartridge state control unit that detects and controls an output signal of the cartridge state output unit.

  In this case, in the cartridge determination process, when the output state of the cartridge state output unit is the first state, the cartridge state control unit sets the output state of the cartridge state output unit to the second state. When the output state of the cartridge state output unit is the second state, it may be determined whether or not the content of the memory unit of the cartridge is normal.

  The cartridge state control unit may change the output state of the cartridge state output unit when determining that the remaining amount of the consumable material accommodated in the cartridge is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

  Further, in the above case, the apparatus further includes a second memory unit for storing information on the cartridge, and the cartridge state control unit is configured such that when the output state of the cartridge state output unit is the first state, Information read from the memory portion of the cartridge may be stored in the second memory portion.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to more reliably determine a cartridge in which toner or the like has been refilled.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic printer will be described.

≪First embodiment≫
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printer according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, a printer 100 to which the present invention is applied includes a cartridge 110 and a printer main body 120.

  The cartridge 110 stores toner used for printing by the printer 100, and includes a memory unit 111 and a cartridge status output unit 112 in addition to the components included in a normal cartridge (for example, a process cartridge or a toner cartridge). Prepare.

  The printer main body 120 performs a printing process using toner stored in the cartridge 110, and includes a memory unit 121 and a cartridge state control unit 122 in addition to the components included in a normal printer.

  The memory unit 111 of the cartridge 110 is a storage device that stores information related to the cartridge 110 (for example, the number of printable sheets and the remaining amount of toner), and includes, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The cartridge status output unit 112 of the cartridge 110 outputs a signal indicating the status of the cartridge 110 (for example, whether or not it is new).

  Similar to the memory unit 111 of the cartridge 110, the memory unit 121 of the printer main body 120 is a storage device that stores information about the cartridge 110 (for example, the number of printable sheets and the remaining amount of toner). Etc. The cartridge state control unit 122 of the printer main body 120 detects the output of the cartridge state output unit 112 and controls the output of the cartridge state output unit 112 when the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer main body 120. is there. The cartridge state control unit 122 reads / writes data from / to the memory unit 111 while the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer main body 120. Further, the cartridge state control unit 122 performs reading / writing of the memory unit 121.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of the cartridge state output unit 112 and the cartridge state control unit 122.

  As shown in the figure, the cartridge status output unit 112 includes a fuse 210. On the other hand, the cartridge state control unit 122 includes a CPU 220, a transistor 230, and pull-down resistors 240 and 250. The cartridge status output unit 112 and the cartridge status control unit 122 are connected via a connector 260 when the cartridge 110 is set at a predetermined position in the printer main body 120.

  As shown in the figure, the output terminal a of the CPU 220 is connected to the base terminal of the transistor 230, and the collector terminal of the transistor 230 is connected to one terminal 211 of the fuse 210 via the connector 260. The emitter terminal is grounded. The other terminal 212 of the fuse 210 is connected to a power supply voltage Vcc that is appropriately supplied from the printer main body 120 side. The terminal 211 of the fuse 210 is also connected to the input terminal b of the CPU 220 via the connector 260. One terminal of the pull-down resistor 240 is connected to a signal line 221 that connects the output terminal a of the CPU 220 and the base terminal of the transistor 230, and the other terminal of the pull-down resistor 240 is grounded. One terminal of the pull-down resistor 250 is connected to a signal line 222 that connects the input terminal b of the CPU 220 and the terminal 211 of the fuse 210 via the connector 260, and the other terminal of the pull-down resistor 250 is grounded.

  In the new cartridge 110, the fuse 210 is in a short circuit state, and as a result, Vcc is input to the input terminal b of the CPU 220 via the connector 260 and the signal line 222. On the other hand, when the CPU 220 outputs an H (High) level signal from the output terminal a to the transistor 230 after the use of the cartridge 110 is started, the transistor 230 is activated (turned on), and the terminal 211 of the fuse 210 is turned on. It becomes almost grounded. As a result, a current exceeding a specified value flows through the fuse 210, and the fuse 210 is melted to change from a short circuit state to an open state. When the fuse 210 is opened, GND is input to the input terminal b of the CPU 220 via the pull-down resistor 250. With the circuit configuration as described above, the CPU 220 can determine the state of the cartridge 110 (for example, whether or not it is new) based on the voltage of the signal input to the input terminal b, and from the output terminal a. The state of the cartridge 110 indicated by the cartridge state output unit 112 can be controlled by the voltage of the signal to be output.

  Next, the operation of the printer 100 having the above configuration will be described. In the following description, in the new cartridge 110, the cartridge status output unit 112 outputs an H level signal, and the memory unit 111 stores the cartridge 110 corresponding to the amount of toner filled in the cartridge 110. It is assumed that the number of sheets that can be printed is previously written.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of cartridge discrimination processing according to the present invention. This process is a process that is executed, for example, when the power is turned on or when the lid, cover, or the like of the part that accommodates the cartridge is closed.

  As shown in the figure, first, the cartridge state controller 122 determines whether or not the cartridge 110 is set at a predetermined position (S301). As a result, when the cartridge 110 is not set at a predetermined position (S301: No), the user is notified of this (S307). The notification is performed, for example, by displaying an appropriate message on the display unit of the printer 100.

  On the other hand, if the cartridge 110 is set at a predetermined position (S301: Yes), it is next determined whether or not the cartridge 110 is in a new state (S302). Specifically, if the cartridge status output unit 112 of the cartridge 110 outputs an H level signal, it is determined that the product is in a new state. If an L (Low) level signal is output, the cartridge 110 is in a new state. Judge that there is no.

  If the result of determination is that the cartridge 110 is in a new state (S302: Yes), then a cartridge state change process is performed (S303). Specifically, an L level signal is output to the cartridge status output unit 112 of the cartridge 110 that has previously output an H level signal. In the case of the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 220 outputs an H level signal from the output terminal a to the transistor 230, so that the fuse 210 is blown and opened.

  Next, the cartridge state control unit 122 reads the number of sheets that can be printed by the cartridge 110 from the memory unit 111 of the cartridge 110 and stores it in the memory unit 121 of the printer main body 120 (S304). Thereafter, every time printing is performed by the printer 100, the number of printable sheets stored in the memory unit 121 (or the memory unit 111) is read, and the number of printed sheets is subtracted from the read value, and the result is Write back to the memory unit 121 and the memory unit 111. By performing such processing, the number of sheets that can be printed by the cartridge 110 (and indirectly the remaining amount of toner) is managed synchronously by the cartridge 110 and the printer main body 120.

  On the other hand, if the cartridge 110 is not in a new state as a result of the determination as to whether or not the cartridge 110 is in a new state (S302: No), it is next determined whether or not the contents of the memory unit 111 of the cartridge 110 are normal. A determination is made (S305). Specifically, the contents read from the memory unit 111 of the cartridge 110 and the contents read from the memory unit 121 of the printer main body 120 are compared, and the contents of both the memory units 111 and 121 are normal. If the contents of both memory units 111 and 121 do not match, it is determined that the contents are not normal. For example, when information stored in the memory unit 111 is rewritten in a toner refilling company, the contents of the memory units 111 and 121 do not match.

  As a result of the determination, if the contents of the memory unit 111 of the cartridge 110 are normal (S305: Yes), it is determined that the cartridge 110 is a genuine product, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the contents of the memory unit 111 of the cartridge 110 are not normal (S305: No), it is determined that the cartridge 110 is not genuine (has been refilled) and a warning is given to the user. It performs (S306).

  By performing the processing as described above, the toner refilling company or the like replenishes the used cartridge with toner, and even if the information stored in the memory unit 111 is rewritten, Since the genuine cartridge can be distinguished from the genuine cartridge, a warning or the like necessary for the user can be given.

  Also, even if unused cartridges and used cartridges are mixed, it is easy to determine whether each cartridge 110 is unused or used by looking at the output signal of the cartridge status output unit 112. Can be determined.

<< Second Embodiment >>
In the first embodiment described above, the cartridge state is changed (the fuse is blown) immediately after the use of the new cartridge 110 is started. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the cartridge state is changed at another timing will be described. To do. In the following, only parts that are substantially different from the first embodiment will be basically described.

  In the present embodiment, as a result of repeating printing using the cartridge 110 instead of immediately after starting to use the new cartridge 110, the number of printable sheets stored in the memory units 111 and 121 is a predetermined number (for example, (100 sheets) or less (when the remaining amount of toner becomes a predetermined amount or less), the cartridge state is changed (fuse blow).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of cartridge discrimination processing in the second embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, first, the cartridge state controller 122 determines whether or not the cartridge 110 is set at a predetermined position (S401). As a result, when the cartridge 110 is not set at a predetermined position (S401: No), the user is notified of this (S407).

  On the other hand, if the cartridge 110 is set at a predetermined position (S401: Yes), it is next determined whether or not the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge 110 is sufficient (S402). Specifically, if the cartridge status output unit 112 of the cartridge 110 outputs an H level signal, it is determined that the number of printable sheets is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, that is, the remaining amount of toner is sufficient. If the L level signal is output, it is determined that the number of printable sheets is less than the predetermined number, that is, the remaining amount of toner is small and the cartridge needs to be replaced.

  As a result of the determination, if the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge 110 is sufficient (S402: Yes), then the number of sheets that can be printed by the cartridge 110 is read from the memory unit 111 of the cartridge 110, and the printer body The data is stored in the memory unit 121 of 120 (S404).

  On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner in the cartridge 110 is low and the cartridge needs to be replaced (S402: No), it is next determined whether or not the contents of the memory unit 111 of the cartridge 110 are normal (S405). ). Specifically, the contents read from the memory unit 111 of the cartridge 110 and the contents read from the memory unit 121 of the printer main body 120 are compared, and the contents of both the memory units 111 and 121 are normal. Judge.

  As a result of the determination, if the content of the memory unit 111 of the cartridge 110 is normal (S405: Yes), it is determined that the cartridge 110 is a genuine product, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the contents of the memory unit 111 of the cartridge 110 are not normal (S405: No), it is determined that the cartridge 110 is not genuine (has been refilled) and a warning is given to the user. This is performed (S406).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing in the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, first, when printing of a document or the like is instructed from a computer or the like connected to the printer 100, the instructed document is printed (S501).

  When the printing of the instructed document or the like is completed, the memory unit is updated (S502). Specifically, the number of printable sheets stored in the memory unit 121 (or the memory unit 111) is read, and the number of sheets printed this time is subtracted from the read value, and the result is obtained as the memory unit 121 and the memory unit 111. Write back to

  Next, it is determined whether or not the updated number of printable sheets is less than a predetermined number (for example, 100 sheets) (S503). As a result of the determination, if it is not less than the predetermined number (S503: No), the process is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is less than the predetermined number (S503: Yes), it is further determined whether or not the updated number of printable sheets is 0 or less (S504). If the result of determination is not less than 0 (S504: No), cartridge state change processing is performed (S505). Specifically, an L level signal is output to the cartridge status output unit 112 of the cartridge 110 that has previously output an H level signal. Then, the user is informed that the toner is low, so that the cartridge needs to be replaced (S506), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the number of printable sheets updated is 0 or less as a result of determination (S504: Yes), the user is notified that printing cannot be performed until the cartridge is replaced, and the cartridge is replaced. Until this time, the printing operation in the printer 100 is prohibited (S507).

  By performing the processing as described above, after notification that the cartridge needs to be replaced, the toner refilling company or the like replenishes the toner and the information stored in the memory unit 111 is rewritten. Even in such a case, since such a non-genuine cartridge and a genuine cartridge can be distinguished, a warning or the like necessary for the user can be performed.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a cartridge state output unit 112 and a cartridge state control unit 122. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of cartridge discrimination processing in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the discrimination process of the cartridge in 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the printing process in 2nd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Printer 110 Cartridge 111 Memory part 112 Cartridge state output part 120 Printer main body 121 Memory part 122 Cartridge state control part 210 Fuse 211, 212 Terminal 220 CPU
221, 222 Signal line 230 Transistor 240, 250 Pull-down resistor 260 Connector

Claims (10)

A cartridge that contains consumables consumed by the image forming apparatus,
A memory unit for storing information about the cartridge;
A cartridge comprising: a cartridge status output unit that outputs a signal indicating the status of the cartridge. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge status output unit can change the output status only once according to an instruction from the image forming apparatus. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge status output unit outputs a signal indicating whether or not the cartridge is new. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge status output unit outputs a signal indicating whether or not a remaining amount of toner in the cartridge is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge status output unit is configured by a fuse. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the memory unit stores the number of sheets that can be printed by the cartridge. An image forming apparatus to which the cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is mounted,
An image forming apparatus comprising a cartridge state control unit that detects and controls an output signal of the cartridge state output unit. In the cartridge determination process, the cartridge state control unit
When the output state of the cartridge state output unit is the first state, the output state of the cartridge state output unit is changed to the second state,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the output state of the cartridge state output unit is the second state, it is determined whether or not the content of the memory unit of the cartridge is normal. The cartridge state control unit
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the output state of the cartridge state output unit is changed when it is determined that the remaining amount of the consumable material contained in the cartridge is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. A second memory unit for storing information about the cartridge;
The cartridge state control unit
The information read from the memory unit of the cartridge is stored in the second memory unit when the output state of the cartridge status output unit is the first state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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