JPH0973254A - Image forming device control method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [PROBLEMS] To temporarily lose the information such as the service life of the magazine before the replacement and to reuse the magazine before the replacement due to the temporary replacement of the magazine. It is an attempt to solve a problem. According to the present invention, when a magazine has reached the end of its life and the magazine is new, the initialization operation is automatically executed to set the new article detection means to the non-new article detection state, and the life of the magazine is reached. If the magazine has not been notified and the magazine is new, the control means 38 for keeping the new article detection state in the new article detection state without executing the initialization operation relating to the magazine,
It is equipped with 39.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control system for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc., which has a detachable magazine with a set life.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, facsimiles, printers, and the like have some parts that must be replaced before the life of the apparatus is reached. For such parts, in order to maintain the quality of the device, PM (Preve
Measures called "Native Mentenance" are taken. That is, for such a part, maintenance is performed at the time when the set life period comes to avoid a failure due to the life.

Among such parts, the photoconductor and the developer are important ones. Any of these may deteriorate with time as the image forming operation is repeated, and may even cause deterioration of the obtained image and thus serious damage to the apparatus. In an image forming apparatus that requires user's own maintenance, it is highly necessary to facilitate the maintenance. Therefore, a developing device in which a photoconductor and a developer are stored is integrated into a magazine (cartridge), which is a predetermined unit. A configuration has been put into practical use in which a life is set, the life of the cartridge is detected by a life detecting means, and the user can easily replace the cartridge when the life of the cartridge is reached. In this image forming apparatus, control such as temporal correction control for the cartridge and correction for each cartridge for toner concentration control are performed.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 4-18861 and 4-96757 disclose that a fuse is used to detect a new product and that the life counter is cleared. Specifically, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-18861 discloses an image forming apparatus in which image forming processing is performed by an image forming unit that is configured to be replaceable with respect to a main body device and includes a developing device. Includes a toner sensor and a fuse blowing circuit that blows a predetermined current to blow a fuse, and a power supply that applies a predetermined voltage to one end of the toner sensor and the fuse in a state where the image forming unit is mounted on the main body device. A supply circuit, a detection unit that detects the conductive state of the fuse, a life counter that measures the elapsed time after the image forming unit including the conductive fuse is mounted on the main body apparatus, and the detection unit is in the conductive state. Resetting means for resetting the life counter to an initial value upon detection of an error, and the first image forming operation after the resetting operation of the resetting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a driving means for driving the fuse blow circuit according is described.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-96757 discloses that
In an image forming apparatus in which maintenance of each part of the apparatus is performed by an exchange kit, an exchange kit detection means for detecting exchange of the transfer charger and a transfer charger maintenance counter are set to an initial state by a detection signal from the exchange kit detection means. A device provided with a CPU that operates is described.

[0006]

In the above image forming apparatus, when the cartridge is replaced, the life detecting means is notified that the cartridge has been replaced with a new one, and from this point the life detecting means is replaced with a new one. The life detection operation for the cartridge must be started. In addition, it is necessary to initialize control over time for the cartridge, correction for each cartridge for toner concentration control, and start control for a new cartridge.
For this reason, an initialization operation is required when replacing the cartridge. However, when this initialization operation is performed, information such as the life of the cartridge before replacement is lost.

When abnormalities such as black streaks and stains occur in the formed image, it may be necessary to temporarily replace the cartridge and perform an image forming operation experiment in order to identify the cause. In this case, if you temporarily replace the cartridge with a new one, the information about the cartridge before replacement will be lost.Therefore, you can temporarily replace the cartridge and perform an image forming operation experiment, then reuse the cartridge before replacement. It becomes impossible to do.

According to the present invention, the magazine replacement is divided into a replacement based on the life of the magazine and a temporary replacement, and an initialization operation relating to the magazine is automatically performed in the replacement based on the life of the magazine to simplify the operation during the replacement of the magazine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method of an image forming apparatus that can reuse a magazine before replacement without performing an automatic magazine initialization operation in the temporary replacement of the magazine.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a control system for an image forming apparatus having a detachable magazine having a set life, which detects the life of the magazine. Life detecting means, a life notifying means for notifying that the life of the magazine has expired based on the detection result of the life detecting means, a new article detecting means for detecting whether or not the magazine is new, When the new life detection means detects that the magazine is new while the life notification means notifies that the life of the magazine has expired, the initialization operation for the magazine is automatically executed. When the new article detection means is in the non-new article detection state, and the new life detection means does not report that the magazine has reached the end of life, If it is detected that an article is obtained by a control means to remain in the new-product detection state the new-product detection means without performing the initializing operation concerning the magazine.

A second aspect of the present invention is a control system for an image forming apparatus having a detachable magazine having a set life, which comprises life detecting means for detecting the life of the magazine.
Based on the detection result of the life detecting means, a life notifying means for notifying that the magazine has reached the end of its life, a new article detecting means for detecting whether or not the magazine is new, and an initial operation for the magazine by manual operation. When the new article detecting unit does not detect that the new article is new, the initialization operation relating to the manual operation is performed with respect to the manual operation. And a control means for keeping the new article detecting means in the new article detecting state without executing the above step.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the control method of the image forming apparatus described above, the control means, when setting the new article detection means in a non-new article detection state, shuts off current supply to a predetermined load unnecessary for performing this operation, The current supply capacity for the operation of setting the new article detecting means in the non-new article detecting state is increased.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 2 shows an example of an image forming apparatus to which the invention described in claims 1 to 3 is applied. This image forming apparatus is an example of a copying machine, and is configured such that an upper unit 2 and a lower unit 3 open and close around a fulcrum 1 as shown in FIG. The photoconductor magazine 4 is detachably attached to the lower unit 3 in the main body of the apparatus including the upper unit 2 and the lower unit 3, and at the time of replacement, the upper unit 2 and the lower unit 3 are opened as shown in FIG. Be detached against. The upper unit 2 is composed of an exposing means and an operation panel, and the lower unit 3 is composed of a fixing means, a paper conveying means, and a mount portion of the photoconductor magazine 4.

The drum-shaped photosensitive member 11 as an image carrier is
During the copying operation, the electrostatic latent image is formed by the imagewise exposure by the exposure unit, which is rotated by the drive unit and is uniformly charged by the charging unit 12 including the charger. The exposure unit illuminates an original document on the original table 13 with a light source 14 and reflects the reflected light on the original document with mirrors 15 to 17, a lens 18, and a mirror 19.
To the photoconductor 11 through the light source 14
Also, the original on the original table 13 is scanned by the movement of the mirrors 15 to 17 to expose the original image on the photoconductor 11.

The electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 11 is developed into a toner image by a developing unit 22 as a developing means, and is transferred to a transfer paper conveyed by a paper conveying means by a transfer charger 23 as a transfer means. It This transfer paper
The toner image is fixed by the fixing device 24 as a fixing unit, and is ejected as a copy to the outside. Also, the photoconductor 11
After the toner image is transferred, the cleaning device 25 cleans the residual toner to remove the residual toner.

FIG. 3 shows the photoconductor magazine 4. The photoconductor magazine 4 is roughly divided into a photoconductor 11, a charger 12, a developing unit 22, a cleaning device 25, and a toner replenishing unit 26, and the life is a problem.
And the developer in the developing unit 22. The toner supply unit 26 is
A toner cartridge is used to supply toner to the developing unit 22. The developing unit 22 includes a stirring screw 27,
The two-component developer composed of toner and carrier is circulated and repeatedly used by rotating the 28 and the developing sleeve 29 by the driving unit, and the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 11 is developed by the developer.

That is, in the developing section 22, the developer inside is agitated by the agitating screws 27 and 28 to develop the developing sleeve 29.
And the developing sleeve 29 magnetically attracts the developer to form a magnetic brush. This magnetic brush is regulated to a certain amount by the doctor blade 30,
To develop the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 11. The toner supplied from the toner replenishing unit 26 to the developing unit 22 is agitated with the developer in the developing unit 22 by the agitating screws 27 and 28. The toner concentration sensor 31 is the developing unit 22.
Toner concentration of the developer inside (mixing ratio of toner and carrier)
The new product detection sensor circuit 32 including a new product detection sensor as a new product detection unit and the toner concentration sensor 31 are attached to the photoconductor magazine 4 and are connected to the apparatus main body by the connector 33.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a new article detection sensor circuit 3
2, examples of the toner concentration sensor 31 and the connector 33 are shown. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, a new article detection sensor circuit 32
Uses a new-article detection sensor 34 composed of a small-capacity current fuse. If the fuse 34 is in a short-circuit state, it is determined that the photoconductor magazine 4 is a new article, and the fuse 34 is in an open state. If so, it is determined that the photoconductor magazine 4 is not new. To put the fuse 34 in a new condition, use the fuse 3
The fuse 34 may be disconnected by applying an overcurrent to the fuse 4.

In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the new-article detection sensor circuit 32 has a new-article detection sensor 34 formed of a small-capacity current fuse and a resistor 35 connected in parallel. Fuse 3
When a voltage is applied to both ends of the fuse 34 through a resistor 36 (see FIG. 1) and the voltage across the fuse 34 is checked, the fuse 34
It is possible to detect not only the open state and the short state, but also the unset state of the photoconductor magazine 4 with respect to the apparatus main body. This copying machine uses the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 shows the entire control circuit of this copying machine. The control circuit of this copying machine is centered on a power supply unit 37 and a one-chip microcomputer (CPU) 38.
Program memory (ROM) 39, EEPROM 40,
Operation unit I / F 41, input buffer 42, output driver 4
3, oscillator 44, PNP type transistor 45, resistor 36,
It consists of 46 to 48 mag. Both ends of the fuse 34 are connected to the analog input port 5 of the CPU 38 via the connectors 33 and 49, the relay wire harness 50, and the connectors 51 and 52.
3 and ground. In the example shown in FIG.
The fuse 34 need not be connected to the analog input port 53 of the CPU 38.

Here, the example shown in FIG. 4B is used, and the analog input port 53 is connected to the DC power source Vc by the resistor 36.
The DC power supply Vcc is pulled up to c and is included in the power supply unit 37. Further, the collector of the transistor 45 is connected to the analog input port 53 via the resistor 48, and the base of the transistor 45 is driven by the signal from the output port 54 of the CPU 38. When the CPU 38 outputs “0” from the output port 54, the transistor 45
Is turned on, and a current is supplied to the fuse 34. When the resistance value of the resistor 48 is R48 and the voltage of the DC power supply Vcc is VCC, the value of this current becomes VCC / R48, and the fuse 34 is blown by this current. The resistance value of the resistor 36 is the resistance 3
The current flowing through 6 is selected to be sufficiently smaller than the current value required to blow the fuse 34. With this resistor 36, the voltage value of the analog input port 53 becomes a fixed value even when the photoconductor magazine 4 is not mounted (when the connector 33 is open).

When the CPU 38 outputs "1" from the output port 54 to turn off the transistor 45, the voltage value of the analog input port 53 shows the state of the fuse 35 and the state of mounting the photoconductor magazine 4 as shown in FIG. Takes three values by. The CPU 38 uses this to detect a new article of the photoconductor magazine 4 from the voltage value of the analog input port 53. In FIG. 5, the resistance value of the resistor 35 is R1, and the resistance value of the resistor 36 is
Has a resistance value of R2.

Further, the CPU 38 takes in input signals from various input devices 55 such as photosensors in this copying machine via the input buffer 42, and drives various output devices 56 such as solenoids and clutches in this copying machine. The output driver 43 is controlled to control the copying operation described above. The operation panel 57 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a density thinning key 58 for decreasing the image density, a darkening density key 59 for increasing the image density,
A copy number display 60 including a 7-segment light emitting diode for displaying the number of copies, a print key 61 for starting the copying operation, a clear / stop key 62 for stopping or initializing the copying operation, and a set number of copies The number of copies-key 63 for decreasing the number of copies, the number-of-copies + key 64 for increasing the set number of copies, various operation keys such as a power switch for turning the power on / off, and various indicators.

Input signals from various operation keys on the operation panel 57 are input to the CPU 38 through the operation unit I / F 41, and various display devices on the operation panel 57 are driven from the CPU 38 through the operation unit I / F 41. To be done. In addition, AC power is input to the power supply unit 37 through the main switch 65 to generate a DC voltage, and the main switch 65 is driven by a driver 66 to be turned on. The CPU 38 controls the driver 66 according to an input signal from the power switch on the operation panel 57. Further, the CPU 38 controls the toner replenishing unit 26 based on the input signal from the toner concentration sensor 31 to control the toner concentration of the developer in the developing unit 22 to be constant.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an outline of control by the control circuit. This program is in ROM3
9 and is executed by the CPU 38. Therefore, the ROM 39 and the CPU 38 form a control means. When the main switch 65 is turned on and the power is turned on, the CPU 38 initializes various hardware, initializes software, restores backup data from the EEPROM 40, and the like (100).
Perform standby process (101), life check (10
2), new article check (103), copy permission condition judgment (1
04), the print key is checked (105).

In the standby process (101), the CPU 38 controls the device operation when the copying operation is not being executed. In the life check (102), the CPU 38 determines the life of the photoconductor magazine 4 based on the count value of the life check copy number counter and performs necessary processing. Details of this point will be described later. Further, the CPU 38
In the new article check (103), the output of the new article detection sensor 34 is monitored, the replacement of the photoconductor magazine 4 is determined, and the initialization is executed. Details of this point will also be described later.

The CPU 38 judges the copy permission condition (10
In 4), it is determined whether or not to permit the start of the copying operation based on various states in the apparatus, the life of the photoconductor magazine 4, the mounting state of the photoconductor magazine 4, and the like. The CPU 38 returns to the standby process (101) when the result of the copy permission condition determination (104) does not permit the start of the copying operation.

Further, the CPU 38 executes the print key check (105) when the result of the copy permission condition judgment (104) permits the start of the copying operation, and in the print key check (105). It is checked from the input signal from the print key 61 on the operation panel 57 whether the print key 61 is pressed. CPU
If the print key 61 is not pressed, 38 returns to the standby process (101).

When the print key 61 is pressed, the CPU 38 proceeds to a copy process (106) to start a copy operation. In the copy process (106), the CPU 38 sets 1
It controls the copying operation necessary to obtain one copy, and this processing includes paper conveyance, original document exposure scanning, copying process control, and the like. The CPU 38 executes the copy process (106).
After executing, the life counter is counted (107). In this process, the life counter used for detecting the life of the photoconductor magazine 4 is counted. Since the CPU 38 determines the life of the photoconductor magazine 4 by the number of copies, it counts the life counter every time one copy is obtained, and the count value of the life counter is stored in the EEPROM 40.
Even if the power is turned off by writing to, the count value of the life counter is saved.

The CPU 38 checks the number of sheets to be obtained by repeatedly making copies in the final sheet check (108) after executing the count (107) of the life counter, and the number of sheets to be obtained by repeatedly making the copy reaches the number of copies set by the user. Up to a predetermined timing, the copying process (106) and the life counter counting (107) are repeated until a set number of copies are obtained.

When the set number of copies are obtained, the CPU 38 shifts to the post-copy process (109), and in the post-copy process (109), the process from the end of the final copying operation to the shift to the standby state is performed. To do. The main processing of this processing is to completely discharge the copy from the conveyance path and to perform post-processing in the copying process. The CPU 38 returns to the standby process (101) after finishing the post-copy process (109).

FIG. 7 shows the life check (102) in detail. In the life check (102), the CPU 38
First, in order to determine the life of the photoconductor magazine 4, the value of the life counter is read (200), and this value is compared with the set life value, for example, 3600 sheets (201), and the value of the life counter is 3600 sheets. If it exceeds the limit, a warning display is statically displayed on the copy number display 60. The number of copies display 60 normally displays the number of copies, etc., but when the value of the life counter exceeds 3600, a warning display for the life of the photoconductor magazine 4 is displayed. Further, the CPU 38 disables the copying operation and waits for the replacement of the photoconductor magazine 4 (203).

When the life counter value does not exceed 3600 sheets, the CPU 38 subsequently sets the life counter value to the set life value of 3600 sheets minus 50 sheets (355).
(204), and if the value of the life counter is 3600 sheets minus the set life value minus 50 sheets or more, the warning display and the content to be originally displayed (mainly the number of copies) are alternately displayed on the copy number display 60. (205). Furthermore, C
The PU 38 sets a fast cycle for alternately switching the display of the copy number display 60 (206), and the photoconductor magazine 4
Strongly urge the exchange of.

If the value of the life counter does not exceed the set life value of 3600 sheets minus 50 sheets, the CPU 38
Next, the value of the life counter is compared with the set life value of 3600 sheets minus 1000 sheets (2600 sheets) (207), and the value of the life counter is set to the set life value of 3600 sheets minus 10
If the number is 00 or more, the warning display and the content to be originally displayed (mainly the number of copies) are alternately displayed on the copy number display 60 (208). Further, the CPU 38 sets the cycle for alternately switching the display of the copy number display 60 to be late (209), and prompts replacement of the photoconductor magazine 4.

When alternate display is performed on the number-of-copies display 60 as described above, the copying operation is not disabled, and a grace period is provided for preparing a new photoconductor magazine 4. The warning displayed on the copy number display 60 is 2
It is selected from a code and a number that can be displayed on the copy number display 60 composed of a digit 7-segment light emitting diode, for example, "du". The above-mentioned value of 50 sheets or 1000 sheets is an example, and is not limited to this value.

FIG. 8 shows the new article check (103) in detail. The output signal of the new article detection sensor 34 is input to the analog input port 53 as shown in FIG. 1, and the voltage value and the state of the photoconductor magazine 4 have the relationship shown in FIG. From the relationship, the CPU 38 determines that the photoconductor magazine 4
In order to know the state, the voltage value of the analog input port 53 is first read (300), and the state of the photoconductor magazine 4 is judged from this voltage value according to the relationship shown in FIG. CP
U38 first determines from the voltage value of the analog input port 53 whether the photoconductor magazine 4 is not mounted in the apparatus (301), and if the photoconductor magazine 4 is not mounted in the apparatus, a copy number display device. A warning is displayed on 60 (30
2) The copying operation is disabled (303).

If the photoconductor magazine 4 is not installed in the apparatus, the CPU 38 determines whether the photoconductor magazine 4 is new from the voltage value of the analog input port 53 (304), and the photoconductor magazine 4 If is not new, nothing is done and the process ends. If the photoconductor magazine 4 is new, the CPU 38 determines whether or not warning display (including alternate display) for the life of the photoconductor magazine 4 is made by the life check (102) (305), and the photoconductor magazine 4 If the warning about the life is not displayed, it is judged that the replacement of the photoconductor magazine 4 this time is not a replacement due to the life of the photoconductor magazine 4 but a temporary replacement of the photoconductor magazine 4, and the initialization is not performed. This process ends.

When the warning display for the life of the photoconductor magazine 4 is displayed, the CPU 38 enters the initialization operation, and since a new photoconductor magazine 4 is installed in this apparatus, the life of the photoconductor magazine 4 is shortened. The life counter for judgment is cleared (306). Next, the CPU 38 determines the initial value of the toner concentration sensor 31 (307). This process is for calibrating the output of the toner concentration sensor 31 using a new developer in which the initial toner concentration in the photoconductor magazine 4 is controlled. Although not described in other details, the CPU 38 initializes aging correction data and the like relating to the photoconductor magazine 4 (308), and when this initialization is completed, the fuse 34 is cut off.

In order to surely cut the fuse 34 in a short time, it is necessary to pass a current several times the rated current through the fuse 34. To request the power supply unit 37 for the current supply capacity for that purpose,
There is a high possibility that waste will increase in consideration of the replacement frequency. Therefore, in this example, when the fuse 34 is blown, the current supply from the power supply unit 37 to the other parts (the parts other than the fuse 34) is temporarily cut off to increase the current supply capability to the fuse 34.

In this example, the cutting current of the fuse 34 and the display current of the operation panel 57 are taken from the same power supply system Vcc, and the light emitting diode lighting current value of the operation panel 57 out of all the currents from the DC power supply Vcc. Since it occupies a considerable portion, the CPU 38 temporarily turns off all the display on the operation panel 57 when the fuse 34 is blown (309). Next, the CPU 38 outputs "0" to the output port 54 to turn on the transistor 45 after all the display on the operation panel 57 is turned off, thereby causing the fuse 34 to have a cutting current several times as large as its rated current for one second. It is supplied (310, 311).

When the cutting current supply time to the fuse 34 has passed 1 second, the CPU 38 outputs "1" to the output port 54 to turn off the transistor 45, thereby ending the supply of the cutting current to the fuse 34 (( 312). Next, the CPU 38 reads the voltage value of the analog input port 53 again in order to confirm that the fuse 34 can be surely blown at this point (313),
From this voltage value, it is confirmed whether or not the photoconductor magazine 4 is not new (314).

The cutting current value supplied to the fuse 34 is limited by the resistance value of the resistor 48, and this value is set so that the fuse 34 can be surely blown by supplying power for one second. Therefore, if the fuse 34 is still new in the confirmation (314), there is a high possibility that some abnormality such as the fuse 34 being short-circuited by the conductive wire has occurred. Therefore, the CPU 38 confirms the above (314).
If the fuse 34 is still new, it is judged as an error. When the CPU 38 confirms in the above confirmation (314) that the fuse 34 has been blown and is not in a new state, it turns off the copy number display 60 to turn off the warning display for the life of the photoconductor magazine 4 (31
5), the display of the operation panel 57 is restarted (316), and this processing is ended.

FIG. 9 shows a flow for entering the setting mode. This example has a setting mode for performing various adjustments and operations for selecting specifications for each user. This setting mode can be entered by a special key operation. That is, the setting mode is entered by turning on the power while pressing the clear / stop key 62. In this setting mode, after inputting 66 as the function number to be executed using the number of copies + key 64 and the number of copies−key 63, the density thinning key 58 is pressed to execute the initialization process for the photoconductor magazine 4. To be done. The processing flow shown in this FIG.
It is included in 1).

The CPU 38 uses the clear / stop key 62
The input signal from is monitored, and once the clear / stop key 62 is detected to be in the off state, the flag is set to 1.
When the clear / stop key 62 is off and the flag is 0, the flag is set to 1 and the setting mode is entered (40
1). In other words, the setting mode is entered only when the clear / stop key 62 is not turned off after the execution of this processing flow, that is, when the power is turned on while the clear / stop key 62 is pressed. .

When the CPU 38 enters the setting mode, it executes a function number acceptance process, and monitors the number of copies + key 64 and the number of copies−key 63 for the input of the function number corresponding to the desired process. The entered function number is confirmed by pressing the density thinning key 58 (402).
Next, the CPU 38 executes a process corresponding to the input function number (403).

FIG. 10 shows the processing (40) corresponding to the function number.
The processing corresponding to the function number 66 of 3) is shown. The output signal of the new article detection sensor 34 is input to the analog input port 53 as shown in FIG. 1, and the voltage value and the state of the photoconductor magazine 4 have the relationship shown in FIG. CP
In order to know the state of the photoconductor magazine 4 from the relationship, the U38 first reads the voltage value of the analog input port 53 (400), and judges the state of the photoconductor magazine 4 from this voltage value according to the relationship shown in FIG. . The CPU 38 determines from the voltage value of the analog input port 53 whether or not the photoconductor magazine 4 is new (401), and if the photoconductor magazine 4 is not new, does nothing and ends this processing.

This is to prevent an erroneous operation in which the initialization process for the photoconductor magazine 4 is accidentally executed while the old photoconductor magazine 4 is still set. If such an erroneous operation is performed, the toner concentration sensor 31 is calibrated to an erroneous value, dirt due to toner scattering in the device due to excessive toner concentration, and carrier adhesion due to continued use of the developer beyond its life. It will have a fatal adverse effect. Therefore, it is important to prevent such erroneous operation.

When the CPU 38 determines in the above process (401) that the photoconductor magazine 4 is a new one, the initialization operation is started, and the new photoconductor magazine 4 is attached to this apparatus. The life counter for judging the life of the is cleared (402). Next, the CPU 38 determines the initial value of the toner density sensor 31 (403). This process is for calibrating the output of the toner concentration sensor 31 using a new developer in which the initial toner concentration in the photoconductor magazine 4 is controlled. Although not described in other details, the CPU 38 initializes the temporal correction data and the like relating to the photoconductor magazine 4 (404), and when the initialization is completed, the fuse 34 is cut off.

In order to surely cut the fuse 34 in a short time, it is necessary to supply the fuse 34 with a current several times the rated current. To request the power supply unit 37 for the current supply capacity for that purpose,
There is a high possibility that waste will increase in consideration of the replacement frequency. Therefore, in this example, when the fuse 34 is blown, the current supply from the power supply unit 37 to the other parts (the parts other than the fuse 34) is temporarily cut off to increase the current supply capability to the fuse 34.

In this example, the cutting current of the fuse 34 and the display current of the operation panel 57 are taken from the same power supply system Vcc, and the light emitting diode lighting current value of the operation panel 57 out of all the currents from the DC power supply Vcc. Since it occupies a considerable portion, the CPU 38 temporarily turns off all the displays on the operation panel 57 when the fuse 34 is blown (405). Next, the CPU 38 outputs "0" to the output port 54 to turn on the transistor 45 after all the display on the operation panel 57 is turned off, thereby causing the fuse 34 to have a cutting current several times as large as its rated current for one second. Supply (406, 407).

When the cutting current supply time to the fuse 34 has passed one second, the CPU 38 outputs "1" to the output port 54 to turn off the transistor 45, thereby ending the supply of the cutting current to the fuse 34 ( 408). Next, the CPU 38 reads the voltage value of the analog input port 53 again in order to confirm that the fuse 34 can be surely blown at this point (409),
From this voltage value, it is confirmed whether or not the photoconductor magazine 4 is not new (410).

The cutting current value supplied to the fuse 34 is limited by the resistance value of the resistor 48, and this value is set so that the fuse 34 can be surely blown by supplying power for one second. Therefore, if the fuse 34 is still new in the confirmation (314), there is a high possibility that some abnormality such as the fuse 34 being short-circuited by the conductive wire has occurred. Therefore, the CPU 38 confirms the above (410).
If the fuse 34 is still new, it is judged as an error. Further, when the CPU 38 confirms that the fuse 34 has been blown and is not in a new state in the confirmation (410), the display of the operation panel 57 is restarted (411), and this processing ends.

As described above, this example is an example of the image forming apparatus to which the invention described in claim 1 is applied, and in the image forming apparatus having the magazine 4 which is detachable and has a set life, the life of the magazine 4 is extended. A life counter as a life detecting means for detecting, and a CPU 38, a ROM 39 and a copy number display 60 as a life notifying means for detecting and notifying that the magazine 4 has reached the end of its life based on the detection result of the life detecting means. And a fuse 34 as a new article detecting means for detecting whether or not the magazine 4 is new, and a new article detecting means 34 when the life informing means 38, 39, 60 informs that the magazine 4 has reached the end of its life. When the magazine 4 detects that the magazine 4 is new, the magazine 4 is automatically
Initializing operation concerning the new article detection means 3
4 is set to a non-new article detection state, and life notification means 38, 39, 6
If 0 does not indicate that the magazine 4 has reached the end of its life, and the new article detecting means 34 detects that the magazine 4 is new, the new article detecting means 34 does not execute the initialization operation for the magazine 4. Since the CPU 38 and the ROM 39 are provided as the control means for keeping the new article detection state, the magazine replacement is automatically divided into the replacement according to the life of the magazine and the replacement according to the life of the magazine and the temporary replacement such as the replacement experiment. The initialization operation related to magazines can be performed to simplify the operation when exchanging magazines. In the temporary replacement of magazines, the magazines before replacement can be reused without performing the initialization operation related to magazines automatically. it can.

Further, this example is an example of an image forming apparatus to which the invention described in claim 2 is applied, and the life of the magazine 4 is detected in the image forming apparatus having the magazine 4 which is detachable and whose life is set. A life counter as a life detecting means, and a CPU 38, a ROM 39 and a copy number display 60 as a life notifying means for detecting that the life of the magazine 4 has expired based on the detection result of the life detecting means. A fuse 34 as a new article detecting means for detecting whether or not the magazine 4 is a new article, and an initialization operation for the magazine 4 by a manual operation are performed, and the new article detecting means 34 is set to a non-new article detecting state. When it is not detected that the magazine 4 is new, the initialization operation related to the magazine 4 is not performed in response to the manual operation, and a new product is detected. Since the CPU 38 and the ROM 39 as the control means for keeping the means 34 in the new article detection state are provided, the magazine exchange is classified into the exchange due to the life of the magazine and the temporary exchange such as the exchange experiment, and the manual magazine exchange is performed. By executing the initialization operation related to the magazine according to the operation, the temporarily replaced magazine can be used continuously, and the problem that the initialization operation is mistakenly performed by temporary magazine replacement is solved. can do.

Further, this example is an example of an image forming apparatus to which the invention described in claim 3 is applied, and in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the CPU 3 as a control means.
8 and the ROM 39, when the new article detecting means 34 is in the non-new article detecting state, shuts off the current supply to a predetermined load which is unnecessary for the execution of this operation, and sets the new article detecting means 34 in the non-new article detecting state. Since the current supply capacity for the operation is increased, it is not necessary for the power supply unit to have the current supply capacity suitable for the normal operation and to increase the current supply capacity for the operation that is rarely used. The present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and can be similarly applied to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile or a printer.

[0055]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lifespan detecting means for detecting the lifespan of the magazine, which is a control system of an image forming apparatus having a detachable magazine having a set lifespan. The life notification means for notifying that the life of the magazine has expired based on the detection result of the life detection means, the new article detection means for detecting whether or not the magazine is new, and the life announcement means When the new article detecting means detects that the magazine is new while notifying that the magazine has reached the end of its life, it automatically executes an initialization operation for the magazine and the new article detecting means. Is set to a non-new article detection state, and the new article detection section detects that the magazine is new when the life notification section does not indicate that the magazine has reached the end of life. In this case, the control means for keeping the new article detection means in the new article detection state without executing the initialization operation for the magazine is provided. Separately, it is possible to simplify the operation at the time of magazine replacement by automatically performing the initialization operation related to the magazine in the case of replacement due to the life of the magazine, and without performing the automatic initialization operation related to the magazine in the temporary replacement of the magazine. The magazine before exchange can be reused.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control system for an image forming apparatus having a detachable magazine having a set life, which comprises a life detecting means for detecting the life of the magazine and the life detecting means. A life notification means for notifying that the magazine has reached the end of life based on the detection result, a new article detecting means for detecting whether or not the magazine is new, and an initialization operation for the magazine is executed manually. At the same time, the new article detection means is set to the non-new article detection state, and when the new article detection means does not detect that the magazine is new, the initialization operation related to the magazine is not performed for the manual operation. Since the new article detection means and the control means for keeping the new article detection state are provided, it is possible to distinguish magazine replacement into replacement based on the life of the magazine and temporary replacement. In the periodic magazine exchange, the initialization operation related to the magazine is executed according to the manual operation, so that the temporarily exchanged magazine can be used continuously, and the initialization operation is mistakenly performed by the temporary magazine exchange. It is possible to solve the problem of being lost.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the control means performs this operation when the new article detecting means is in the non-new article detecting state. Since the current supply to the predetermined load that is unnecessary for execution is shut off and the current supply capacity for the operation that puts the new product detection unit in the non-new product detection state is increased, the power supply unit has a current supply capacity suitable for normal operation. Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to increase the current supply capacity for the operation that is rarely used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of an example of an image forming apparatus to which the invention described in claims 1 to 3 is applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing the same example.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a photoconductor magazine of the same example.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a part of the same example and a part of another example.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the voltage value of the analog input port 53 and the state of the photoconductor magazine 4 in the same example.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of control by the control circuit of the same example.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the life check in the control.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail a new product check in the control.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of entering a setting mode in the same control.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process corresponding to a function number 66 in the control.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an operation panel of the same example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Photoreceptor Magazine 31 Fuse 35, 36, 46-48 Resistance 38 CPU 39 ROM 45 Transistor 57 Operation Panel 60 Number of Copies Display

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A control system for an image forming apparatus having a detachable magazine having a set life, the life detecting means for detecting the life of the magazine, and the magazine based on the detection result of the life detecting means. When the life of the magazine has expired, the life notification means for notifying that the magazine has reached the end of life, the new article detecting means for detecting whether or not the magazine is new, When the new article detecting unit detects that the magazine is new, the initializing operation for the magazine is automatically executed, the new article detecting unit is set to the non-new article detecting state, and the life informing unit sets the magazine When the new article detection means detects that the magazine is new without notifying that the life of the magazine has expired, the initialization operation for the magazine is performed. Control method of the image forming apparatus, characterized in that the new detection means without performing a control means for remain new detection state. 2. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus having a detachable magazine having a set life, the life detecting means for detecting the life of the magazine, and the magazine based on the detection result of the life detecting means. Life notifying means for notifying that the magazine has reached the end of its life, new article detecting means for detecting whether or not the magazine is new, initialization operation for the magazine by manual operation, and non-operation of the new article detecting means. In the new article detection state, when the new article detection unit does not detect that the magazine is new, the new article detection unit is set to the new article detection state without executing the initialization operation related to the manual operation with respect to the manual operation. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: 3. The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 1, wherein said control means, when bringing said new article detection means into a non-new article detection state, carries out a predetermined load unnecessary for execution of this operation. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the current supply capability to the operation of bringing the new-state detecting means into the non-new-state detection state is increased by shutting off the current supply to the new-state detecting unit.