Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To reduce the time between replacing one toner cartridge and allowing the replacement of other toner cartridges when multiple toner cartridges are being replaced. [Solution] When the first toner cartridge is installed in the rotary 9, the engine control unit 1403 reads the first information and the second information from the first storage unit via the reading unit 61 before the image forming operation is performed. When the first toner cartridge is installed in the rotary 9 in a state where installation of the second toner cartridge in the rotary 9 is permitted, the engine control unit 1403 (i) performs a first reading operation to read the first information, and (ii) after the first reading operation and before the first additional reading operation to read the second information, performs a replacement preparation operation to position the rotary 9 in the second replacement position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using a rotary development method, and particularly relates to the replacement control of a toner cartridge.

[0002] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a rotary development method for forming a color image by rotating a rotary body provided with a plurality of developing rollers is known. Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe an image forming apparatus including a rotary body in which a plurality of developing devices each provided with a developing roller are accommodated, and a plurality of toner cartridges (toner storage containers) each detachably attached to the developing device. In such an image forming apparatus, when a plurality of toner cartridges are replaced, after one toner cartridge is replaced, the rotary body rotates and another toner cartridge is replaced.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 3 discloses providing a storage device for storing image forming conditions optimized for each toner cartridge in the toner cartridge. The image forming apparatus can read the image forming conditions from the storage device when replacing the toner cartridge and perform image forming control based on the read image forming conditions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When a user replaces multiple toner cartridges, if there is a long waiting period between replacing one cartridge and allowing the replacement of another, the user's waiting time will increase.

[0006] This disclosure is made under these circumstances and aims to reduce the time between replacing one toner cartridge and allowing the replacement of another toner cartridge when multiple toner cartridges are being replaced.

[0007] To address the aforementioned issues, this disclosure comprises the following configuration.

[0008] (1) An image forming apparatus configured to perform an image forming operation to form an image on a recording material, wherein a first toner cartridge having a first storage unit and a second toner cartridge are detachable, comprising: a photosensitive drum; a rotary to which the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge are detachable, comprising: (i) a first developer having a first developing roller that houses toner supplied from the first toner cartridge; and (ii) a second developer having a second developing roller that houses toner supplied from the second toner cartridge, wherein the rotary is rotatable such that the first developing roller and the second developing roller each face the photosensitive drum; a main body enclosing the rotary and having an opening; a reading unit; a drive unit that rotates the rotary so that the rotary takes a first exchange position and a second exchange position; and a control unit that controls the drive unit. Image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the rotary is in the first replacement position, the mounting of the first toner cartridge to the first developer via the opening is permitted, when the rotary is in the second replacement position, the mounting of the second toner cartridge to the second developer via the opening is permitted, and when the first toner cartridge is mounted on the rotary, the control unit reads first information and second information from the first storage unit via the reading unit before the image forming operation is performed, and when the first toner cartridge is mounted on the rotary in a state where mounting of the second toner cartridge to the rotary is permitted, the control unit (i) performs a first reading operation to read the first information, and (ii) after the first reading operation and before a first additional reading operation to read the second information, performs a replacement preparation operation to position the rotary in the second replacement position.

[0009] (2) An image forming apparatus configured to perform an image forming operation to form an image on a recording material, wherein a first toner cartridge having a first storage unit and a second toner cartridge having a second storage unit are detachable, comprising: a photosensitive drum; a rotary to which the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge are detachable, comprising: (i) a first developer having a first developing roller that houses toner supplied from the first toner cartridge; and (ii) a second developer having a second developing roller that houses toner supplied from the second toner cartridge, wherein the rotary is rotatable such that the first developing roller and the second developing roller each face the photosensitive drum; a body enclosing the rotary and having an opening; a reading unit; a drive unit that rotates the rotary so that the rotary takes a first exchange position, a second exchange position, a first reading position, and a second reading position; and a control unit that controls the drive unit, wherein when the rotary is in the first exchange position, the first developing through the opening Image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the mounting of the first toner cartridge to the device is permitted, and the rotary is in the second replacement position, the mounting of the second toner cartridge to the second developer through the opening is permitted, when the rotary is in the first reading position, the reading unit is permitted to read the information stored in the first storage unit, when the rotary is in the second reading position, the reading unit is permitted to read the information stored in the second storage unit, and when the mounting of the second toner cartridge to the rotary is permitted, the control unit performs a first reading preparation operation to position the rotary in the first reading position, performs a replacement preparation operation to position the rotary in the second replacement position after the first reading preparation operation, and performs a second reading preparation operation to position the rotary in the second reading position and the first reading preparation operation after the replacement preparation operation and before the execution of the image forming operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, when multiple toner cartridges are replaced, the time between replacing one toner cartridge and allowing the replacement of another toner cartridge can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus in Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional views of the toner cartridge and developing unit in Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional views of the rotary surroundings in Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 4] External view of the rotary in Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 5] External view of the main body of the image forming apparatus in Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the rotary area when replacing the toner cartridge in Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 7] Perspective view showing the tray arrangement in the rotary in Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view showing the tray arrangement in the rotary in Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 9] Perspective view showing the drive configuration for tray insertion and removal in Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view showing the drive configuration for tray insertion and removal in Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 11] Perspective view and schematic diagram showing the configuration of the cartridge memory and memory reading unit in Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 12] Diagram showing the memory map of the cartridge memory in Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 13] Schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the memory reading units in Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 14] Block diagram of the image forming apparatus in Example 1 [Figure 15] Timing chart showing toner cartridge replacement (1 unit) in Example 1 [Figure 16] Timing chart showing toner cartridge replacement (multiple cartridges) in Example 1 [Figure 17]Flowchart showing the toner cartridge replacement process of Example 1 [Figure 18] Block diagram of the image forming apparatus of Example 2 [Figure 19] Timing chart showing the toner cartridge replacement of Example 2 [Figure 20] Flowchart showing the toner cartridge replacement process of Example 2

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

Examples

[0013] (Overall Configuration of the Image Forming Apparatus) Embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. In the following description and each drawing, when the printer main body 1 is installed on a horizontal plane, the vertical direction is defined as the Z direction. A direction intersecting the Z direction and being the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary unit 9 (the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary unit) described later is defined as the Y direction. A direction intersecting both the Z direction and the Y direction is defined as the X direction. The X direction and the Y direction are preferably horizontal directions. Also, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are preferably orthogonal to each other. Further, if necessary, the directions of the arrows X, Y, and Z shown in each drawing are represented as the +X side, the +Y side, and the +Z side, respectively, and the opposite sides are represented as the -X side, the -Y side, and the -Z side, respectively. Here, as an image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of developing units, a color laser beam printer provided with four developing units is exemplified.

[0014] The schematic configuration and image forming operation of a color laser beam printer will be described using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-section of the color laser beam printer. As shown in Figure 1, the printer body 1 encloses a rotary 9 and has a frame 16 that houses the rotary 9. The frame 16 is the housing (body) of the printer body 1, which is composed of a frame and exterior members, and in Embodiment 1 it is approximately rectangular parallelepiped in shape. The frame 16 has an opening 16a. More specifically, the frame 16 has a side surface 16b that extends in a direction intersecting the horizontal direction. The side surface 16b constitutes at least a part of the +X side of the external surface of the printer body 1. The opening 16a is located on this side surface 16b. The side surface 16b is the side surface located downstream of the discharge port in the discharge direction from which the image-formed sheet S is discharged from the discharge port of the printer body 1. The user can access the sheet storage section 300 from the side surface 16b of the printer body 1 to replenish the sheet S or to retrieve the sheet S discharged from the discharge port. Therefore, side 16b can be considered the front of the printer body 1.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the printer body 1, as an image forming apparatus, has a photosensitive drum 2 as a drum-shaped electrophotographic photoreceptor. Around the photosensitive drum 2 are a charging roller 3, an exposure unit 4, four developing units 5y, 5m, 5c, 5k, and a cleaning unit 6. Here, the letters "y, m, c, k" represent the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Hereafter, symbols such as "5y, 5m, 5c, 5k" may be represented as "5y~5k". Also, when there is no need to specify a color, it may simply be represented as "5". The charging roller 3 is a charging means for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 2. The exposure unit 4 is an exposure means that irradiates the photosensitive drum 2 with laser light corresponding to the image information. By irradiating the charged photosensitive drum 2 with laser light, the exposure unit 4 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2. The developing units 5y~5k are developing means that develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 with toner of the corresponding color to make it visible. The cleaning unit 6 is a cleaning means that removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

[0016] The developing units 5y to 5k are equipped with developing rollers 51y to 51k and supply rollers 52y to 52k. Toner cartridges 7y to 7k are also installed in the developing units 5y to 5k. Toner cartridge 7y contains yellow toner, toner cartridge 7m contains magenta toner, toner cartridge 7c contains cyan toner, and toner cartridge 7k contains black toner. In other words, the developing units 5y to 5k develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 using yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner, respectively. Here, the four developing units 5y to 5k are mounted on a rotary support 9, which is a rotatable rotating support. The rotary 9 is also equipped with trays 8y to 8k, and the toner cartridges 7y to 7k are detachably held in trays 8y to 8k. As will be described later, trays 8y to 8k are supported so that they can slide out of the rotary 9. The trays 8y-8k (and the toner cartridges 7y-7k held in trays 8y-8k) slide out of the rotary 9, allowing the toner cartridges 7y-7k to be detached from the rotary 9.

[0017] Toner cartridge 7y is an example of the first toner cartridge. Toner cartridge 7c is an example of the second toner cartridge. Toner cartridge 7m is an example of the third toner cartridge. Toner cartridge 7k is an example of the fourth toner cartridge. Developer roller 51y is an example of the first developer roller. Developer roller 51c is an example of the second developer roller. Developer roller 51m is an example of the third developer roller. Developer roller 51k is an example of the fourth developer roller. Developer unit 5y is an example of the first developer unit, which contains toner supplied from the first toner cartridge and has a first developer roller. Developer unit 5c is an example of the second developer unit, which contains toner supplied from the second toner cartridge and has a second developer roller. Developer unit 5m is an example of the third developer unit, which contains toner supplied from the third toner cartridge and has a third developer roller. Developer unit 5k is an example of the fourth developer unit, which contains toner supplied from the fourth toner cartridge and has a fourth developer roller. Rotary 9 is an example of a rotary in which the first to fourth toner cartridges are removable. Rotary 9 can also be said to be an example of a rotary in which the first and second toner cartridges are removable. Furthermore, Rotary 9 is an example of a rotary in which the first to fourth developers are located and each of the first to fourth developing rollers is rotatable so as to face the photosensitive drum 2. Rotary 9 can also be said to be an example of a rotary in which the first developer and the second developer are located and each of the first developing rollers is rotatable so as to face the photosensitive drum 2.

[0018] In this embodiment, the numbering, such as "First," "Second," etc., is used merely for explanatory convenience and can, in principle, be replaced as appropriate.

[0019] (Toner supply from toner cartridge to developing unit) In the following description, the position where the rotary 9 rotates and the toner cartridge 7y can be mounted onto the developing unit 5y through the opening 16a is defined as the first replacement position. The position where the rotary 9 rotates and the toner cartridge 7c can be mounted onto the developing unit 5c through the opening 16a is defined as the second replacement position. If there is no need to distinguish between the colors, the replacement position is defined as P1.

[0020] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration for supplying toner from the toner cartridge 7 to the developer unit 5. The toner frame 75 of the toner cartridge 7 has a toner storage section 710 and an discharge opening 711 communicating with the toner storage section 710. The developer frame 53 (53y~53k (see Figure 3(a))) of the developer unit 5 has a developer-side storage section 530 and a receiving opening 531 communicating with the developer-side storage section 530. As will be described later, when the toner cartridge 7 is moved to the mounting position, the discharge opening 711 faces the receiving opening 531. The toner cartridge 7 has a toner-side sealing member (not shown) that covers the discharge opening 711, and the developer unit 5 has a developer-side sealing member (not shown) that covers the receiving opening 531. The discharge opening 711 and the receiving opening 531 open when the toner-side sealing member and the developer-side sealing member release their respective seals. In this state, when the rotary 9 rotates more than the angle α (a predetermined angle) shown in Figure 2 relative to the replacement position P1 of the toner cartridge 7, the toner stored in the toner storage section 710 is discharged from the discharge opening 711, and the toner discharged from the discharge opening 711 enters the developer-side storage section 530 through the receiving opening 531, and toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 7 to the developer unit 5. When the toner cartridge 7 is not installed in the developer unit 5, the discharge opening 711 is covered with a toner-side sealing member and the receiving opening 531 is covered with a developer-side sealing member so that the discharge of toner from the discharge opening 711 and the receiving opening 531 is suppressed.

[0021] (Image forming operation of an image forming apparatus) The image formation operation of Example 1 will be explained using Figure 1. First, the photosensitive drum 2 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 (counterclockwise) in synchronization with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 10. Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 3. Simultaneously, the exposure unit 4 irradiates the drum with a yellow laser beam to form a yellow electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2.

[0022] As this electrostatic latent image is formed, the rotary 9 rotates, stopping the yellow developing unit 5y in the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 2. The rotary 9 is rotated by the rotary drive unit 1441 (see Figure 14). In the developing position, the developing roller 51y on the developing unit 5y is in contact with the photosensitive drum 2, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with yellow toner. That is, the rotary 9 supports the developing units 5y to 5k and rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 (clockwise), sequentially moving the four supported developing units 5y to 5k one by one to the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 2. The developing unit 5, located in the developing position, develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 according to the color of the toner it contains. In Figure 1, the black developing roller 51k is in contact with the photosensitive drum 2.

[0023] After the electrostatic latent image is developed, the yellow toner formed on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the primary transfer roller 11 located inside the intermediate transfer belt 10. In this way, the primary transfer of the yellow toner image is completed. Then, the magenta, cyan, and black development units 5m, 5c, and 5k are sequentially rotated by the rotation of the rotary 9 and stop at the development position facing the photosensitive drum 2. Then, in the same manner as with yellow, the formation of the electrostatic latent image, development, and primary transfer are sequentially performed for each of the magenta, cyan, and black colors. As a result, the toner images of the four colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 10. During this time, the secondary transfer roller 12 is not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10. Furthermore, at this time, the cleaning device 13, which removes residual toner from the intermediate transfer belt 10, is not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10.

[0024] Meanwhile, the sheets S, which serve as recording material, are loaded and stored in a sheet storage section 300 located at the bottom of the printer body 1. The sheets S are fed by a pick roller 310. After being separated one by one by a feed roller 311 and a separation roller 312, they are sent to a transport roller pair 320. The transport roller pair 320 sends the fed sheets S to the nip section (secondary transfer section) between the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the secondary transfer roller 12. The four colored toner images superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 are transferred (secondary transfer) all at once to the surface of the transported sheets S.

[0025] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the fuser 40. In the fuser 40, the sheet S is heated and pressurized, and the unfixed toner image is fixed onto the sheet S. As a result, a color image is formed on the sheet S. The sheet S is then discharged from the fuser 40. In the image forming operation of Embodiment 1 described above, the image forming unit, including the photosensitive drum 2, developing roller 51, and intermediate transfer belt 10, the paper feeding and transport unit, including the pick roller 310, feed roller 311, and transport roller pair 320, and the fuser 40 are rotated by a drive source (not shown).

[0026] (Rotary configuration) The configuration of the rotary 9 will be explained using Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary 9 and its surroundings. Figure 4 is an external view of the rotary 9. As mentioned above, the toner cartridges 7y to 7k are removable from the rotary 9, and when the toner in the toner cartridges 7y to 7k runs out, the user can replace the toner cartridges 7y to 7k. When replacing the toner cartridges 7y to 7k, the rotary 9 stops at the replacement position.

[0027] Figure 3(a) shows a cross-section of the rotary 9 and its surroundings when it is stopped in the developing position, with the yellow developing roller 51y in contact with the photosensitive drum 2 as an example. Figure 3(b) shows a cross-section of the rotary 9 and its surroundings when it is stopped in the replacement position, with the black toner cartridge 7k stopped in the replacement position as an example. As shown in Figure 3, four trays 8y to 8k are arranged inside the rotary 9, and each of the trays 8y to 8k holds a toner cartridge 7y to 7k. At this time, the toner cartridges 7y to 7k are installed in the developing units 5y to 5k. In Embodiment 1, the toner cartridge 7k containing black toner is larger in size than the toner cartridges 7y, 7m, and 7c containing yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner, respectively, and can hold more toner. Therefore, the tray 8k that holds the black toner cartridge 7k is larger in size than the trays 8y, 8m, and 8c that hold the yellow toner cartridge 7y, magenta toner cartridge 7m, and cyan toner cartridge 7c. In other words, the rotary 9 contains four toner cartridges of different sizes (7y-7k) and trays (8y-8k).

[0028] Here, the rotary 9 is supported so as to be able to swing around the pivot axis 91. In the developing position, the rotary 9 is biased by a biasing member (not shown), causing the developing roller 51y to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 2. In the process of rotating the rotary 9 clockwise in the figure to move it to the replacement position, the rotary 9 swings around the pivot axis 91 by a separation mechanism (not shown), and the developing roller 51y separates from the photosensitive drum 2. In the replacement position, the toner cartridge 7k is stopped in a position facing the door 14 located on the front of the printer body 1 (Figure 3(b)). Also, the developing rollers 51y~51k are separated from the photosensitive drum 2. In this state, the user can replace the toner cartridge 7k by sliding the tray 8k from the mounting position on the developing unit 5k to the outside of the rotary 9.

[0029] While this explanation focuses on the development position for development unit 5y and the replacement position for toner cartridge 7k, the development positions for development units 5m, 5c, and 5k, and the replacement positions for toner cartridges 7y, 7m, and 7c are similar. The replacement procedure for toner cartridges 7y through 7k will be described later.

[0030] The rotational drive of the rotary 9 will be explained using Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, disc gears 92a and 92b are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the rotary 9. In addition, drive gears 93a and 93b are connected to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the oscillating shaft 91 in a manner that allows for power transmission. Here, the driving force of the rotary drive unit 1441 is transmitted to the drive gear 93b, and the driving force is transmitted by the drive gears 93a and 93b to the disc gears 92a and 92b, thereby rotating the rotary 9.

[0031] (Toner cartridge replacement procedure) Figures 5 and 6 will be used to explain the replacement procedure for toner cartridges 7y to 7k. Figure 5 is an external view of the printer body 1. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary 9 when replacing toner cartridges 7y to 7k.

[0032] Figure 5(a) shows the external appearance of the printer body 1 during image formation and in standby mode. At this time, the door 14 is closed. Figure 5(b) shows the external appearance of the printer body 1 when replacing toner cartridges 7y to 7k. At this time, the door 14 is open, and the tray 8 and toner cartridges 7 have moved to the outside of the printer body 1.

[0033] This section explains the replacement procedure for toner cartridges 7y to 7k. First, when the user instructs the printer body 1 to replace toner cartridges 7y to 7k, the rotary 9 rotates to the replacement position for the toner cartridge 7 to be replaced (the toner cartridge 7 that has run out of toner) and stops. Here, instructing the user to perform the replacement procedure means, for example, pressing the replacement button provided on the printer body 1.

[0034] Next, the tray drive unit 1440 (see Figure 14) slides the tray 8 and toner cartridge 7 from their mounting position on the developing unit 5 to the outside of the printer body 1. At this time, the door 14 is rotatably supported relative to the printer body 1, and the sliding movement of the tray 8 causes the door 14 to open (state shown in Figure 5(b)). Here, since the toner cartridge 7 is detachably held in the tray 8, as shown in Figure 5(c), the user can replace it by removing the toner cartridge 7 from the tray 8 and installing a new toner cartridge 7. If multiple toner cartridges 7 need to be replaced, the above operation can be repeated to complete the replacement process.

[0035] Figure 6 shows a cross-section around the rotary 9 when replacing toner cartridges 7y to 7k, with the tray 8m and toner cartridge 7m sliding out to the outside of the printer body 1 as an example. As shown in Figure 6, when replacing toner cartridges 7y to 7k, it is desirable that the entire toner cartridge 7 is exposed from the front of the printer body 1, as the user performs the operation of attaching and detaching the toner cartridge 7 from the tray 8.

[0036] (Tray arrangement within the rotary) The arrangement of trays 8y to 8k within the rotary 9 will be explained using Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of trays 8y to 8k within the rotary 9. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of trays 8y to 8k within the rotary 9.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, trays 8y to 8k are each provided with toner cartridge holders 81y to 81k and tray rails 82y to 82k, respectively, for toner cartridges 7y to 7k (not shown in Figure 7). The tray rails 82y to 82k are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction, flanking the holders 81y to 81k. Rack sections 821y to 821k are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the tray rails 82y to 82k. In addition, rack gears 94y to 94k are rotatably held within the rotary 9, and the rack gears 94y to 94k are meshed with the rack sections 821y to 821k, respectively, in a manner that enables drive transmission.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, four trays 8y to 8k are arranged overlapping within the rotary 9. The insertion and removal directions for each of the trays 8y to 8k are rotated by 90 degrees (in the figures, the double arrows indicate directions Dy to Dk). Therefore, the yellow tray 8y and the cyan tray 8c, and the magenta tray 8m and the black tray 8k are held in a position to slide in the same direction.

[0039] (Tray insertion / removal drive configuration) The drive configuration for inserting and removing trays 8y to 8k, which are located within the rotary 9, will be explained using Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the drive configuration for inserting and removing trays 8y to 8k. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the drive configuration for inserting and removing trays 8y to 8k. In the following explanation, tray 8k will be used as an example among the four trays 8y to 8k, but the drive configuration for inserting and removing trays 8y to 8c is similar.

[0040] Figure 9(a) shows the tray 8k inside the rotary 9 (i.e., the toner cartridge 7k is installed in the developing unit 5k). Figure 9(b) shows the tray 8k slid out of the rotary 9. As mentioned above, two rack sections 821k are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The rack gear 94k and the drive rack 15 are also positioned at locations corresponding to the rack sections 821k at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The tray 8k is held so as to be slidable relative to the rotary 9 in a direction parallel to the tray rail 82k. The drive rack 15 is held so as to be slidable in the vertical direction (Z direction) relative to the printer body 1.

[0041] Using Figure 10, the insertion and removal operation of tray 8k, which involves sliding tray 8k from inside the rotary 9 (where the toner cartridge 7k is mounted on the developing unit 5k) to the outside, will be explained. The insertion and removal operation of tray 8k is performed by the tray drive unit 1440 (see Figure 14), drive rack 15, rack gear 94k, and rack section 821k. First, the drive force transmitted by the tray drive unit 1440 causes the drive rack 15 to slide upward on the printer body 1, transmitting the drive to the rack gear 94k. The rack gear 94k rotates counterclockwise, transmitting the drive to the rack section 821k, causing tray 8k to slide from the position where the toner cartridge 7k is mounted on the developing unit 5k towards the outside of the rotary 9.

[0042] Furthermore, after replacing the toner cartridge 7k, the operation of sliding the tray 8k into the rotary 9 (the position where the toner cartridge 7k is installed in the developing unit 5k) can be performed as follows: That is, by rotating the tray drive unit 1440 in the opposite direction to when sliding the tray 8k out of the rotary 9. In this case, the drive rack 15 slides downwards in the printer body 1, causing the tray 8k to be pulled into the rotary 9.

[0043] As described above, the tray drive unit 1440 can perform the insertion and removal operations of the tray 8k located inside the rotary 9.

[0044] The Rotary 9 includes four removable trays for the first to fourth toner cartridges. The rotary 9 can also be said to include a first tray on which the first toner cartridge can be attached and a second tray on which the second toner cartridge can be attached and a detachable tray. Tray 8y is an example of the first tray, and tray 8c is an example of the second tray. When the toner cartridge control unit 1412, which will be described later, receives a request to replace the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 performs an operation to move the first tray out of the main body through the opening 16a after the first replacement preparation operation. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 also performs an operation to move the second tray out of the main body through the opening 16a after the second replacement preparation operation.

[0045] (Cartridge memory and reading unit) Figure 11(a) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cartridge memory 60 (storage unit, first storage unit) of the toner cartridge 7 and the cartridge memory reading unit 61 (hereinafter referred to as the reading unit 61) that reads the information recorded in the memory 60. Hereafter, the cartridge memory 60 will be referred to as memory 60. Furthermore, when referring to the memory 60 of each toner cartridge 7, it will be denoted as follows: The memory of the yellow toner cartridge 7y will be denoted as memory 60y, the memory of the magenta toner cartridge 7m will be denoted as memory 60m, the memory of the cyan toner cartridge 7c will be denoted as memory 60c, and the memory of the black toner cartridge 7k will be denoted as memory 60k. Memory 60y is an example of the first storage unit. Memory 60c is an example of the second storage unit. Memory 60m is an example of the third storage unit. Memory 60k is an example of the fourth storage unit.

[0046] As will be described later, the cartridge memory communication control unit 1430 (see Figure 14) of the engine control unit 1403 accesses the memory 60 via the reading unit 61 and reads the information stored in the memory 60. In other words, the reading unit 61 electrically connects the memory 60 and the cartridge memory communication control unit 1430 of the engine control unit 1403. In the following description, the act of the cartridge memory communication control unit 1430 reading the information stored in the memory 60 via the reading unit 61 may be referred to as reading the memory 60 by the reading unit 61.

[0047] Each of the memory 60 and the reading unit 61 is equipped with a contact configuration that allows for electrical connection. The memory 60 is held on the longitudinal side of the toner cartridge 7 and is positioned to connect to the reading unit 61 when the toner cartridge 7 is housed in the rotary 9. When the rotary 9 rotates, the reading unit 61 is retracted to a position that does not obstruct the rotation of the rotary 9, and when acquiring information from the memory 60, it comes into contact with the contact portion of the memory 60. The retraction and contact operations of the reading unit 61 are performed by a drive source (not shown).

[0048] (Information stored in memory 60) As shown in Figure 11(b), the memory 60 is a storage device 62 mounted on a circuit board that stores the cartridge information 1500 and image formation condition information 1501 shown in Figure 12. The cartridge information 1500 is an example of first information, and the image formation condition information 1501 is an example of second information. In Embodiment 1, the contacts of the reading unit 61 are connected to the wiring pattern, but the contacts may be configured using lead wires or the like. The reading unit 61 is also connected to a control board (not shown).

[0049] Here, cartridge information 1500 includes color information 1510 (first color information) for toner cartridges 7y to 7k. Image formation conditions 1501 include charging settings 1520 related to charging by the charging roller 3, developing settings 1521 related to developing by the developing roller 51, and primary transfer settings 1522 related to primary transfer by the primary transfer roller 11.

[0050] (Layout and operation of the reading unit) Figure 13 shows the arrangement of the reading unit 61 of the printer body 1. As explained in Figure 2, toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 7 to the developing unit 5 when the rotation angle of the rotary 9 is greater than the rotation angle α shown in the figure. In Embodiment 1, the reading unit 61 is positioned at a location where the rotary 9 is rotated by an angle β in the rotation direction Ra (clockwise) relative to the replacement position P1 of the toner cartridge 7. Angle β is an angle within angle α at which toner is not supplied from the toner cartridge 7 to the developing unit 5 (angle β < angle α / 2). Hereafter, the position where the rotary 9 is rotated by an angle β in the rotation direction Ra (clockwise) from the replacement position P1 of the toner cartridge 7 will be referred to as the memory access position (reading position) of the toner cartridge 7. More specifically, the memory access position of toner cartridge 7y will be referred to as the Y memory access position, and the memory access position of toner cartridge 7m will be referred to as the M memory access position. Furthermore, the memory access position of toner cartridge 7c is denoted as the C memory access position, and the memory access position of toner cartridge 7k is denoted as the K memory access position. The Y memory access position is an example of a rotary position where the first reading operation described later is permitted, and is an example of the first reading position. The C memory access position is an example of a rotary position where the second reading operation described later is permitted, and is an example of the second reading position.

[0051] Next, the reading operation of the memory 60 via the reading unit 61 will be described. When the toner cartridge 7 is replaced, the rotary 9 rotates in the rotation direction Ra (clockwise). At this time, the reading unit 61 is retracted from the rotary 9. The rotation direction Ra is the same as the rotation direction during normal image formation. The rotary 9 stops at a position where the memory 60 and the reading unit 61 are facing each other, which is the position after rotating the rotary 9 by an angle β. After the rotary 9 stops, the reading unit 61 contacts the contact portion of the memory 60 and is electrically connected. After the information in the memory 60 is read via the reading unit 61, the reading unit 61 is retracted from the memory 60.

[0052] The reading unit 61 may also be positioned upstream of the replacement position P1 with respect to the rotation direction Ra. In this case, when the toner cartridge 7 is replaced, the rotary 9 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation direction Ra. In this case as well, after the information in the memory 60 is read via the reading unit 61, toner supply from the toner cartridge 7 to the developing unit 5 begins.

[0053] (Relationship between the toner replenishment location and cartridge replacement location on a rotary toner dispenser) Figure 13 illustrates the relationship between the toner supply position and replacement position P1 of the rotary 9. Note that only key parts are labeled in Figure 13. As explained in Figure 2, toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 7 to the developing unit 5 when the rotation angle of the rotary 9 is greater than the angle α shown in the figure. As shown in Figure 13, when rotating from the replacement position P1 of a replaced toner cartridge 7 to the replacement position of a different toner cartridge 7, it is necessary to rotate it greater than the angle α / 2 shown in the figure. Therefore, when the printer body 1 rotates the rotary 9 to the replacement position of a different toner cartridge 7, the toner from the replaced toner cartridge 7 is supplied to the developing unit 5. For example, when replacing a cyan toner cartridge 7c after replacing a yellow toner cartridge 7y, the replacement position of the cyan toner cartridge 7c is 180 degrees rotated relative to the replacement position of the yellow toner cartridge 7y. Therefore, when moving to the replacement position of the cyan toner cartridge 7c, the toner from the yellow toner cartridge 7y is supplied to the developing unit 5y. When the printer body 1 repeatedly replaces the toner cartridge 7, it is preferable to first determine whether it is OK to replenish the toner from the replaced toner cartridge 7 to the developing unit 5, and then rotate the rotary 9 to the replacement position for the next toner cartridge 7 to be replaced.

[0054] (Summary of Example 1) The characteristic configuration and control of Embodiment 1 will be described. Embodiment 1 describes the case when the printer body 1 receives instructions to replace multiple toner cartridges 7. In this embodiment, the printer body 1 first obtains color information 1510 (see Figure 12) from the memory 60 of the replaced toner cartridge 7, and then performs the replacement operation for the next toner cartridge 7. After the printer body 1 has completed replacing all toner cartridges 7 that the user has requested to be replaced, it obtains image formation conditions 1501 from the memory 60 of the replaced toner cartridge 7.

[0055] (Block diagram of Example 1) Figure 14 is a block diagram of the printer body 1 of Embodiment 1. The controller unit 1400 is capable of communicating with the operation unit 1401, the host computer 1402, and the engine control unit 1403. The functions of the engine control unit 1403 are implemented by one or more arithmetic units (CPUs).

[0056] The control during image formation operation will now be explained. When the controller unit 1400 receives (inputs) print data from the user from the host computer 1402, it expands the print data and converts it into image data for image formation. Once the conversion to image data is complete, the controller unit 1400 instructs the video interface unit 1410 of the engine control unit 1403 to start printing. When the video interface unit 1410 receives the print start instruction from the controller unit 1400, it transmits the print start instruction to the image formation control unit 1411. Based on the received print start instruction, the image formation control unit 1411 forms a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 10 using the image formation operation described above. At this time, the image formation control unit 1411 performs image formation control based on the image formation conditions 1501 acquired by the image formation condition acquisition control unit 1423 (hereinafter referred to as the condition acquisition control unit 1423).

[0057] (Toner cartridge replacement) This section describes the control of the printer body 1 for a user to replace the toner cartridge 7. When the controller unit 1400 receives a request to replace the toner cartridge 7 from the operation unit 1401, it instructs the engine control unit 1403 to replace the toner cartridge 7 via the video interface unit 1410. When the toner cartridge control unit 1412 (control unit) of the engine control unit 1403 receives the instruction (replacement request) to replace the toner cartridge 7 from the video interface unit 1410, it performs the following control. That is, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 stores the replacement request for the toner cartridge 7 that has been ordered to be replaced in the replacement color request storage unit 1421 (storage unit). The replacement request stored in the replacement color request storage unit 1421 is an example of second color information. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the toner cartridge replacement control unit 1420 (hereinafter referred to as the replacement control unit 1420) to replace the toner cartridge 7 that has been ordered to be replaced.

[0058] When the replacement control unit 1420 receives a command from the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to replace a toner cartridge 7, it instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to move the rotary 9 to the replacement position of the toner cartridge 7 that has been instructed to be replaced. When the rotary control unit 1431 receives a command to rotate the rotary 9 to the replacement position of the toner cartridge 7, it drives the rotary drive unit 1441 of the rotary drive unit 1404 to rotate the rotary 9. The rotary drive unit 1441 is an example of a drive unit that rotates the rotary 9 to take the replacement position of each toner cartridge 7.

[0059] When the rotary 9 moves to the toner cartridge 7 replacement position, the replacement control unit 1420 drives the tray drive unit 1440 to slide the tray 8 to a position where the user can replace the toner cartridge 7. Once the printer body 1 moves the tray 8 to the replacement position, the user is allowed to replace the toner cartridge 7.

[0060] Subsequently, the user instructs the printer body 1 via the operation unit 1401 that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete. When the controller unit 1400 receives confirmation from the operation unit 1401 that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete, it instructs the engine control unit 1403 via the video interface unit 1410 that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete. When the toner cartridge control unit 1412 receives confirmation from the video interface unit 1410 that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete, it instructs the replacement control unit 1420 that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete. When the replacement control unit 1420 receives confirmation that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete, it drives the tray drive unit 1440 to slide the tray 8 into the rotary 9.

[0061] (After replacing the toner cartridge) This section describes the control of the printer body 1 after the replacement of the toner cartridge 7. When the toner cartridge 7 is replaced, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the cartridge information acquisition control unit 1422 (hereinafter referred to as the information acquisition control unit 1422) to acquire the cartridge information 1500 stored in the memory 60. If the position of the rotary 9 is not the memory access position, the information acquisition control unit 1422 instructs the rotary drive unit 1441 via the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the memory access position of the toner cartridge 7. When the position of the rotary 9 is the memory access position of the toner cartridge 7, the information acquisition control unit 1422 uses the cartridge memory communication control unit 1430 (hereinafter referred to as the memory communication control unit 1430) to access the memory 60. The memory communication control unit 1430 reads the information stored in the memory 60 via the reading unit 61. The operation of the reading unit 61 is as described in Figure 11(a).

[0062] The replenishment determination unit 1424 is a determination unit that determines whether toner can be replenished to the developing unit 5 corresponding to the replaced toner cartridge 7. In Embodiment 1, the replenishment determination unit 1424 determines whether toner can be replenished based on whether the color information 1510 of the cartridge information 1500 of the replaced toner cartridge 7 is the same color as the developing unit 5 to be replenished. Here, "the replenishment determination unit 1424 determines that toner can be replenished" means "the replenishment determination unit 1424 determines that the color information 1510 is the same color as the developing unit 5 to be replenished." Here, "the replenishment determination unit 1424 determines that toner cannot be replenished" means "the replenishment determination unit 1424 determines that the color information 1510 is different from that of the developing unit 5 to be replenished." The toner cartridge control unit 1412 replenishes the toner from the replaced toner cartridge 7 to the developing unit 5 after the replenishment determination unit 1424 has determined that toner can be replenished. Furthermore, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 executes replacement control for a toner cartridge 7 different from the one that was replaced, after the replenishment determination unit 1424 has determined that it is OK to replenish the toner.

[0063] When the replacement of all toner cartridges 7 for which a replacement request has been received from the user is complete, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to acquire the image formation conditions 1501 stored in the memory 60 of the replaced toner cartridges 7. In other words, in Embodiment 1, the timing for acquiring the image formation conditions 1501 is after the replacement of all toner cartridges 7 for which a replacement request has been received is complete. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 also stores the acquisition request for the image formation conditions 1501 of the toner cartridges 7 in the image formation condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 (hereinafter referred to as the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425).

[0064] The condition acquisition control unit 1423 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the memory access position of the toner cartridge 7 if the rotary 9 is not in the memory access position of the toner cartridge 7. The rotary control unit 1431 drives the rotary drive unit 1441 to rotate the rotary 9. When the rotary 9 is in the memory access position of the toner cartridge 7, the condition acquisition control unit 1423 has the memory communication control unit 1430 access the memory 60. The memory communication control unit 1430 reads the information stored in the memory 60 via the reading unit 61. The operation of the reading unit 61 is as described in Figure 11(a).

[0065] When the replenishment determination unit 1424 determines that toner cannot be replenished, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the replacement control unit 1420 to eject the toner cartridge 7. Upon receiving the instruction to eject the toner cartridge 7, the replacement control unit 1420 controls the rotary 9 via the rotary control unit 1431. The rotary control unit 1431 drives the rotary drive unit 1441 to rotate the rotary 9 in the rotation direction Rb (counterclockwise, see Figure 13) so as not to exceed the range of angle α, returning the toner cartridge 7 to the replacement position. The rotation direction Rb is an example of the rotation direction in which the rotary rotates after the first reading operation, and is the opposite direction to the rotation direction Ra, which is an example of the rotation direction of the rotary when moving from the first replacement position to the first reading position. When the rotary 9 rotates to the replacement position of the toner cartridge 7, the replacement control unit 1420 drives the tray drive unit 1440 to slide the tray 8 to a position where the user can replace the toner cartridge 7 in order to eject the toner cartridge 7.

[0066] (Description of the cartridge memory map in Example 1) Memory 60 stores cartridge information 1500 and image formation conditions 1501, as explained in the memory map in Figure 12. Cartridge information 1500 is information that includes at least color information 1510. Color information 1510 is information that indicates one of the toner colors of toner cartridge 7: yellow, magenta, cyan, or black. Image formation conditions 1501 are setting values ​​for the image formation operation, such as the charging setting 1520, the development setting 1521, and the primary transfer setting 1522. Cartridge information 1500 is an example of first information, and the information of image formation conditions 1501 is an example of second information. Second information can be said to be information that is different from first information. Furthermore, first information and second information are read by the engine control unit 1403 after the toner cartridge 7 is installed in the rotary body 90 and before the image formation operation is performed.

[0067] (Explanation of the timing chart for Example 1) Figures 15 and 16 show the timing chart for replacing cartridge 7 in Example 1. Figure 15 is a timing chart for when a user replaces one toner cartridge 7. As an example, the case of replacing the yellow toner cartridge 7y (hereinafter referred to as Y replacement) is explained. Figure 16 is a timing chart for when a user replaces multiple toner cartridges 7. As an example, the case of replacing the yellow toner cartridge 7y and the cyan toner cartridge 7c is explained. In Figures 15 and 16, (a) shows the state of the replacement control unit 1420, and (b) shows the requests stored in the replacement color request storage unit 1421. Furthermore, in Figures 15 and 16, (c) shows the state of the information acquisition control unit 1422, (d) shows the requests stored in the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425, (e) shows the state of the condition acquisition control unit 1423, and (f) shows the position of the rotary 9. Note that 1600~1606 and 1610~1622 indicate the respective timings. The exchange control unit 1420 starts from a stopped state, the exchange color request storage unit 1421 has no requests, the information acquisition control unit 1422 is stopped, the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 has no requests, the condition acquisition control unit 1423 is stopped, and the rotary 9 starts from the home position. The home position of the rotary 9 is the position of the rotary 9 before the printer body 1 starts printing.

[0068] (When replacing one toner cartridge) First, let's explain Figure 15. When the toner cartridge control unit 1412 receives a replacement instruction for the yellow toner cartridge 7y from the video interface unit 1410, it instructs the replacement control unit 1420 to replace the toner cartridge 7y (1600a). The replacement color request storage unit 1421 stores the replacement request for the yellow toner cartridge 7y (hereinafter referred to as the Y replacement request) (second color information) (1600b). Note that a replacement request for the magenta toner cartridge 7m will be referred to as the M replacement request, a replacement request for the cyan toner cartridge 7c as the C replacement request, and a replacement request for the black toner cartridge 7k as the K replacement request.

[0069] When the replacement control unit 1420 receives an instruction to replace the toner cartridge 7y, it transitions from the stopped state to the state of replacing toner cartridge 7y (hereinafter referred to as the Y replacement). Note that if the instruction is to replace the magenta toner cartridge 7m, it will be referred to as the M replacement; if the instruction is to replace the cyan toner cartridge 7c, it will be referred to as the C replacement; and if the instruction is to replace the black toner cartridge 7k, it will be referred to as the K replacement. The replacement control unit 1420 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the replacement position for the yellow toner cartridge 7y (hereinafter referred to as the Y replacement position) (1600f). From 1600f to 1601f, which will be described later, the rotary 9 rotates in the rotation direction Ra from the home position toward the Y replacement position. Note that the replacement position for the magenta toner cartridge 7m is the M replacement position, the replacement position for the cyan toner cartridge 7c is the C replacement position, and the replacement position for the black toner cartridge 7k is the K replacement position.

[0070] When the rotary 9 is in the Y replacement position (1601f), the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8y to a position where the user can replace the yellow toner cartridge 7y. When the user replaces the yellow toner cartridge 7y, the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8y into the rotary 9 and transitions from the Y replacement state to the stopped state (1602a). When the yellow toner cartridge 7y is replaced, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 changes the Y replacement request stored in the replacement color request storage unit 1421 to "no request" (1602b). The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the information acquisition control unit 1422 to acquire the cartridge information 1500 of the replaced yellow toner cartridge 7y (1602c).

[0071] When the information acquisition control unit 1422 receives an instruction from the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to acquire cartridge information 1500 for the yellow toner cartridge 7y, it transitions from the stopped state to the state of acquiring information for the yellow toner cartridge 7y. Hereafter, the state of acquiring information for the yellow toner cartridge 7y will be referred to as acquiring Y information. The state of acquiring information for the magenta toner cartridge 7m will be referred to as acquiring M information, the state of acquiring information for the cyan toner cartridge 7c will be referred to as acquiring C information, and the state of acquiring information for the black toner cartridge 7k will be referred to as acquiring K information. The information acquisition control unit 1422 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the Y memory access position (1602f). From 1602f to 1603f, which will be described later, the rotary 9 rotates in the rotation direction Ra from the Y exchange position towards the Y memory access position.

[0072] When the rotary 9 reaches the Y memory access position (1603f), the information acquisition control unit 1422 accesses memory 60y via the memory communication control unit 1430. When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information 1500 (1604c), it transitions from the Y information acquisition state to the stopped state. When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information 1500, the toner cartridge control unit 1412, via the replenishment determination unit 1424, determines whether it is OK to replenish the toner from the replaced yellow toner cartridge 7y to the developing unit 5y. When the replenishment determination unit 1424 determines from the color information 1510 that it is OK to replenish the toner from the yellow toner cartridge 7y to the developing unit 5y, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 controls as follows: That is, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 saves the image formation condition acquisition request for the yellow toner cartridge 7y (hereinafter referred to as the Y acquisition request) to the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 (1604d). Furthermore, the request to acquire the image formation conditions for the magenta toner cartridge 7m is referred to as an M acquisition request, the request to acquire the image formation conditions for the cyan toner cartridge 7c is referred to as a C acquisition request, and the request to acquire the image formation conditions for the black toner cartridge 7k is referred to as a K acquisition request. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to acquire the image formation conditions 1501 for the yellow toner cartridge 7y (1604e).

[0073] When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 receives an instruction from the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to acquire the image formation condition 1501 for the yellow toner cartridge 7y, it transitions from the stopped state to the state of acquiring the image formation condition for the yellow toner cartridge 7y. Hereafter, the state of acquiring the image formation condition for the yellow toner cartridge 7y will be referred to as "acquiring the Y image condition." The state of acquiring the image formation condition for the magenta toner cartridge 7m will be referred to as "acquiring the M image condition," the state of acquiring the image formation condition for the cyan toner cartridge 7c will be referred to as "acquiring the C image condition," and the state of acquiring the image formation condition for the black toner cartridge 7k will be referred to as "acquiring the K image condition." The condition acquisition control unit 1423 accesses memory 60y via the memory communication control unit 1430. When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 acquires the image formation condition 1501 (1605e), it transitions from the "acquiring the Y image condition" state to the stopped state.

[0074] When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 acquires the image formation conditions 1501 for the yellow toner cartridge 7y, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 sets the Y acquisition request in the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 to none (1605d). Finally, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the home position (1605f). From 1605f to 1606f (described later), the rotary 9 rotates in the rotation direction Ra from the Y memory access position toward the home position. When the position of the rotary 9 moves from the Y memory access position toward the home position, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 completes the toner cartridge replacement (1606f).

[0075] (When replacing multiple toner cartridges) Next, Figure 16 will be explained. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 receives instructions from the video interface unit 1410 to replace the yellow toner cartridge 7y and the cyan toner cartridge 7c. As a result, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 first instructs the replacement control unit 1420 to replace the yellow toner cartridge 7y (1610a). The toner cartridge control unit 1412 saves the Y replacement request and the C replacement request to the replacement color request storage unit 1421 (1610b). This state can be described as a state in which the installation of the new toner cartridge 7y and the new toner cartridge 7c into the rotary body 90 is permitted.

[0076] When the replacement control unit 1420 is instructed to replace the yellow toner cartridge 7y, it transitions from the stopped state to the Y replacement state and instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the Y replacement position (1610f). From 1610f to 1611f (described later), the rotary 9 rotates in the rotation direction Ra from the home position toward the Y replacement position. When the rotary position reaches the Y replacement position (1611f), the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8y to a position where the user can replace the yellow toner cartridge 7y. When the user replaces the yellow toner cartridge 7y, the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8y into the rotary 9 and transitions from the Y replacement state to the stopped state (1612a). When the yellow toner cartridge 7y is replaced, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 changes the Y replacement request stored in the replacement color request storage unit 1421 to no request (leaving only the C replacement request) (1612b).

[0077] The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the information acquisition control unit 1422 to acquire cartridge information 1500 for the replaced yellow toner cartridge 7y (1612c). When the information acquisition control unit 1422 receives instructions from the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to acquire cartridge information 1500 for the yellow toner cartridge 7y, it controls as follows: The information acquisition control unit 1422 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the Y memory access position (1612f). From 1612f to 1613f, which will be described later, the rotary 9 rotates in the rotation direction Ra from the Y replacement position towards the Y memory access position.

[0078] When the rotary 9 reaches the Y memory access position (1613f), the information acquisition control unit 1422 accesses memory 60y via the memory communication control unit 1430. When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information 1500 (1614c), the toner cartridge control unit 1412 checks with the replenishment determination unit 1424 to see if it is OK to replenish the toner from the replaced yellow toner cartridge 7y to the developing unit 5y. When the replenishment determination unit 1424 determines from the color information 1510 that it is OK to replenish the toner from the yellow toner cartridge 7y to the developing unit 5y, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 saves the Y acquisition request to the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 (1614d). The toner cartridge control unit 1412 checks with the replacement color request storage unit 1421 to see if there are any subsequent replacement requests.

[0079] The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the replacement control unit 1420 to replace the cyan toner cartridge 7c because a replacement request for C is stored in the replacement color request storage unit 1421 (1614a). When the replacement control unit 1420 is instructed to replace the cyan toner cartridge 7c, it transitions from the stopped state to the C replacement state. The replacement control unit 1420 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 from the Y memory access position to the C replacement position (1614f). From 1614f to 1615f (described later), the rotary 9 rotates in the rotational direction Ra from the Y memory access position to the C replacement position.

[0080] Figure 16 shows an example of the toner cartridge control unit 1412 performing a first replacement preparation operation, a first reading operation, and a second replacement preparation operation when it receives a request to replace the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge. Here, 1610f to 1611f is an example of the first replacement preparation operation (replacement preparation operation) in which the drive source positions the rotary to the first replacement position. 1612cf to 1614c is an example of the first reading operation in which the reading unit reads a portion of the information stored in the first storage unit of the first toner cartridge mounted on the rotary. 1614f to 1615f is an example of the second replacement preparation operation (replacement preparation operation) in which the drive source positions the rotary to the second replacement position. The direction of rotation of the rotary when moving from the first reading position to the second replacement position may be opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotary when moving from the first replacement position to the first reading position.

[0081] Note that while Figure 16 illustrates an example where the memory access position is different from the exchange position, the system is not limited to this. If the reading unit 61 is positioned to access the memory 60 when the rotary 9 is in the exchange position, in other words, it may not be necessary to rotate the rotary 9 from the exchange position to the memory access position. For example, in the case of non-contact memory, the memory and the reading unit do not need to face each other. In this case, the memory access position may be the same as the exchange position.

[0082] Furthermore, the color information 1510 of the cartridge information 1500 is an example of information regarding the type of the first toner cartridge read in the first reading operation. The toner cartridge control unit 1412, based on the replenishment determination unit 1424, performs a second replacement preparation operation if the type of the first toner cartridge matches a predetermined type, and performs a first replacement preparation operation if the type of the first toner cartridge is different from the predetermined type.

[0083] Furthermore, the information read in the first reading operation is not limited to the color information 1510 described above. For example, the information is not limited to color information 1510, but may also be information regarding the toner formulation (toner components, characteristics).

[0084] Figure 16 also shows an example of the toner cartridge control unit 1412 performing a second reading operation when it receives a request to replace the first toner cartridge with the second toner cartridge. Here, lines 1616c to 1618c show an example of the second reading operation, in which at least a portion of the information stored in the second storage unit of the second toner cartridge mounted on the rotary is read via the reading unit 61 after the second replacement preparation operation.

[0085] When the rotary position reaches the C replacement position (1615f), the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8c to a position where the user can replace the cyan toner cartridge 7c. When the user replaces the cyan toner cartridge 7c, the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8c into the rotary 9 and transitions from the C replacement state to the stopped state (1616a). When the cyan toner cartridge 7c is replaced, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 changes the C replacement request stored in the replacement color request storage unit 1421 to no request (1616b). The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the information acquisition control unit 1422 to acquire the cartridge information 1500 of the replaced cyan toner cartridge 7c (1616c). When the information acquisition control unit 1422 is instructed by the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to acquire the cartridge information 1500 of the cyan toner cartridge 7c, it transitions from the stopped state to the C information acquisition state. The information acquisition control unit 1422 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the C memory access position (1616f). Rotary 9 rotates in the rotational direction Ra from the C exchange position towards the C memory access position between 1616f and 1617f, which will be described later.

[0086] When the rotary 9 reaches the C memory access position (1617f), the information acquisition control unit 1422 accesses memory 60c via the memory communication control unit 1430. When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information 1500 (1618c), it transitions from the C information acquisition in progress state to the stopped state. When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information 1500, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines whether it is OK to replenish the toner from the replaced cyan toner cartridge 7c to the developing unit 5c using the replenishment determination unit 1424. When the replenishment determination unit 1424 determines from the color information 1510 that it is OK to replenish the toner from the cyan toner cartridge 7c to the developing unit 5c, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 saves the C acquisition request to the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 (1618d). At the timing of 1618d, the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 also has the Y acquisition request saved.

[0087] The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to acquire the image formation conditions 1501 for the cyan toner cartridge 7c (1618e). When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 receives an instruction from the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to acquire the image formation conditions 1501 for the cyan toner cartridge 7c, it transitions from the stopped state to the C image condition acquisition state. The condition acquisition control unit 1423 accesses the memory 60c via the memory communication control unit 1430. When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 acquires the image formation conditions 1501 (1619e), it transitions from the C image condition acquisition state to the stopped state.

[0088] When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 acquires the image formation conditions 1501 for the cyan toner cartridge 7c, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 sets the C acquisition request in the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 to none (only the Y acquisition request is made) (1619d). The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to acquire the image formation conditions 1501 for the yellow toner cartridge 7y (1619e'). When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 is instructed by the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to acquire the image formation conditions 1501 for the yellow toner cartridge 7y, it transitions from the stopped state to the Y image condition acquisition state. The condition acquisition control unit 1423 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the Y memory access position (1619f). Rotary 9 rotates in the direction Ra (or direction Rb) from the C memory access position towards the Y memory access position between 1619f and 1620f, as described later.

[0089] When the position of the rotary 9 reaches the Y memory access position, the condition acquisition control unit 1423 accesses the memory 60 via the memory communication control unit 1430 (1620f). When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 acquires the image formation condition 1501 (1621e), it transitions from the Y image condition acquisition state to the stopped state.

[0090] Figure 16 shows an example of the toner cartridge control unit 1412 performing a third reading operation when it receives a request to replace the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge. Lines 1619e' to 1621e show an example of a third reading operation (first additional reading operation) in which the reading unit reads information different from the information read in the first reading operation from the first storage unit after the first reading operation and the second replacement preparation operation, and before the image forming operation is performed. In other words, the engine control unit 1403 is configured to read the cartridge information 1500 and the image forming condition information 1501 before the image forming operation is performed.

[0091] When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 acquires the image formation conditions for the yellow toner cartridge 7y, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 sets the Y acquisition request in the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 to "no request" (1621d). Finally, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the home position (1621f). From 1621f to 1622f (described later), the rotary 9 rotates in the rotation direction Ra (or rotation direction Rb) from the Y memory access position towards the home position. When the position of the rotary 9 moves from the Y memory access position to the home position, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 completes the toner cartridge replacement (1622f).

[0092] Figure 16 illustrates the process when replacing two toner cartridges, 7y and 7c, but the process is similar when replacing three or more toner cartridges. In other words, after some information is read from the memory of one toner cartridge, the replacement control for the next toner cartridge is executed. This operation is repeated until the replacement control for the last toner cartridge is executed. After the last toner cartridge is replaced, the remaining information is read from the memory of each toner cartridge. Note that, as in the case of toner cartridge 7c in Figure 16, all the information of the last toner cartridge to be replaced may be read. In that case, after all the information of the last toner cartridge to be replaced has been read, the remaining information is read from the memory of the other toner cartridges.

[0093] Furthermore, the above control can also be described as follows: When the toner cartridge control unit 1412 receives a request to replace the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 performs a first replacement preparation operation. After the first replacement preparation operation, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 performs a first reading preparation operation, and after the first reading preparation operation, it performs a second replacement preparation operation. Moreover, it can also be said that the toner cartridge control unit 1412 performs a second reading preparation operation and a first reading preparation operation after the second replacement preparation operation and before the image forming operation. Here, according to Figure 16, 1612f to 1613f are examples of the first reading preparation operation in which the rotary is positioned at the first reading position by the drive source. 1616f to 1617f are examples of the second reading preparation operation in which the rotary is positioned at the second reading position.

[0094] (Explanation of the flowchart for Example 1) Figure 17 is a flowchart for replacing the toner cartridge in Example 1. The flowchart in Figure 17 is for replacing toner cartridge 7, which the user has requested to be replaced.

[0095] In step (hereinafter referred to as S), step 1700, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines whether or not it has received a request to replace the toner cartridge 7. In step S1700, if the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that it has not received a request to replace the toner cartridge 7, it returns to step S1700; if it determines that it has received a request, it proceeds to step S1701. In step S1701, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 saves the requested replacement request for the toner cartridge 7 to the replacement color request storage unit 1421. At this time, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 saves all toner cartridge 7 replacement requests requested from the video interface unit 1410.

[0096] In S1702, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 selects the toner cartridge 7 to be replaced. In Embodiment 1, the system checks for replacement requests for the toner cartridges 7 in the following order: yellow toner cartridge 7y, magenta toner cartridge 7m, cyan toner cartridge 7c, and black toner cartridge 7k. As shown in the timing chart in Figure 16, if there is a replacement request for both the yellow toner cartridge 7y and the cyan toner cartridge 7c, the yellow toner cartridge 7y is replaced first, followed by the cyan toner cartridge 7c.

[0097] In S1703, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the replacement control unit 1420 to perform replacement control for the selected toner cartridge 7. To perform replacement control for the toner cartridge 7, the replacement control unit 1420 rotates the rotary 9 to the replacement position for the toner cartridge 7 and slides the tray 8 to a position where the user can replace the toner cartridge 7. When the user replaces the toner cartridge 7, the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8 back into the rotary 9.

[0098] In S1704, when the toner cartridge 7 is replaced, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 changes the replacement request for the replaced toner cartridge 7 from the replacement color request storage unit 1421 to no longer require replacement. In S1705, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 reads the cartridge information of the replaced toner cartridge 7 using the information acquisition control unit 1422. After rotating the rotary 9 to the memory access position of the cartridge 7, the information acquisition control unit 1422 accesses the memory 60 of the toner cartridge 7 using the memory communication control unit 1430 and reads the cartridge information 1500 according to the memory map in Figure 12.

[0099] In S1706, once the toner cartridge control unit 1412 has finished acquiring the cartridge information 1500 of the replaced toner cartridge 7, the replenishment determination unit 1424 determines (confirms) whether it is possible to replenish to the developing unit 5. For example, the replenishment determination unit 1424 determines whether it is possible to replenish based on whether the toner is the same color as the developing unit 5 to be replenished. In S1706, if the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that it is possible to replenish based on the replenishment determination unit 1424, the process proceeds to S1707. As a result, after the first reading operation, the replenishment of toner from the first toner cartridge to the first developing unit begins. As described above, when the rotary 9 rotates beyond the angle α, toner is replenished from the toner cartridge 7 to the developing unit 5.

[0100] In S1707, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 stores the image formation condition acquisition request (hereinafter referred to as the acquisition request) for the replaced toner cartridge 7 in the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425. In S1708, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines whether or not there is a replacement request in the replacement color request storage unit 1421. In S1708, if the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that there is a replacement request, it returns to processing in S1702. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 repeats toner cartridge replacement control, reading of cartridge information 1500, and replenishment determination until there are no more replacement requests in the replacement color request storage unit 1421.

[0101] If the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines in S1708 that there are no further replacement requests, it proceeds to S1709. In S1709, once all toner cartridges 7 requested by the user have been replaced, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 selects a toner cartridge 7 from which to obtain the image forming conditions 1501.

[0102] The method for selecting a toner cartridge in S1709 is as follows: First, the toner cartridge 7 from which the cartridge information 1500 was last read is selected. This is because the position of the rotary 9 is the memory access position of the toner cartridge 7 from which the cartridge information 1500 was last read (see Figure 16 1617f). This allows the image formation conditions 1501 to be acquired without rotating the position of the rotary 9. Next, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 confirms the acquisition request with the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 in the order of yellow toner cartridge 7y, magenta toner cartridge 7m, cyan toner cartridge 7c, and black toner cartridge 7k.

[0103] In S1710, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 selects a toner cartridge 7 from which to acquire the image formation conditions 1501, and instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to acquire the image formation conditions 1501 for the selected toner cartridge 7. If the position of the rotary 9 is not the memory access position of cartridge 7, the condition acquisition control unit 1423 rotates the rotary 9 to the memory access position of cartridge 7. Subsequently, the condition acquisition control unit 1423, with the help of the memory communication control unit 1430, accesses the memory 60 of the toner cartridge 7 and reads out the image formation conditions 1501 according to the memory map in Figure 12.

[0104] In S1711, when the condition acquisition control unit 1423 acquires the image formation conditions 1501, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 sets the acquisition request for the selected toner cartridge 7 from the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 to "no request". In S1712, the toner cartridge control unit determines whether or not there are any acquisition requests in the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425. In S1702, if the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that there are acquisition requests in the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425, it returns to processing S1709 and repeats the processing from S1709 onwards until there are no more acquisition requests. In S1712, if the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that there are no acquisition requests, it proceeds to processing S1713. In S1713, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that the acquisition of image formation conditions 1501 for all replaced toner cartridges 7 is complete, and rotates the rotary 9 to the home position to end processing. Then, the engine control unit 1403 takes a state where it is possible to execute the image formation operation (print ready state).

[0105] In S1706, if the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that it is not possible to replenish the developing unit 5 to be replenished by the replenishment determination unit 1424, the process proceeds to S1720. In S1702, the replacement control unit 1420 rotates the rotary 9 in the rotation direction Rb to return it from the memory access position to the replacement position, ejects the replaced toner cartridge 7 from the image forming apparatus, and ends the process.

[0106] As explained above, when a user wants to replace multiple toner cartridges, the image forming apparatus retrieves some information from the cartridge memory of the replaced toner cartridge in order to prioritize the user's toner cartridge replacement. This reduces the waiting time for the user's toner cartridge replacement operation compared to when all information is retrieved from the cartridge memory of the replaced toner cartridge before the control for the next toner cartridge is executed. In this embodiment, color information is an example of such some information. Based on the retrieved information, the image forming apparatus determines whether the toner from the replaced toner cartridge can be supplied to the developing unit. If the image forming apparatus determines that the toner from the replaced toner cartridge can be supplied to the developing unit, it performs the control for the next toner cartridge replacement. Once all toner cartridge replacements are complete, the image forming apparatus reads the image forming conditions sequentially from the cartridge memory of the replaced toner cartridges. This prevents toner cartridges from being installed in the wrong developing unit while reducing the waiting time for the user's toner cartridge replacement operation.

[0107] In Example 1, a configuration was described in which the operation unit 1401 instructs the replacement of the toner cartridge. However, a configuration in which the instruction is given from the host computer 1402 or from a mobile terminal such as a smartphone via wireless communication may also be adopted.

[0108] In Embodiment 1, the replenishment determination unit 1424 determined whether or not to perform toner replenishment based on the color information 1510, but this is not limited to this. For example, the toner cartridge 7 may have a unique number, and the replenishment determination unit 1424 may confirm that the image forming apparatus and the toner cartridge 7 are the correct combination by checking that number. In other words, the information read as the first information may include information regarding the authentication of the toner cartridge 7. If the type of toner cartridge 7 is different from a predetermined type, in other words, if the combination of the image forming apparatus and the toner cartridge 7 is different from a predetermined combination, information regarding the decision on whether or not to perform the second replacement preparation operation may be displayed on the operation unit 1401. If the user selects to perform the second replacement preparation operation, the execution of the second replacement preparation operation may be permitted. The operation unit 1401 is an example of a display unit that displays information regarding the decision on whether or not to perform the second replacement preparation operation. Other examples of display units include peripheral devices connected to the printer body 1, such as a personal computer or a mobile terminal.

[0109] In Example 1, the information from the image formation conditions 1501 was not required for the replenishment determination unit 1424 to make a replenishment determination. However, the information from the image formation conditions 1501 may be used for the replenishment determination unit 1424 to make a replenishment determination.

[0110] The information read by the information acquisition control unit 1422 and the information read by the condition acquisition control unit 1423 can be defined for each toner cartridge 7.

[0111] In Example 1, the configuration described was that the image forming conditions 1501 were read after all the toner cartridges 7 that were requested to be replaced had been replaced. However, the information read after all the toner cartridges 7 have been replaced is not limited to this.

[0112] In Example 1, when a user requests the replacement of multiple toner cartridges 7, the system is configured to replace them in the following order: yellow toner cartridge 7y, magenta toner cartridge 7m, cyan toner cartridge 7c, and black toner cartridge 7k. However, the system is not limited to this configuration. The toner cartridges 7 may be replaced in the order that minimizes the time required to rotate the rotary 9 to the replacement position of the requested toner cartridge 7.

[0113] In Example 1, the image forming conditions 1501 were first read from the toner cartridge 7 from which the cartridge information 1500 was last read. Subsequently, the process was described in the order of yellow toner cartridge 7y, magenta toner cartridge 7m, cyan toner cartridge 7c, and black toner cartridge 7k, but this is not limited to this configuration. The image forming conditions 1501 may be read in an order that minimizes the time required to rotate the rotary 9 to the memory access position of the toner cartridge 7 in order to read the image forming conditions 1501.

[0114] As described above, according to Example 1, when multiple toner cartridges are replaced, the time between replacing one toner cartridge and being allowed to replace another toner cartridge can be shortened. [Examples]

[0115] Example 1 describes a case where a user requests the replacement of one or more toner cartridges at the same time. Example 2 describes a case where a user requests a toner cartridge replacement while the printer unit 1 is reading the image formation conditions 1501 of the replaced toner cartridge 7. The printer unit 1 interrupts the reading of the image formation conditions 1501 in order to prioritize the toner cartridge replacement newly requested by the user. The printer body 1 resumes reading the interrupted image formation conditions 1501 after the replacement of the newly requested toner cartridge 7 has been completed. Only the parts of the configuration of Embodiment 2 that differ from the configuration described in Embodiment 1 will be described. Embodiment 2 is an example in which, when a request to replace the third toner cartridge is received during the execution of the third reading operation (image formation condition reading operation), the third reading operation is interrupted and a third replacement preparation operation is performed in which the drive unit positions the rotary to the third replacement position. Here, the third replacement position is the position for the newly requested toner cartridge 7, and is the position in which the rotary 9 rotates and the toner cartridge 7 can be mounted to the developing unit 5 through the opening 16a.

[0116] (Block diagram of Example 2) Figure 18 is a block diagram of Embodiment 2. Only the differences from Figure 14 will be explained. When the toner cartridge control unit 1412 receives a toner cartridge replacement instruction from the video interface unit 1410 while the condition acquisition control unit 1423 is reading the image formation conditions 1501, it performs the following control. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 stores the replacement request for the toner cartridge 7 that has been instructed to be replaced in the replacement color request storage unit 1421 and instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to interrupt the reading of the image formation conditions 1501. Embodiment 2 includes a read area storage unit 1800 (hereinafter referred to as the area storage unit 1800) so that the condition acquisition control unit 1423 can resume reading the image formation conditions 1501 from the interrupted area. The area storage unit 1800 is a storage means for storing the area from which the reading of the image formation conditions 1501 will be resumed when the condition acquisition control unit 1423 interrupts the reading of the image formation conditions 1501 from the memory 60. For example, if the condition acquisition control unit 1423 has finished reading up to the charging setting 1520 in Figure 12, the information that has been read up to the charging setting 1520 (or the information to resume from the development setting 1521) is stored in the area storage unit 1800. The area storage unit 1800 has areas corresponding to each toner color. In Embodiment 2, the printer body 1 has a four-color configuration consisting of toner cartridges 7y, 7m, 7c, and 7k. Therefore, the area storage unit 1800 has areas for four colors.

[0117] (Explanation of the timing chart for Example 2) Figure 19 is a timing chart for when the printer unit 1 requests further cartridge replacement while reading image formation conditions 1501 from memory 60. An example is shown where the user requests replacement of the yellow toner cartridge 7y, and then subsequently requests replacement of the magenta toner cartridge 7m.

[0118] Only the differences in Figure 15 will be explained. Figures 19(a) to (f) are the same as Figures 15(a) to (f). 1600 to 1603 and 1900 to 1920 indicate the respective timings. Regarding the area storage unit 1800, only the area of ​​the yellow toner cartridge 7y relevant to the timing chart will be explained. Note that 1900c and 1604c, 1900d and 1604d, and 1900e and 1604e are only different in number, so their explanations will be omitted. In Figure 19, (g) indicates the information stored in the area assigned to the yellow toner cartridge 7y within the area storage unit 1800.

[0119] As explained in Figure 15, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 acquires cartridge information 1500 via the information acquisition control unit 1422 after the user replaces the toner cartridge 7 (1602a) (1900c). Based on the color information 1510 of the acquired cartridge information 1500, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that the replenishment determination unit 1424 can replenish the toner, and then controls as follows: The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to initialize the area storage unit 1800 of the yellow toner cartridge 7y (1900g). The condition acquisition control unit 1423 sets the area storage unit 1800 of the toner cartridge 7y to an initial value indicating that the image formation condition 1501 has not been acquired. Note that the area storage unit 1800 is in an undefined state before the initial value is saved. Subsequently, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to acquire the image formation conditions 1501 for the yellow toner cartridge 7y (1900e).

[0120] While the toner cartridge control unit 1412 is acquiring the image formation conditions 1501 for the toner cartridge 7y, it receives a magenta toner cartridge replacement instruction from the video interface unit 1410. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 saves the M replacement request to the replacement color request storage unit 1421 (1901c) and instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to interrupt the reading of the image formation conditions 1501 from the yellow toner cartridge 7y (1901e). Upon receiving the reading interruption instruction, the condition acquisition control unit 1423 saves the last read area information to the area storage unit 1800 of the toner cartridge 7y once it has finished acquiring the area being read from the memory 60y of the yellow toner cartridge 7y. The condition acquisition control unit 1423 interrupts the reading of the image formation conditions 1501 from the yellow toner cartridge 7y (1902e). When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 interrupts the reading of the image formation conditions 1501, it transitions from the Y image condition acquisition in progress state to the stopped state.

[0121] In the example shown in Figure 19, the condition acquisition control unit 1423 saves the fact that it has read up to the charging setting in the area storage unit 1800 of the yellow toner cartridge 7y, because the last area read was the charging setting 1520 of the image formation condition 1501 (1902g). When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 interrupts reading the image formation condition 1501, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the replacement control unit 1420 to replace the magenta toner cartridge 7m (1902a). When the replacement control unit 1420 is instructed to replace the magenta toner cartridge, it transitions from the stopped state to the M replacement state and instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the M replacement position (1902f). The rotary 9 rotates from 1902f to 1903f, which will be described later.

[0122] When the rotary 9 is in the M replacement position (1903f), the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8m to a position where the user can replace the magenta toner cartridge 7m. When the user replaces the toner cartridge 7m, the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8m into the rotary 9 and transitions from the M replacement state to the stopped state (1904a). When the magenta toner cartridge 7m is replaced, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 changes the M replacement request stored in the replacement color request storage unit 1421 to "no request" (1904b). The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the information acquisition control unit 1422 to acquire the cartridge information 1500 of the replaced magenta toner cartridge 7m (1904c). When the information acquisition control unit 1422 is instructed by the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to acquire the cartridge information 1500 of the magenta toner cartridge 7m, it controls as follows. In other words, the information acquisition control unit 1422 transitions from the stopped state to the M information acquisition state and instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the M memory access position (1904f). The rotary 9 rotates from 1904f to 1905f, which will be described later.

[0123] When the rotary 9 reaches the M memory access position (1905f), the information acquisition control unit 1422 uses the memory communication control unit 1430 to access memory 60m. When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information 1500 (1906c), it transitions from the M information acquisition in progress state to the stopped state. When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information 1500, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 uses the replenishment determination unit 1424 to determine whether it is OK to replenish the toner from the replaced magenta toner cartridge 7m to the developing unit 5m. When the replenishment determination unit 1424 determines from the color information 1510 that it is OK to replenish the toner from the magenta toner cartridge 7m to the developing unit 5m, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 saves the M acquisition request to the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 (1906d). At this time, the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 also still has the Y acquisition request saved.

[0124] The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to acquire the image formation conditions 1501 for the magenta toner cartridge 7m (1906e). When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 receives an instruction from the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to acquire the image formation conditions 1501 for the magenta toner cartridge 7m, it transitions from the stopped state to the M image condition acquisition state, and the memory communication control unit 1430 accesses the memory 60m. When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 acquires the image formation conditions 1501 (1907e), it transitions from the M image condition acquisition state to the stopped state. At this time, the Y image formation condition acquisition state remains active.

[0125] When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 acquires the image formation conditions 1501 for the magenta toner cartridge 7m, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 sets the M acquisition request in the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 to none and leaves only the Y acquisition request (1907d). The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to acquire the interrupted image formation conditions 1501 for the yellow toner cartridge 7y (1907e'). When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 is instructed by the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to resume acquiring the image formation conditions 1501 for the yellow toner cartridge 7y, it transitions from the stopped state to the Y image condition acquisition state. The condition acquisition control unit 1423 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the Y memory access position (1907f). The rotary 9 rotates from 1907f to 1908f, which will be described later.

[0126] When the rotary 9 reaches the Y memory access position (1908f), the condition acquisition control unit 1423 accesses memory 60 via the memory communication control unit 1430. The condition acquisition control unit 1423 resumes acquiring image formation conditions 1501 from the development setting 1521, which is the next area after the charging setting 1520 stored in the area storage unit 1800 of the yellow toner cartridge 7y (1907g). The condition acquisition control unit 1423 reads out all the remaining image formation conditions 1501 of the toner cartridge 7y (up to the primary transfer setting 1522 in Figure 12). The condition acquisition control unit 1423 saves in the area storage unit 1800 of the toner cartridge 7y that all (for example, up to the primary transfer setting 1522) has been read (1909g). The condition acquisition control unit 1423 completes the reading of image formation conditions 1501.

[0127] When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 acquires the image formation condition 1501 (1909e), it transitions from the Y image condition acquisition in progress state to the stopped state. When the condition acquisition control unit 1423 reads the image formation condition 1501 for the yellow toner cartridge 7y, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 sets the Y acquisition request in the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 to no request (1909d). Finally, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the home position (1909f). The rotary 9 rotates from 1909f until 1910f, which will be described later. When the rotary 9 moves from the Y memory access position to the home position, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 completes the toner cartridge replacement (1910f).

[0128] (Explanation of the flowchart in Example 2) Figure 20 is a flowchart of the toner cartridge replacement process in Example 2. In the flowchart of Figure 20, the same steps as in Figure 17 are given the same step numbers and their explanations are omitted, with only the differences from Figure 17 being explained. The flowchart of Figure 20 describes the case where the user requests to replace a toner cartridge again while the image formation conditions 1501 of the replaced toner cartridge 7 are being acquired.

[0129] If the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines, based on the judgment result of the replenishment determination unit 1424, that the replaced toner cartridge 7 is refillable (S1706 Y), it proceeds to S2000. In S2000, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to initialize the area of ​​the area storage unit 1800 corresponding to the color of the replaced toner cartridge 7. The condition acquisition control unit 1423 initializes the area of ​​the area storage unit 1800 corresponding to the instructed color.

[0130] After selecting the toner cartridge 7 that acquires the image formation conditions 1501 (S1709), the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines in S2001 whether or not a toner cartridge replacement request has been received. If the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines in S2001 that a toner cartridge replacement request has been received, it returns to processing in S1701. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 saves the replacement request for the requested toner cartridge in the replacement color request storage unit 1421 (S1701) and selects the toner cartridge to be replaced (S1702). The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the replacement control unit 1420 to replace the selected toner cartridge 7 (S1703), enabling the user to replace the toner cartridge 7.

[0131] If the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines in S2001 that it has not received a toner cartridge replacement request, it proceeds to S2002. In S2002, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the condition acquisition control unit 1423 to acquire the image formation conditions 1501 for the selected toner cartridge 7. The condition acquisition control unit 1423 reads from the next area stored in the area storage unit 1800. If the area storage unit 1800 is at its initial value, the condition acquisition control unit 1423 reads the image formation conditions 1501 from the beginning. In S2003, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 updates the area storage unit 1800. After reading a portion of the image formation conditions 1501, the condition acquisition control unit 1423 updates the area storage unit 1800.

[0132] In S2004, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines whether there are any image formation conditions 1501 that have not been read by the condition acquisition control unit 1423. If the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines in S2004 that not all of the image formation conditions 1501 have been read, it returns to S2001 and continues reading the image formation conditions 1501. If a new request to replace the toner cartridge 7 occurs during the loop from S2001 to S2004, the reading of the image formation conditions 1501 is interrupted, and the process returns to S2001 Y and then to S1701.

[0133] In S2004, if the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that the condition acquisition control unit 1423 has finished reading all image formation conditions 1501, it proceeds to S1711. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 sets the acquisition request for the selected toner cartridge 7 from the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 to "no request" (S1711), and checks the condition acquisition request storage unit 1425 to see if there are any acquisition requests (S1712). The process thereafter is as explained in Figure 17.

[0134] As explained above, when the toner cartridge control unit 1412 receives a request from the user to replace a toner cartridge during the third reading operation, it controls the system as follows: The toner cartridge control unit 1412 interrupts the third reading operation and performs a replacement operation and a first reading operation on the toner cartridge that was newly requested to be replaced. After the replacement operation and first reading operation for all toner cartridges, including the newly requested toner cartridge, is completed, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 resumes the third reading operation.

[0135] In other words, if the printer unit 1 requests a new toner cartridge replacement while the image formation conditions 1501 of the replaced toner cartridge 7 are being read, the printer unit 1 controls the system to prioritize the user's toner cartridge replacement. The printer unit 1 interrupts the reading of the image formation conditions 1501 in order to prioritize the replacement of the toner cartridge 7. After that, the printer unit 1 performs cartridge replacement control. Once the cartridge replacement is complete, the printer unit 1 reads the image formation conditions 1501 from the memory 60 of the toner cartridge 7. For the toner cartridge 7 from which the reading of the image formation conditions 1501 was interrupted, the printer unit 1 stores the area that has already been read, thus avoiding the reading of unnecessary image formation conditions (duplicate reading). This prevents the toner cartridge 7 from being installed in the wrong developer unit, even if the user replaces an additional toner cartridge after replacing the first one, while also reducing the waiting time during the user's toner cartridge replacement operation.

[0136] In Example 2, the condition acquisition control unit 1423 was configured to always interrupt the reading of the image formation conditions 1501 when the user requests a toner cartridge replacement while the condition acquisition control unit 1423 is reading them, but this configuration is not limited to that. The condition acquisition control unit 1423 may also be configured to have conditions for whether or not to interrupt the reading of the image formation conditions 1501, and to interrupt the reading of the image formation conditions 1501 only when the conditions are met.

[0137] As described above, according to Example 2, when multiple toner cartridges are replaced, the time between replacing one toner cartridge and being allowed to replace another toner cartridge can be shortened.

[0138] <Variation> In each of the embodiments described above, the operation when the first toner cartridge is installed in the rotary body 90 is shown, with the installation of both the first and second toner cartridges permitted. In other words, the operation when the first toner cartridge is installed is shown, with the installation of the second toner cartridge permitted.

[0139] In all embodiments, after the first information is read from the memory unit of the first toner cartridge, but before the second information is read, the second toner cartridge is prepared for replacement.

[0140] In each embodiment, cartridge information 1500 is an example of first information, and the image forming conditions 1501 information is an example of second information; however, the first and second information are not limited to those described above. For example, the first information may include information regarding the authentication of the toner cartridge.

[0141] Furthermore, when the processing operation based on the first information is referred to as the first processing operation and the processing operation based on the second information is referred to as the second processing operation, the engine control unit 1403 is configured to perform the first and second processing operations before the image forming operation is executed. In addition, the engine control unit 1403 is configured to perform the first processing operation before the preparation operation for replacing the second toner cartridge, and to perform the second processing operation before the preparation operation for replacing the second toner cartridge and the image forming operation are performed. The first processing operation may be shorter than the second processing operation.

[0142] The second processing operation may include one or more transmission operations, in which the engine control unit 1403 transmits information to the storage unit of the first toner cartridge. The second processing operation may also include multiple operations, such as reading information stored in the storage unit of the first toner cartridge and transmitting information (writing operations), in which the engine control unit 1403 transmits information to the storage unit of the first toner cartridge. For example, the second processing operation may include transmitting (writing) authentication data from the engine control unit 1403 to the storage unit of the first toner cartridge and reading return data from the storage unit of the first toner cartridge. In other words, the engine control unit 1403 may perform an authentication operation as the second processing operation, which includes transmitting data to the storage unit of the first toner cartridge and receiving a response from the storage unit of the first toner cartridge. In this case, since the time required for the second processing operation is relatively long, the user's waiting time can be reduced by allowing the replacement of the second toner cartridge before the second processing operation is performed.

[0143] Note that the first processing operation and the second processing operation may be of the same type. For example, the first processing operation may include an authentication operation performed between the first authentication unit and the storage unit of the first toner cartridge, and the second processing operation may include an authentication operation performed between the second authentication unit and the storage unit of the first toner cartridge. In this case, each authentication operation may include the transmission of data from each authentication unit to the storage unit of the first toner cartridge and the reception of a response from the storage unit of the first toner cartridge.

[0144] According to this disclosure, when multiple toner cartridges are replaced, the time between replacing one toner cartridge and allowing the replacement of another toner cartridge can be reduced. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0145] 1. Printer body 2 Photosensitive drum 5. Developing Unit 51 Developing roller 7 Toner Cartridges 60 cartridge memory 61 Cartridge memory reading section 1412 Toner Cartridge Control Unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising a first toner cartridge having a first storage unit and a second toner cartridge that are detachable, and configured to perform an image forming operation to form an image on a recording material, Photosensitive drum and A rotary to which the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge can be attached and detached, comprising: (i) a first developer unit that houses toner supplied from the first toner cartridge and has a first developing roller; and (ii) a second developer unit that houses toner supplied from the second toner cartridge and has a second developing roller, wherein the rotary is rotatable such that the first developing roller and the second developing roller each face the photosensitive drum. The main body, which encloses the aforementioned rotary and has an opening, Reading unit, A drive unit that rotates the rotary so that the rotary takes a first exchange position and a second exchange position, A control unit that controls the drive unit, Equipped with, When the rotary is in the first replacement position, the first toner cartridge is permitted to be installed into the first developer through the opening, and when the rotary is in the second replacement position, the second toner cartridge is permitted to be installed into the second developer through the opening. When the first toner cartridge is mounted on the rotary, the control unit reads the first information and the second information from the first storage unit via the reading unit before the image forming operation is performed. When the first toner cartridge is mounted on the rotary in a state in which mounting of the second toner cartridge on the rotary is permitted, the control unit (i) performs a first reading operation to read the first information, and (ii) after the first reading operation and before the first additional reading operation to read the second information, performs a replacement preparation operation to position the rotary in the second replacement position. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. The second toner cartridge has a second storage unit, The control unit, after the replacement preparation operation, performs a second reading operation to read at least a portion of the information stored in the second storage unit of the second toner cartridge mounted on the rotary via the reading unit. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The rotary has a removable third toner cartridge having a third storage unit, and a third developer having a third developing roller. The drive unit rotates the rotary to take a third replacement position in which the third toner cartridge can be inserted into the third developer through the opening. When the control unit is instructed to install the third toner cartridge while the first additional reading operation is being performed, it interrupts the first additional reading operation and positions the rotary to the third replacement position. The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

4. The control unit reads information regarding the type of the first toner cartridge in the first reading operation, performs the replacement preparation operation if the type matches a predetermined type, and positions the rotary to the first replacement position if the type is different from the predetermined type. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. After the first reading operation, the supply of toner from the first toner cartridge to the first developer unit is initiated. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. When the position of the rotary in which the first reading operation is permitted is defined as the first reading position, The direction in which the rotary rotates after the first reading operation is opposite to the direction in which the rotary rotates when moving from the first exchange position to the first reading position. The image forming apparatus according to feature 5.

7. The rotary includes a first tray from which the first toner cartridge can be attached and detached, and a second tray from which the second toner cartridge can be attached and detached. The control unit performs an operation to move the first tray out of the opening to the outside of the main body, and an operation to move the second tray out of the opening to the outside of the main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. An image forming apparatus configured to perform an image forming operation in which a first toner cartridge having a first storage unit and a second toner cartridge having a second storage unit are detachable, and an image forming apparatus is configured to perform an image forming operation in which an image is formed on a recording material, Photosensitive drum and A rotary to which the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridge can be attached and detached, comprising: (i) a first developer unit that houses toner supplied from the first toner cartridge and has a first developing roller; and (ii) a second developer unit that houses toner supplied from the second toner cartridge and has a second developing roller, wherein the rotary is rotatable such that the first developing roller and the second developing roller each face the photosensitive drum. The main body, which encloses the aforementioned rotary and has an opening, Reading unit, A drive unit that rotates the rotary so that the rotary takes the first exchange position, the second exchange position, the first reading position, and the second reading position, A control unit that controls the drive unit, Equipped with, When the rotary is in the first replacement position, the first toner cartridge is permitted to be installed into the first developer through the opening; when the rotary is in the second replacement position, the second toner cartridge is permitted to be installed into the second developer through the opening; when the rotary is in the first reading position, the reading unit is permitted to read the information stored in the first storage unit; when the rotary is in the second reading position, the reading unit is permitted to read the information stored in the second storage unit. When the first toner cartridge is mounted on the rotary in a state where mounting the second toner cartridge on the rotary is permitted, the control unit performs a first reading preparation operation to position the rotary at a first reading position, and after the first reading preparation operation, performs a replacement preparation operation to position the rotary at a second replacement position, and after the replacement preparation operation and before the image forming operation, performs a second reading preparation operation to position the rotary at a second reading position and the first reading preparation operation. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

9. The control unit reads information regarding the type of the first toner cartridge before the replacement preparation operation, and if the type matches a predetermined type, it performs the replacement preparation operation, and if the type is different from the predetermined type, it positions the rotary to the first replacement position. The image forming apparatus according to feature 8.

10. After the replacement preparation operation, the supply of toner from the first toner cartridge to the first developer unit is started. The image forming apparatus according to feature 8.

11. The direction of rotation of the rotary when moving from the first reading position to the second exchange position is opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotary when moving from the first exchange position to the first reading position. The image forming apparatus according to feature 10.

12. The rotary includes a first tray from which the first toner cartridge can be attached and detached, and a second tray from which the second toner cartridge can be attached and detached. The control unit performs an operation to move the first tray out of the opening to the outside of the main body, and an operation to move the second tray out of the opening to the outside of the main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

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