Image forming device, control method and cartridge

Abstract

An image forming apparatus (1) includes a main housing (10), a box (20, 30) and a controller (80). The box is attachable to the main housing. The box includes a box memory (23, 33) configured to store identification information. The controller (80) is configured to, when the controller receives a cancellation instruction indicating cancellation of a service contract and the identification information stored in the box memory of the box attached to the main housing indicates that the box is a contract box, perform a rewrite process to rewrite the identification information into information indicating that the box is a normal box (S11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a cartridge. Background Art

[0002] In the technology disclosed in patent document PT1, in the case where a user joins a subscription plan for a printer, an ink cartridge or a toner cartridge attached to a printer is delivered to the user on a regular basis. In this case, the subscribed cartridge can be used only in the printer to which the user joins the subscription plan. In contrast, a cartridge for transaction use can be used in both the printer to which the user joins the subscription plan and the printer to which the user does not join the subscription plan.

[0003] [Citation list]

[0004] [Patent Document]

[0005] [PTL1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0131831 Summary of the invention

[0006] [Technical issues]

[0007] According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, in response to a user joining a subscription plan, a cartridge attached to a printer is set as an ink cartridge for subscription. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a technology for a case where the printer receives a cancellation instruction to cancel a subscription plan. In view of the foregoing, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for changing a cartridge for subscription to a cartridge for transaction use in response to a user canceling a service contract (e.g., a subscription plan).

[0008] [Solution to the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above and other purposes, the present disclosure provides an image forming device. The image forming device includes a main housing, a box and a controller. The main housing includes a main memory. The box can be attached to the main housing, and the box includes a box memory, and the box memory is configured to store identification information indicating that the box is a contract box or the box is one of a normal box. The contract box can be used in a contract state in which a service contract of the image forming device is valid and cannot be used in a normal state in which the service contract of the image forming device is invalid. The normal box can be used in a state in which the image forming device is in a contract state and in a state in which the image forming device is in a normal state. The controller is configured to perform: a rewrite process, in which the controller receives a cancellation instruction indicating the cancellation of the service contract, and the identification information stored in the box memory of the box attached to the main housing indicates that the box is a contract box, and the identification information is rewritten to information indicating that the box is a normal box.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the information indicating that the box is a contract box is rewritten by the controller into information indicating that the box is a normal box. Therefore, even after the service contract is canceled, the user can continue to use the box.

[0011] Preferably, the controller is configured to perform a determination process that determines whether the identification information stored in the box memory of the box attached to the main housing indicates whether the box is a contract box or whether the box is a normal box when the controller receives the cancel instruction. When the controller determines in the determination process that the box is a contract box, the controller performs a rewrite process.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the controller can perform the rewriting process on the box determined as the contract box by determining whether the box is the contract box or the normal box.

[0013] Preferably, the controller performs rewriting processing when receiving a continued use instruction instructing continued use of the cartridge in addition to the cancellation instruction. According to the above configuration, the controller can continue to use the cartridge based on the instruction instructing continued use of the cartridge even after the service contract is canceled.

[0014] Preferably, when the controller receives a stop use instruction instructing to stop using the cartridge in addition to the cancel instruction, the controller does not perform the rewrite process. According to the above configuration, after the service contract is canceled, the controller can stop using the cartridge based on the instruction instructing to stop using the cartridge.

[0015] Preferably, the image forming apparatus further comprises a network interface configured to be connected to the server via the network. The controller receives a cancel instruction from the server via the network interface.

[0016] According to the above configuration, in a case where the user instructs the server to cancel the service contract, the controller can continue to use the cartridge in response to receiving a cancellation instruction to cancel the service contract from the server.

[0017] Preferably, the controller is configured to: receive information on the number of unused contract boxes from the server via a network interface, each unused contract box being a contract box and being an unused box; and, in a case where the number of unused boxes is greater than or equal to 1, limit the number of executions of the rewrite process to rewrite the box memory to a prescribed number of times. According to the above structure, by limiting the number of rewrite processes of the box memory, the number of boxes that can be continuously used can be limited.

[0018] According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a control method for controlling an image forming device. The control method includes: receiving a cancellation instruction indicating cancellation of a service contract through the image forming device; and in a case where identification information stored in a box memory of a box attached to the image forming device indicates that the box is a contract box, rewriting the identification information to information indicating that the box is a normal box, the contract box can be used in a contract state in which the service contract of the image forming device is valid and cannot be used in a normal state in which the service contract of the image forming device is invalid, and the normal box can be used in a state in which the image forming device is in the contract state and in a state in which the image forming device is in the normal state.

[0019] According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a box. The box includes a box memory and a box housing. The box memory is configured to store identification information indicating that the box is a contract box and that the box is one of a normal box. The contract box can be used in a contract state in which a service contract of an image forming device is valid and cannot be used in a normal state in which the service contract of the image forming device is invalid. The normal box can be used in a state in which the image forming device is in a contract state and in a state in which the image forming device is in a normal state. The box housing includes a box memory. In response to a cancellation instruction indicating cancellation of a service contract, identification information stored in the box memory of a box attached to the image forming device indicates that the box is a contract box, and the identification information can be rewritten to information indicating that the box is a normal box.

[0020] [Effects of the invention]

[0021] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, even after a user cancels a service contract, the box can continue to be used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus.

[0023] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the attachment of the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge to the Figure 1 A diagram of a main casing of an image forming apparatus is shown.

[0024] Figure 3 It is shown by Figure 1 and Figure 2 Flowchart of the processing procedure performed by the image forming apparatus shown.

[0025] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus. Figure 3 Flow chart of the processing process after the processing process.

[0026] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus. Figure 4 Flow chart of the processing process after the processing process.

[0027] Figure 6 It is shown that the storage Figure 2 A diagram of the main memory information in the main memory shown.

[0028] Figure 7 It is shown that the storage Figure 1 and 2 A diagram of toner storage information in the toner storage is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 30 being attached to the Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 1 , the arrangement direction of the drum cartridge 20 is the X direction, the direction from the transfer belt 40 to the cover 11 in a state where the cover 11 is closed is the Z direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the X direction and the Z direction is the Y direction.

[0031] The image forming device 1 is an electrophotographic printer. For example, the image forming device 1 may be an LED (light emitting diode) printer. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main casing 10 , a cover 11 , a drum cartridge 20 , a toner cartridge 30 , a transfer belt 40 , a light source unit 50 , a communication interface 60 , a network interface 70 , and a controller 80 .

[0032] Configuration of the main housing 10

[0033] The main housing 10 has a substantially rectangular box shape. Four drum cartridges 20, four toner cartridges 30, a transfer belt 70, and a controller 80 are accommodated in the main housing 10. The main housing 10 includes four cartridge holders 12. Each cartridge holder 12 has a concave shape. The drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 30 are attached to the main housing 10 by holding the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 30 by the corresponding cartridge holder 12.

[0034] A display portion such as a liquid crystal display and a lamp and an input portion such as a button may be provided at an outer surface of the main housing 10. The liquid crystal display may include a touch panel to function as the input portion.

[0035] Structure of the cover 11

[0036] The cover 11 opens and closes an opening 10A formed in the upper end of the main housing 10. Figure 1As shown, the cover 11 is pivotally movable about a pivot axis 11A between an open position indicated by a solid line in which the opening 10A is open and a closed position indicated by a two-dot chain line in which the opening 10A is closed. The pivot axis 11A extends in the Y direction.

[0037] When the cover 11 is in the open position, the opening of each cartridge holder 12 is opened. When the cover 11 is in the closed position, the opening of each cartridge holder 12 is covered by the cover 11. An opening sensor (not shown) is provided in the main housing 10 for the opening 10A. A closing sensor can detect that the cover 11 is in the closed position. For example, the closing sensor can be a contact sensor or an optical sensor.

[0038] The drum cartridge 20 is an example of a cartridge, and is attachable to the main casing 10. Each of the drum cartridges 20 includes a cartridge casing 21, a photosensitive drum 22, and a drum memory 23. Each of the cartridge casings 21 is provided with the photosensitive drum 22 and the drum memory 23.

[0039] Each photosensitive drum is a component for image formation, and is a replaceable component that needs to be replaced when the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 deteriorates due to wear and tear during use. Each photosensitive drum 22 is a cylindrical photosensitive body extending in the Y direction and rotatable around a drum axis extending in the Y direction. The outer peripheral surface of each photosensitive drum 22 is coated with a photosensitive material.

[0040] The drum memory 23 is an example of a cartridge memory and is capable of reading and writing information. Each drum memory 23 is a flash ROM (read-only memory) or an EEPROM (registered trademark, electronically erasable programmable read-only memory). Each drum memory 23 stores a drum ID, drum life information, and drum identification information.

[0041] The drum ID is a unique serial number for identifying a single drum cartridge 20. For example, the drum life information includes at least one of the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 22 and the cumulative number of sheets printed using the photosensitive drum 22. The drum cartridge 20 identified by the drum ID calculates the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 22 and the cumulative number of sheets printed using the photosensitive drum 22 by increasing or decreasing the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 22 and the cumulative number of sheets printed using the photosensitive drum 22 each time printing is performed.

[0042] The drum identification information is an example of identification information. The drum identification information indicates one of whether the drum cartridge 20 is a contract cartridge and whether the drum cartridge 20 is a normal cartridge. The contract cartridge can be used in a contract state in which a service contract is valid for the image forming apparatus 1, but cannot be used in a normal state in which a service contract is invalid for the image forming apparatus 1. The normal cartridge can be used in both the contract state and the normal state.

[0043] According to the service contract, the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 30 may be automatically delivered to the user according to each life information stored in the main memory 13 included in the main casing 10, and the user may use these contract cartridges.

[0044] The contract status will be described below by taking one toner cartridge 30 as an example. In the case where the service contract is valid for the image forming apparatus 1, the user is allowed to print a predetermined number of sheets using the toner cartridge 30 at a fixed price every set time period (for example, one month). In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 uses a dedicated counter to count the number of sheets printed using the contract toner cartridge 30 in a state where the contract toner cartridge 30 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1. In the case where the service contract is valid for the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is in the (A) state or the (B) state. In the (A) state, the image forming apparatus 1 can use the contract toner cartridge 30, but the contract toner cartridge 30 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 1. In the (B) state, the image forming apparatus 1 can use the contract toner cartridge 30, and the contract toner cartridge 30 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1. In the (A) state, since the contract toner cartridge 30 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 does not use the dedicated counter to count the number of printed sheets. In the (B) state, since the contract toner cartridge 30 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 , the image forming apparatus 1 counts the number of printed sheets using a dedicated counter.

[0045] In the present disclosure, canceling the service contract means prohibiting the use of the contract toner cartridge 30 in the image forming apparatus 1 and canceling the service contract valid for the image forming apparatus 1 regardless of whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in the (A) state or the (B) state.

[0046] In addition to the drum ID, the drum life information, and the drum identification information, the drum memory 23 may store compatible models of the drum cartridge 20, specifications of the drum cartridge 20, information indicating one of the drum cartridge 20 being unused and the drum cartridge 20 being not unused, and an error history of the drum cartridge 20. The toner memory 33 may also store information corresponding to these pieces of information.

[0047] Structure of Toner Cartridge 30

[0048] The toner cartridge 30 is an example of a cartridge and is attachable to the main housing 10. The toner cartridge 30 is attachable to the drum cartridge 20. In a state where the toner cartridge 30 is attached to the corresponding drum cartridge 20, the toner cartridge 30 and the drum cartridge 20 are attached to the main housing 10 together. Each toner cartridge 30 includes a cartridge housing 31, a developing roller 32, and a toner storage 33. Each cartridge housing 31 includes one developing roller 32 and one toner storage 33. Each cartridge housing 31 accommodates toner.

[0049] The cartridge case 31 contains toners of four different colors (eg, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) as materials for image formation. Each cartridge case 31 contains toner of one color. Toner is consumable and is consumed as it is used.

[0050] Each developing roller 32 is a cylindrical member extending in the Y direction and rotatable about a developing axis extending in the Y direction. With the toner cartridge 30 attached to the corresponding drum cartridge 20 , the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 32 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum 22 .

[0051] Each toner storage 33 is a readable and writable memory and is an example of a cartridge memory. For example, each toner storage 33 is a flash ROM or an EEPROM. For example, each toner storage 33 stores a toner ID, toner life information, and toner identification information as information related to the corresponding toner cartridge 30.

[0052] The toner ID is a unique serial number for identifying the toner cartridge 30. The toner life information includes at least one of the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller 32, the cumulative number of sheets printed using the developing roller 32, and the cumulative number of dots formed using the developing roller 32, for example.

[0053] The toner cartridge 30 identified by the toner ID calculates the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller 32 by increasing or decreasing the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller 32 each time printing is performed. Similarly, the toner cartridge 30 identified by the toner ID calculates the cumulative number of sheets printed using the developing roller 32 and the cumulative number of dots formed using the developing roller 32 by increasing or decreasing the cumulative number of sheets printed using the developing roller 32 and the cumulative number of dots formed using the developing roller 32 each time printing is performed.

[0054] The toner identification information is an example of identification information. The toner identification information indicates one of whether the toner cartridge 30 is a contract cartridge and whether the toner cartridge 30 is a normal cartridge. The contract cartridge and normal cartridge for the toner cartridge 30 have similar meanings to those for the drum cartridge 20.

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, in a state where the cover 11 is positioned at the open position, the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 30 can be attached to the main casing 10. In this state, the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 30 are inserted into the corresponding cartridge holder 12 through the opening 10A.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, the main housing 10 includes connectors 101 and 102. In a state where the drum cartridge 20 is inserted into the corresponding cartridge holder 12, the connector 101 is electrically connected to the corresponding drum memory 23, and the controller 80 of the main housing 10 can communicate with the drum memory 23 of the drum cartridge 20.

[0057] In a state where the toner cartridge 30 is attached to the main casing 10 , the connector 102 is electrically connected to the corresponding toner storage 33 , and the controller 80 of the main casing 10 can communicate with the toner storage 33 of the toner cartridge 30 .

[0058] Structure of the transfer belt 40

[0059] The transfer belt 40 is a component that transfers the toner on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22 to the printing sheet. Since the surface of the transfer belt 40 deteriorates due to wear and tear during use, the transfer belt 40 is a replaceable component to be replaced. The transfer belt 40 has a ring shape that can contact the photosensitive drum 22. The peripheral surface of the transfer belt 40 can contact the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22. When printing, the printing sheet is conveyed between the transfer belt 40 and the photosensitive drum 22.

[0060] The transfer belt 40 is stretched between a driving roller 41 and a driven roller 42. The driving roller 41 drives the transfer belt 40. The controller 80 rotates the driving roller 41. The driven roller 42 rotates following the movement of the transfer belt 40 caused by the driving of the driving roller 41.

[0061] Configuration of the light source unit 50

[0062] Four light source units 50 are attached to the inner surface of the cover 11 and correspond to the corresponding drum cartridges 20. When the drum cartridge 20 is attached to the main casing 10 and the cover 11 is positioned in the closed position, the light source unit 50 faces the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum 22. Each light source unit 50 includes a plurality of light sources. The light sources are arranged in the Y direction and can illuminate the peripheral surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum 22 with light. For example, the light source is an LED.

[0063] The light source unit 50 is electrically connected to the controller 80. The controller 80 controls the light source to irradiate the peripheral surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum 22 with light based on the received image data. Therefore, the photosensitive material on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22 is exposed based on the image data.

[0064] Configuration of the communication interface 60

[0065] A USB cable is connected to the communication interface 60. In the case where the USB cable is connected to the communication interface 60, the controller 80 can receive a print job from the PC (Personal Computer) 2 via the communication interface 60 and the USB cable. A print job is a print instruction transmitted from an external device such as the PC 2 to the controller 80. The controller 80 can also communicate with the PC 2 via the communication interface 60 using wireless communication.

[0066] Configuration of the network interface 70

[0067] The network interface 70 is connected to the server 3 via the network NW. A LAN (Local Area Network) cable is connected to the network interface 70. With the LAN cable connected to the network interface 70, the controller 80 can communicate with the server 3 via the network interface 70, the LAN cable, and the network NW. The network interface 70 can be connected to the network NW using wireless communication.

[0068] A LAN cable is connected to the PC 2. When the LAN cable is connected to the PC 2, the PC 2 can communicate with the server 3 via the LAN cable and the network NW. The PC 2 can also communicate with the server 3 via the network NW using wireless communication. The processing performed by the PC 2 described in this embodiment can be performed by a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone.

[0069] Configuration of the controller 80

[0070] The controller 80 includes, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The controller 80 is electrically connected to the main memory 13 of the main casing 10. The controller 80 performs various processes so that the image forming apparatus 1 performs a print process and other processes associated with the print process.

[0071] The controller 80 may include a processor such as a CPU. In this case, a control program for executing the method of controlling the image forming apparatus 1 may be stored in the main memory 13. The controller 80 may cause the image forming apparatus 1 to perform processing by the processor operating according to the control program.

[0072] The controller 80 may further include a computer-readable storage medium storing a control program. As a storage medium, the controller 80 may include a non-transitory tangible medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit.

[0073] The controller 80 may also include a RAM (Random Access Memory) to expand the control program therein. The control program may be provided to a computer included in the controller 80 via any transmission medium (e.g., a communication network or a broadcast wave) capable of transmitting the control program. Aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, which embodies the control program through electrical transmission.

[0074] like Figure 2 As shown, in a case where the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 30 are attached to the corresponding cartridge holder 12, the drum memory 23 and the toner memory 33 are electrically connected to the controller 80. Therefore, the controller 80 can perform a read process of reading information from the drum memory 23 and the toner memory 33 and a write process of writing information to the drum memory 23 and the toner memory 33.

[0075] The main housing 10 includes a main memory 13. The main memory 13 is a readable and writable memory. For example, the main memory 13 is a flash ROM or an EEPROM. The main memory 13 stores registration information and life information. The registration information includes a drum ID read from each drum memory 23 and a toner ID read from each toner memory 33.

[0076] The life information includes drum life information and toner life information. The drum life information stored in the main memory 13 is the same as the drum life information stored in each drum memory 23. The toner life information stored in the main memory 13 is the same as the toner life information stored in each toner memory 33. The main memory 13 may also include a printer ID. The printer ID is identification information for identifying the image forming apparatus 1, and is, for example, a serial number.

[0077] Figure 3 It is shown by Figure 1 and Figure 2 Flowchart of the processing steps performed by the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 Flowchart of the processing following the processing shown. Figure 5 It is shown Figure 4 Flowchart of the processing following the processing shown.

[0078] Figure 6 Shows the storage Figure 2 Main memory information in the main memory 13 is shown. Figure 7 Shows the storage Figure 1 and 2 Toner storage information in the toner storage 33 is shown.

[0079] By reference Figures 3 to 5 , processing steps including processing related to the toner storage information stored in each toner storage 33 will be described. The processing steps described herein are an example of a control method performed by the controller 80 that controls the image forming apparatus 1. Since the processing related to the information stored in each drum storage 23 is similar to the processing related to the toner storage information stored in each toner storage 33, the description thereof is omitted.

[0080] refer to Figures 3 to 5 , the steps of a process will be described, the process including the process associated with the toner storage information stored in the toner storage 33 of one of the four toner cartridges 30. Since the process associated with the toner storage information of each of the other toner cartridges 30 is similar to the process associated with the toner storage information of the toner cartridge 30 described below, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] The controller 80 starts the processing of the next step S1 in response to the image forming apparatus 1 being turned on or in response to the cover 11 being moved from the open position to the closed position in a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on.

[0082] like Figure 3 As shown, in S1, with the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main housing 10, the controller 80 reads the toner storage information from the toner storage 33. Figure 7 As shown in F4 of FIG. 1 , the type of the toner cartridge 30, the toner ID, the printer ID, and the continuously usable flag are stored in the toner memory 33 as toner memory information. Figure 7 The state of the toner storage 33 shown in F4 indicates the state of the toner storage 33 when the toner cartridge 30 is delivered. When the toner cartridge 30 is manufactured, the type of the toner cartridge 30, the toner ID, and the continuously usable flag are stored in the toner storage 33 in advance.

[0083] The type of the toner cartridge 30 is an example of information indicating that the toner cartridge 30 is a contract cartridge and that the toner cartridge 30 is a normal cartridge. Here, it is assumed that the toner identification information indicates the type of the toner cartridge 30. In the case where the toner cartridge 30 is not used, the toner storage 33 does not store the printer ID but stores information indicating that the toner cartridge 30 is not used. The continuously usable flag indicates that the toner cartridge 30 can be continuously used even after the service contract is canceled.

[0084] The controller 80 transmits the toner storage information stored in the toner storage 33 read in S1 to the server 3. The timing at which the controller 80 transmits the toner storage information to the server 3 is not limited to the timing after the processing of S1 after the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on. When the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, the controller 80 may periodically transmit the toner storage information stored in the toner storage 33 to the server 3.

[0085] like Figure 6 As shown in F1 of the flowchart, the control mode information of the controller 80, the printer ID, the history information, the usage mode information, and the number of unused toner cartridges 30 are stored in the main memory 13 as the main memory information.

[0086] The control mode information indicates one of the controller 80 performing control in the contract state and the controller 80 performing control in the normal state. The printer ID is stored in the main memory 13 in advance when the image forming apparatus 1 is manufactured.

[0087] The history information includes toner IDs stored in the toner memory 33 of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main casing 10. The controller 80 sequentially stores these toner IDs in the main memory 13 as a history.

[0088] The usage mode information indicates one of the image forming apparatus 1 being in the first mode and the image forming apparatus 1 being in the second mode. In the first mode, the image forming apparatus 1 can use an unused contract toner cartridge 30 and can use a contract toner cartridge 30 whose toner ID is stored in the history information. In the second mode, the image forming apparatus 1 cannot use an unused contract toner cartridge 30 but can use a contract toner cartridge 30 whose toner ID is stored in the history information.

[0089] The number of unused toner cartridges 30 indicates the number of unused contract toner cartridges 30 that are delivered to the user but have not yet been attached to the main casing 10 .

[0090] Figure 6 The state of the main memory 13 shown in F1 of FIG. 1 represents a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on in S1 and the image forming apparatus 1 is in a contract state. In other words, in a case where the control mode information indicates the contract state, the image forming apparatus 1 is in a state in which the toner cartridge 30 is attached to the main housing 10. When the image forming apparatus 1 is shipped, the control mode information is set to a normal state in the main memory 13. Once the user signs a service contract for the image forming apparatus 1, the control mode information becomes a contract state.

[0091] In the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the contract state, the controller 80 can perform a rewrite process in which the controller 80 rewrites the type of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main casing 10 from a contract cartridge to a normal cartridge.

[0092] In S2, the controller 80 stores the type and the toner ID of the toner cartridge 30 read from the toner storage 33 in the toner history area of ​​the main memory 13. The toner history area is a storage area of ​​the main memory 13 that stores the type and the toner ID of the toner cartridge 30. After the type and the toner ID of the toner cartridge read from the toner storage 33 are stored in the main memory 13, the controller 80 performs standby control in S3.

[0093] In the case where the controller 80 determines in S4 that the cover 11 is open during the standby control, the controller 80 performs error control in S5. In the case where the controller 80 determines in S4 that the toner storage information cannot be read, the controller 80 may proceed to S5.

[0094] As error control, for example, the controller 80 may display information that the cover 11 is open on the display portion. In the case where the cover 11 is moved from the open position to the closed position, that is, in the case where the error cause is resolved, the controller 80 returns to S1. In the case where the controller 80 determines that the cover 11 is closed, the controller 80 does not perform the error control of S5.

[0095] In the case where the controller 80 receives a print job from the PC 2 during the standby control and starts printing in S4, the controller 80 performs print control in S6. Since the print control has no direct relation to the essence of the present disclosure, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0096] After the print control is performed by the controller 80, the controller 80 sequentially proceeds to the process of S3. In the case where the controller 80 has not received a print job from the PC 2, the controller 80 does not perform the print control of step S6.

[0097] When the controller 80 receives a cancellation instruction to cancel the service contract from the server 3 during the standby control in S4, the controller 80 starts the contract cancellation control in S7. The controller 80 performs the processing starting from S8 as the contract cancellation control.

[0098] Regarding step S7, when the user connects PC 2 to server 3 and operates PC 2 to transmit a cancel instruction to server 3, server 3 transmits the cancel instruction to controller 80. At this time, the printer ID of image forming apparatus 1 is stored in server 3, and controller 80 receives the cancel instruction from server 3 via network interface 70.

[0099] According to the configuration of step S7, in the case where the user instructs the server 3 to cancel the service contract, the controller 80 receives a cancellation instruction to cancel the service contract from the server 3. Therefore, this configuration allows the user to continue to use the toner cartridge 30.

[0100] In S4 and / or S7, the controller 80 may receive a cancel instruction from a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display includes a touch panel and is provided on the outer surface of the main housing 10. In this case, the user operates the liquid crystal display to transmit the cancel instruction to the controller 80. The controller 80 may also receive a continue use instruction and a stop use instruction described later from the liquid crystal display. The controller 80 may communicate with the liquid crystal display instead of the server 3.

[0101] In the case where the controller 80 transmits information indicating that the toner cartridge 30 as a normal cartridge is attached to the main casing 10 in the contract state to the server 3 in S1 , the server 3 may transmit a cancel instruction to the controller 80 .

[0102] like Figure 4As shown in S8 of FIG. 1 , the controller 80 determines whether the type of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main housing 10 is a contract cartridge or a normal cartridge. Specifically, the controller 80 identifies the type of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main housing 10 by referring to the toner storage information stored in the main memory 13. In this way, the controller 80 can perform the process of S8.

[0103] By executing the process of S8, the controller 80 performs determination processing to determine whether the toner identification information stored in the toner storage 33 of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main casing 10 indicates the first information or the second information. The first information indicates that the toner cartridge 30 is a contract cartridge. The second information indicates that the toner cartridge 30 is a normal cartridge.

[0104] Here, a case will be considered in which the controller 80 determines in S8 that the type of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main housing 10 is a contract cartridge. In this case, the controller 80 performs a rewrite process in S11. In the rewrite process, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown in F7 and F8 of , the controller 80 rewrites the type of the toner cartridge 30 from the contract cartridge to the normal cartridge. In other words, in the case where the toner identification information indicates that the toner cartridge 30 is a contract cartridge, the controller 80 performs a rewriting process to rewrite the toner identification information to information indicating that the toner cartridge 30 is a normal cartridge.

[0105] In this manner, the controller 80 rewrites the toner identification information from the information indicating that the toner cartridge 30 is a contract cartridge to the information indicating that the toner cartridge 30 is a normal cartridge. With this configuration, the user can continue to use the toner cartridge 30 even after canceling the service contract.

[0106] With this configuration, since the user does not have to discard the toner cartridge 30 having no quality problem after the service contract is canceled, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured to be more environmentally friendly than a conventional image forming apparatus in which the toner cartridge cannot be used after the service contract is canceled. The image forming apparatus 1 does not require the toner cartridge 30 to be returned to the manufacturer, and the environmental burden and cost of transporting and recycling the toner cartridge 30 are eliminated, and the user does not need to return the toner cartridge 30 to the manufacturer, although the conventional image forming apparatus requires the user to return the toner cartridge that can no longer be used to the manufacturer.

[0107] In the case where the controller 80 determines that the toner cartridge 30 is a contract box based on the toner identification information in the determination process in S8, the controller 80 performs the rewriting process in S11. In this way, since the controller 80 determines whether the toner cartridge 30 is a contract box or a general box, the controller 80 can rewrite the toner identification information of the toner cartridge 30 in the case where the toner cartridge 30 is determined to be a contract box.

[0108] Here, a case will be considered where the toner identification information stored in the toner storage 33 of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the image forming apparatus 1 in S8 indicates that the toner cartridge 30 is a contract cartridge. In this case, in response to reception of the cancel instruction, the controller 80 may rewrite the toner identification information to information indicating that the toner cartridge 30 is a normal cartridge.

[0109] In S11, Figure 6 As shown in F1 and F2, the controller 80 rewrites the control mode information of the main memory information stored in the main memory 13 from the contract state to the normal state.

[0110] In S11, Figure 7 As shown in F4 and F5 of FIG. 8 , the controller 80 may rewrite the continuously usable flag stored in the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main casing 10 from “false” to “true”.

[0111] In the case where the controller 80 receives a continue use instruction from the server 3, the controller 80 may perform a rewrite process in S11. The continue use instruction instructs the controller 80 to continue to use the toner cartridge 30. Therefore, even after the service contract is canceled, the controller 80 may continue to use the toner cartridge 30 based on the instruction to continue to use the toner cartridge 30.

[0112] Specifically, Figure 6 F2 and Figure 7 As shown in F5 and F8 of , the case where the user connects PC 2 to server 3 and operates PC 2 to select to continue to use the owned box on server 3 will be considered. In this case, server 3 transmits a continue use instruction to controller 80.

[0113] In the case where the controller 80 receives a stop use instruction from the server 3, the controller 80 may not perform the rewriting process of S11. The stop use instruction instructs to stop using the toner cartridge 30. Therefore, after the service contract is canceled, the controller 80 may stop using the toner cartridge 30 based on the instruction to stop using the toner cartridge 30.

[0114] Specifically, Figure 6 F3 and Figure 7 As shown in F6 of FIG. 1 , a case where the user connects the PC 2 to the server 3 and operates the PC 2 to select to immediately stop using the toner cartridge 30 on the server 3 will be considered. In this case, the server 3 transmits a stop use instruction to the controller 80. Figure 6 As shown in F3, when the controller 80 receives the stop use instruction, the controller 80 rewrites the use mode information from the information indicating the first mode to the information indicating that the toner cartridge 30 is not to be used any more. The controller 80 rewrites the number of unused toner cartridges 30 from "unlimited" to 0.

[0115] On the other hand, the controller 80 determines in S8 that the type of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main casing 10 is a normal cartridge, and in S9 the controller 80 reads the toner ID of the latest toner storage information from the toner history area of ​​the main memory 13. The toner ID of the latest toner storage information is the toner ID of one or more toner IDs of one or more contract cartridges in the history information stored in S2 immediately before the toner ID of the toner cartridge 30 is determined as a normal cartridge in S8.

[0116] In S10, the controller 80 stores the toner ID of the latest toner storage information in the planned rewrite type list stored in the main memory 13. The planned rewrite type list stores the toner ID of any toner cartridge 30 whose type is a contract cartridge and is planned to be rewritten as a normal cartridge. The planned rewrite type list is used in S21 described later. After S10, the controller 80 proceeds to S12.

[0117] After the process of S11, in S12 the controller 80 sets the number of unused toner cartridges 30 in the main memory 13 based on the instruction received from the server 3. Specifically, the controller 80 receives information about the number of unused contract toner cartridges 30 from the server 3 via the network interface 70. The controller 80 stores the received information about the number of unused contract toner cartridges 30 in the main memory 13.

[0118] Regarding step S12, in order to calculate the number of unused toner cartridges 30, the server 3 subtracts the number of unused toner cartridges 30 attached to the main casing 10 from the number of contract toner cartridges 30 delivered to the user. Here, in S1, the server 3 receives information indicating that the unused toner cartridge 30 is attached to the main casing 10 after the unused toner cartridge 30 is delivered to the user from the controller 80. With this configuration, the server 3 can manage the number of unused toner cartridges 30 attached to the main casing 10 after delivery.

[0119] In S13, the controller 80 determines whether the number of unused toner cartridges 30 is one or more. Here, a case where the controller 80 determines that the number of unused toner cartridges 30 is one or more ("Yes" in S13) will be considered. In this case, in S14, the controller 80 stores information indicating that the number of unused cartridges 30 whose type can be rewritten from a contract cartridge to a normal cartridge reaches the number N in the main memory 13. Here, the number N is a natural number.

[0120] In other words, the controller 80 limits the number of rewriting processes performed on the toner storage 33 to a predetermined number. Limiting the number of rewriting processes can limit the number of toner cartridges 30 that can continue to be used. On the other hand, in the case where the controller 80 determines that the number of unused toner cartridges 30 is 0 (No in S13), the controller 80 does not perform the process of S14.

[0121] Consider the case after the processing of S14 is completed or the case where the number of unused toner cartridges 30 is 0 (No in step S13). In this case, the controller 80 may perform the processing from S15 triggered by turning on the image forming apparatus 1 or moving the cover 11 from the open position to the closed position.

[0122] In S15, the controller 80 reads the main memory information from the main memory 13 and reads the toner storage information from the toner storage 33. After the controller 80 reads the main memory information and the toner storage information, the controller 80 determines in S16 whether the type of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main housing 10 is a contract cartridge or a normal cartridge, as in S8.

[0123] In the case where the controller 80 determines that the type of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main casing 10 is a normal cartridge, the controller 80 returns to S3. In the case where the controller 80 determines that the type of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main casing 10 is a contract cartridge, the controller 80 determines in S17 whether the printer ID stored in the toner memory 33 indicates "unused" or the printer ID has been set.

[0124] In S17, the controller 80 may determine whether the unused cartridge flag stored in the toner storage 33 is "true" or "false". In the case where the controller 80 determines that the unused cartridge flag is "true", the controller 80 proceeds to S22. In the case where the controller 80 determines that the unused cartridge flag is "false", the controller 80 proceeds to S18. The unused cartridge flag indicates that the toner cartridge 30 is not used.

[0125] The controller 80 performs the process of S17 by referring to the printer ID stored in the toner storage 33. Figure 7 As shown in F4 of FIG. 3 , in a case where the printer ID stored in the toner storage 33 indicates “unused”, the printer ID is information stored in the toner storage 33 indicating that the toner cartridge 30 is unused.

[0126] In the case where the controller 80 determines in S17 that the printer ID stored in the toner memory 33 has been set, in S18 the controller 80 determines whether the printer ID stored in the main memory 13 matches the printer ID stored in the toner memory 33. In the case where the printer ID is not stored in the toner memory 33, the processing of S18 is omitted.

[0127] In a case where the controller 80 determines that the printer ID stored in the main memory 13 does not match the printer ID stored in the toner memory 33 (NO in S18 ), the controller 80 performs an error stop in S19 .

[0128] For example, as an error stop in S19, the controller 80 may control the display section to display information indicating that an error has occurred. Specifically, the controller 80 may control the liquid crystal display to display content indicating that the printer ID stored in the main memory 13 does not match the printer ID stored in the toner memory 33. After the processing of S19, the controller 80 returns to S3.

[0129] In the case where the controller 80 determines that the printer ID stored in the main memory 13 matches the printer ID stored in the toner memory 33 (YES in S18), the controller 80 proceeds to S20. Performing the process of S18 produces the following effects.

[0130] Specifically, when the toner cartridge 30 for which the printer ID has been set is attached to the main casing 10, the controller 80 can check whether the toner cartridge 30 can be continuously used in the image forming apparatus 1 for which the service contract is valid. This configuration can prevent the use of the toner cartridge 30 intended to be continuously used in another image forming apparatus 1.

[0131] In S20, the controller 80 determines whether the continuously usable flag stored in the toner storage 33 is "true" or "false". In the case where the controller 80 determines that the continuously usable flag is "true", the controller 80 returns to S3. In the case where the controller 80 determines that the continuously usable flag is "false", the controller 80 performs an error stop in S21, similar to S19.

[0132] In S21, the controller 80 may perform a process of allowing the toner cartridge 30 corresponding to the toner ID stored in the planned rewrite type list to continue to be used. Specifically, the controller 80 determines whether the toner ID of the toner storage information read in S15 is stored in the planned rewrite type list. In the case where the controller 80 determines that the toner ID of the toner storage information read in S15 is stored in the planned rewrite type list, the controller 80 returns to S3.

[0133] A case will be considered in which the controller 80 determines in S17 that the printer ID stored in the toner storage 33 indicates "not used". In this case, the controller 80 determines in S22 whether the use mode information indicates the first mode or the second mode. In the case where the controller 80 determines that the use mode information indicates the second mode, the controller 80 performs an error stop in S23, similar to S19. After the processing of S23, the controller 80 returns to S3.

[0134] In the case where the controller 80 determines that the use mode information indicates the first mode (the first mode in S22), the controller 80 stores the printer ID in the toner memory 33 in S24. Figure 7 In addition, in S25 , the controller 80 rewrites the main memory information stored in the main memory 13 .

[0135] The processing of S25 will be described in detail below. Consider a case where an unused contract toner cartridge 30 delivered to the user before S1 is attached to the main housing 10 and the number of unused toner cartridges 30 is reduced from 1 to 0. In this case, as Figure 6 As shown in F2 of FIG. 1 , the controller 80 rewrites the use mode information of the main memory information stored in the main memory 13 from the first mode to the second mode. Here, in S24 , the controller 80 may rewrite the unused box flag from “true” to “false”.

[0136] Fixed Price Print Control

[0137] The controller 80 performs fixed price printing control as the printing control of S6. The fixed price printing control is a control in a contract state in which a predetermined number of sheets can be printed at a fixed price per set time period. A case will be considered in which a user signs a service contract for the image forming apparatus 1 at a fixed price by connecting the PC 2 to the server 3.

[0138] In this case, the manufacturer of the management server 3 delivers an unused toner cartridge 30 to the user who uses the image forming apparatus 1. The toner identification information stored in the toner memory 33 of the unused toner cartridge 30 indicates that the toner cartridge 30 is a contract cartridge.

[0139] After the print control of S6 is performed, the controller 80 transmits the toner life information of the toner cartridge 30 to the server 3. Alternatively, the controller 80 may periodically transmit the toner life information to the server 3 regardless of whether the print control is performed.

[0140] A case will be considered where the server 3 refers to the toner life information received from the controller 80 and determines that the life of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main casing 10 becomes shorter than or equal to a prescribed period of time. In this case, in the case where the life of the toner cartridge 30 is within the period during which the toner cartridge 30 can be used, the manufacturer delivers an unused toner cartridge 30 to the user.

[0141] Whenever the life of the toner cartridge 30 becomes shorter than or equal to a prescribed period of time, an unused toner cartridge 30 is delivered to the user. For example, by using the toner cartridge 30 delivered by the manufacturer, the image forming apparatus 1 can print up to 200 sheets per month under print control. In the case where the number of printed sheets exceeds 200, the user can print more sheets by paying an additional fee in addition to the fixed price.

[0142] Determination of payment amount for toner cartridges

[0143] When server 3 determines that the number of unused toner cartridges 30 is one or more during the process of S12 by controller 80, server 3 displays content presenting three options on PC 2. The first option is to allow the user to return unused toner cartridges 30 and used toner cartridges 30 to the manufacturer.

[0144] The second option is to allow the user to purchase only the used toner cartridge 30 and return the unused toner cartridge 30 to the manufacturer. The third option is to allow the user to purchase both the unused toner cartridge 30 and the used toner cartridge 30.

[0145] In the case where the server 3 determines that the number of unused toner cartridges 30 is 0 during the processing of S12 performed by the controller 80, the server 3 displays content presenting two options on the PC 2. The first option is to allow the user to return the used toner cartridge 30 to the manufacturer. The second option is to allow the user to purchase the used toner cartridge 30.

[0146] In the case where the user selects one of the two or three options by operating the PC 2, the server 3 displays the amount of money that the user needs to pay for the toner cartridge 30 on the PC 2. The server 3 determines the amount of money that the user needs to pay for the toner cartridge 30 based on the amount of toner remaining in the toner cartridge 30 that the user wants to purchase. With this configuration, the manufacturer can get a fair share of the toner cartridge 30, and the user can avoid overpaying.

[0147] Additional information

[0148] In the above-mentioned image forming device 1, it is an electrophotographic printer. However, the image forming device 1 may also be an inkjet printer. In the case of an inkjet printer, the ink cartridge that supplies ink may be a cartridge. In this case, the contents of the present disclosure are applicable to the ink cartridge. Alternatively, a tape cartridge (or tape cartridge) that supplies a tape as a printing material may be a cartridge. In this case, the contents of the present disclosure are applicable to a tape cartridge (or tape cartridge). The image forming device 1 may not be limited to the above-mentioned structure in which the drum cartridge 20 includes the photosensitive drum 22 and the toner cartridge 30 includes the developing roller 32.

[0149] First Modification

[0150] In the first modification, each drum cartridge 20 may further include a developing roller 32 in addition to the cartridge housing 21, the photosensitive drum 22, and the drum storage 23. In this case, the cartridge housing 21 includes the photosensitive drum 22, the drum storage 23, and the developing roller 32. In the first embodiment, each toner cartridge 30 includes the cartridge housing 31 and the toner storage 33, but does not include the developing roller 32. The cartridge housing 31 accommodates the toner. The outer peripheral surface of each developing roller 32 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum 22 in the drum cartridge 20.

[0151] Second Modification

[0152] In the second modification, the image forming apparatus 1 may further include a developing cartridge not shown. Each developing cartridge includes a developing roller 32. In this case, each drum cartridge 20 includes a cartridge housing 21, a photosensitive drum 22, and a drum storage 23. Each toner cartridge 30 includes a cartridge housing 31 and a toner storage 33, but does not include a developing roller 32. The cartridge housing 31 accommodates toner. When the drum cartridge 20, the toner cartridge 30, and the developing cartridge are attached to the main housing 10, these three components are held together in the corresponding cartridge holder 12.

[0153] Third Modification

[0154] In the third modification, the image forming apparatus 1 may include a cartridge (not shown) instead of the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 30. In this case, each cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a photosensitive drum 22, a storage, and a developing roller 32. The peripheral surface of the developing roller 32 contacts the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22 in the cartridge. The cartridge housing of each cartridge accommodates toner.

[0155] Fourth Modification

[0156] In the fourth modification, the present disclosure may be applied such that each drum cartridge 20 or transfer belt 40 is regarded as a cartridge instead of the toner cartridge 30 .

[0157] Although the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the claims. Configurations made by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the embodiments are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0158] [Reference Symbol List]

[0159] 1 Image forming device

[0160] 3 Server

[0161] 10 Main housing

[0162] 13 Main Memory

[0163] 20 drum box (box)

[0164] 21, 31 box shell

[0165] 23 Drum memory (cartridge memory)

[0166] 30 Toner Cartridge (Box)

[0167] 33 Toner storage (cartridge storage)

[0168] 70 Network Interface

[0169] 80 Controller

[0170] NW Network

Claims

1. An image forming device, characterized in that: include: a main housing, the main housing including a main memory; box , the box is attachable to the main housing, the box comprising: a box memory configured to store identification information indicating that the box is a contract box that can be used in a contract state in which a service contract of the image forming apparatus is valid and cannot be used in a normal state in which the service contract of the image forming apparatus is invalid, or that the box is a normal box that can be used in a state in which the image forming apparatus is in the contract state and in a state in which the image forming apparatus is in the normal state; as well as A controller configured to: A rewrite process, wherein when the controller receives a cancellation instruction indicating cancellation of the service contract and the identification information stored in the box memory of the box attached to the main shell indicates that the box is the contract box, the identification information is rewritten to information indicating that the box is the ordinary box.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: in, The controller is configured to: a determination process of determining, in a case where the controller receives the cancel instruction, whether the identification information stored in the box memory of the box attached to the main housing indicates whether the box is a contract box or the box is a normal box, Here, in a case where the controller determines that the box is the contract box in the determination process, the controller performs the rewriting process.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that: in, The controller performs the rewriting process in a case where the controller receives a continued use instruction instructing continued use of the cartridge in addition to the cancel instruction.

4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: in, In a case where the controller receives a stop-use instruction instructing to stop using the cartridge in addition to the cancel instruction, the controller does not perform the rewriting process.

5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: further comprising a network interface configured to connect to a server via a network, The controller receives the cancellation instruction from the server via the network interface.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: in, The controller is configured to: receiving information of the number of unused contract boxes from the server via the network interface, each unused contract box being a contract box and being an unused box; and In a case where the number of unused boxes is greater than or equal to 1, the number of executions of the rewriting process is limited so that the box memory is rewritten to a prescribed number of times.

7. A control method for controlling an image forming device, characterized in that: include: receiving, by the image forming apparatus, a cancellation instruction instructing cancellation of a service contract; as well as In a case where identification information stored in a box memory of a box attached to the image forming device indicates that the box is a contract box, the identification information is rewritten to information indicating that the box is an ordinary box, the contract box can be used in a contract state in which a service contract of the image forming device is valid and cannot be used in a normal state in which the service contract of the image forming device is invalid, and the ordinary box can be used both in a state in which the image forming device is in the contract state and in a state in which the image forming device is in the normal state.

8. A box, characterized in that include: a box memory configured to store identification information indicating that the box is a contract box that can be used in a contract state in which a service contract of the image forming apparatus is valid and cannot be used in a normal state in which the service contract of the image forming apparatus is invalid, and a normal box that can be used in a state in which the image forming apparatus is in the contract state and in a state in which the image forming apparatus is in the normal state; as well as a cartridge housing, the cartridge housing comprising the cartridge storage, wherein, in response to a cancellation instruction instructing cancellation of the service contract, the identification information stored in the box memory of the box attached to the image forming apparatus indicates that the box is the contract box, and the identification information can be rewritten to information indicating that the box is the ordinary box.

Images