Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique that allows appropriate and continuous use of a cartridge being a contact item that has been used in an image forming apparatus, even after the contract of a service to the image forming apparatus is cancelled.SOLUTION: A control unit 51 executes reading processing of reading a toner ID from a toner memory 32 of a toner cartridge 30, and storage processing of storing the toner ID read through the reading processing in a main body memory 513. After executing the reading processing and storage processing and after receiving a cancellation instruction to cancel the contract of a service, the control unit 51 executes history determination processing. In the history determination processing, the control unit 51 determines whether the toner ID stored in the toner memory 32 of the toner cartridge 30 matches history information. When the toner ID matches the history information in the history determination processing, the control unit 51 allows use of the toner cartridge 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and a method for controlling an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, cartridges used in image forming devices have been provided to users on a subscription basis. The technology described in Patent Document 1 discloses the provision of a service for delivering contracted cartridges to users. Contracted cartridges cannot be used in normal conditions when a service contract has not been concluded for the image forming device.

[0003] Patent Document 1 also discloses a technique that allows a user to continue using a contracted cartridge even after canceling a service contract. Specifically, when a controller of an image forming device receives a cancellation instruction to cancel a service contract, and the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge indicates that the toner cartridge is a contracted product, the controller executes a rewrite process to rewrite the identification information to information indicating that the toner cartridge is a normal product. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-160229 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the case of the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to enable continued use of the contracted cartridge, it is necessary to rewrite the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that enables, when a service contract for an image forming device is terminated, to continue to use a contracted cartridge that has been used in the image forming device without rewriting the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a first aspect is an image forming apparatus comprising: a main body housing; a toner cartridge mountable to the main body housing, the toner cartridge having a toner memory storing identification information for identifying the toner cartridge and type information indicating whether the toner cartridge is a contract product that can be used in a contract state in which a service contract has been concluded with the image forming apparatus, or a normal product that can be used in a normal state in which a service contract has not been concluded with the image forming apparatus; a control unit; and a main body memory. The control unit executes a reading process for reading the identification information of the toner cartridge mounted in the main body housing from the toner memory, and a storage process for storing the identification information read by the reading process in the main body memory as history information. After executing the reading process and the storage process and after receiving a cancellation instruction to cancel the service contract, the control unit executes a determination process to determine whether the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge matches the history information, and a permission process to permit use of the toner cartridge if it is determined by the determination process that the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge matches the history information.

[0008] A second aspect is the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, wherein the control unit, in the reading process, reads the type information of the toner cartridge attached to the main body housing from the toner memory, and in the determination process, determines whether the type information read by the reading process represents a contracted product or a normal product. The control unit executes the permission process when the determination process determines that the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge matches the history information and that the type information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge represents the contracted product.

[0009] A third aspect is an image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, wherein the control unit executes a restriction process to restrict the use of the toner cartridge attached to the main body housing when the determination process determines that the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge does not match the history information.

[0010] In a fourth aspect, in the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, when the control unit receives the cancellation instruction to cancel the contract for the service, the control unit is capable of executing a linking process of linking the history information with cancellation information indicating that the contract has been cancelled. In the determination process, the control unit determines whether the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge matches the history information linked with the cancellation information.

[0011] In a fifth aspect, in the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the control unit executes the determination process when it receives an instruction to cancel the contract for the service and then receives an instruction to renew the contract for the service. When it is determined by the determination process that the history information matches the cancellation information, the control unit 51 executes the restriction process. The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0012] A sixth aspect is the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, wherein the control unit executes the permission process when the determination process determines that there is no match with the history information linked to the cancellation information.

[0013] A seventh aspect is the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, wherein, when the control unit receives an instruction to cancel the contract for the service but does not receive an instruction to contract for the service again after receiving an instruction to cancel the contract for the service, if the determination process determines that the history information matches the cancellation information, the control unit does not execute the restriction process, and if the determination process determines that the history information does not match the cancellation information, the control unit executes the restriction process.

[0014] In an eighth aspect, in the image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, the control unit is capable of executing a save process for moving the history information to a save area of ​​the main memory when an instruction to cancel the contract for the service is received. In the determination process, the control unit determines whether the identification information read by the reading process matches the history information in the save area.

[0015] A ninth aspect is an image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, wherein when the control unit receives a contract instruction to contract for the service after receiving the cancellation instruction to cancel the contract for the service, if the determination process determines that the history information does not match the history information in the save area, the control unit executes the permission process, and if the determination process determines that the history information matches the history information in the save area, the control unit executes the restriction process.

[0016] In a tenth aspect, the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect further includes a display, and when the control unit executes the permission process, the control unit displays on the display a message permitting use of the toner cartridge installed in the main body housing.

[0017] An eleventh aspect is an image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, wherein the control unit, in the determination process, determines whether the identification information read by the reading process matches any of the information stored as the history information.

[0018] A twelfth aspect is an image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, wherein the control unit, in the judgment process, determines whether the identification information read by the reading process matches a specified number of pieces of information, counting from the most recently stored information, among the multiple pieces of information stored as the history information.

[0019] A thirteenth aspect is a control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a reading step of reading identification information of a toner cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus from a toner memory; a storage step of storing the identification information read by the reading step in the main body memory as history information; a determination step of determining whether the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge matches the history information after the reading step and the storage step are executed and after receiving a cancellation instruction to cancel a service contract; and an authorization step of permitting use of the toner cartridge when it is determined by the determination step that the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge matches the history information. The toner memory stores type information indicating whether the toner cartridge is a contract product that can be used in a contract state where a service contract has been concluded with the image forming apparatus, or a normal product that can be used in a normal state where a service contract has not been concluded with the image forming apparatus. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, even after a contract for the image forming apparatus is terminated, the toner cartridge used under the previous contract can continue to be used in the image forming apparatus.

[0021] According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, when a contract for the image forming apparatus is cancelled, it is possible to restrict the user from using contracted toner cartridges that were not used in the previous contract.

[0022] According to the image forming device of the fourth aspect, when the contract for the image forming device is renewed, the contracted toner cartridges used under the previous contract and the contracted toner cartridges newly used after the contract renewal can be distinguished based on the cancellation information. Therefore, the use by the user of the contracted toner cartridges used under the previous contract can be effectively controlled.

[0023] According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, when a contract is renewed for the image forming apparatus, it is possible to restrict the use of the contracted toner cartridge that was used in the previous contract.

[0024] According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, when the contract for the image forming apparatus is renewed, it is possible to permit the use of a toner cartridge that has been newly used after the contract is renewed.

[0025] According to the seventh aspect of the image forming device, even if the image forming device has not had a new contract, the user can continue to use the toner cartridge that was used under the previous contract.

[0026] According to the image forming device of the eighth aspect, when the image forming device is renewed, the toner cartridges used in the previous contract and the toner cartridges used after the renewal of the contract can be distinguished based on the history information in the save area. Therefore, the use by the user of the toner cartridges used in the previous contract can be effectively controlled.

[0027] According to the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect, when a contract is renewed for the image forming apparatus, it is possible to restrict the use of the contracted toner cartridge that was used in the previous contract.

[0028] According to the image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect, it is possible to notify the user that the toner cartridge can be used. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing electrical connections between a control unit and other elements in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of history processing executed by a control unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a toner detection process flow executed by a control unit according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a contract cancellation process flow executed by a control unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing memory areas of a main body memory of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a toner detection process flow executed by a control unit of a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a contract cancellation process flow executed by a control unit of the third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing memory areas of a main body memory of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a toner detection process flow executed by a control unit of a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the components described in the embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings, the dimensions and numbers of each part may be simplified as necessary for ease of understanding.

[0031] <1. First embodiment> 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic printer, for example, an LED printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body housing 10, a cover 11, four drum cartridges 20, four toner cartridges 30, four LED units (not shown), a transfer unit 40, a control unit 51, and a display 55.

[0032] The main body housing 10 is in the shape of a rectangular box. The four drum cartridges 20, the four toner cartridges 30, the transfer unit 40, and the control unit 51 are housed in the main body housing 10. The drum cartridges 20 and the toner cartridge 30 can be detached and replaced with respect to the main body housing 10. The display 55 is located on the outer surface of the main body housing 10. The main body housing 10 has a frame that holds the four drum cartridges 20.

[0033] 1, the cover 11 can rotate about a rotation shaft 11a extending in a first direction between an open position indicated by a solid line and a closed position indicated by a two-dot chain line. The first direction is the direction in which a rotation shaft of a photoconductor drum 21, which will be described later, extends. The main body housing 10 is provided with a sensor 12 electrically connected to the control unit 51. The sensor 12 transmits a signal to the control unit 51 indicating that the cover 11 has moved between the closed position and the open position.

[0034] The four drum cartridges 20 each have the same structure, so the following description will focus on one drum cartridge 20. The drum cartridge 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21, a drum memory 22, and a drum frame. The photoconductor drum 21 is a cylindrical member that extends in a first direction and is rotatable about a drum axis that extends in the first direction. The drum memory 22 is, for example, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) or an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). The drum memory 22 stores information about the drum cartridge 20 in which the drum memory 22 is attached. One toner cartridge 30 is detachably attached to the drum frame. The drum cartridge 20 is attached to the main body housing 10 with one toner cartridge 30 attached to the drum frame.

[0035] The four toner cartridges 30 each have the same structure, so the following description will focus on one of the toner cartridges 30. The toner cartridge 30 includes a developing roller 31 , a toner memory 32 , and a casing 33 . The developing roller 31 is a cylindrical member extending in the first direction. The developing roller 31 is rotatable about a developing shaft extending in the first direction. The toner memory 32 is a storage medium from which information can be read and written, specifically, a flash ROM or an EEPROM. The toner memory 32 stores information about the toner cartridge 30 to which the toner memory 32 is attached. The casings 33 of the four toner cartridges 30 each contain a toner of a different color (for example, any one of cyan, magenta, yellow, or black).

[0036] The drum cartridge 20 with the toner cartridge 30 attached thereto is attached to the main body housing 10 with the cover 11 in the open position. The drum cartridge 20 with the toner cartridge 30 attached thereto passes through an opening in the main body housing 10 and is attached to the main body housing 10.

[0037] The four LED units each have the same structure, so the following will explain one LED unit. The LED unit is attached to the inner surface of the main body housing 10. When the drum cartridge 20 is attached to the main body housing 10 and the cover 11 is in the closed position, the LED unit faces the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The LED unit can irradiate the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 with light. The light source of the LED unit is an LED (light emitting diode). Note that a laser unit with one light source may be used instead of the LEC unit.

[0038] The transfer unit 40 includes a transfer belt 41 , a drive roller 43 , a driven roller 45 , and four transfer rollers 47 . The transfer belt 41 is annular (endless belt). The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 41. The transfer belt 41 is stretched between a drive roller 43 and a driven roller 45. The control unit 51 drives the drive roller 43 to rotate the transfer belt 41. The driven roller 45 rotates in accordance with the movement of the transfer belt 41 caused by the drive of the drive roller 43.

[0039] The four transfer rollers 47 are located inside the transfer belt 41. The four transfer rollers 47 each have the same structure. Therefore, the following will explain one of the transfer rollers 47. The transfer roller 47 is cylindrical and extends in the first direction, and is rotatable about a rotation axis that extends in the first direction. The outer surface of the transfer roller 47 is formed of, for example, conductive rubber. A transfer bias is applied to the transfer roller 47.

[0040] The transfer roller 47 is located below the photoconductor drum 21. The transfer belt 41 is sandwiched between the photoconductor drum 21 and the transfer roller 47. When a transfer bias is applied to the outer surface of the transfer roller 47, the toner adhering to the outer surface of the photoconductor drum 21 moves toward the transfer belt 41. The toner that has moved to the transfer belt 41 is transferred to the printing paper by a transfer mechanism (not shown). As a result, an image is formed on the printing paper.

[0041] When printing is performed in the image forming apparatus 1, the drum cartridge 20 uniformly charges the entire surface of the photoconductor drum 21. Then, the LED unit irradiates the photoconductor drum 21 with LED light corresponding to the image to be printed. Then, the developing roller 31 adheres to the exposed surface of the photoconductor drum 21. Furthermore, the transfer unit 40 transfers the toner adhered to the photoconductor drum 21 to the printing paper. The toner transferred to the printing paper is heated by a thermal fixing unit (not shown) and fixed to the printing paper.

[0042] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 has a control unit 51, an operation unit 53, a display 55, a network interface 57, and a communication interface 59. The control unit 51 includes a CPU 511 which is a processor, and a main memory 513 . The main memory 513 is a storage medium from which information can be read and written, and is, for example, a flash ROM or an EEPROM. The main memory 513 stores a program 515. The CPU 511 executes the program 515, and the control unit 51 executes various processes. The control unit 51 may be configured with a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC (application specific semiconductor integrated circuit).

[0043] The operation unit 53 is a set of buttons that accept operations by the user. The display 55 displays various pieces of display information. The display 55 may function as the operation unit 53 by having a so-called touch panel.

[0044] The network interface 57 is connected to the contract management server 7 via the network NW. For example, a LAN (Local Area Network) cable is connected to the network interface 57. When a LAN cable is connected to the network interface 57, the control unit 51 can communicate with the contract management server 7 via the network interface 57 and the network NW. Note that the network interface 57 may be connected to the network NW by wireless communication such as wireless LAN.

[0045] A communication cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable is connected to the communication interface 59. When a communication cable is connected to the communication interface 59, the control unit 51 can receive a print job from a PC (Personal Computer) 8 via the communication interface 59 and the communication cable. The print job is a print instruction that instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to execute printing. Note that the control unit 51 may be connected to the PC 8 via wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless LAN.

[0046] The PC 8 is connected to the contract management server 7 via the network NW. For example, a LAN cable is connected to the PC 8. When a LAN cable is connected to the PC 8, the PC 8 can communicate with the contract management server 7 via the network NW. The PC 8 may be connected to the network NW by wireless communication such as a wireless LAN. Furthermore, the processing by the PC 8 may be executed by a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

[0047] When a user wishes to enter into a contract for a service for the image forming apparatus 1, the user connects the PC 8 to the contract management server 7 and operates the PC 8 to conclude a contract. As a result, the contract management server 7 transmits a contract instruction to the image forming apparatus 1 to conclude a service contract. When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the contract instruction from the contract management server 7, the image forming apparatus 1 enters a contracted state. When the user wishes to cancel the service contract for the image forming apparatus 1, the user connects the PC 8 to the contract management server 7 and cancels the contract by operating the PC 8. Then, the contract management server 7 transmits a cancellation instruction to the image forming apparatus 1 to cancel the service contract. When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the cancellation instruction from the contract management server 7, the image forming apparatus 1 enters a contract-cancelled state (i.e., normal state).

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the main body housing 10 has a connector 101 and a connector 102. When the drum cartridge 20 is attached to the main body housing 10, the connector 101 is electrically connected to the drum memory 22, and the control unit 51 is electrically connected to the drum memory 22. This allows the control unit 51 to execute a read process for reading information from the drum memory 22 and a write process for writing information to the drum memory 22. When the drum cartridge 20 with the toner cartridge 30 attached is attached to the main body housing 10, the connector 102 is electrically connected to the toner memory 32 of the toner cartridge 30, and the control unit 51 is electrically connected to the toner memory 32. This allows the control unit 51 to execute a read process for reading information from the toner memory 32, and a write process for writing information to the toner memory 32.

[0049] The drum memory 22 stores, for example, a drum ID, drum life information, and drum type information. The drum ID is a unique serial number for identifying each drum cartridge 20 . The drum life information is, for example, at least one of the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 21 and the cumulative number of pages printed using the photosensitive drum 21. The cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 21 and the cumulative number of pages printed using the photosensitive drum 21 are each calculated by incrementing or decrementing each time printing is performed in the drum cartridge 20 identified by the drum ID.

[0050] Drum type information is an example of type information. Drum type information is information that indicates whether the drum cartridge 20 is a contract product or a normal product. A contract product is usable when a service contract has been concluded for the image forming device 1, and cannot be used in a normal state when a service contract has not been concluded for the image forming device 1. A normal product is usable when the image forming device 1 is in both a contract state and a normal state.

[0051] The service involves, for example, automatically delivering the contracted drum cartridge 20 to the user based on life information stored in the main body memory 513, and allowing the user to use the contracted drum cartridge 20.

[0052] The toner memory 32 stores, for example, a toner ID, toner life information, and toner type information. The toner ID is a unique serial number for identifying each individual toner cartridge 30 . The toner life information is, for example, at least one of the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller 31, the cumulative number of printed sheets using the developing roller 31, and the cumulative number of dots using the developing roller 31.

[0053] The cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller 31 is calculated by incrementing or decrementing each time printing is performed for one toner cartridge 30 identified by a toner ID. The cumulative number of printed sheets using the developing roller 31 and the cumulative number of dots using the developing roller 31 are also calculated in the same manner as the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller 31.

[0054] The toner type information is an example of type information. The toner type information is information that indicates whether the toner cartridge 30 is a contracted product or a regular product. The meanings of contracted products and regular products for the toner cartridge 30 are the same as those of the drum cartridge 20.

[0055] The main body memory 513 stores history information, contract information, and life information. The history information includes the drum ID read from the drum memory 22 and the toner ID read from the toner memory 32 . The contract information is information indicating whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in a contract state or in a contract cancellation state where the contract has been cancelled. When the control unit 51 receives a contract instruction from the contract management server 7, the control unit 51 changes the contract information to a flag indicating the contract state. Also, when the control unit 51 receives a cancellation instruction from the contract management server 7, the control unit 51 changes the contract information to a flag indicating the contract cancellation state.

[0056] The life information includes drum life information and toner life information. The drum life information stored in the main memory 513 is the same as the drum life information stored in the drum memory 22. The toner life information stored in the main memory 13 is the same as the toner life information stored in the toner memory 32. The main memory 13 may store a printer ID. The printer ID is identification information for identifying each image forming device 1, and is, for example, a serial number.

[0057] <Operation description> Next, various processing flows executed by the control unit 51 will be described. In the following description, a processing flow related to the information stored in the toner memory 32 will be described. The processing related to the information stored in the drum memory 22 is similar to the processing flow related to the information stored in the toner memory 32, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0058] 3 is a diagram showing a history processing flow executed by the control unit 51 of the first embodiment. The history processing flow is a process for storing the toner ID of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main body housing 10 in the main body memory 513 as history information. The control unit 51 executes the history processing flow, for example, when there is a possibility that the toner cartridge 30 has been replaced. Specifically, the control unit 51 executes the history processing flow when the sensor 12 detects that the cover 11 has moved between the closed position and the open position, or when it detects that the power of the image forming apparatus 1 has been switched from OFF to ON.

[0059] The control unit 51 reads the toner ID and the toner type information of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main body housing 10 from the main body memory 513 (reading process S11). Then, the control unit 51 determines whether the toner type information read in the reading process S11 indicates a contract product or a normal product (type determination process S12). When the toner type information indicates a normal product (No in the type determination process S12), the control unit 51 ends the history process flow. On the other hand, if the toner type information indicates a contracted product (Yes in the type determination process S12), the control unit 51 determines whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in a contracted state (contract determination process S13). If the image forming apparatus 1 is in a contract state (Yes in the contract determination process S13), the control unit 51 stores the toner ID as history information in the main body memory 513 (storage process S14). If the image forming apparatus 1 is not in a contract state (No in the contract determination process S13), the control unit 51 skips the storage process S14. Through the above process, for the toner cartridge 30 installed in the image forming apparatus 1 in a contract state, the toner ID is stored in the main body memory 513 as history information.

[0060] 4 is a diagram showing a toner detection process flow executed by the control unit 51 of the first embodiment. The control unit 51 executes the toner detection process flow when there is a possibility that the toner cartridge 30 has been replaced, similar to the history process flow shown in FIG.

[0061] First, the control unit 51 reads the toner ID and the toner type information from the toner memory 32 (reading process S21). The control unit 51 determines whether the toner type information read in the reading process S21 indicates a contract product or a normal product (type determination process S22). When the toner type information indicates that the toner is a regular product, the control unit 51 ends the toner detection process flow. On the other hand, when the toner type information indicates a contracted product, the control unit 51 refers to the contract information recorded in the main body memory 513 and determines whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in a contracted state (contract determination process S23). If the image forming apparatus 1 is in a contract state (Yes in the contract determination process S23), the control unit 51 ends the toner detection process flow. If the image forming apparatus 1 is not in a contract state (No in the contract determination process S23), the control unit 51 determines whether the toner ID read by the reading process S21 matches the history information in the main body memory 513 (history determination process S24).

[0062] If the toner ID matches the history information (Yes in the history determination process S24), the control unit 51 ends the toner detection process flow. At this time, a permission process may be executed to permit use of the toner cartridge 30. For example, in the permission process, the control unit 51 may store a permission flag indicating that printing using the toner cartridge 30 is permitted in the main body memory 513. Then, when printing is to be performed, the control unit 51 may determine whether or not to perform printing based on the presence or absence of the permission flag.

[0063] If the toner ID does not match the history information (No in the history determination process S24), the control unit 51 executes a restriction process S16 to restrict the use of the toner cartridge 30. In the restriction process S16, the control unit 51 may, for example, cause the display 55 to display a message indicating that the use of the toner cartridge 30 is restricted. The message may, for example, be a message that warns the user that the installed toner cartridge 30 is unauthorized, or a message that urges the user to replace it with an appropriate toner cartridge 30.

[0064] As described above, the control unit 51 of the first embodiment executes the reading process S11 of reading the toner ID of the toner cartridge 30 mounted in the main body housing 10 from the toner memory 32, and the storage process S14 of storing the toner ID read by the reading process S11 in the main body memory 513 as history information. Then, after the reading process S11 and the storage process S14, when the image forming device 1 receives a cancellation instruction, the control unit 51 determines in the contract determination process S23 that the image forming device 1 is in a contract state, and executes the history determination process S24. In the history determination process S24, the control unit 51 determines whether the toner ID of the toner cartridge 30 matches the history information. When it is determined in the history determination process S24 that the toner ID of the toner cartridge matches the history information, the control unit 51 permits the use of the toner cartridge 30. According to this configuration, even if the contract of the image forming device is cancelled, the toner cartridge of the contracted product used at the time of the contract can be continuously used in the image forming device.

[0065] Even if a contract-type toner cartridge 30 that has been used in an image forming device 1 is mounted on another image forming device 1, if the toner ID of the toner cartridge 30 is not included in the history information of the other image forming device 1, the toner cartridge 30 cannot be used in the other image forming device 1. This makes it possible to prevent the contract-type toner cartridge 30 from being used illegally.

[0066] Furthermore, in a reading process S21, the control unit 51 reads the toner type information of the toner cartridge 30 attached to the main body housing 10 from the toner memory 32. Then, the control unit 51 executes a type determination process S22 to determine whether the toner type information read in the reading process S21 indicates a contracted product or a normal product. If a history determination process S24 determines that the toner ID of the toner cartridge 30 matches the history information, and a contract determination process S23 determines that the toner type information of the toner cartridge 30 indicates a contracted product, the use of the toner cartridge 30 is permitted.

[0067] Furthermore, when the history determination process S24 determines that the toner ID stored in the toner memory 32 of the toner cartridge 30 does not match the history information, the control unit 51 executes a restriction process S25 for restricting the use of the toner cartridge. According to this configuration, when the contract for the image forming device 1 is terminated, it is possible to restrict the user from using toner cartridges that were contracted under the previous contract and were not used.

[0068] The control unit 51 may determine in the history determination process S24 whether the toner ID read by the reading process S21 matches all the information (toner IDs) stored as the history information. Alternatively, the control unit 51 may determine in the history determination process S24 whether the toner ID read by the reading process S21 matches the most recently stored information (toner ID) among the multiple pieces of information (toner IDs) stored as the history information. In this case, the use of the toner cartridges 30 other than the most recently installed contracted toner cartridge 30 can be restricted. Also, the control unit 51 may determine in the history determination process S24 whether the toner ID read by the reading process S21 matches a specified number of pieces of information (toner IDs) counting from the most recently stored information among the multiple pieces of information (toner IDs) stored as the history information.

[0069] <2. Second embodiment> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a contract cancellation processing flow executed by the control unit 51 of the second embodiment. The contract cancellation processing flow shown in Fig. 5 may be executed immediately after the control unit 51 receives a cancellation instruction from the contract management server 7, or may be executed after a certain period of time has elapsed. In the contract cancellation processing flow, the control unit 51 links the cancellation information to the history information (linking processing S31). The cancellation information is information indicating that the contract has been terminated. The control unit 51 assigns the cancellation information to each toner ID included in the history information. After executing the linking processing S31, the control unit 51 ends the processing flow.

[0070] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a memory area of ​​the main body memory 513 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the main body memory 513 stores three toner IDs as history information. The number of toner IDs in the history information may be two or less, or four or more.

[0071] Furthermore, the main body memory 513 stores the latest toner ID information. The latest toner ID information is information indicating the toner ID most recently stored as history information. In Fig. 6, the latest toner ID is specifically a number assigned to each toner ID in the history information.

[0072] If the number of toner IDs that can be stored as history information is limited and there is no free space in the area, the control unit 51 may rewrite the toner IDs in order from the oldest toner ID, for example, using a ring buffer.

[0073] In the main body memory 513, a contract cancellation information flag is associated with each toner ID in the history information. The contract cancellation information flag has an initial value of "1". When the image forming apparatus 1 receives a contract cancellation instruction, the control unit 51 changes the contract cancellation flag to "2" in the association process S31. In this way, the contract cancellation flag is an example of contract cancellation information.

[0074] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a toner detection process flow executed by the control unit 51 of the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the toner detection process flow will be described with reference to Fig. 7, but a description of processes common to the toner detection process flow shown in Fig. 4 will be omitted.

[0075] In the second embodiment, when the control unit 51 determines in the contract determination process S23 that the image forming apparatus 1 is in a contract state (Yes in the contract determination process S23), the control unit 51 determines whether the toner ID read by the reading process S21 matches the history information (history determination process S241). If the history information matches the toner ID, the control unit 51 determines whether the history information is linked to cancellation information (linking determination process S242). If the history information that matches the toner ID is linked to cancellation information (Yes in the linking determination process S242), the control unit 51 executes the restriction process S25.

[0076] On the other hand, if the toner ID does not match the history information (No in the history determination process S241), the control unit 51 does not restrict the use of the contracted toner cartridge 30 and ends the process flow. That is, the use of the toner cartridge 30 is permitted. Also, if the toner ID matches the history information but is not linked to cancellation information, the process flow ends. That is, the use of the toner cartridge 30 is permitted.

[0077] If it is determined in the contract determination process S23 that the image forming apparatus 1 is in a normal state (No in the contract determination process S23), the control unit 51 determines whether the toner ID matches the history information (history determination process S243). When the toner ID matches the history information, the control unit 51 determines whether the history information is linked to cancellation information (linking determination process S244). If the history information is linked to the cancellation information (Yes in the linking determination process S244), the control unit 51 skips the restriction process S25 and ends the process flow.

[0078] In the history determination process S243, if the toner ID does not match the history information (No in the history determination process S243), or if the toner ID matches the history information (Yes in the history determination process S243) and the history information is not linked to the cancellation information (No in the linking determination process S244), the control unit 51 executes the restriction process S25.

[0079] As described above, in the second embodiment, when the image forming device 1 receives a cancellation instruction, in the linking process S31, the control unit 51 links the history information with the cancellation information indicating that the contract has been cancelled. Then, in the history determination process S241 and the linking determination process S242, the control unit 51 determines whether the history information linked to the cancellation information matches. With this configuration, when the image forming device 1 is renewed, it is possible to distinguish between the toner cartridge 30 used under the previous contract and the toner cartridge 30 used under the new contract based on the cancellation information. Therefore, it is possible to effectively control the use by the user of the toner cartridge 30 used under the previous contract.

[0080] Furthermore, when the image forming device 1 receives a contract instruction again after receiving a cancellation instruction, that is, when the image forming device 1 re-contracts, the control unit 51 determines in the contract determination process S23 that the image forming device 1 is in a contract state, and executes the history determination process S241. Then, the control unit 51 executes the history determination process S241. Then, when it is determined in the history determination process S241 and the linking determination process S242 that the toner ID of the toner cartridge 30 matches the history information linked to the cancellation information, the control unit 51 executes the restriction process S25. As a result, when the image forming device 1 re-contracts, it is possible to restrict the user from using the toner cartridge 30 that was used in the previous contract.

[0081] Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus 1 is renewed, even if the history information is linked to the cancellation information, if the toner ID does not match the history information (No in the history determination process S241), the control unit 51 permits the use of the toner cartridge 30. According to this configuration, when the contract is renewed, the user can use the newly acquired contracted toner cartridge 30 without any problem.

[0082] Also, when the image forming device 1 does not receive a contract instruction after receiving the cancellation instruction, that is, when the image forming device 1 has not renewed the contract, the control unit 51 determines in the contract determination process S23 that the image forming device 1 is in a normal state, and executes the history determination process S243. Then, when it is determined in the history determination process S243 and the linking determination process S244 that the toner ID of the toner cartridge 30 matches the history information linked to the cancellation information, the control unit 51 does not execute the restriction process S25. Also, when it is determined in the history determination process S243 and the linking determination process S244 that the toner ID of the toner cartridge 30 does not match the history information linked to the cancellation information, the control unit 51 executes the restriction process S25. According to this configuration, even when the image forming device 1 has not renewed the contract, the user can continue to use the toner cartridge of the contract product used at the time of the previous contract.

[0083] <3. Third embodiment> Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a contract cancellation processing flow executed by the control unit 51 of the third embodiment. The contract cancellation processing flow shown in Fig. 8 may be executed immediately after the control unit 51 receives a cancellation instruction from the contract management server 7, or may be executed after a certain period of time has elapsed. In the contract cancellation processing flow, the control unit 51 moves the history information to the save area 61 of the main body memory 513 (save processing S41). After executing the save processing S41, the control unit 51 ends the processing flow.

[0084] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a memory area of ​​the main memory 513 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, the main memory 513 has a save area 61. In a save process S41, the control unit 51 moves the toner ID stored as history information to the save area 61. Note that the toner ID originally stored as the history information may be erased or may be maintained as it is.

[0085] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a toner detection process flow executed by the control unit 51 of the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the toner detection process flow will be described with reference to Fig. 10, but a description of processes common to the toner detection process flow shown in Fig. 4 will be omitted.

[0086] In the third embodiment, when the control unit 51 determines in the contract determination process S23 that the image forming device 1 is in a contract state (Yes in the contract determination process S23), it determines whether the toner ID read by the reading process S21 matches the history information saved in the save area 61 (history determination process S245). When the toner ID matches the history information of the retreat area 61 (Yes in the history determination process S245), the control unit 51 executes the restriction process S25. If the toner ID does not match the history information in the escape area 61, the control unit 51 does not execute the restriction process S25 and ends the toner detection process flow. In other words, the control unit 51 permits the use of the contracted toner cartridge 30.

[0087] If the control unit 51 determines in the contract determination process S23 that the image forming device 1 is in a normal state (No in the contract determination process S23), it determines whether the toner ID read by the reading process S21 matches the history information saved in the save area 61 (history determination process S246). If the toner ID matches the history information in the retreat area 61 (Yes in the history determination process S246), the control unit 51 does not execute the restriction process S25 and ends the toner detection process flow. In other words, the control unit 51 permits the use of the contracted toner cartridge 30. When the toner ID does not match the history information of the escape area 61 (No in the history determination process S246), the control unit 51 executes the restriction process S25.

[0088] As described above, when the image forming device 1 receives a cancellation instruction, the control unit 51 of the third embodiment moves the history information to the save area 61 of the operation unit 53 in the save process S41. Then, the control unit 51 determines whether the toner ID read in the reading process S21 matches the history information in the save area 61 in the history determination process S245 or the history determination process S246. With this configuration, when the image forming device 1 is renewed, it is possible to distinguish between the contracted toner cartridge used in the previous contract and the contracted toner cartridge newly used after the renewal of the contract, based on the history information in the save area. Therefore, it is possible to effectively control the use by the user of the contracted toner cartridge used in the previous contract.

[0089] When the image forming device 1 receives a contract instruction after receiving a release instruction, that is, when the image forming device 1 re-contracts, the image forming device 1 is determined to be in a contract state in the contract determination process S23, and the control unit 51 executes the history determination process S245. Then, when the history determination process S245 determines that the toner ID does not match the history information in the evacuation area 61, the control unit 51 permits the use of the toner cartridge 30. When the history determination process S245 determines that the toner ID matches the history information in the evacuation area 61, the control unit 51 executes the restriction process S25. According to this configuration, when the contract is renewed, the use of the toner cartridge 30 of the contracted product used by the user at the time of the previous contract can be restricted. Therefore, the user can be prompted to use the toner cartridge 30 of the new contracted product.

[0090] <4. Modifications> Although the embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and various modifications are possible.

[0091] The image forming apparatus 1 described above is an electrophotographic printer, but may be an inkjet printer. In the case of an inkjet printer, an ink cartridge that supplies ink may be the cartridge. In this case, the contents of the present disclosure are applied to the ink cartridge. Also, a tape cassette that supplies tape as a printing substrate may be the cartridge. In this case, the contents of the present disclosure are applied to the tape cartridge. Also, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned form in which the drum cartridge 20 has the photosensitive drum 21 and the toner cartridge 30 has the developing roller 31.

[0092] For example, the developing roller 31 of the toner cartridge 30 may be provided in the drum cartridge 20. In this case, the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 31 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 21 inside the drum cartridge 20.

[0093] Furthermore, one drum cartridge 20 may be configured to be able to mount a plurality of toner cartridges 30. In this case, the drum cartridge 20 may be provided with photoconductor drums 21 corresponding to the number of toner cartridges 30 that can be mounted.

[0094] The image forming apparatus 1 may further include a developing cartridge (not shown) having a developing roller 31. In this case, the developing roller 31 of the toner cartridge 30 is omitted. The drum cartridge 20, the toner cartridge 30, and the developing cartridge are held in a cartridge holding portion of the main body housing 10, whereby the three components are attached to the main body housing 10.

[0095] The image forming apparatus 1 may be provided with a process cartridge (not shown) in which the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 30 are integrated, instead of the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 30. The process cartridge has a photosensitive drum 21, a memory, a developing roller 31, and a casing 33.

[0096] Moreover, instead of the toner cartridge 30, the drum cartridge 20 or the transfer belt 41 may be used as the cartridge to which the present disclosure is applied.

[0097] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the above description is illustrative in all respects, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be envisioned without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The configurations described in the above embodiments and variations may be combined or omitted as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1: Image forming device 10: Main unit housing 13: Main memory 30: Toner cartridge 32: Toner memory 51: Control section 55: Display 61: Evacuation area 513: Main memory

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, A main body housing; A toner cartridge that can be attached to the main body housing, a toner cartridge having a toner memory for storing identification information for identifying the toner cartridge and type information indicating whether the toner cartridge is a contract product that can be used in a contract state in which a service contract has been concluded with the image forming device, or a normal product that can be used in a normal state in which a service contract has not been concluded with the image forming device; A control unit; The internal memory and Equipped with The control unit is a reading process of reading the identification information of the toner cartridge attached to the main body from the toner memory; a storage process for storing the identification information read by the reading process in the main body memory as history information; The control unit is a determination process for determining whether or not the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge matches the history information after the reading process and the storage process are executed and after a cancellation instruction for canceling the contract for the service is received; a permission process for permitting use of the toner cartridge when it is determined by the determination process that the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge matches the history information; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The control unit is In the reading process, the type information of the toner cartridge attached to the main body is read from the toner memory; In the determination process, it is determined whether the type information read in the reading process represents a contracted product or a normal product; The control unit is an image forming apparatus which executes the permission process when the determination process determines that the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge matches the history information and that the type information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge represents the contracted product.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The control unit is An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the judgment process determines that the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge does not match the history information, a restriction process is executed to restrict the use of the toner cartridge attached to the main body housing.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, The control unit is When the cancellation instruction for canceling the contract for the service is received, a linking process is executed to link the history information with cancellation information indicating that the contract has been cancelled; The control unit is The image forming apparatus, characterized in that in the judgment process, it is judged whether the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge matches the history information linked to the cancellation information.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, The control unit is When an instruction to cancel the contract for the service is received again after the instruction to cancel the contract for the service is received, the determination process is executed; When it is determined that the history information linked to the cancellation information matches the cancellation information by the determination process, the image forming apparatus executes the restriction process. An image forming apparatus comprising:

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, The control unit is The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined by the determination process that there is no match with the history information linked to the cancellation information, the permission process is executed.

7. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, The control unit is If, after receiving an instruction to cancel the contract for the service, the user does not receive an instruction to renew the contract for the service again, When it is determined by the determination process that the history information matches the cancellation information, the restriction process is not executed, When it is determined by the determination process that the history information linked to the cancellation information does not match, the image forming apparatus executes the restriction process.

8. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the control unit is capable of executing a save process of moving the history information to a save area of ​​the main body memory when a cancellation instruction for the service contract is received; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines, in the determination process, whether or not the identification information read by the reading process matches the history information of the escape area.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, The control unit is When receiving a contract instruction for the service after receiving the cancellation instruction for canceling the contract for the service, When it is determined by the determination process that the history information of the save area does not match, the permission process is executed; the image forming apparatus executes the restriction process when it is determined by the determination process that the history information matches the history information of the escape area.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, Further equipped with a display, The control unit is When the permission process is executed, a message permitting use of the toner cartridge mounted in the main body casing is displayed on the display.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The control unit is The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination process determines whether or not the identification information read by the reading process matches any of all pieces of information stored as the history information.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The control unit is An image forming apparatus characterized in that, in the judgment process, it is determined whether the identification information read by the reading process matches a specified number of pieces of information, counting from the most recently stored information, among the multiple pieces of information stored as the history information.

13. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a reading step of reading from a toner memory identification information of a toner cartridge installed in the image forming apparatus; a storage step of storing the identification information read by the reading step in the main body memory as history information; a determination step of determining whether or not the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge matches the history information after the reading step and the storing step are executed and after a cancellation instruction for canceling a service contract is received; a permission step of permitting use of the toner cartridge when it is determined in the determination step that the identification information stored in the toner memory of the toner cartridge matches the history information; Including, A method for controlling an image forming device, characterized in that the toner memory stores type information indicating whether the toner cartridge is a contract product that can be used in a contractual state where a service contract has been concluded for the image forming device, or a normal product that can be used in a normal state where a service contract has not been concluded for the image forming device.

Images