Image formation device

Abstract

To prevent incorrect control from being performed on the basis of corrupted data read from a memory of a consumable.SOLUTION: Step S110 determines that a toner serial number stored in a toner memory (610) matches a main-body serial number written in an NVRAM (104). Step S135 determines that the main-body serial number stored in the NVRAM (104) matches the main-body serial number written in the toner memory (610). When S165 determines that a first consumption amount is greater than a second consumption amount, an error stop is executed in step S180.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus in which consumables are attached to a main body. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for reading a counter value in a consumable IC when serial information in the consumable IC matches serial information related to the consumable in the main body memory. The read counter value in the consumable IC is compared with the counter value in the main body memory. Then, a predetermined control is performed in the image forming apparatus according to the comparison result between the read counter value in the consumable IC and the counter value in the main body memory. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-85888 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, when a counter value is read from a consumable IC, the read counter value may be corrupted. In this case, if the corrupted counter value is used, the image forming apparatus may not be able to perform correct control.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the risk of using a corrupted counter value and preventing the image forming apparatus from performing correct control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the object, an image forming apparatus of the present disclosure is an image forming apparatus including: a consumable having a consumable memory that stores consumable identification information and a first consumption amount that represents a consumption amount of the consumable; a main body to which the consumable is detachable; a main body memory that stores main body identification information and a second consumption amount that represents a consumption amount of the consumable; and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs a consumable identification information write process that writes the consumable identification information stored in the consumable memory to the main body memory; a main body identification information write process that writes the main body identification information stored in the main body memory to the consumable memory; a consumable identification information determination process that determines whether the consumable identification information stored in the consumable memory matches the consumable identification information written to the main body memory by the consumable identification information write process; the control unit further executes a main unit identification information determination process that determines whether the information stored in the consumable memory matches the main unit identification information written in the consumable memory by the main unit identification information writing process, and a comparison process that compares a first consumption amount stored in the consumable memory with a second consumption amount stored in the main unit memory, and the control unit further executes a first error process when the consumable identification information determination process determines that the consumable identification information stored in the consumable memory matches the consumable identification information written in the main unit memory by the consumable identification information writing process, and the comparison process determines that the first consumption amount is greater than the second consumption amount.

[0007] In the present disclosure, the main body is provided with a main body memory, and consumables detachable from the main body are provided with consumable memory. The main body memory stores main body identification information corresponding to the individual image forming apparatus and second consumption amounts representing the consumption amounts of the consumables. The consumable memory stores consumable identification information corresponding to the individual consumables and first consumption amounts representing the consumption amounts of the consumables.

[0008] On the other hand, since consumables are detachable from the main body, they may be removed from the main body of one image forming apparatus and attached to the main body of another image forming apparatus for use. In this case, the combination of the image forming apparatus and the consumables is switched. In response to this, the control unit performs a consumables identification information writing process and a main body identification information writing process.

[0009] In the consumable item identification information writing process, the consumable item identification information stored in the consumable item memory is written to the main unit memory. In the main unit identification information writing process, the main unit identification information stored in the main unit memory is written to the consumable item memory.

[0010] As a result, if the consumable identification information determination process determines that the consumable identification information stored in the main memory and the consumable memory respectively matches, and if the main unit identification information determination process determines that the main unit identification information stored in the main memory and the consumable memory respectively matches, then generally the combination of the image forming device and the consumable has not been switched, and the first consumption amount and the second consumption amount should actually be the same value.

[0011] Therefore, if the comparison process determines that the first consumption amount is greater than the second consumption amount, it is assumed that the read-out first consumption amount has been garbled for some reason, and the image forming device is stopped due to an error in the first error process.

[0012] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to identify that garbled numbers have occurred when reading the first consumption amount from the consumable memory, and when garbled numbers have occurred, it is possible to prevent incorrect printing based on those numbers. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent erroneous control from being performed based on garbled numbers when reading from the memory of a consumable item. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of information stored in an NVRAM, a RAM, and a toner memory of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating synchronous updating when a toner cartridge is installed in the main body. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating changes in a first consumption amount and a second consumption amount and synchronous updates. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating synchronous updating when a switch replacement is performed. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating synchronous updating when a switch replacement is performed. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the procedure of a switch synchronization update process. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the procedure of a switch synchronization update process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0016] <Configuration of image forming device> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a color laser printer. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body 10, a feed unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a discharge unit 90, and a fan 14. The feed unit 20, the image forming unit 30, the discharge unit 90, and the fan 14 are located inside the main body 10. For ease of explanation, the up-down direction and the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 1 are defined as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1.

[0017] The main body 10 has a cover 11 and a discharge tray 13. The cover 11 is located on the top of the main body 10. The cover 11 is rotatable around a rotation shaft 12. The discharge tray 13 is located on the top surface of the cover 11. The discharge tray 13 supports the sheet P discharged from the main body 10.

[0018] The main body 10 has two fans 14. The two fans 14 are located inside the main body 10. One of the two fans 14 is located on the front side of the main body 10. The remaining one of the two fans 14 is located on the rear side of the main body 10. The fan 14 rotates by driving force from a fan motor 110 (see FIG. 2). As a result, the air inside the main body 10 is ventilated, and the temperature inside the main body 10 decreases. The position and number of the fans 14 can be changed as appropriate.

[0019] The paper feed unit 20 has a paper feed tray 21 and a paper feed mechanism 22. The paper feed tray 21 is located at the bottom inside the main body 10. The paper feed tray 21 is detachable from the main body 10. The paper feed mechanism 22 has a paper feed roller 23, a separation roller 24, a separation pad 25, a paper dust removal roller 26, and a pinch roller 27. The sheet paper feed mechanism 22 transports the sheet P from the paper feed tray 21 to the image forming unit 30.

[0020] The paper feed roller 23 supplies the sheets P in the paper feed tray 21 to the separation roller 24. The separation roller 24 and the separation pad 25 separate the sheets P one by one. The paper dust removal roller 26 and the pinch roller 27 remove paper dust from the sheets P.

[0021] The image forming unit 30 forms an image on the sheet P conveyed by the paper feeding unit 20. The image forming unit 30 has four LED units 40, four process cartridges 50, a belt unit 70, and a fixing unit 80.

[0022] The LED unit 40 has an LED head 41. The LED head 41 is located above the photosensitive drum 53. The LED head 41 faces the photosensitive drum 53.

[0023] The process cartridge 50 is located between the cover 11 and the paper feed unit 20. The process cartridges 50 are lined up in the front-to-rear direction. Each process cartridge 50 has a drum cartridge 51 and a toner cartridge 60. The toner cartridge 60 is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 51. Note that the toner cartridge 60 and the drum cartridge 51 may be integrally configured as a process cartridge.

[0024] The process cartridge 50 can be attached to and detached from the opening of the main body 10 after the cover 11 is rotated upward. That is, with the toner cartridge 60 attached to the drum cartridge 51, the drum cartridge 51 can be attached to and detached from the main body 10 together with the toner cartridge 60. The process cartridges 50 are identical in configuration, except that the color of toner contained in the toner containing chamber 63 differs.

[0025] Drum cartridge 51 has a charger 52, a photosensitive drum 53, and a drum memory 510 (described later) which is an IC chip. Charger 52 is, for example, a scorotron charger. The surface of photosensitive drum 53 is uniformly charged by charger 52. Photosensitive drum 53 is exposed to LED light emitted from LED print head 41. As a result, an electrostatic latent image based on print data is formed on photosensitive drum 53.

[0026] The drum cartridge 51 also has a cleaning roller 54. The cleaning roller 54 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 53. The cleaning roller 54 cleans the photosensitive drum 53. In other words, the cleaning roller 54 collects foreign matter such as toner and paper dust adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 53. When a print job is completed, the foreign matter is discharged onto the transfer belt 73 via the photosensitive drum 53. The foreign matter discharged onto the transfer belt 73 is then collected by a belt cleaning roller 75, which will be described later.

[0027] The toner cartridge 60 has a developing roller 61, a supply roller 62, a toner storage chamber 63, and a toner memory 610, which is an IC chip and will be described later. Toner stored in the toner storage chamber 63 is supplied to the developing roller 61 by the rotation of the supply roller 62. The toner memory 610 stores information regarding switch replacement, which will be described later (see FIG. 3).

[0028] When the developing roller 61 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 53, the toner carried on the developing roller 61 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 53. As a result, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 53.

[0029] The belt unit 70 is located between the paper supply unit 20 and each process cartridge 50. The belt unit 70 has a belt memory 71 which is an IC chip, a drive roller 72A, a driven roller 72B, a transfer belt 73, four transfer rollers 74, and a belt cleaning roller 75.

[0030] The drive roller 72A and the driven roller 72B are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction. The transfer belt 73 is an endless belt. The transfer belt 73 is located between the drive roller 72A and the driven roller 72B. The transfer belt 73 faces the four process cartridges 50. The transfer belt 73 is in contact with each of the photosensitive drums 53.

[0031] The four transfer rollers 74 are positioned inside the transfer belt 73. The transfer belt 73 is sandwiched between each transfer roller 74 and each photosensitive drum 53. Each transfer roller 74 faces each photosensitive drum 53. A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer rollers 74 by constant current control during transfer.

[0032] As the sheet P passes between each photosensitive drum 53 and each transfer roller 74, the toner image formed on each photosensitive drum 53 is transferred onto the sheet P supplied onto the transfer belt 73.

[0033] The belt cleaning roller 75 is located below the transfer belt 73. The belt cleaning roller 75 collects foreign matter such as toner from the transfer belt 73. The collected foreign matter is stored in a toner reservoir .

[0034] The fixing unit 80 is located behind each process cartridge 50 and the belt unit 70. The fixing unit 80 has a heating roller 81 and a pressure roller 82. The pressure roller 82 faces the heating roller 81. The pressure roller 82 presses the heating roller 81. When the sheet P passes between the heating roller 81 and the pressure roller 82, the toner image transferred onto the sheet P is thermally fixed.

[0035] The paper discharge section 90 has a paper discharge path 91 and paper discharge rollers 92. The paper discharge path 91 extends upward from the exit of the fixing unit 80. The paper discharge path 91 is formed so as to turn over to the front side. The paper discharge rollers 92 transport the sheet P on which an image has been formed along the paper discharge path 91. The paper discharge rollers 92 discharge the sheet P on which an image has been formed onto the paper discharge tray 13.

[0036] <Electrical configuration of image forming apparatus> 2 is a block diagram showing the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a fan motor 110, a touch panel 120, an open / close sensor 130, a humidity sensor 140, and a communication interface (I / F) 150.

[0037] The controller 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a NVRAM 104, an ASIC 105, a voltage application circuit 106, and an abnormal discharge detection circuit 107. The CPU 101, the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the NVRAM 104, the ASIC 105, the voltage application circuit 106, and the abnormal discharge detection circuit 107 are connected by an internal bus.

[0038] The ROM 102 stores a control program for controlling the image forming apparatus 1 and setting information related to the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the control program stored in the ROM 102 includes a switch synchronization update process shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, which will be described later.

[0039] The RAM 103 is used as a work area from which the control program is read and as a storage area for temporarily storing print data.

[0040] NVRAM (Non Volatile Random Access Memory) 104 stores a control program for controlling the image forming apparatus 1 and setting information related to the image forming apparatus 1. NVRAM 104 is used as a working area from which the control program is read, and as a storage area for temporarily storing print data and setting information.

[0041] The ASIC 105 is electrically connected to the feeding section 20, the LED unit 40, the process cartridge 50, the belt unit 70, the discharge section 90, the voltage application circuit 106, the abnormal discharge detection circuit 107, the fan motor 110, the touch panel 120, the open / close sensor 130, the humidity sensor 140, the communication I / F 150, and the network I / F 160, etc.

[0042] The voltage application circuit 106 applies a voltage to the wire and grid of the charger 52. The abnormal discharge detection circuit 107 detects the occurrence of abnormal discharge based on the value of the current flowing through the voltage application circuit 106.

[0043] The touch panel 120 is, for example, a device that integrates a liquid crystal display and a touchpad. The touch panel 120 is located on the top surface of the main body 10. The touch panel 120 can display information and accept user operations. Note that instead of the touch panel 120, a display device such as a liquid crystal panel that functions as a display unit, and an operation device such as hard keys that functions as an operation unit may be used. The open / close sensor 130 is a sensor that detects whether the cover 11 is opened or closed. When the open / close sensor 130 detects whether the cover 11 is opened or closed, it outputs the detection result to the controller 100.

[0044] The humidity sensor 140 is a sensor that detects the humidity outside the main body 10. The humidity sensor 140 is located, for example, on the rear surface of the main body 10. The humidity sensor 140 outputs a signal to the controller 100 according to the detected humidity.

[0045] The communication I / F 150 is connected to a network such as a LAN. The communication I / F 150 can be connected to an external device such as a PC terminal 160 that has a driver for the image forming apparatus 1 installed. The image forming apparatus 1 can receive print jobs and the like from the PC terminal 160 and the like via the communication I / F 150.

[0046] The toner memory 610 is an example of a consumable memory, the NVRAM 104 and the RAM 103 are examples of a main body memory, and the controller 100 is an example of a control unit.

[0047] <About toner cartridge switch replacement and information management> As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the four toner cartridges 60 containing toner are detachable from the main body 10. This allows for switch replacement, whereby one toner cartridge 60 with remaining toner can be shared among multiple image forming apparatuses 1. It is also possible to switch replacement, whereby multiple toner cartridges 60 with remaining toner can be swapped for use in one image forming apparatus 1.

[0048] However, the amount of toner remaining in the toner cartridge 60 is not detected by hardware using a dedicated sensor. The amount of toner remaining in the toner cartridge 60 is the cumulative amount of toner consumed, calculated by software based on the amount of toner used in printing processes up to that point. For this reason, information management such as that shown in Figures 3 to 7 is required for both the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner cartridge 60, so that the amount of toner remaining in the installed toner cartridge 60 can be accurately determined even if the switch has been replaced in the past.

[0049] 3 is a diagram showing an example of information regarding switch replacement stored in the NVRAM 104, RAM 103, and toner memory 610 of the image forming apparatus 1. Note that, to simplify the illustration and explanation, only information regarding the toner cartridge 60 corresponding to one color is shown.

[0050] 3, the main body serial number is stored in a non-rewritable manner in NVRAM 104, which is a non-volatile storage device of main body A shown as a specific image forming apparatus 1. The number of toner switches, the most recent toner serial number, and the second consumption amount are also stored in a rewritable manner in NVRAM 104. Toner switch information and main body switch information are also stored in RAM 103, which is a volatile storage device of image forming apparatus 1, in a rewritable manner.

[0051] Furthermore, the toner serial number is stored in a non-rewritable manner in the toner memory 610 of the toner cartridge a shown as the specific toner cartridge 60. Furthermore, the toner memory 610 of the toner cartridge a rewritably stores the number of times the main body switch is pressed, the most recent main body serial number, and the first consumption amount.

[0052] The toner switch count, most recent toner serial number, second consumption amount, and toner switch information are information about toner cartridge a. The main body switch count, most recent main body serial number, and main body switch information are information about main body A.

[0053] The main body serial number is an example of main body identification information. The toner switch count is an example of consumable switch count. The most recent toner serial number is an example of consumable identification information written to the main body memory. The toner switch information is an example of consumable switch information. The toner serial number is an example of consumable identification information. The most recent main body serial number is an example of main body identification information written to the consumable memory. The contents and processing methods of each of these pieces of information will be explained in detail below.

[0054] First, in Figure 4, the main body serial number is an identification number assigned to identify an individual main body A at the time of manufacture. The toner serial number is an identification number assigned to identify an individual toner cartridge a at the time of manufacture. In the example shown, the main body serial number of main body A is set to "1234" and the toner serial number of toner cartridge a is set to "4321."

[0055] The number of toner switches, most recent toner serial number, second consumption amount, toner switch information, main body switch information, number of main body switches, most recent main body serial number, and first consumption amount are set to initial values ​​(such as "0", "0%", "----", "none", etc. in the example shown) when main body A and toner cartridge a are unused.

[0056] As shown in the lower part of the figure, when toner cartridge a is installed in main body A for the first time, the most recent toner serial number is updated to the toner serial number, the most recent main body serial number is updated to the main body serial number, and the second consumption amount is updated to the first consumption amount by processing by CPU 101 of main body A.

[0057] Note that this kind of synchronous update processing between the main body A and the toner cartridge a is executed when a predetermined condition is met in a situation where there is a possibility that the toner cartridge 60 has been replaced. Specifically, immediately after the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, or when the open / close sensor 130 detects that the cover 11 has been closed, the switch synchronous update processing (see FIGS. 8 and 9 below) described below is executed. As a result, synchronous update is performed when either the most recent toner serial number does not match the toner serial number, or the most recent main body serial number does not match the main body serial number.

[0058] Furthermore, when toner cartridge 60 is installed, the values ​​of the first consumption amount and the second consumption amount are updated by a separate update process (not shown) each time toner is consumed by printing or the like. Specifically, as shown in the top row of FIG. 5, if toner cartridge a is unused, the first consumption amount is initially set to 0%, and the second consumption amount of main body A is synchronously recorded as 0%. If X sheets of paper are then printed, as shown in the middle row of the figure, the first consumption amount is counted up by the amount of toner consumed calculated for printing X sheets (20% in the illustrated example), and the value of the second consumption amount is synchronously updated. Furthermore, even if the printer is left unused for an extended period of time without printing, toner is consumed in small amounts (1% in the illustrated example) at predetermined time intervals for maintenance of process cartridge 50, as shown in the bottom row of the figure.

[0059] When main body A exchanges the switches of the installed toner cartridges a and b with main body B (main body serial No. = "1235"), which is an individual unit of another image forming apparatus 1, the operation shown in FIG. 6 is performed. That is, the switch synchronization update process described below is executed at the timing when it is detected that the cover 11 has been closed in each of main body A and main body B. In this case, the most recent toner serial number and the toner serial number do not match in either main body A or main body B. Furthermore, the most recent main body serial number and the main body serial number do not match either. Therefore, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 4, the most recent toner serial number is synchronized and updated to the toner serial number. Also, the most recent main body serial number is synchronized and updated to the main body serial number.

[0060] When a switch exchange is performed in this way, the main body switch information and toner switch information are both changed to "Yes." Furthermore, since each toner cartridge a, b is considered to have been switched between two different main bodies A, B, the main body switch count and toner switch count values ​​are incremented. Furthermore, the second consumption amount is synchronously updated to the value of the first consumption amount.

[0061] However, for example, as shown in Figure 7, there is a case where toner cartridge a removed from main body A is installed in main body B and used, and then toner cartridge a removed from main body B is installed again in main body A. In this case, the most recent toner serial number and the toner serial number match. However, the most recent main body serial number and the main body serial number do not match, the number of toner switches do not match the number of main body switches, and the second consumption amount do not match the first consumption amount. Furthermore, the toner switch information and main body switch information remain "none" (see the state before synchronous update shown in the lower left of the figure).

[0062] Although not specifically shown, switch replacement may also occur in the same main body A, where toner cartridge a is used in the order of toner cartridge b, then toner cartridge a. In other words, in the above-described switch replacement scenario, it is not possible to accurately determine whether the switch has been replaced solely on the condition that the most recent toner serial number stored in main body A matches the toner serial number. For this reason, in order to accurately determine whether the switch has been replaced, it is necessary to also refer to a comparison of the number of switches recorded in both the main body and the toner cartridge.

[0063] By managing the above, it is possible to accurately grasp the consumption amount information of the installed toner cartridge 60 even if the switch has been replaced. However, when the first consumption amount stored in the cartridge memory 610 of the toner cartridge 60 is read via the ASIC 105, garbled numbers may occur, resulting in a value of a different magnitude. In this case, if subsequent processing is performed based on the garbled value, it may become impossible to correctly control the image forming apparatus 1.

[0064] In contrast, in this embodiment, if it is determined that no switch replacement has occurred after the synchronous update, but the first consumption amount value and the second consumption amount value are significantly different, printing is prohibited on the assumption that garbled numbers have occurred. Specifically, if, after the synchronous update, the toner switch information is "none," the first consumption amount value is greater than the second consumption amount value, and the main body switch information is "none," printing is prohibited. Printing is also prohibited if, after the synchronous update, the toner switch information is "none," the first consumption amount value is smaller than the second consumption amount value by a predetermined threshold or more, and the main body switch information is "none." This prevents the image forming device 1 from being erroneously controlled based on garbled numbers.

[0065] <Control procedure> An example of a control procedure for switch synchronous update processing executed by the controller 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 to realize the method of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 8 and 9. First, the processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 8 starts immediately after the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on or when the open / close sensor 130 detects that the cover 11 has been closed.

[0066] First, in step S105, the toner serial number recorded in the toner memory 610 and the most recent toner serial number recorded in the NVRAM 104 of the image forming apparatus 1 are obtained. In the next step S110, it is determined whether these toner serial numbers match the most recent toner serial number. If the toner serial number and the most recent toner serial number match (S110: YES), it is determined that the toner cartridge 60 has not been switched. Then, in step S113, the content of the toner switch information is changed to "no," and the process proceeds to step S130. On the other hand, if the toner serial number and the most recent toner serial number do not match (S110: NO), it is determined that the toner cartridge 60 has been switched. Then, in step S115, the content of the toner switch information is changed to "yes," the value of the toner switch count is incremented in step S120, and in step S125, the most recent toner serial number of the main body is updated with the toner serial number of the toner cartridge, and the process proceeds to step S130.

[0067] In step S130, the main body serial number recorded in NVRAM 104 of image forming apparatus 1 and the most recent main body serial number recorded in toner memory 610 are obtained. In the next step S135, it is determined whether the main body serial number and the most recent main body serial number match. If the main body serial number and the most recent main body serial number match (S135: YES), it is determined that a switch replacement with a main body with a different toner cartridge has not been performed, and in step S138 the content of the main body switch information is changed to "none", and the process proceeds to step S155 (see the flow in Figure 9 described below). On the other hand, if the main body serial number and the most recent main body serial number do not match (S135: NO), it is assumed that the switch has been replaced with a different main body, and the content of the main body switch information is changed to "Yes" in step S140, the value of the main body switch count is incremented in step S145, the most recent main body serial number of the toner cartridge is updated with the main body serial number of the main body in step S150, and then the process proceeds to step S155 (see the flow in Figure 9 described below).

[0068] In step S155 of the flow in FIG. 9, it is determined whether the content of the toner switch information is "Yes." If the content of the toner switch information is "Yes" (S155: YES), it is assumed that the switch of the toner cartridge 60 has been replaced, and the process proceeds to step S160. In this case, it is assumed that a different toner cartridge 60 has been installed in the main body. Therefore, in step S160, the second consumption amount of the main body is updated with the first consumption amount of the toner cartridge, and this consumption amount information is applied to subsequent printing processes. Then, this flow ends.

[0069] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S155 that the content of the toner switch information is "none" (S155: NO), it is assumed that the switch of the toner cartridge 60 has not been replaced, and the process proceeds to step S165.

[0070] In step S165, the second consumption amount of the main body is compared with the first consumption amount of the toner cartridge. If the first consumption amount and the second consumption amount are the same, it is assumed that the first consumption amount of the toner cartridge has been read correctly without any garbled numbers, and the process proceeds to step S170. In this case, it is assumed that the switch of the toner cartridge 60 has not been replaced, and that the garbled numbers in the consumption amount information have not occurred. Therefore, in step S170, the second consumption amount of the main body is applied to the printing process, and this flow ends.

[0071] On the other hand, if the comparison in step S165 shows that the first consumption amount is greater than the second consumption amount, the process proceeds to step S175. In step S175, it is determined whether the content of the main body switch information is "present." If the content of the main body switch information is "absent" (S175: NO), it is assumed that the toner cartridge was not installed in a different main body, and the process proceeds to step S180. In this case, even though it was determined that the switch had not been replaced, the first consumption amount of toner is significantly different from the second consumption amount of the main body, so it is assumed that the first consumption amount was read as a garbled number. Therefore, in step S180, neither the first consumption amount nor the second consumption amount is applied, and an error stop is performed to prohibit printing, and this flow ends.

[0072] On the other hand, if the determination in step S175 indicates that the main body switch information is "Yes" (S175: YES), it is assumed that the toner cartridge has been installed in a different main body, and the process proceeds to step S185. In this case, since the installed toner cartridge 60 was used in another main body and its toner had been consumed when the switch was replaced in the main body, it is assumed that the first consumption amount on the toner side is significantly different from the second consumption amount on the main body. Therefore, in step S185, the second consumption amount on the main body is updated with the first consumption amount on the toner cartridge, and this consumption amount information is applied to subsequent printing processes. This flow then ends.

[0073] On the other hand, if the comparison in step S165 determines that the first consumption amount is smaller than the second consumption amount, the process proceeds to step S190. In step S190, a difference is calculated by subtracting the first consumption amount from the second consumption amount. In the next step S195, it is determined whether the difference is smaller than a predetermined threshold. This is to address the possibility that the second consumption amount may differ slightly from the first consumption amount due to toner consumption for maintenance. That is, when printing is not performed for an extended period, a small amount of toner is consumed at regular intervals for maintenance, gradually increasing the second consumption amount of the main body. If the increase in the second consumption amount is not reflected in the first consumption amount through a separate update process frequently, the second consumption amount may differ significantly from the first consumption amount even without the toner cartridge 60 being replaced. The predetermined threshold is set appropriately depending on the maintenance consumption amount of the second consumption amount and the update frequency for reflecting it in the first consumption amount. The difference is an example of a deviation.

[0074] If the difference is smaller than the predetermined threshold (S195: YES), the difference between the second consumption amount and the first consumption amount is deemed to be due to toner consumption for maintenance, and the flow proceeds to step S170. In this case, the first consumption amount was not updated in time to reflect the increase in the second consumption amount, and the flow is deemed to be normal. Therefore, in step S170, the second consumption amount of the main body is applied to the printing process, and this flow ends.

[0075] On the other hand, if the difference value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value in step S195 (S195: NO), it is determined that the second consumption amount has increased significantly compared to the first consumption amount by more than the amount of toner consumed for maintenance, and the process proceeds to step S200. In this case, since it has been determined that the switch has not been replaced, there should only be a small difference between the second consumption amount and the first consumption amount, roughly equivalent to the amount of toner consumed for maintenance. However, because the second consumption amount differs significantly from the first consumption amount, it is determined that the first consumption amount was read as a garbled number. Therefore, in step S200, neither the first consumption amount nor the second consumption amount is applied, and an error stop is performed to prohibit printing, and the flow ends.

[0076] In the above, the process of reading the first consumption amount in steps S160 and S185 is an example of a consumption amount reading process. The process of updating the second consumption amount with the first consumption amount in steps S160 and S185 is an example of a consumption amount writing process. Step S115 is an example of a consumable switch information writing process. Step S140 is an example of a main body switch information writing process. Step S155 is an example of a consumable switch determination process. Step S165 is an example of a comparison process. Step S175 is an example of a main body switch determination process. Step S180 is an example of a first error processing. Step S195 is an example of a consumption amount determination process. Step S200 is an example of a second error processing. Step S105 is an example of a consumable identification information reading process. Step S125 is an example of a consumable identification information writing process. Step S110 is an example of a consumable identification information determination process. Step S130 is an example of a main body identification information reading process. Step S150 is an example of main body identification information writing processing. Step S135 is an example of main body identification information determining processing. Step S120 is an example of consumable switch count updating processing. Step S145 is an example of main body switch count updating processing.

[0077] <Effects of the embodiment> As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the main body 10 is provided with the NVRAM 104 and the RAM 103, and the toner cartridge 60 that is detachable from the main body 10 is provided with the toner memory 610. The NVRAM 104 stores the main body serial number, which is identification information corresponding to the individual image forming apparatus 1, the most recent toner serial number, which is identification information corresponding to the individual toner cartridge 60 that was most recently installed, and the second consumption amount, which is the amount of toner consumed. The toner memory 610 stores the toner serial number, which is identification information corresponding to the individual toner cartridge 60, the most recent main body serial number, which is identification information corresponding to the individual image forming apparatus 1 that was most recently installed, and the first consumption amount, which is the amount of toner consumed.

[0078] On the other hand, since the toner cartridge 60 is detachable from the main body 10, it may be removed from the main body 10 of one image forming apparatus 1 and attached to the main body 10 of another image forming apparatus 1 for use. In this case, the combination of the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner cartridge 60 is switched. In response to this, the controller 100 performs steps S125 and S150.

[0079] In step S125, the toner serial number stored in the toner memory 610 is written to the most recent toner serial number in the NVRAM 104. In step S150, the main body serial number stored in the NVRAM 104 is written to the most recent main body serial number in the toner memory 610.

[0080] As a result, if it is determined in step S110 that the toner serial number and the most recent toner serial number match, and if it is determined in step S135 that the main body serial number and the most recent main body serial number match, then generally the combination of the image forming device 1 and the toner cartridge 60 has not been switched, and the first consumption amount and the second consumption amount should actually be the same value.

[0081] Therefore, if it is determined in step S165 that the first consumption amount is greater than the second consumption amount, it is assumed that the read-out first consumption amount has been garbled for some reason, and the image forming device 1 performs an error stop in step S180.

[0082] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to identify whether garbled numbers have occurred when reading the first consumption amount from the toner memory 610, and when garbled numbers have occurred, it is possible to prevent erroneous printing based on those numbers.

[0083] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, in steps S160 and S185, the first consumption amount read from the toner memory 610 is written as the second consumption amount to the NVRAM 104. This allows the first consumption amount that is deemed to have been correctly read from the toner memory 610 to be applied to printing control, etc.

[0084] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, if it is determined in step S110 that the toner serial number and the most recent toner serial number do not match, or if it is determined in step S135 that the main body serial number and the most recent main body serial number do not match, it can be assumed that the toner cartridge 60 in the image forming device 1 has been switched over in some way, and the contents of the toner switch information and main body switch information can be recorded as "Yes" corresponding to each case.

[0085] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, if the toner switch information is "absent" in the determination in step S155 and it is determined that the toner cartridge 60 has been switched over in some way, the first consumption amount is compared with the second consumption amount in step S165. As a result, if it is determined that a new toner cartridge 60 has been installed as a result of the switch replacement, the second consumption amount can be updated and applied with the new first consumption amount in step S160. On the other hand, on the premise that it is determined that the toner cartridge 60 has not been switched over from the main body's perspective, the first consumption amount is compared with the second consumption amount in step S165, allowing for a more detailed situation determination.

[0086] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, if it is determined in step S165 that the first consumption amount is greater than the second consumption amount, and if the main body switch information is "absent" in step S175, the error stop in step S180 is executed. This makes it possible to determine whether the difference in values, i.e., the first consumption amount is greater than the second consumption amount, is not due to digit error. That is, an error stop can be avoided in the case of an asymmetric switch replacement, such as when toner cartridge a most recently installed in main body A of image forming apparatus 1 is used in another main body B and then installed in main body A again, as shown in FIG. 7 . Conversely, if it is determined in steps S155 and S175 that no switch replacement has occurred from both the main body A side and the toner cartridge 60 side, but the first consumption amount is greater than the second consumption amount, an error stop can be executed more clearly assuming the occurrence of digit error.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, by prohibiting printing by the image forming apparatus 1 due to the error stop in step S180, it is possible to reliably avoid erroneous printing based on the garbled first consumption amount number.

[0088] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, even if it is determined that the first consumption amount is smaller than the second consumption amount as a result of comparing the first consumption amount with the second consumption amount in step S165, this may be due to garbled numbers. However, in this case, the value of the second consumption amount is periodically reflected in the first consumption amount and updated, and it is possible that the update just happened not to be completed in time.

[0089] Therefore, in this embodiment, if the first consumption amount is smaller than the second consumption amount, step S195 is executed to determine whether the deviation between the second consumption amount and the consumption amount represented by the first consumption amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If the deviation is equal to or greater than the threshold, it is determined that garbled numbers have occurred, rather than the aforementioned update delay, and an error stop is executed in step S200.

[0090] According to this embodiment, it is possible to more reliably identify that garbled numbers have occurred when reading from the toner memory 610, and to prevent printing from being performed under erroneous control.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, by prohibiting printing by the image forming apparatus 1 due to the error stop in step S200, it is possible to reliably avoid erroneous printing based on the garbled first consumption amount number.

[0092] In this embodiment, in step S105, the toner serial number is read from the toner memory 610. This makes it possible to compare the toner serial number with the most recent one stored in the main body and determine whether the switch of the toner cartridge 60 has been replaced.

[0093] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, when the cover 11 provided on the image forming apparatus 1 is closed, there is a possibility that the toner cartridge 60 has been replaced with another one, and there is a high possibility that the switch has been replaced. Therefore, in this embodiment, in such a case, the controller 100 executes step S110 and compares the toner serial number in the toner memory 610 with the most recent toner serial number in the NVRAM 104 of the main body. This makes it possible to reliably detect that the switch of the toner cartridge 60 has been replaced. Note that step S110 may also be executed when the cover 11 is opened.

[0094] Alternatively, in this embodiment, the controller 100 may execute step S110 each time the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on. This also makes it possible to reliably detect that the switch of the toner cartridge 60 has been replaced.

[0095] In this embodiment, in step S130, the main body serial number is read from the NVRAM 104. This allows the main body serial number to be compared with the most recent main body serial number stored on the toner side, making it possible to determine whether the switch of the toner cartridge 60 in the image forming apparatus 1 has been replaced.

[0096] In this embodiment, the number of toner switches is stored in the NVRAM 104 of the main body, and the number of main body switches is stored in the toner memory 610. When a new switch exchange of a toner cartridge 60 or a switch exchange of a toner cartridge 60 between main bodies is performed, the number of toner switches or the number of main body switches is updated in step S120 or step S145 executed by the controller 100.

[0097] According to this embodiment, appropriate control can be performed according to the number of toner switches or the number of main body switches that are counted up.

[0098] In this embodiment, the second consumption amount and the first consumption amount are described as the amount of toner consumed that is counted up as the toner is used in printing. Alternatively, they may be the remaining amount of toner that is counted down as the toner is used in printing. In that case, the comparison performed in step S165 and step S195 can be performed using the reverse magnitude relationship.

[0099] Furthermore, in the above, the flowcharts shown in Figures 8 and 9 do not limit the present disclosure to the procedures shown in these flowcharts, and steps may be added or deleted or the order may be changed within the scope that does not deviate from the intent and technical idea of ​​the disclosure.

[0100] Furthermore, in addition to the above, the methods according to the embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0101] Although not specifically illustrated, the present disclosure can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the spirit thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1. Image forming device 10 Main Unit 30 Image forming unit 50 Process cartridge 60 Toner Cartridges 100 Controller (control unit) 103 RAM (main memory) 104 NVRAM (main memory) 105 ASIC 610 Toner memory (consumables memory)

Claims

1. a consumable item having a consumable item memory that stores consumable item identification information and a first consumption amount that represents a consumption amount of the consumable item; a main body to which the consumables can be detachably attached; a main body memory that stores main body identification information and a second consumption amount that indicates the consumption amount of the consumable item; A control unit; An image forming apparatus comprising: The control unit a consumable item identification information writing process for writing the consumable item identification information stored in the consumable item memory to the main body memory; a main body identification information writing process for writing the main body identification information stored in the main body memory into the consumables memory; a consumable item identification information determination process for determining whether or not the consumable item identification information stored in the consumable item memory matches the consumable item identification information written to the main body memory by the consumable item identification information writing process; a main body identification information determination process for determining whether the main body identification information stored in the main body memory matches the main body identification information written to the consumables memory by the main body identification information writing process; a comparison process for comparing a first consumption amount stored in the consumable item memory with a second consumption amount stored in the main body memory; The control unit further the consumable item identification information determination process determines that the consumable item identification information stored in the consumable item memory matches the consumable item identification information written to the main body memory by the consumable item identification information writing process; the main body identification information determination process determines that the main body identification information stored in the main body memory matches the main body identification information written to the consumables memory by the main body identification information writing process; When it is determined in the comparison process that the first consumption amount is greater than the second consumption amount, a first error process is performed. Run An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. The control unit further a consumption amount reading process for reading the first consumption amount stored in the consumable item memory; a consumption amount writing process for writing the first consumption amount read in the consumption amount reading process into the main body memory as the second consumption amount; Run 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. The control unit further a consumable switch information writing process for writing consumable switch information into the main body memory when it is determined by the consumable identification information determination process that the consumable identification information stored in the consumable memory does not match the consumable identification information stored in the main body memory by the consumable identification information writing process; a main body switch information writing process for writing main body switch information to the consumable memory when it is determined by the main body identification information determination process that the main body identification information stored in the main body memory does not match the main body identification information stored in the consumable memory by the main body identification information writing process; Run 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. The control unit further executes a consumable switch determination process for determining whether or not the consumable switch information is stored in the main body memory; The control unit further When it is determined in the consumable switch determination process that the consumable switch information is stored, the comparison process is executed.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. The control unit further When it is determined in the comparison process that the first consumption amount is greater than the second consumption amount, a main body switch determination process is executed to determine whether or not the main body switch information is stored in the consumable item memory; The control unit further When it is determined in the main body switch determination process that the main body switch information is not stored, the first error process is executed.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The control unit In the first error processing, printing by the image forming apparatus is prohibited.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

7. The control unit further a consumption amount determination process for determining whether a difference between the first consumption amount and the second consumption amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value when the first consumption amount is determined to be smaller than the second consumption amount in the comparison process; When it is determined in the wear amount determination process that the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value, a second error process is performed. Run 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,

8. The control unit In the second error processing, printing by the image forming device is prohibited.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The control unit A consumable item identification information reading process for reading the consumable item identification information from the consumable item memory. Run 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

10. The body includes: a cover for opening and closing an opening that allows the consumable item to be attached; The control unit When the cover is opened or closed, or when the power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the consumable item identification information determination process is executed.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The control unit A device identification information reading process for reading the device identification information from the device memory. Run 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

12. the main body memory stores a consumable switch count indicating the number of times the consumable switch information has been written; the consumable memory stores a main body switch count indicating the number of times the main body switch information has been written, The control unit further a consumable switch count update process for updating the consumable switch count when the consumable switch information write process is executed; a main body switch count update process for updating the main body switch count when the main body switch information write process is executed; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus executes the following steps.

Images