Image forming apparatus, control method for image forming apparatus, and program

Abstract

To improve usability in the settings related to cartridges in image forming apparatus. [Solution] An image forming apparatus capable of mounting an initial state cartridge, which is a cartridge with a sealing member attached, comprising: a removal means for performing an operation to remove the sealing member from one or more of the mounted initial state cartridges; and a notification means for notifying information indicating that at least one of the mounted initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus if the removal means fails to remove the sealing member.

Description

Technical Field

[0007] ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method of the image forming apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Some consumables such as toner cartridges used in image forming apparatuses have a seal member attached so as to cover an opening in an initial state in order to prevent leakage or protect the toner or the like inside. When using such an initial state cartridge in an image forming apparatus, it is necessary to remove the seal member from the opening of the cartridge before printing.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a technique is described in which when an initial state cartridge is mounted, a seal member attached to the opening thereof is automatically wound up and removed. Thereby, the trouble of removing the seal member by the user can be saved.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Improvement in usability is required in settings related to cartridges of image forming apparatuses.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to improve usability in settings related to cartridges of image forming apparatuses.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to this disclosure, usability can be improved in setting the initial state of an image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of a system configuration. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the software configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a mobile device hardware configuration. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the software configuration of a mobile device. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the display and operation unit of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] This is a workflow illustrating the recovery procedure for a seal removal error. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a sticker removal error screen. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a sticker removal error screen. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a cartridge not installed error screen. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a sticker removal error screen. [Figure 12]This figure shows an example of a sticker removal error screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The best mode for implementing this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. Furthermore, while an image forming apparatus is used as an example of an information processing apparatus in the following embodiments, the invention is not limited to this.

[0011] <Embodiment 1> First, let's describe the outline of Embodiment 1. As mentioned above, when an initial cartridge is installed, there is a technology that automatically winds up and removes the sealing material attached to its opening. If seal removal fails, the user can remove the initial cartridge from the device and shake it to loosen the toner clumps inside and eliminate adhesion to the seal, and then successfully remove the seal by re-installing it in the image forming apparatus. However, if the cartridge has a high toner filling rate, such as a high-capacity cartridge, it frequently occurs that the toner clumps inside cannot be loosened even by shaking. In other words, with a high-capacity cartridge in its initial state, even if it is installed in the image forming apparatus after shaking, it may not be possible to successfully remove the seal. In such cases, it is necessary to reduce the number of initial cartridges used for seal removal to reduce the required torque, thereby eliminating the torque deficiency and successfully removing the seal. However, there is a problem in that users do not know the correct procedure for doing so. Therefore, in this embodiment, we will explain a method to successfully remove the sealing material by showing the user the procedure for appropriate action when the removal of the sealing material fails.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the environment for executing the present embodiment. User 101 is a user who uses image forming apparatus 102 and mobile terminal 103. User 101 can perform various operations such as copying, printing, or scanning using image forming apparatus 102. In addition, User 101 can perform arbitrary settings and instructions on the device by operating mobile terminal 103 or the display / operation unit 207 of image forming apparatus 102.

[0013] Note that in the present embodiment, image forming apparatus 102 is described by taking an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) as an example, but other image forming apparatuses such as printers may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, a system configuration using mobile terminal 103 is described by taking an example, but a system configuration that does not use mobile terminal 103 may be used.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of image forming apparatus 102. Image forming apparatus 102 includes a controller unit 201, a display / operation unit 207, a detection unit 210, and a removal unit 211. Further, controller unit 201 includes a CPU 202, a RAM 203, a ROM 204, an HDD 205, an operation unit I / F 206, a network I / F 208, and a device I / F.

[0015] In controller unit 201 within image forming apparatus 102, CPU 202 is an arithmetic unit that controls the entire system. CPU 202 comprehensively controls each device connected to system bus 214.

[0016] RAM 203 is a volatile memory and is used as a main memory of CPU 202, a temporary storage area such as a work area, etc. Further, programs and data such as an operating system, system software, and application software are also arranged in RAM 203. ROM 204 is a non-volatile memory and stores image data, other data, or various programs for CPU 202 to operate.

[0017] The CPU 202 controls the various parts of the image forming apparatus 102 by loading programs stored in ROM 204, etc., into RAM 203 and executing them. The programs required for the CPU 202 to operate are not limited to those stored in ROM 204; programs pre-stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) 205, etc., may also be used. The hard disk drive (HDD) 205 stores the operating system, system software, application software, image data, configuration data, etc. However, other storage devices such as SSDs, SD memory cards, or eMMCs may be used as long as they can store data.

[0018] The display / operation unit I / F 206 is an interface unit with the display / operation unit 207 and outputs information to be displayed on the display / operation unit 207. It also receives information input by user 101 from the display / operation unit 207. The display / operation unit 207 is equipped with hard keys 601 to 606 for receiving user operations. Hard keys 601 to 606 are physically pressable keys such as numeric keys, start keys, or stop keys, and notify the display / operation unit I / F 206 when a key is pressed. The display / operation unit 207 is also equipped with a display 606 for displaying images. The display 606 receives the GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen generated by the CPU 202 from the display / operation unit I / F 206 and displays it.

[0019] The network interface 208 connects to the network (LAN) and communicates with devices connected on the same LAN, as well as performing information input and output. The device interface 209 connects the image input / output devices, scanner 212 and printer 213, to the controller unit 201, performing image data input and output. In other words, it prints image data onto paper, scans documents, etc.

[0020] The detection unit 210 is responsible for detecting when a cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus 102. The detection method is not limited to, for example, when a switch provided on the detection unit 210 is pressed when a cartridge is installed, or when a sensor provided on the detection unit 210 detects the cartridge. The cartridge is a so-called process cartridge that can be installed in the image forming apparatus 102 and stores toner, etc., used when performing image formation. In this embodiment, there are four types of cartridges: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Furthermore, a cartridge to which a sealing member (hereinafter simply referred to as a seal) is attached to seal the opening to prevent leakage and protect the contents such as toner is called an initial state cartridge. The detection unit 210 also determines whether the installed cartridge is an initial state cartridge.

[0021] The removal unit 211 is responsible for removing the sealing material from the initial state cartridge. The removal unit 211 has a function that, when the detection unit 210 detects that an initial state cartridge has been installed, it winds up and removes the seal attached to its opening using a rotating shaft. In this embodiment, the automatic removal of the seal from the initial state cartridge by the removal unit 211 is performed simultaneously on all initial state cartridges installed in the image forming apparatus 102. That is, it is assumed that all seals attached to the initial state cartridges will be removed in a single removal operation. In this embodiment, an example is described in which all seals are removed by the torque of the same rotating shaft, but the seal removal means may be other means.

[0022] The printer 213 is a unit that prints images onto a sheet using one or more cartridges based on raster image data received from the controller unit 201.

[0023] Figure 3 is a software configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 102. The system software 301 is stored in one of the storage means, RAM 203, ROM 204, or HDD 205, and executed by the CPU 202. In this embodiment, the system software 301 includes a job control processing unit 302, a scan processing unit 303, a print processing unit 304, an operation input analysis unit 305, an event analysis unit 306, an event processing unit 307, a screen generation unit 308, and a screen display unit 309.

[0024] The job control processing unit 302 controls each software module, including software modules not shown, and controls jobs performed by the image forming apparatus 102, such as copying, printing, and scanning. The scan processing unit 303 controls the scanner 212 via the device I / F 209 based on instructions from the job control processing unit 302, and performs the process of reading the document placed on the document tray of the scanner 212.

[0025] The print processing unit 304 controls the printer 213 via the device interface 209 based on instructions from the job control processing unit 302 to print the specified image. The operation input analysis unit 305 analyzes the information supplied from the display and operation unit 207 via the display and operation unit interface 206 and notifies the event processing unit 307 of events corresponding to user operations. The information analyzed by the operation input analysis unit 305 is operation information indicating that user 101 has pressed a hard key.

[0026] The event analysis unit 306 receives and analyzes various events occurring in the image forming apparatus 102 from the job control processing unit 302 and other units, in addition to operation inputs, and notifies the event processing unit 307 of events corresponding to those events. The various events analyzed by the event analysis unit 306 are events other than those caused by operations performed by the user 101, such as the completion of a job or insufficient printing paper. The event processing unit 307 receives events from the operation input analysis unit 305 or the event analysis unit 306, etc. The event processing unit 307 notifies the job control processing unit 302, the screen generation unit 308, or the soft keyboard control unit 310 of the events in response to the events, and controls the various parts of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0027] The screen generation unit 308 generates screen data on RAM 203 for display on the display / operation unit 207 or the display unit of an external device. In response to user 101 operations or status changes, the screen generation unit 308 updates the screen data for display on the display / operation unit 207, etc. The screen display is updated when this data is displayed on the display / operation unit 207, etc. via the screen display unit 309. The screen display unit 309 reads the screen data generated by the screen generation unit 308 from RAM 203 and performs display control to display it on the display of the display / operation unit 207 via the display / operation unit I / F 206.

[0028] Figure 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the mobile terminal 103. The mobile terminal 103 includes a CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, HDD 404, RTC 405, operation panel 406, speaker 407, microphone 408, camera 409, and wireless communication unit 410. Within the mobile terminal 103, the CPU 401 is the arithmetic unit that controls the entire system. The CPU 401 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 411. The ROM 402 is a non-volatile memory that stores image data, other data, and various programs for the operation of the CPU 401. The RAM 403 is a volatile memory that is used as the main memory and temporary storage area for the CPU 401, such as the work area. The RAM 403 also stores programs and data such as the operating system, system software, and application software.

[0029] The CPU 401 controls various parts of the mobile terminal 103 by loading programs stored in ROM 402, etc., into RAM 403 and executing them. The programs required for the CPU 401 to operate are not limited to those stored in ROM 402; programs pre-stored in HDD 404, etc., may also be used. HDD 404 stores the operating system, system software, application software, photos, electronic documents, and configuration data. However, other storage devices such as SSDs, SD memory cards, or eMMCs may be used as long as they can store data. The RTC (Real Time Clock) 405 measures time.

[0030] The control panel 406 has a touch panel function that can detect touch operations by user 101 and displays various screens provided by the OS 530 and MFP application 502. User 101 can input desired operation instructions to the mobile terminal 103 by inputting touch operations on the control panel 406. The speaker 407 and microphone 408 are used, for example, when user 101 makes a phone call with another mobile terminal or landline phone. The camera 409 takes images according to the imaging instructions of user 101. The photographs taken by the camera 409 are stored in a predetermined area of ​​the HDD 404. The wireless communication unit 410 performs wireless communication such as wireless communication LAN.

[0031] Figure 5 is a software configuration diagram of the mobile terminal 103. The system software 501 is stored in one of the storage means, RAM 403, ROM 402, or HDD 404, and executed by the CPU 401. The system software 501 includes an MFP application 502, an OS 530, and a web browser 540. The MFP application 502 also includes a screen control unit 503, a communication unit 504, a timing unit 505, and an application storage unit 506.

[0032] OS530 is software for controlling the overall operation of the mobile terminal 103. Various applications can be installed on the mobile terminal 103, including the MFP application 502 described later. OS530 exchanges information with these applications and changes the screen displayed on the operation panel 406 according to instructions received from the applications. OS530 also includes a group of device drivers for controlling various hardware components. Furthermore, OS530 provides an API (Application Programming Interface) for applications running on OS530 to utilize various hardware components. In this embodiment, the wireless LAN control unit 531 is part of the group of device drivers. The wireless LAN control unit 531 is a device driver for controlling the wireless communication unit 410. The MFP application 502 is an application installed on the mobile terminal 103. Using the MFP application 502, it is possible to issue printing and scanning instructions to image forming apparatuses such as the image forming apparatus 102, and to remotely control the operation screen of the image forming apparatus.

[0033] The web browser 540 is software for connecting to a web server and can display the content of a web page at a specified URL. The mobile terminal 103 has various other applications installed besides the MFP application 502 and the web browser 540, but their explanation will be omitted.

[0034] The software configuration of the MFP application 502 will be explained in more detail. The screen control unit 503 controls the screen displayed on the operation panel 406 via the OS 530. The screen control unit 503 displays the MFP application screen on the operation panel 406. The screen control unit 503 also determines the operation instructions entered by the user 101 via the operation panel 406. The communication unit 504 controls wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 410 via the OS 530 to send and receive commands, etc. The timing unit 505 measures the time. The application storage unit 506 temporarily stores various information for the execution of the MFP application 502 in the RAM 403.

[0035] Figure 6 is an overview view of the display and operation unit 207 of the image forming apparatus 102. A display 606 and hard keys 601 to 605 are arranged adjacent to each other on the display and operation unit 207. The various buttons operated by the user 101 are described below. The stop key 601 is used, for example, to stop an operation that is currently running. The numeric keypad 602 consists of buttons with numbers and letters and is used to instruct, for example, setting the time, password authentication, and switching screens on the display 606. Each key on the numeric keypad 602 is assigned one or more letters, for example, the "2" key is assigned letters such as "2", "A", "B", "C", "a", "b", and "c". The home key 603 is used to transition the display 606 to the home screen. The select button 604 is used to confirm an item selected on the display 606 or to press a selected button. The directional keys 605 are used to move the cursor or focus position on the display 606 up, down, left, or right. These various buttons are merely examples, and other buttons not listed above may be included. Furthermore, the functions of these buttons may differ from those described above. Also, these buttons do not need to be physical keys; they may be soft keys displayed on the display 606.

[0036] Here, we will further explain the general process of removing seals from initial cartridges. The automatic removal of seals from initial cartridges by the image forming machine is performed simultaneously on all initial cartridges installed in the image forming machine. For example, if an image forming machine capable of color printing is installed with three initial cartridges (cyan, magenta, and yellow), the seals on all three cartridges will be removed simultaneously. Therefore, when there are multiple initial cartridges, more torque is required compared to when removing a single cartridge, and insufficient torque may result in seal removal failure. Furthermore, the toner inside the initial cartridge may harden depending on the storage conditions (temperature, orientation, presence or absence of vibration, etc.), and if the toner and seal adhere together as a result, the likelihood of seal removal failure increases.

[0037] In such cases, it is necessary to reduce the number of initial cartridges used for seal removal to decrease the required torque, thereby resolving the torque deficiency and ensuring successful seal removal. However, the problem was that users did not know the correct procedure for doing so.

[0038] In light of the above-mentioned issues, in this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus detects that it has failed to remove the seal from the initial cartridge, it controls the system to notify the user of which cartridge should be removed to successfully remove the seal. The details will be explained below.

[0039] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the process by which the CPU 202 of the image forming apparatus 102 shows the user 101 the correct procedure for successfully removing the seal when the image forming apparatus 102 fails to remove the seal from the initial cartridge (a seal removal error occurs). This process is executed by the CPU 202 of the image forming apparatus 102 loading a program stored in ROM 204, etc., into RAM 203. This process is also started when the power is turned on, when the system returns from a power-saving state, and when the closing of a cover that must be opened and closed when inserting or removing a cartridge is detected.

[0040] In S701, the CPU 202 determines whether or not an initial state cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus 102. Specifically, the CPU 202 determines that an initial state cartridge is installed if it receives information from the printer 213 indicating that an initial state cartridge is installed, and determines that an initial state cartridge is not installed if it does not receive such information. The printer 213 determines that an initial state cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus 102 if new flag information is stored in the memory tag of the installed cartridge, and determines that an initial state cartridge is not installed in the image forming apparatus 102 if new flag information is not stored in the memory tag of the installed cartridge. The method for determining whether or not an initial state cartridge is installed is not particularly limited. For example, the printer 213 may determine that an initial state cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus 102 if the sensor in the detection unit 210 detects that a seal has been attached to the cartridge, and determine that an initial state cartridge is not installed in the image forming apparatus 102 if the sensor in the detection unit 210 does not detect that a seal has been attached to the cartridge. If the CPU 202 determines in S701 that the initial state cartridge is not installed in the image forming apparatus 102, it terminates the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if the CPU 202 determines in S701 that the initial state cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus 102, it proceeds to S702.

[0041] In S702, the CPU 202 uses the removal unit 211 to wind up the seals attached to the openings of all initial state cartridges mounted in the image forming apparatus 102. The winding is performed simultaneously for all initial state cartridges using the same rotation axis. That is, the seals are removed in a single winding operation.

[0042] In S703, the CPU 202 determines whether or not a cartridge seal removal error (seal winding error) has occurred. In other words, the CPU 202 determines whether or not the cartridge seal removal has failed. Specifically, the CPU 202 determines that a seal removal error has occurred if it receives an event from the printer 213 notifying it of the occurrence of a seal removal error, and determines that no seal removal error has occurred if it has not received an event. The printer 213, which sends the event, determines that seal removal has failed if the rotation speed of the rotating shaft of the removal unit 211 does not meet the specified value (or a value within the specified range) when seal removal is performed, or if the rotation speed deviates from the specified value (or a value within the specified range) during steady rotation, and determines that seal removal has not failed if the rotation speed of the rotating shaft is the specified value (or a value within the specified range). The method for determining whether or not a seal removal error has occurred is not particularly limited. For example, if the sensor in the detection unit 210 detects that a seal has been attached to the cartridge, the printer 213 may determine that the seal removal has failed, and if the sensor in the detection unit 210 does not detect that a seal has been attached to the cartridge, the printer 213 may determine that the seal removal has not failed (was successful). If the CPU 202 determines that a seal removal error has occurred on the cartridge, it proceeds to S704. On the other hand, if the CPU 202 determines that a seal removal error has not occurred on the cartridge, the CPU 202 proceeds to S707.

[0043] In S704, the CPU 202 determines specific information (color, number) to determine which initial state cartridges should be removed in order to successfully wind the seal, and proceeds to S705. The reason for determining which initial cartridges to remove in this process is to eliminate torque deficiency by temporarily reducing the number of initial state cartridges, thereby improving the likelihood of successful seal winding. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the CPU 202 receives the specific information from the printer 213, but the means for determining the specific information may be other means, such as the controller unit 201 determining it based on a predetermined priority. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the number in this specific information is always controlled to be "1" regardless of the number of initial state cartridges installed, but it may be multiple. The case where the number in the specific information is multiple will be described later. The "color" in the specific information will be one of the colors of the initial state cartridges installed in the image forming apparatus 102.

[0044] In S705, the CPU 202 displays information on the display 606 of the image forming apparatus 102 indicating that the specified initial state cartridge should be removed, based on the information determined in S704. Specifically, the CPU 202 displays a message prompting the user to remove the specified initial state cartridge (the seal removal error screen described later) or a message indicating that the specified initial state cartridge has been removed and the cover of the storage section where the cartridge is housed should be closed. As a result, the seal attached to the opening of the initial state cartridge installed in the image forming apparatus 102 can be wound up using the removal unit 211 even when the specified initial state cartridge is not installed in the image forming apparatus 102, based on the information determined in S704. This reduces the amount of the initial state cartridge used when winding up the seal, increasing the likelihood of eliminating insufficient torque and improving the chances of successful seal winding. In this embodiment, an example of displaying a message on the display 606 is described, but the method of notifying the user 101 is not limited to this. For example, other means may be used, such as notification by lighting an LED lamp provided on the image forming apparatus 102, or notification in the MFP application 502 installed on an external terminal such as a mobile terminal 103 (for example, notification by displaying on the display unit of the external terminal).

[0045] In S706, the CPU 202 determines whether the cover (the cover of the cartridge housing), which must be opened and closed when inserting or removing a cartridge, is closed. If it is determined to be closed, the CPU 202 returns to S701. On the other hand, if it is not closed, the CPU 202 returns to S706. In this embodiment, the CPU 202 determines that the cover is closed after receiving an event from the printer 213 notifying it that the cover is open, and then no longer receiving such events. However, the determination method may be by other means. For example, it may be possible to receive an event notifying it that the cover is closed, and then determine that the cover is closed when an event notifying it that the cover is closed is received.

[0046] In S707, the CPU 202 determines whether all color cartridges are installed in the image forming apparatus 102. If it determines that all colors are installed, the CPU 202 terminates the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if it determines that any color is not installed, the CPU 202 proceeds to S708. This process is also the process that proceeds when, for example, a seal removal error occurs in S703, the initial state cartridge is removed, the seal removal is performed again, and the seal removal is successful. That is, there may be cases where an initial state cartridge that has been removed exists at the stage of proceeding to S707. Therefore, the process in S707 also plays the role of determining whether there is an initial state cartridge (uninstalled cartridge) that has been removed once. In this embodiment, the CPU 202 determines that all color cartridges are installed in the image forming apparatus 102 if it does not receive any events from the printer 213 notifying that a cartridge is not installed. If it receives even one event, it determines that any color is not installed in the image forming apparatus 102. The determination method may be by other means.

[0047] In S708, the CPU 202 displays a message on the display 606 of the image forming apparatus 102 prompting the user to insert a cartridge of a color that is not currently installed.

[0048] Figure 8 shows the seal removal error screen in this embodiment. When a seal removal error occurs in the image forming apparatus 102 in this embodiment with multiple initial cartridges, including yellow, installed, the seal removal error screen 801 shown in Figure 8 is displayed on the display 606 of the image forming apparatus 102. The seal removal error screen 801 is an error screen that is displayed in S705 when, in S704, it is determined that the cartridge to be removed is "yellow" in color and "1" in quantity. This figure shows an example of notifying the type of initial cartridge to be removed in order to maintain a state where only one initial cartridge is installed, regardless of the number of initial cartridges installed.

[0049] Figure 9, like Figure 8, shows the seal removal error screen in this embodiment. The seal removal error screen 901 shown in Figure 9 is displayed when, in S704, the information of the cartridge to be removed is determined to be "yellow" and "magenta" in color, and "1" in quantity. The seal removal error screen 901 shown in Figure 9 indicates that the user may select and remove any one of the initial state cartridges, yellow and magenta. In other words, this figure shows that, under the condition that only one initial state cartridge is installed, the user may select and remove any number of initial state cartridges to be removed.

[0050] Figure 10 shows the cartridge not installed error screen in this embodiment. In S707 of Figure 7, when only the yellow cartridge is not installed in the image forming apparatus 102, the cartridge not installed error screen 1001 shown in Figure 10 is displayed in S708. If there are multiple cartridges that are not installed, all of their colors are displayed in a list, similar to the yellow cartridge shown in Figure 10.

[0051] Note that the seal removal error screen and cartridge not installed error screen shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10 are examples. The image forming apparatus 102 may actually display other screens. In the following, using Figures 8, 9, and 10, we will explain how user 101 resolves the seal removal error in this embodiment, along with the flowchart in Figure 7 and examples of user actions.

[0052] For example, if the initial cartridges installed in the image forming apparatus 102 are yellow and magenta, and a seal removal error occurs in S703, then in S705, the seal removal error screen 801 or 901 is displayed on the display 606. Note that whether the seal removal error screen 801 or 901 is displayed may be determined in advance by a user setting operation. Upon seeing the seal removal error screen 801 or 901, user 101 removes the yellow cartridge and closes the front cover. This results in a YES determination in S706, and the process proceeds to S701. In S701, since the initial state cartridge (magenta) installed in the image forming apparatus 102 is now one cartridge, the process proceeds to S702. In S702, with one fewer initial cartridge (yellow removed, leaving only magenta), the seal winding of the initial cartridge is performed again. As a result, the number of initial cartridges installed in the image forming apparatus 102 is reduced from two to one, which reduces the torque required to wind up the seal attached to the opening of the initial cartridge, thus eliminating torque deficiency. In other words, it improves the likelihood of successful seal winding.

[0053] In S703, after it is determined that the seal winding of the initial magenta cartridge was successful, the process proceeds to S708 because the yellow cartridge has been removed in S707. Therefore, in S708, the cartridge not installed error screen 1001 is displayed on the display 606. Note that in this process, the only color displayed on the cartridge not installed error screen 1001 is magenta. Upon seeing this, user 101 reinstalls the yellow initial cartridge that was removed earlier and closes the front cover of the image forming apparatus 102, resulting in a YES determination in S706. In S701, since one initial cartridge (yellow) is installed, the process proceeds to S702. In S702, with one fewer initial cartridge (only one yellow cartridge remaining), the seal winding of the initial cartridge is performed again. Naturally, no torque shortage occurs during the seal winding here either, and the seal winding of the initial yellow cartridge is successful (determined as NO in S703). Following the procedure described above, user 101 can resolve the seal removal error with all color cartridges installed (determined as YES in S707). Furthermore, the user's actions are simple: removing or installing the initial cartridge while checking the display.

[0054] As described above, this embodiment allows for notification of the procedure for accurately removing the sealing material of the initial cartridge. Specifically, if the removal of the seal of the initial cartridge fails, the color and number of initial cartridges to be removed are displayed on the display 606. This allows the user to remove the initial cartridge while confirming the displayed information, and if the seal removal is successful the second time, the user can return the removed initial cartridge while confirming the displayed information again. In other words, by confirming the displayed information, the user can easily and accurately remove the initial cartridges that need to be removed.

[0055] <Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 1, when a seal removal error occurred in the image forming apparatus 102, the number of cartridges to be removed in the specific information indicating which cartridges should be removed to successfully remove the seal was always controlled to be 1. Therefore, the number of cartridges notified to the user 101 on the seal removal error screen 801 or 901 was always 1. On the other hand, in Embodiment 2, the number of cartridges to be removed in the specific information determined when a seal removal error occurs is controlled to be 1 or more. The method for determining the number of cartridges in the specific information could be, for example, the number obtained by subtracting 1 from the initial number of cartridges installed in the image forming apparatus 102 at that time, but other determination methods are also acceptable. Note that the number of cartridges in the specific information will be less than the initial number of cartridges installed in the image forming apparatus 102 at that time. The flowchart of the image forming apparatus 102 in Embodiment 2 will be explained using Figure 7, as in Embodiment 1.

[0056] Figure 11 shows the seal removal error screen in this embodiment. This figure is displayed on the display 606 of the image forming apparatus 102 when a seal removal error occurs while three or more initial cartridges, including yellow and magenta, are installed in the image forming apparatus 102. The seal removal error screen 1101 is an error screen displayed in S705 when, in S704, the information to identify the cartridges to be removed is determined to be "yellow" and "magenta" in color, and "2" in number.

[0057] Figure 12, like Figure 11, shows the seal removal error screen in this embodiment. In S704, if the information identifying the cartridges to be removed is determined to be "yellow," "magenta," and "cyan," and the number is "2," the seal removal error screen 1201 shown in Figure 12 may be displayed instead of the seal removal error screen 1101. The seal removal error screen 1201 shown in Figure 12 indicates that the user may select and remove any two cartridges from the initial state cartridges of yellow, magenta, and cyan. In this way, the user may select and remove the same number of cartridges as there are to be removed. In the following, using Figures 10, 11, and 12, how user 101 resolves the seal removal error in this embodiment will be explained, along with the flowchart in Figure 7 and examples of user actions.

[0058] For example, if the initial installed cartridges are yellow, magenta, and cyan, and a seal removal error occurs in S703, then the seal removal error screen 1101 or 1201 will be displayed in S705. Note that whether the seal removal error screen 1101 or 1201 is displayed may be determined in advance by the user's settings. Upon seeing the seal removal error screen 1101 or 1201, user 101 will remove the yellow and magenta cartridges and close the front cover. This will result in a YES determination in S706, and the process will proceed to S701. In S701, since only one initial cartridge (cyan) is installed, the process will proceed to S702. In S702, with two fewer initial cartridges (yellow and magenta removed, leaving only cyan), the seal winding of the initial cartridges will be performed again. As a result, the number of initial state cartridges installed in the image forming apparatus 102 decreases from three to one, reducing the torque required to wind up the seals attached to the openings of the initial state cartridges, thus eliminating torque deficiency. In other words, it improves the likelihood of successful seal winding. After it is determined in S703 that the seal winding of the cyan initial state cartridge has been successful, the process proceeds to S708 in S707 because the yellow and magenta cartridges have been removed. In S708, the cartridge not installed error screen 1001 is displayed on the display 606. Note that in this process, the colors displayed on the cartridge not installed error screen 1001 are yellow and magenta. Upon seeing this, user 101 reinstalls the yellow and magenta initial state cartridges that were removed earlier and closes the front cover of the image forming apparatus 102. This results in a YES determination in S706. In S701, since two initial state cartridges (yellow and magenta) are installed, the process proceeds to S702. If the process in S702 determines that the seal winding of these two initial cartridges was successful (NO in S703), the process proceeds to S707. In S707, the process ends because it is determined that all color cartridges are installed.

[0059] On the other hand, if the seal winding of the two initial state cartridges, yellow and magenta, fails in S703, the process proceeds to S704. The subsequent steps are the same as the procedure for resolving seal removal errors described in Embodiment 1 using Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10. That is, the process of removing one initial state cartridge and winding the seal is repeated.

[0060] Using the method described above, even when there are multiple cartridges to remove in their initial state, user 101 can successfully remove the seals using the correct procedure.

[0061] <Other Embodiments> In embodiments 1 and 2 described above, an example was explained in which, when a seal removal error occurs, an instruction is sent to the display 606 to remove the initial state cartridges so that only one initial state cartridge remains, but the system is not limited to this. For example, when a seal removal error occurs, information may be sent to reduce the number of initial state cartridges one by one. Alternatively, information may be sent to reduce the number of installed initial cartridges to half or less. Furthermore, if seal removal is successful when only one initial cartridge remains, instead of returning all the removed initial cartridges at once, they may be returned one by one, and the seals may be wound up each time. Information indicating such a configuration may also be sent.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, there is a possibility that the seal winding will fail if only one cartridge is initially installed. In such a case, adhesion between the seal and the toner may be the cause of the seal detachment. Therefore, in the case where only one cartridge is installed in the initial state, an error screen may be displayed instructing the user to remove the initial cartridge, shake it thoroughly, and then reinstall it.

[0063] This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0064] Furthermore, this disclosure includes the following components. (Composition 1) An image forming apparatus capable of mounting an initial state cartridge, which is a cartridge with a sealing member attached, A removal means for performing an operation to remove the sealing member of one or more of the installed initial state cartridges, If the removal means fails to remove the sealing member, a notification means provides information indicating that at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising: (Configuration 2) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that the notification means notifies information indicating that if the removal means fails to remove the sealing member, at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus and the cover of the housing section in which the cartridge is housed should be closed. (Composition 3) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2, characterized in that the removal means performs a second removal operation to remove the sealing member of the installed initial state cartridge again when the cover of the housing is closed in the image forming apparatus after notification by the notification means has been performed. (Composition 4) If the removal means performs the second removal operation and successfully removes the sealing member, and there is an uninstalled cartridge that is to be installed in the image forming apparatus, The image forming apparatus according to configuration 3, characterized in that the notification means notifies an instruction to install the uninstalled cartridge. (Composition 5) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized in that the notification means notifies the type of initial state cartridge to be removed in order to maintain a state in which only one initial state cartridge is installed. (Composition 6) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized in that the notification means notifies an instruction to remove a predetermined number of initial state cartridges. (Composition 7) If the removal means performs the second removal operation and successfully removes the sealing member from all of the installed initial state cartridges, The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized in that the notification means notifies an instruction to install all of the uninstalled cartridges. (Composition 8) The removal means performs a third removal operation to remove the sealing members from the installed initial state cartridges again when all the uninstalled cartridges are installed, and if it fails to remove the sealing members from one or more of the installed initial state cartridges, The image forming apparatus according to configuration 7, characterized in that the notification means again notifies an instruction to remove one of the initial state cartridges. (Composition 9) If the removal means performs the second removal operation and successfully removes the sealing member from all of the installed initial state cartridges, The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized in that the notification means notifies an instruction to install one of the uninstalled cartridges. (Composition 10) When one of the previously uninstalled cartridges is installed, a third removal operation is performed to remove the sealing member of the installed initial state cartridge, and if the removal of the sealing member from the installed initial state cartridge is successful, The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9, characterized in that the notification means notifies an instruction to install one more of the uninstalled cartridges. (Composition 11) The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that the notification means notifies, by displaying information on a display unit provided by the image forming apparatus that at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus if the removal means fails to remove the sealing member. (Composition 12) The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that the notification means notifies, by lighting an LED lamp provided by the image forming apparatus, that at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus if the removal means fails to remove the sealing member. (Composition 13) The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that the notification means notifies, via an application installed on an external terminal, that if the removal means fails to remove the sealing member, at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus. (Composition 14) The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, characterized in that the initial state cartridge types include yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. (Composition 15) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that, if the removal means fails to remove the sealing member while one of the initial state cartridges is installed in the image forming apparatus, the notification means notifies that the installed initial state cartridge should be removed from the image forming apparatus, the removed initial state cartridge should be shaken, and then reinstalled. (Composition 16) A control method for an image forming apparatus capable of mounting an initial state cartridge, which is a cartridge with a sealing member attached, A removal step involves performing an operation to remove the sealing member of one or more of the installed initial state cartridges, If the removal of the sealing member fails in the removal step, a notification step is provided to notify that at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus. A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising the following: (Composition 17) A program that operates in an image forming apparatus capable of mounting an initial state cartridge, which is a cartridge with a sealing member attached, A removal means for performing an operation to remove the sealing member of one or more of the installed initial state cartridges, If the removal means fails to remove the sealing member, a notification means provides information indicating that at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus. A program characterized by being designed to function as such.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus capable of mounting an initial state cartridge, which is a cartridge with a sealing member attached, A removal means for performing an operation to remove the sealing member of one or more of the installed initial state cartridges, If the removal means fails to remove the sealing member, a notification means provides information indicating that at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising:

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification means notifies information indicating that if the removal means fails to remove the sealing member, at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus and the cover of the housing section in which the cartridge is housed should be closed.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the removal means performs a second removal operation to remove the sealing member of the installed initial state cartridge again when the cover of the housing is closed in the image forming apparatus after notification by the notification means has been performed.

4. If the removal means performs the second removal operation and successfully removes the sealing member, and there is an uninstalled cartridge that is to be installed in the image forming apparatus, The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the notification means notifies an instruction to install the uninstalled cartridge.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the notification means notifies the type of initial state cartridge to be removed in order to maintain a state in which only one initial state cartridge is installed.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the notification means notifies an instruction to remove a predetermined number of initial state cartridges.

7. If the removal means performs the second removal operation and successfully removes the sealing member from all of the one or more initial state cartridges that are installed, The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the notification means notifies an instruction to install all of the uninstalled cartridges.

8. The removal means performs a third removal operation to remove the sealing members from the installed initial state cartridges again when all the uninstalled cartridges are installed, and if it fails to remove the sealing members from one or more of the installed initial state cartridges, The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the notification means again notifies an instruction to remove one of the initial state cartridges.

9. If the removal means performs the second removal operation and successfully removes the sealing member from all of the one or more initial state cartridges that are installed, The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the notification means notifies an instruction to install one of the uninstalled cartridges.

10. When one of the previously uninstalled cartridges is installed, a third removal operation is performed to remove the sealing member of the installed initial state cartridge, and if the removal of the sealing member from the installed initial state cartridge is successful, The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the notification means notifies an instruction to install one more of the uninstalled cartridges.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification means notifies, if the removal means fails to remove the sealing member, by displaying information on a display unit provided by the image forming apparatus indicating that at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification means notifies, if the removal means fails to remove the sealing member, that at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus by lighting up an LED lamp provided by the image forming apparatus.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification means notifies, via an application installed on an external terminal, that if the removal means fails to remove the sealing member, at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the initial state cartridge types include yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the removal means fails to remove the sealing member while one of the initial state cartridges is installed in the image forming apparatus, the notification means notifies that the installed initial state cartridge should be removed from the image forming apparatus, the removed initial state cartridge should be shaken, and then reinstalled.

16. A control method for an image forming apparatus capable of mounting an initial state cartridge, which is a cartridge with a sealing member attached, A removal step involves performing an operation to remove the sealing member of one or more of the installed initial state cartridges, If the removal of the sealing member fails in the removal step, a notification step is provided to notify information indicating that at least one of the installed initial state cartridges will be removed from the image forming apparatus. A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising the following:

17. A program that operates in an image forming apparatus capable of mounting an initial state cartridge, which is a cartridge with a sealing member attached, A removal means for performing an operation to remove the sealing member of one or more of the installed initial state cartridges, If the removal means fails to remove the sealing member, a notification means provides information indicating that at least one of the installed initial state cartridges should be removed from the image forming apparatus. A program characterized by being designed to function as such.

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