Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve usability by reducing the time required for operations to become printable. [Solution] The printer comprises a photosensitive drum 2, a toner cartridge 7, a rotary 9, a printer body 1, a rotary drive unit 1404, a cartridge memory reading unit 61, and a toner cartridge control unit 1412. The toner cartridge control unit 1412, when the state of the requested information is a first state, performs a reading operation and then takes a ready state in which it can perform an image forming operation. When the state of the requested information is a second state, it takes a ready state without performing a reading operation.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a rotary developing method is known in which a color image is formed by rotating a rotary unit provided with a plurality of developing rollers. Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus including a rotary unit in which a plurality of developing units each provided with a developing roller are accommodated, and a plurality of toner cartridges (toner storage containers) each detachable from the developing unit. Patent Document 2 provides a storage device for storing image forming conditions optimized for each toner cartridge in the toner cartridge. When replacing the toner cartridge, the image forming apparatus reads the image forming conditions from the storage device and performs image forming control based on the read image forming conditions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the time required for the operations performed until the printable state is long, the usability deteriorates.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made under such circumstances, and one object thereof is to reduce the time required for the operations performed until the printable state and improve the usability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following configuration.

[0007] (1) An image forming apparatus configured to perform an image forming operation to form an image on a recording material, comprising: a photosensitive drum; a plurality of toner cartridges, each having a cartridge storage unit that stores cartridge information; a rotary on which the plurality of toner cartridges are detachably mounted, each having a developing roller, and each of the plurality of developing units configured to contain toner supplied from one of the plurality of toner cartridges; a main body enclosing the rotary and having an opening, having a non-volatile main body storage unit that stores request information; and a drive device including at least one drive source, configured to move each of the plurality of toner cartridges from the inside to the outside of the main body through the opening. An image forming apparatus comprising: a drive device configured to rotate the rotary such that the rotary takes a replacement position in which any of the plurality of cartridges is permitted to move outside the main body, and a reading position in which a reading operation of the cartridge storage section of any of the plurality of cartridges is permitted; a reading unit; and a control unit that controls the drive device and performs the reading operation via the reading unit, and is configured to determine whether or not to perform the reading operation based on the request information, wherein, if the state of the request information is a first state, the control unit takes a ready state in which it is possible to perform the image forming operation after performing the reading operation, and if the state of the request information is a second state, the control unit takes the ready state without performing the reading operation.

[0008] (2) An image forming apparatus configured to perform an image forming operation to form an image on a recording material, comprising: a photosensitive drum; a plurality of toner cartridges, each having a cartridge storage unit that stores cartridge information; a rotary, on which the plurality of toner cartridges are detachably mounted, having a plurality of developing units, each having a developing roller, and each of the plurality of developing units configured to contain toner supplied from one of the plurality of toner cartridges; a main body enclosing the rotary and having an opening, having a non-volatile main body storage unit that stores request information; and a drive device including at least one drive source, configured to move each of the plurality of toner cartridges from the inside to the outside of the main body through the opening, and the rotary is configured to move each of the plurality An image forming apparatus comprising: a drive device configured to rotate the rotary so as to take a replacement position in which any of the cartridges is permitted to move outside the main body, and a reading position in which a reading operation of the cartridge storage section of any of the plurality of cartridges is permitted; a reading unit; and a control unit that controls the drive device and performs the reading operation via the reading unit, and is configured to determine whether or not to perform the reading operation based on the request information, wherein the state of the request information is maintained when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off and when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on from off, and the control unit, after performing the image forming operation, takes a ready state in which the image forming operation can be performed without performing the reading operation when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on from off. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to reduce the time required for operations to become printable and improve usability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus in Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional views of the toner cartridges and developing units of Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 3] Cross-sectional views around the rotary of Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 4] Exterior views of the rotary of Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 5] Exterior views of the main body of the image forming apparatus of Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 6] Cross-sectional views around the rotary when replacing the toner cartridge of Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 7] Perspective view showing the tray arrangement inside the rotary of Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view showing the tray arrangement inside the rotary of Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 9] Perspective view showing the drive configuration for inserting and removing the tray of Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view showing the drive configuration for inserting and removing the tray of Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 11] Perspective view and schematic diagram showing the configuration of the cartridge memory and memory reading section of Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 12] Schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the memory reading section of Examples 1 and 2 [Figure 13] Block diagram of Example 1 [Figure 14] Timing chart before and after power-off of Example 1 [Figure 15] Timing chart before and after power-off of Example 1 [Figure 16] Flowchart before and after power-off of Example 1 [Figure 17] Block diagram of Example 2 [Figure 18] Timing chart before and after power-off of Example 2 [Figure 19] Flowchart before and after power-off of Example 2

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

Examples

[0012] (Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus) Embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. In the following description and each drawing, when the printer main body 1 is installed on a horizontal plane, the vertical direction is defined as the Z direction. A direction intersecting the Z direction and being the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary 9 (the rotary axis direction of the rotary), which will be described later, is defined as the Y direction. A direction intersecting both the Z direction and the Y direction is defined as the X direction. The X direction and the Y direction are preferably horizontal directions. Also, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are preferably orthogonal to each other. Further, as necessary, the directions of the arrows X, Y, and Z shown in each drawing are represented as the +X side, the +Y side, and the +Z side, respectively, and the opposite sides are represented as the -X side, the -Y side, and the -Z side, respectively. Here, as an image forming apparatus including a plurality of developing units (a plurality of developers), a color laser beam printer including four developing units is exemplified.

[0013] The schematic configuration and image forming operation of a color laser beam printer will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section of a color laser beam printer. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer main body 1 includes a rotary 9 and has a frame body 16 that houses the rotary 9. The frame body 16 is the housing (body) of the printer main body 1 constituted by a frame and exterior members, and is substantially rectangular parallelepiped in the first embodiment. The frame body 16 has an opening 16a. More specifically, the frame body 16 has a side surface 16b that extends in a direction intersecting the horizontal direction. The side surface 16b constitutes at least a part of the appearance surface on the +X side of the printer main body 1. The opening 16a is disposed on this side surface 16b. The side surface 16b is a side surface disposed on the downstream side of the discharge port in the discharge direction in which the sheet S on which an image is formed is discharged from the discharge port of the printer main body 1. A user can access the sheet storage unit 300 from the side of the side surface 16b of the printer main body 1 to replenish the sheet S or acquire the sheet S discharged from the discharge port. Therefore, the side surface 16b can be referred to as the front (front surface) of the printer main body 1.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the printer body 1, as an image forming apparatus, has a photosensitive drum 2 as a drum-shaped electrophotographic photoreceptor. Around the photosensitive drum 2 are a charging roller 3, an exposure unit 4, four developing units 5y, 5m, 5c, 5k, and a cleaning unit 6. Here, the letters "y, m, c, k" represent the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Hereafter, symbols such as "5y, 5m, 5c, 5k" may be represented as "5y~5k". Also, when there is no need to specify a color, it may simply be represented as "5". The charging roller 3 is a charging means for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 2. The exposure unit 4 is an exposure means that irradiates the photosensitive drum 2 with laser light corresponding to the image information. By irradiating the charged photosensitive drum 2 with laser light, the exposure unit 4 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2. The developing units 5y~5k are developing means that develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 with toner of the corresponding color to make it visible. The cleaning unit 6 is a cleaning means that removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

[0015] The developing units 5y to 5k are equipped with developing rollers 51y to 51k and supply rollers 52y to 52k. Toner cartridges 7y to 7k are also installed in the developing units 5y to 5k. Toner cartridge 7y contains yellow toner, toner cartridge 7m contains magenta toner, toner cartridge 7c contains cyan toner, and toner cartridge 7k contains black toner. In other words, the developing units 5y to 5k develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 using yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner, respectively. Here, the four developing units 5y to 5k are mounted on a rotary support 9, which is a rotatable rotating support. The rotary 9 is also equipped with trays 8y to 8k, and the toner cartridges 7y to 7k are detachably held in trays 8y to 8k. As will be described later, trays 8y to 8k are supported so that they can slide to the outside of the rotary 9. The trays 8y-8k (and the toner cartridges 7y-7k held in trays 8y-8k) slide out of the rotary 9, allowing the toner cartridges 7y-7k to be detached from the rotary 9.

[0016] Toner cartridge 7y is an example of the first toner cartridge. Toner cartridge 7c is an example of the second toner cartridge. Toner cartridge 7m is an example of the third toner cartridge. Toner cartridge 7k is an example of the fourth toner cartridge. Developer roller 51y is an example of the first developer roller. Developer roller 51c is an example of the second developer roller. Developer roller 51m is an example of the third developer roller. Developer roller 51k is an example of the fourth developer roller. Developer unit 5y is an example of the first developer unit, which contains toner supplied from the first toner cartridge and has a first developer roller. Developer unit 5c is an example of the second developer unit, which contains toner supplied from the second toner cartridge and has a second developer roller. Developer unit 5m is an example of the third developer unit, which contains toner supplied from the third toner cartridge and has a third developer roller. Developer unit 5k is an example of the fourth developer unit, which contains toner supplied from the fourth toner cartridge and has a fourth developer roller. Rotary 9 is an example of a rotary in which the first to fourth toner cartridges are removable. Rotary 9 can also be said to be an example of a rotary in which the first and second toner cartridges are removable. Furthermore, Rotary 9 is an example of a rotary in which the first to fourth developers are located and each of the first to fourth developing rollers is rotatable so as to face the photosensitive drum 2. Rotary 9 can also be said to be an example of a rotary in which the first developer and the second developer are located and each of the first developing rollers is rotatable so as to face the photosensitive drum 2.

[0017] In this embodiment, the numbering, such as "First," "Second," etc., is used merely for explanatory convenience and can, in principle, be replaced as appropriate.

[0018] (Toner supply from toner cartridge to developing unit) In the following description, the position where the rotary 9 rotates and the toner cartridge 7y can be mounted onto the developing unit 5y through the opening 16a is defined as the first replacement position. The position where the rotary 9 rotates and the toner cartridge 7c can be mounted onto the developing unit 5c through the opening 16a is defined as the second replacement position. If there is no need to distinguish between the colors, the replacement position is defined as P1.

[0019] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration for supplying toner from the toner cartridge 7 to the developer unit 5. The toner frame 75 of the toner cartridge 7 has a toner storage section 710 and an discharge opening 711 communicating with the toner storage section 710. The developer frame 53 (53y~53k (see Figure 3(a))) of the developer unit 5 has a developer-side storage section 530 and a receiving opening 531 communicating with the developer-side storage section 530. As will be described later, when the toner cartridge 7 is moved to the mounting position, the discharge opening 711 faces the receiving opening 531. The toner cartridge 7 has a toner-side sealing member (not shown) that covers the discharge opening 711, and the developer unit 5 has a developer-side sealing member (not shown) that covers the receiving opening 531. The discharge opening 711 and the receiving opening 531 open when the toner-side sealing member and the developer-side sealing member release their respective seals. In this state, when the rotary 9 rotates more than the angle α (a predetermined angle) shown in Figure 2 relative to the replacement position P1 of the toner cartridge 7, the toner stored in the toner storage section 710 is discharged from the discharge opening 711, and the toner discharged from the discharge opening 711 enters the developer-side storage section 530 through the receiving opening 531, and toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 7 to the developer unit 5. When the toner cartridge 7 is not installed in the developer unit 5, the discharge opening 711 is covered with a toner-side sealing member and the receiving opening 531 is covered with a developer-side sealing member so that the discharge of toner from the discharge opening 711 and the receiving opening 531 is suppressed.

[0020] (Image forming operation of an image forming apparatus) The image formation operation of Example 1 will be explained using Figure 1. First, the photosensitive drum 2 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 (counterclockwise) in synchronization with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 10. Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 3. At the same time, the exposure unit 4 irradiates the photosensitive drum 2 with a yellow laser beam to form a yellow electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2.

[0021] As this electrostatic latent image is formed, the rotary 9 rotates, stopping the yellow developing unit 5y in the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 2. The rotary 9 is rotated by the rotary drive unit 1441 (see Figure 13). In the developing position, the developing roller 51y on the developing unit 5y is in contact with the photosensitive drum 2, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with yellow toner. That is, the rotary 9 supports the developing units 5y to 5k and rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 (clockwise), sequentially moving the four supported developing units 5y to 5k one by one to the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 2. The developing unit 5, located in the developing position, develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 according to the color of the toner it contains. In Figure 1, the black developing roller 51k is in contact with the photosensitive drum 2.

[0022] After the electrostatic latent image is developed, the yellow toner formed on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the primary transfer roller 11 located inside the intermediate transfer belt 10. In this way, the primary transfer of the yellow toner image is completed. Then, the magenta, cyan, and black development units 5m, 5c, and 5k are sequentially rotated by the rotation of the rotary 9 and stop at the development position facing the photosensitive drum 2. Then, in the same manner as with yellow, the formation of the electrostatic latent image, development, and primary transfer are sequentially performed for each of the magenta, cyan, and black colors. As a result, the toner images of the four colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 10. During this time, the secondary transfer roller 12 is not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10. Also, at this time, the cleaning device 13 that removes residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10.

[0023] Meanwhile, the sheets S, which serve as recording material, are loaded and stored in a sheet storage section 300 located at the bottom of the printer body 1. The sheets S are fed by a pick roller 310. After being separated one by one by a feed roller 311 and a separation roller 312, they are sent to a transport roller pair 320. The transport roller pair 320 sends the fed sheets S to the nip section (secondary transfer section) between the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the secondary transfer roller 12. The four colored toner images superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 are transferred (secondary transfer) all at once to the surface of the transported sheets S.

[0024] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the fuser unit 40. In the fuser unit 40, the sheet S is heated and pressurized, and the unfixed toner image is fixed onto the sheet S. As a result, a color image is formed on the sheet S. The sheet S is then discharged from the fuser unit 40. In the image forming operation of Example 1 described above, the image forming unit, including the photosensitive drum 2, developing roller 51, and intermediate transfer belt 10, the paper feeding and transport unit, including the pick roller 310, feed roller 311, and transport roller pair 320, and the fuser 40 are rotated by a drive source (not shown).

[0025] (Rotary configuration) The configuration of the rotary 9 will be explained using Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary 9 and its surroundings. Figure 4 is an external view of the rotary 9. As mentioned above, the toner cartridges 7y to 7k are removable from the rotary 9, and when the toner in the toner cartridges 7y to 7k runs out, the user can replace the toner cartridges 7y to 7k. When replacing the toner cartridges 7y to 7k, the rotary 9 stops at the replacement position.

[0026] Figure 3(a) shows a cross-section of the rotary 9 and its surroundings when it is stopped in the developing position, with the yellow developing roller 51y in contact with the photosensitive drum 2 as an example. Figure 3(b) shows a cross-section of the rotary 9 and its surroundings when it is stopped in the replacement position, with the black toner cartridge 7k stopped in the replacement position as an example. As shown in Figure 3, four trays 8y to 8k are arranged inside the rotary 9, and each of the trays 8y to 8k holds a toner cartridge 7y to 7k. At this time, the toner cartridges 7y to 7k are installed in the developing units 5y to 5k. In Embodiment 1, the toner cartridge 7k containing black toner is larger in size than the toner cartridges 7y, 7m, and 7c containing yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner, respectively, and can hold more toner. Therefore, the tray 8k that holds the black toner cartridge 7k is larger in size than the trays 8y, 8m, and 8c that hold the yellow toner cartridge 7y, magenta toner cartridge 7m, and cyan toner cartridge 7c. In other words, the rotary 9 contains four toner cartridges of different sizes (7y-7k) and trays (8y-8k).

[0027] Here, the rotary 9 is supported so as to be able to swing around the pivot axis 91. In the developing position, the rotary 9 is biased by a biasing member (not shown), causing the developing roller 51y to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 2. In the process of rotating the rotary 9 clockwise in the figure to move it to the replacement position, the rotary 9 swings around the pivot axis 91 by a separation mechanism (not shown), and the developing roller 51y separates from the photosensitive drum 2. In the replacement position, the toner cartridge 7k is stopped in a position facing the door 14 located on the front of the printer body 1 (Figure 3(b)). Also, the developing rollers 51y~51k are separated from the photosensitive drum 2. In this state, the user can replace the toner cartridge 7k by sliding the tray 8k from the mounting position of the developing unit 5k to the outside of the rotary 9.

[0028] While this explanation focuses on the development position for development unit 5y and the replacement position for toner cartridge 7k, the development positions for development units 5m, 5c, and 5k, and the replacement positions for toner cartridges 7y, 7m, and 7c are similar. The replacement procedure for toner cartridges 7y through 7k will be described later.

[0029] The rotational drive of the rotary 9 will be explained using Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, disc gears 92a and 92b are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the rotary 9. In addition, drive gears 93a and 93b are connected to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the oscillating shaft 91 in a manner that allows for power transmission. Here, the driving force of the rotary drive unit 1441 (first drive source) is transmitted to the drive gear 93b, and the driving force is transmitted to the disc gears 92a and 92b by the drive gears 93a and 93b, thereby rotating the rotary 9.

[0030] (Toner cartridge replacement procedure) The replacement procedure for toner cartridges 7y to 7k will be explained using Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is an external view of the printer body 1. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary 9 when replacing toner cartridges 7y to 7k.

[0031] Figure 5(a) shows the external appearance of the printer body 1 during image formation and in standby mode. At this time, the door 14 is closed. Figure 5(b) shows the external appearance of the printer body 1 when replacing toner cartridges 7y to 7k. At this time, the door 14 is open, and the tray 8 and toner cartridges 7 have moved to the outside of the printer body 1.

[0032] This section explains the replacement procedure for toner cartridges 7y to 7k. First, when the user instructs the printer body 1 to replace toner cartridges 7y to 7k, the rotary 9 rotates to the replacement position for the toner cartridge 7 to be replaced (the toner cartridge 7 that has run out of toner) and stops. Here, instructing the user to perform the replacement procedure means, for example, pressing the replacement button provided on the printer body 1.

[0033] Next, the tray drive unit 1440 (see Figure 13) slides the tray 8 and toner cartridge 7 from their mounting position on the developing unit 5 to the outside of the printer body 1. At this time, the door 14 is rotatably supported relative to the printer body 1, and the sliding movement of the tray 8 causes the door 14 to open (state shown in Figure 5(b)). Here, since the toner cartridge 7 is detachably held in the tray 8, as shown in Figure 5(c), the user can replace it by removing the toner cartridge 7 from the tray 8 and installing a new toner cartridge 7. If multiple toner cartridges 7 need to be replaced, the above operation can be repeated to complete the replacement process.

[0034] Figure 6 shows a cross-section around the rotary 9 when replacing toner cartridges 7y to 7k, with the tray 8m and toner cartridge 7m sliding out to the outside of the printer body 1 as an example. As shown in Figure 6, when replacing toner cartridges 7y to 7k, it is desirable that the entire toner cartridge 7 is exposed from the front of the printer body 1, as the user performs the operation of attaching and detaching the toner cartridge 7 from the tray 8.

[0035] (Tray arrangement within the rotary) The arrangement of trays 8y to 8k within the rotary 9 will be explained using Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of trays 8y to 8k within the rotary 9. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of trays 8y to 8k within the rotary 9.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, trays 8y to 8k are each provided with toner cartridge holders 81y to 81k and tray rails 82y to 82k, respectively, for toner cartridges 7y to 7k (not shown in Figure 7). The tray rails 82y to 82k are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction, flanking the holders 81y to 81k. Rack sections 821y to 821k are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the tray rails 82y to 82k. In addition, rack gears 94y to 94k are rotatably held within the rotary 9, and the rack gears 94y to 94k are meshed with the rack sections 821y to 821k, respectively, in a manner that enables drive transmission.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, four trays 8y to 8k are arranged overlapping within the rotary 9. The insertion and removal directions for each of the trays 8y to 8k are rotated by 90 degrees (in the figures, the double arrows indicate directions Dy to Dk). Therefore, the yellow tray 8y and the cyan tray 8c, and the magenta tray 8m and the black tray 8k are held in a position to slide in the same direction.

[0038] (Tray insertion / removal drive configuration) The drive configuration for inserting and removing trays 8y to 8k, which are located within the rotary 9, will be explained using Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the drive configuration for inserting and removing trays 8y to 8k. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the drive configuration for inserting and removing trays 8y to 8k. In the following explanation, tray 8k will be used as an example among the four trays 8y to 8k, but the drive configuration for inserting and removing trays 8y to 8c is similar.

[0039] Figure 9(a) shows the tray 8k inside the rotary 9 (i.e., the toner cartridge 7k is installed in the developing unit 5k). Figure 9(b) shows the tray 8k slid out of the rotary 9. As mentioned above, two rack sections 821k are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The rack gear 94k and the drive rack 15 are also positioned at locations corresponding to the rack sections 821k at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The tray 8k is held so as to be slidable relative to the rotary 9 in a direction parallel to the tray rail 82k. The drive rack 15 is held so as to be slidable in the vertical direction (Z direction) relative to the printer body 1.

[0040] Using Figure 10, the insertion and removal operation of tray 8k, which involves sliding tray 8k from inside the rotary 9 (the position where the toner cartridge 7k is mounted on the developing unit 5k) to the outside, will be explained. The insertion and removal operation of tray 8k is performed by the tray drive unit 1440 (second drive source) (see Figure 14), drive rack 15, rack gear 94k, and rack section 821k. First, the drive force transmitted by the tray drive unit 1440 causes the drive rack 15 to slide upward on the printer body 1, transmitting the drive to the rack gear 94k. The rack gear 94k rotates counterclockwise, transmitting the drive to the rack section 821k, causing tray 8k to slide from the position where the toner cartridge 7k is mounted on the developing unit 5k towards the outside of the rotary 9.

[0041] Furthermore, after replacing the toner cartridge 7k, the operation of sliding the tray 8k into the rotary 9 (the position where the toner cartridge 7k is installed in the developing unit 5k) can be performed as follows: That is, by rotating the tray drive unit 1440 in the opposite direction to when sliding the tray 8k out of the rotary 9. In this case, the drive rack 15 slides downwards in the printer body 1, causing the tray 8k to be pulled into the rotary 9.

[0042] As described above, the tray drive unit 1440 can perform the insertion and removal of the tray 8k located inside the rotary 9. In other words, the toner cartridge 7 can be replaced when power is supplied to the printer body 1 from the power supply, but it cannot be done when the power supply is cut off.

[0043] (Cartridge memory and cartridge memory reading unit) Figures 11(a) and 11(b) are perspective views showing the configuration of the cartridge memory 60 (cartridge storage unit) of the toner cartridge 7 and the cartridge memory reading unit 61 (hereinafter referred to as the reading unit 61) that reads the information recorded in the cartridge memory 60. Hereafter, the cartridge memory 60 will be referred to as memory 60. Furthermore, when referring to the memory 60 of each toner cartridge 7, it will be denoted as follows: the memory of the yellow toner cartridge 7y will be denoted as memory 60y, the memory of the magenta toner cartridge 7m will be denoted as memory 60m, the memory of the cyan toner cartridge 7c will be denoted as memory 60c, and the memory of the black toner cartridge 7k will be denoted as memory 60k.

[0044] As will be described later, the cartridge memory communication control unit 1430 (see Figure 14) of the engine control unit 1403 accesses the memory 60 via the reading unit 61 and reads the information stored in the memory 60. In other words, the reading unit 61 electrically connects the memory 60 and the cartridge memory communication control unit 1430 of the engine control unit 1403. In the following description, the act of the cartridge memory communication control unit 1430 reading the information stored in the memory 60 via the reading unit 61 may be referred to as reading the memory 60 by the reading unit 61.

[0045] Each of the memory 60 and the reading unit 61 is equipped with an electrically connectable contact configuration. The memory 60 is held on the longitudinal side of the toner cartridge 7 and is positioned to connect to the reading unit 61 when the toner cartridge 7 is housed in the rotary 9. When the rotary 9 rotates, the reading unit 61 is retracted to a position that does not obstruct the rotation of the rotary 9, and when acquiring information from the memory 60, it comes into contact with the contact portion of the memory 60. The retraction and contact operations of the reading unit 61 are performed by a drive source (not shown). In Embodiment 1, the contacts of the reading unit 61 are connected to a wiring pattern, but the contact portion may be configured using lead wires or the like. The reading unit 61 is also connected to a control board (not shown).

[0046] (Layout and operation of the reading unit) Figure 12 shows the arrangement of the reading unit 61 of the printer body 1. As explained in Figure 2, toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 7 to the developing unit 5 when the rotation angle of the rotary 9 is greater than the rotation angle α shown in the figure. In Embodiment 1, the reading unit 61 is positioned at a location where the rotary 9 is rotated by an angle β in the rotation direction Ra (clockwise) relative to the replacement position P1 of the toner cartridge 7. Angle β is within the angle α at which toner is not supplied from the toner cartridge 7 to the developing unit 5 (angle β < angle α / 2). Hereafter, the position where the rotary 9 is rotated by an angle β in the rotation direction Ra (clockwise) from the replacement position P1 of the toner cartridge 7 will be referred to as the memory access position (reading position) of the toner cartridge 7. More specifically, the memory access position of toner cartridge 7y will be the Y memory access position, and the memory access position of toner cartridge 7m will be the M memory access position. Also, the memory access position of toner cartridge 7c will be the C memory access position, and the memory access position of toner cartridge 7k will be the K memory access position. Each memory access location is an example of a rotary position where the read operation described later is permitted.

[0047] Next, the reading operation of the memory 60 via the reading unit 61 will be described. When the toner cartridge 7 is replaced, the rotary 9 rotates in the rotation direction Ra (clockwise). At this time, the reading unit 61 is retracted from the rotary 9. The rotation direction Ra is the same as the rotation direction during normal image formation. The rotary 9 stops at a position where the memory 60 and the reading unit 61 are facing each other, which is the position after rotating the rotary 9 by an angle β. After the rotary 9 stops, the reading unit 61 contacts the contact portion of the memory 60 and is electrically connected. After the reading unit 61 reads the information in the memory 60, the reading unit 61 is retracted from the memory 60.

[0048] The reading unit 61 may also be positioned upstream of the replacement position P1 with respect to the rotation direction Ra. In this case, when the toner cartridge 7 is replaced, the rotary 9 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation direction Ra. In this case as well, after the information in the memory 60 is read via the reading unit 61, toner supply from the toner cartridge 7 to the developing unit 5 begins.

[0049] In this embodiment, the engine control unit 1403 enters a print-ready state when it has finished reading the information from the memory 60 of all toner cartridges 7. The state in which the information from the memory 60 of each toner cartridge 7 has been read can also be referred to as the print-ready state for that cartridge.

[0050] In this printable state, the rotary 9 is stopped. When the engine control unit 1403 receives a signal to start image formation in the printable state, the image formation operation begins. In the printable state, one of the developing rollers 51 is facing the photosensitive drum 2. In the printable state, the rotary 9 may be in the developing position (see Figure 3(a)). In the printable state, the rotary 9 is in a different position than the replacement position. That is, the position of each toner cartridge 7 and the position of the opening 16a are different in relation to the rotation direction of the rotary 9. In the printable state, it can also be said that removal of the toner cartridge 7 from the rotary 9 is restricted.

[0051] (Summary of Example 1) This section describes the characteristic configuration and control of Example 1. In Example 1, the control that determines whether to perform the image formation condition reading operation from the memory 60 of the toner cartridge 7 when the printer body 1 starts up from a power-off (OFF) state to a printable state (ready state) is described. In other words, the control that determines whether or not a reading operation from the memory 60 is necessary when the printer body 1 is turned on from a power-off state is described.

[0052] If the toner cartridge 7 is replaced while the printer body 1 is not receiving power, the engine control unit 1403 of the printer body 1 cannot detect whether or not the toner cartridge 7 has been replaced. In other words, when the printer body 1 is turned on from the power-off state, the engine control unit 1403 cannot determine whether or not the toner cartridge 7 is the same as the one before the power-off state. Therefore, if it is possible to replace the toner cartridge 7 while the printer body 1 is not receiving power, it is preferable that the memory 60 is always read when the printer body 1 is turned on from the power-off state.

[0053] On the other hand, as described above, according to this embodiment, the toner cartridge 7 can be replaced while power is supplied to the printer body 1, but cannot be replaced when power is not supplied to the printer body 1. Therefore, at least under normal use conditions of the printer body 1, the toner cartridge 7 is, in principle, the same before the printer body 1 is turned off and after the power is turned on. In other words, there is no need to perform a read operation of the memory 60 when the printer body 1 is turned on from the off state (when the printer body 1 is started up).

[0054] In this embodiment, the engine control unit 1403 enters a print-ready state when it has finished reading the information in the memory 60 of all toner cartridges 7. More specifically, when a toner cartridge 7 is replaced, the engine control unit 1403 enters a print-ready state after reading the memory 60 of at least the replaced toner cartridge 7. Furthermore, the engine control unit 1403 may enter a print-ready state after reading the memory 60 of both the replaced toner cartridge 7 and the other toner cartridges 7.

[0055] Furthermore, if power is supplied to the printer body 1 after it has been cut off while it is in a print-ready state, and then power is supplied to the printer body 1 and it starts up, the engine control unit 1403 will enter a print-ready state without performing a read operation on the memory 60.

[0056] (Block diagram of Example 1) Figure 13 is a block diagram of the printer body 1 of Embodiment 1. The controller unit 1400 is capable of communicating with the operation unit 1401, the host computer 1402, and the engine control unit 1403. The functions of the engine control unit 1403 are implemented by one or more CPUs.

[0057] (Toner cartridge replacement) This section describes the control of the printer body 1 for a user to replace the toner cartridge 7. When the controller unit 1400 receives a request to replace the toner cartridge 7 from the operation unit 1401 or the host computer 1402, it instructs the engine control unit 1403 to replace the toner cartridge 7 via the video interface unit 1410. When the toner cartridge control unit 1412 (control unit) of the engine control unit 1403 receives the instruction to replace the toner cartridge 7 from the video interface unit 1410, it performs the following control. That is, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the replacement color request storage unit 1421 (storage unit) to save the replacement request for the toner cartridge 7 that has been instructed to be replaced. The replacement request stored in the replacement color request storage unit 1421 is an example of request information.

[0058] The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the toner cartridge replacement control unit 1420 (hereinafter referred to as the replacement control unit 1420) to replace the toner cartridge 7 that has been instructed to be replaced. The replacement color request storage unit 1421 stores the information to be stored in the non-volatile memory 1432 (non-volatile main unit storage unit). The replacement color request storage unit 1421 also stores information on whether the reading operation has been completed or not for the memory 60 of the toner cartridge 7 that has been requested to be replaced, in other words, whether the reading operation is necessary or unnecessary. In Embodiment 1, the information on whether the reading operation is necessary or unnecessary is used in conjunction with the replacement request described above. However, a flag separate from the replacement request may also be used to store this information in the non-volatile memory 1432. The non-volatile memory 1432 is a storage device that can retain the stored information even if the power supply to the printer main unit 1 is stopped.

[0059] When the replacement control unit 1420 receives a command from the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to replace the toner cartridge 7, it instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to move the rotary 9 to the replacement position of the toner cartridge 7 that has been instructed to be replaced. When the rotary control unit 1431 receives a command to rotate the rotary 9 to the replacement position of the toner cartridge 7, it drives the rotary drive unit 1441 of the rotary drive unit 1404 (drive device) to rotate the rotary 9. The rotary drive unit 1441 is an example of a drive unit that rotates the rotary 9 to take the replacement position of each toner cartridge 7.

[0060] When the rotary 9 moves to the toner cartridge 7 replacement position, the replacement control unit 1420 drives the tray drive unit 1440 to slide the tray 8 to a position where the user can replace the toner cartridge 7. The user replaces the toner cartridge 7 when the printer body 1 moves the tray 8 to the replacement position.

[0061] Subsequently, the user instructs the printer body 1 via the operation unit 1401 or the host computer 1402 that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete. When the controller unit 1400 receives confirmation from the operation unit 1401 or the host computer 1402 that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete, it instructs the engine control unit 1403 via the video interface unit 1410 that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete. When the toner cartridge control unit 1412 receives confirmation from the video interface unit 1410 that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete, it instructs the replacement control unit 1420 that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete. When the replacement control unit 1420 receives confirmation that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete, it drives the tray drive unit 1440 to slide the tray 8 into the rotary 9.

[0062] (After replacing the toner cartridge - scanning operation) This section describes the control of the printer body 1 after the replacement of the toner cartridge 7. When the toner cartridge 7 is replaced, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the cartridge information acquisition control unit 1422 (hereinafter referred to as the information acquisition control unit 1422) to acquire the cartridge information stored in the memory 60. Here, the cartridge information includes the type of cartridge and control parameters. The type of cartridge is, for example, information such as the toner color and cartridge ID. The control parameters are, for example, information on the parameters used to control the transfer and fixing as described above.

[0063] If the rotary 9 is not in the memory access position, the information acquisition control unit 1422 drives the rotary drive unit 1441 via the rotary control unit 1431 and instructs it to rotate the rotary 9 to the memory access position of the toner cartridge 7. When the rotary 9 is in the memory access position of the toner cartridge 7, the information acquisition control unit 1422 has the cartridge memory communication control unit 1430 (hereinafter referred to as the memory communication control unit 1430) access the memory 60. The memory communication control unit 1430 reads the information stored in the memory 60 via the reading unit 61. The operation of the reading unit 61 is as described in Figure 11(a).

[0064] Subsequently, once the reading unit 61 has finished reading the image formation conditions from the memory 60, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 clears the replacement request stored in the non-volatile memory 1432 by the replacement color request storage unit 1421. Clearing the replacement request means that the reading operation has been completed and no further reading operation is required. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 does not perform any reading operations in accordance with the fact that the replacement request has been cleared. After responding to all toner cartridge replacement requests from the user, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that the toner cartridge 7 is ready.

[0065] As described above, when the state of the request information is the first state, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 performs a reading operation and then takes a ready state where it can perform an image forming operation. On the other hand, when the state of the request information is the second state, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 takes a ready state without performing a reading operation. The first state is a state in which a reading operation is required, and in the embodiment described above, it is a state in which a replacement request is stored. The second state is a state in which a reading operation is not required, and in the embodiment described above, it is a state in which the replacement request has been cleared. When the power to the printer body 1 is turned off, and when the power to the printer body 1 is turned on from off, the state of the request information is retained in the non-volatile memory 1432. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 is an example of a control unit configured to control the drive unit and to decide whether or not to perform a reading operation based on the request information.

[0066] (Explanation of the timing chart for Example 1) The timing charts for Example 1 are shown in Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is a timing chart of the processes performed from the time the printer body 1 is powered on until the toner cartridge 7 is ready for printing, when a reading operation is required. Figure 15 is a timing chart of the processes performed from the time the printer body 1 is powered on until the toner cartridge is ready for printing, when a reading operation is not required. The timing charts in Figures 14 and 15 illustrate, as an example, the operation after the yellow toner cartridge 7y has been replaced and the printer body 1 has been powered off. In Figures 14 and 15, (a) is the state of the replacement control unit 1420, (b) is the state of the information acquisition control unit 1422, (c) is the position of the rotary 9, and Figure 15(d) shows the request saved by the replacement color request storage unit 1421. Note that 1500~1509 and 1510~1519 indicate the respective timings. Furthermore, the exchange control unit 1420 starts from a stopped state, the information acquisition control unit 1422 starts from a stopped state, the rotary 9 starts from the home position, and the exchange color request storage unit 1421 starts from a state of no request.

[0067] (If reading operation is required when the power is turned on) First, let's explain Figure 14. When the toner cartridge control unit 1412 receives a yellow toner cartridge replacement instruction from the video interface unit 1410, it instructs the replacement control unit 1420 to replace the yellow toner cartridge (1500a). When the replacement control unit 1420 receives the instruction to replace the yellow toner cartridge, it transitions from the stopped state to the state of replacing the yellow toner cartridge 7y (hereinafter referred to as Y replacement). Note that replacing the magenta toner cartridge 7m will be referred to as M replacement, replacing the cyan toner cartridge 7c as C replacement, and replacing the black toner cartridge 7k as K replacement.

[0068] The replacement control unit 1420 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the replacement position for the yellow toner cartridge a (hereinafter referred to as the Y replacement position) (1500c). The rotary 9 rotates from 1500c to 1501c, which will be described later. The replacement position for the magenta toner cartridge 7m is the M replacement position, the replacement position for the cyan toner cartridge 7c is the C replacement position, and the replacement position for the black toner cartridge 7k is the K replacement position. The home position is the position of the rotary 9 before the printer body 1 starts printing.

[0069] When the rotary position reaches the Y replacement position (1501c), the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8y to a position where the user can replace the yellow toner cartridge 7y. When the user replaces the yellow toner cartridge 7y, the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8y into the rotary 9 and transitions from the Y replacement state to the stopped state (1502a).

[0070] When the yellow toner cartridge 7y is replaced, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the information acquisition control unit 1422 to acquire the cartridge information of the replaced yellow toner cartridge 7y (1502b). When the information acquisition control unit 1422 is instructed by the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to acquire the cartridge information of the yellow toner cartridge 7y, it transitions from the stopped state to the state of acquiring information for the yellow toner cartridge 7y. Hereafter, the state of acquiring information for the yellow toner cartridge 7y will be referred to as acquiring Y information. Similarly, the state of acquiring information for the magenta toner cartridge 7m will be referred to as acquiring M information, the state of acquiring information for the cyan toner cartridge 7c will be referred to as acquiring C information, and the state of acquiring information for the black toner cartridge 7k will be referred to as acquiring K information. The information acquisition control unit 1422 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the Y memory access position (1502c). The rotary 9 rotates from 1502c to 1503c, which will be described later.

[0071] When the rotary 9 is in the Y memory access position (1503c), the information acquisition control unit 1422 accesses memory 60y via the memory communication control unit 1430. When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information (1504b), it transitions from the Y information acquisition state to the stopped state. When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the home position (1504c). The rotary 9 rotates from 1504c until 1505c, which will be described later.

[0072] When the rotary 9 moves from the Y memory access position to the home position (1505c), the toner cartridge control unit 1412 completes the replacement of the toner cartridge 7y and makes the toner cartridge 7y printable (1506c). Subsequently, if the inlet plug 1450 is removed by the user or a power outage occurs, the power supplied to the printer body 1 is turned off (hereinafter referred to as power OFF) (1507). When the printer body 1 is restored from power OFF (power ON) due to the insertion of the inlet plug 1450 or restoration from a power outage, the printer body 1 prepares to be printable (1508). The period between 1507 and 1508 is the period during which the printer body 1 is not supplied with power from the power source. Note that the printer body 1 may be capable of switching between power OFF and power ON by an operation unit such as a power button.

[0073] In the timing chart of Figure 14, when the printer body 1 is restored from a power-off state, it starts control to acquire cartridge information for all toner cartridges 7. In the timing chart of Figure 14, the operation when the printer is restored from a power-off state is the same as the operation performed from 1500 onwards, and is shown as 1500' to 1506'. The same operation as for toner cartridge 7y is performed for magenta toner cartridge 7m, cyan toner cartridge 7c, and black toner cartridge 7k. As a result, the cartridge information stored in the memory 60 of all toner cartridges 7 is acquired, and the toner cartridges 7 are set to a printable state (1509).

[0074] (When reading operations are not required when the power is turned on) Next, Figure 15 will be explained. When the toner cartridge control unit 1412 receives a command from the video interface unit 1410 to replace the yellow toner cartridge 7y, it instructs the replacement control unit 1420 to replace the toner cartridge 7y (1510a). The toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the replacement color request storage unit 1421 to store that a request to replace the yellow toner cartridge has been received (1510d). When the replacement control unit 1420 is instructed to replace the yellow toner cartridge, it transitions from the stopped state to the yellow toner cartridge replacement (hereinafter referred to as Y replacement) state. The information stored in the non-volatile memory 1432 changes from the stopped state to a Y replacement request. Note that a request to replace the magenta toner cartridge 7m becomes an M replacement request, a request to replace the cyan toner cartridge 7c becomes a C replacement request, and a request to replace the black toner cartridge 7k becomes a K replacement request. In Embodiment 1, no reading operation is required when there is no request, and a reading operation is required when there is a replacement request. The exchange control unit 1420 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the Y exchange position (1510c). The rotary 9 rotates from 1510c to 1511c, which will be described later.

[0075] When the rotary position reaches the Y replacement position (1511c), the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8y to a position where the user can replace the yellow toner cartridge 7y. When the user replaces the toner cartridge 7y, the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8y into the rotary 9 and transitions from the Y replacement state to the stopped state (1512a). When the yellow toner cartridge 7y is replaced, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the information acquisition control unit 1422 to acquire the cartridge information of the replaced yellow toner cartridge 7y (1512b). When the information acquisition control unit 1422 is instructed by the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to acquire the cartridge information of the yellow toner cartridge 7y, it transitions from the stopped state to the Y information acquisition state. The information acquisition control unit 1422 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the Y memory access position (1512c). Rotary 9 will be rotating from 1512c to 1513c, which will be described later.

[0076] When the rotary 9 reaches the Y memory access position (1513c), the information acquisition control unit 1422 accesses memory 60y via the memory communication control unit 1430. When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information (1514b), it transitions from the Y information acquisition in progress state to the stopped state. The information acquisition control unit 1422 also sets the Y exchange request stored in the exchange color request storage unit 1421 to no request (1512d).

[0077] When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the home position (1514c). The rotary 9 rotates from 1514c to 1515c, which will be described later. When the rotary 9 moves from the Y memory access position to the home position (1515c), the toner cartridge control unit 1412 completes the toner cartridge replacement and makes the toner cartridge 7y ready for printing (1516c).

[0078] Subsequently, if the inlet plug 1450 is removed by the user or a power outage occurs, the power turns off (1517). When the printer body 1 can be restored from power off due to the insertion of the inlet plug 1450 or restoration from a power outage, the printer body 1 prepares to be ready for printing (1518). If there is no request for replacement color stored in the non-volatile memory 1432, the printer body 1 does not require a reading operation and sets the toner cartridge 7 to a printable state (1519). If the replacement color request stored in the non-volatile memory 1432 is a request for replacement of yellow toner, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that it is necessary to acquire (read) the yellow toner cartridge information and performs the same processing as in 1512 to 1515.

[0079] (Explanation of the flowchart for Example 1) Figures 16(a) and (b) are flowcharts of Example 1. First, let's explain Figure 16(a). Figure 16(a) is a flowchart of the process when replacing a toner cartridge.

[0080] (Procedure when replacing the cartridge) In step (hereinafter referred to as S), step 1600, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines whether or not it has received a toner cartridge replacement request. In step S1700, if the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that it has not received a toner cartridge replacement request, it returns to step S1600; if it determines that it has received a request, it proceeds to step S1601.

[0081] In S1601, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the replacement color request storage unit 1421 to save the replacement request for the toner cartridge 7 that has been requested to be replaced. The replacement color request storage unit 1421 stores the replacement request (in other words, information that a read operation is required) in the non-volatile memory 1432. In S1602, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 of the color received in the replacement request. As a result, the replacement control unit 1420 rotates the rotary 9 to the replacement position of the toner cartridge 7 and slides the tray 8 to a position where the user can replace the toner cartridge 7. When the user replaces the toner cartridge 7, the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8 into the rotary 9.

[0082] In S1603, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 rotates the rotary 9 to set its position to the memory access position, and the information acquisition control unit 1422 reads the cartridge information of the replaced toner cartridge 7. In S1604, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 changes the replacement request for the replaced toner cartridge 7 from the replacement color request storage unit 1421 to no longer require it. In S1605, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 rotates the rotary 9 to the home position. In S1606, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 sets the toner cartridge 7 to a printable state and terminates the process.

[0083] (Processing when the power is turned off and then restored) Next, Figure 16(b) will be explained. Figure 16(b) is a flowchart for preparing the toner cartridge 7 for printing when the printer body 1 starts up from a power-off state.

[0084] In S1607, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 checks the toner cartridge replacement request stored in the non-volatile memory 1432 by the replacement color request storage unit 1421. Specifically, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines whether the replacement request obtained from the non-volatile memory 1432 is a request or not. In S1607, if the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that the obtained information is a request, in other words, if it determines that a reading operation is unnecessary, it considers the toner cartridge 7 to be already in a printable state and terminates the process.

[0085] If the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines in S1607 that the acquired information is in response to a request, it proceeds to S1608. In this case, a reading operation is required, that is, it is necessary to read the toner cartridge information for the color for which replacement has been requested (hereinafter referred to as the requested color). Note that the processing in S1608 to S1611 is the same as the processing in S1603 to S1606 explained in Figure 16(a), so it is omitted here.

[0086] As explained above, in Embodiment 1, when the printer unit 1 receives a toner cartridge replacement request from the user and retrieves toner cartridge information, it stores in non-volatile memory whether or not the retrieval of toner cartridge information has been completed. When the printer unit 1 starts up, it determines whether or not it is necessary to retrieve toner cartridge information from the information stored in the non-volatile memory 1432. This minimizes the time required to retrieve toner cartridge information and improves the usability for users who want to print. In Example 1, a configuration was described in which the operation unit 1401 instructs the replacement of the toner cartridge. However, a configuration in which the instruction is given from the host computer 1402 or from a mobile terminal such as a smartphone via wireless communication may also be adopted. In Example 1, the description explained that the replacement color request storage unit 1421 stores information for one color requested by the user, but it is also possible to store replacement requests for multiple colors. In that case, the flow shown in Figure 16(b) when the printer body 1 is started up reads the toner cartridge information for each of the multiple requested colors that have been stored.

[0087] In Example 1, the information in the replacement color request storage unit 1421 was not requested at the time of completion of toner cartridge information acquisition. However, the information in the replacement color request storage unit 1421 may be not requested at the time of completion of processing such as analysis of the acquired information. Furthermore, when the toner cartridge 7 is replaced, information indicating "perform a read operation" may be stored in the non-volatile memory 1432 when the toner cartridge 7 is removed from the tray 8. This information indicating "perform a read operation" is retained from the time the toner cartridge 7 is placed in the tray 8 until the read operation is completed.

[0088] As described above, according to Example 1, the time required for operations to reach a printable state can be reduced, thereby improving usability. [Examples]

[0089] In Example 1, when a user requests to replace a toner cartridge and the printer attempts to acquire toner cartridge information, it stores information in non-volatile memory indicating whether the acquisition of toner cartridge information is complete, or in other words, whether a reading operation is unnecessary. When the printer unit 1 starts up, it determines whether toner cartridge information acquisition is necessary based on the information stored in non-volatile memory. This example describes how it is possible to minimize the time required to acquire toner cartridge information and improve the usability for users who want to print. In Example 2, an example is described in which the printer unit 1 fails to acquire cartridge information for a replaced toner cartridge. That is, it determines whether a reading operation is unnecessary or not depending on whether the communication status is good or not. The configuration of Example 2 will only be described in parts that differ from the configuration described in Example 1.

[0090] (Block diagram of Example 2) Figure 17 is a block diagram of Embodiment 2. When the controller unit 1400 receives a toner cartridge replacement request from the operation unit 1401 or the host computer 1402, it instructs the engine control unit 1403 to replace the toner cartridge via the video interface unit 1410. When the toner cartridge control unit 1412 in the engine control unit 1403 receives the toner cartridge replacement instruction from the video interface unit 1410, it instructs the replacement control unit 1420 to replace the toner cartridge 7 that has been instructed to be replaced.

[0091] When the replacement control unit 1420 receives a command from the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to replace the toner cartridge 7, it instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to move the rotary 9 to the replacement position for the toner cartridge 7 that has been instructed to be replaced. When the rotary control unit 1431 receives a command to rotate the rotary 9 to the replacement position for the toner cartridge 7, it drives the rotary drive unit 1441 of the drive unit 1404 to rotate the rotary 9. When the rotary 9 is in the replacement position for the toner cartridge 7, the replacement control unit 1420 drives the tray drive unit 1440 to slide the tray 8 to a position where the user can replace the toner cartridge 7. The user replaces the toner cartridge 7 when the printer body 1 moves the tray 8 to the replacement position. After that, the user instructs the printer body 1 via the operation unit 1401 or the host computer 1402 that the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete.

[0092] When the controller unit 1400 receives confirmation from the operation unit 1401 or the host computer 1402 that the toner cartridge 7 has been replaced, it instructs the engine control unit 1403 to complete the toner cartridge replacement via the video interface unit 1410. When the toner cartridge control unit 1412 in the engine control unit 1403 receives confirmation from the video interface unit 1410 that the toner cartridge replacement is complete, it instructs the replacement control unit 1420 to complete the toner cartridge replacement. When the replacement control unit 1420 receives confirmation that the user has completed the toner cartridge replacement, it slides the tray 8 into the rotary 9.

[0093] When the replacement of the toner cartridge 7 is complete, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the information acquisition control unit 1422 to acquire the cartridge information stored in the memory 60. The information acquisition control unit 1422 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the memory access position of the toner cartridge 7. When the rotary 9 is in the memory access position of the toner cartridge 7, the information acquisition control unit 1422 accesses the memory 60 via the memory communication control unit 1430.

[0094] As explained in Figure 11(a), the memory 60 and the reading unit 61 each have a contact configuration that allows for electrical connection. This electrical connection may cause communication abnormalities if the contacts are not properly made or if electrical noise is generated. The information acquisition control unit 1422 stores in the non-volatile memory 1432 via the cartridge memory communication state holding unit 1700 whether communication with the memory 60 was completed successfully and the necessary information was acquired, or whether an abnormality occurred and the necessary information could not be acquired. Hereinafter, the cartridge memory communication state holding unit 1700 will be referred to as the memory communication state holding unit 1700. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that the toner cartridge 7 is ready after responding to all toner cartridge replacement requests from the user.

[0095] (Explanation of the timing chart for Example 2) Figure 18 shows the timing chart for Example 2. Figure 18 is a timing chart of the processes performed in Example 2 from the time the printer body 1 is powered on until the toner cartridge is set to a printable state. As an example, the timing chart in Figure 18 describes the operation after the yellow toner cartridge 7y has been replaced and the printer body 1 has been powered off. In Figure 18, (a) shows the state of the replacement control unit 1420, (b) shows the state of the information acquisition control unit 1422, (c) shows the position of the rotary 9, and (d) shows the state of the memory communication state holding unit 1700. Note that 1800 to 1809 indicate the respective timings. The replacement control unit 1420 starts from a stopped state, the information acquisition control unit 1422 starts from a stopped state, the rotary 9 starts from the home position, and the memory communication state holding unit 1700 starts from an undetermined communication state.

[0096] When the toner cartridge control unit 1412 receives a yellow toner cartridge replacement instruction from the video interface unit 1410, it instructs the replacement control unit 1420 to replace the yellow toner cartridge (1800a). When the replacement control unit 1420 is instructed to replace the yellow toner cartridge, it transitions from the stopped state to the Y replacement state and instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the Y replacement position (1800c). The rotary 9 rotates from 1800c to 1801c, which will be described later.

[0097] When the rotary position reaches the Y replacement position (1801c), the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8y to a position where the user can replace the yellow toner cartridge 7y. When the user replaces the toner cartridge 7y, the replacement control unit 1420 slides the tray 8y into the rotary 9 and transitions from the Y replacement state to the stopped state (1802a). When the yellow toner cartridge 7y is replaced, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the information acquisition control unit 1422 to acquire the cartridge information of the replaced yellow toner cartridge 7y (1802b). When the information acquisition control unit 1422 is instructed by the toner cartridge control unit 1412 to acquire the cartridge information of the yellow toner cartridge 7y, it transitions from the stopped state to the Y information acquisition state. The information acquisition control unit 1422 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the Y memory access position (1802c). Rotary 9 will be rotating from 1802c to 1803c, which will be described later.

[0098] When the rotary 9 reaches the Y memory access position (1803c), the information acquisition control unit 1422 uses the memory communication control unit 1430 to access memory 60y. If the information acquisition control unit 1422 can acquire cartridge information without any communication errors, the memory communication state holding unit 1700 stores the information "normal" as the communication status in the non-volatile memory 1432 (1802d).

[0099] When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information (1804b), it transitions from the Y information acquisition state to the stopped state. When the information acquisition control unit 1422 acquires cartridge information, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 instructs the rotary control unit 1431 to rotate the rotary 9 to the home position (1804c). The rotary 9 rotates from 1804c to 1805c, which will be described later. When the rotary 9 moves from the Y memory access position to the home position (1805c), the toner cartridge control unit 1412 completes the toner cartridge replacement and makes the toner cartridge 7 ready for printing (1806c).

[0100] Subsequently, if the user removes the inlet plug 1450 or a power outage occurs, the power supplied to the printer body 1 turns OFF (1807). When the printer body 1 can be restored from the OFF state, such as by inserting the inlet plug 1450 or restoring power after a power outage, it prepares to make the printer body 1 ready for printing (1808). If the communication status information stored in the non-volatile memory 1432 is "normal", the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that it has succeeded in acquiring cartridge information, i.e., that a reading operation is unnecessary, and sets the toner cartridge 7 ready for printing (1809). However, if the communication status information stored in the non-volatile memory 1432 is not "normal", the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that a reading operation is necessary and performs the reading operation.

[0101] (Explanation of the flowchart in Example 2) (Procedure when replacing the cartridge) Figures 19(a) and (b) are flowcharts of Example 2. First, Figure 19(a) will be explained. Figure 19(a) is a flowchart of the process when replacing a toner cartridge. Note that the processes S1900 to S1902, S1904, and S1905 are the same as the processes S1600, S1602, S1603, S1605, and S1606 in Figure 16(a), so the explanation will be omitted.

[0102] In S1903, the information acquisition control unit 1422 checks whether cartridge information was successfully acquired through electrical communication with the memory 60 via the memory communication control unit 1430. The information acquisition control unit 1422 stores the result of the check (communication status) in the non-volatile memory 1432 using the memory communication status holding unit 1700.

[0103] (Processing when the power is turned off and then restored) Next, Figure 19(b) will be explained. Figure 19(b) is a flowchart for setting the toner cartridge 7 to a printable state when the printer body 1 starts up from a power-off state. At S1906, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 checks the communication status information stored in the non-volatile memory 1432 by the memory communication status holding unit 1700. Specifically, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines whether the communication status stored in the non-volatile memory 1432 is "normal".

[0104] If, in S1906, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that the communication status stored in the non-volatile memory 1432 is "normal", it proceeds to S1910, assuming that the toner cartridge 7 is already ready to print. In this case, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 has determined that a reading operation is unnecessary. If, in S1906, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 determines that the communication status stored in the non-volatile memory 1432 is "abnormal", it proceeds to S1907. In this case, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 has determined that a reading operation is necessary.

[0105] In S1907, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 reads the toner cartridge information again from the memory 60 of the toner cartridge 7, which indicates an "abnormal" communication status. Note that the reading of the toner cartridge information is the same as in S1902 in Figure 19(a), so the explanation is omitted. Also, the processing in S1908 and S1909 is the same as the processing in S1903 and S1904 explained in Figure 19(a), so it is omitted.

[0106] As explained above, in Example 2, when the printer unit 1 receives a toner cartridge replacement request from the user and retrieves cartridge information, it stores in non-volatile memory whether communication with the cartridge memory was successful. When the printer unit 1 starts up, it determines from the information stored in non-volatile memory whether it is necessary to retrieve toner cartridge information. This minimizes the time required to retrieve toner cartridge information and improves the usability for users who want to print. In Example 2, a configuration was described in which the operation unit 1401 instructs the replacement of the toner cartridge. However, a configuration in which the instruction is given from the host computer 1402 or from a mobile terminal such as a smartphone via wireless communication may also be adopted. In Example 2, the memory communication state retention unit 1700 was described as saving the communication state of one color, but it is also possible to retain the communication state even if communication errors occur for multiple colors. In that case, the flow in Figure 19(b) when the printer body 1 is started may involve reading the saved toner cartridge information for multiple colors.

[0107] Furthermore, while in Example 1 the decision to perform a read operation was based on whether or not a replacement request was made, and in Example 2 the decision was based on whether or not the communication status was normal, the method is not limited to these. For example, when a maintenance mode (a predetermined mode) is specified in the printer body 1, the information in the non-volatile memory 1432 may be rewritten from an external device connected to the printer body 1 via a network or the like. For example, when a maintenance mode is specified, the toner cartridge control unit 1412 stores information such as "a maintenance execution request exists" in the non-volatile memory 1432. If information such as "a maintenance execution request exists" is stored in the non-volatile memory 1432, the information in the non-volatile memory 1432 may be rewritten from an external device. The toner cartridge control unit 1412 can prevent the external device from rewriting the information in the non-volatile memory 1432 by clearing the maintenance execution request once maintenance is complete. The above is an example of a configuration in which the control unit allows the state of the request information to change via an external device when a predetermined mode is specified.

[0108] As described above, according to Example 2, the time required for operations to reach a printable state can be reduced, thereby improving usability.

[0109] This embodiment includes the following configuration. (Composition 1) An image forming apparatus configured to perform an image forming operation to form an image on a recording material, Photosensitive drum and Multiple toner cartridges, each having a cartridge memory unit that stores cartridge information, A rotary having a plurality of developing units, each having a developing roller, and each of the plurality of developing units being configured to contain toner supplied from one of the plurality of toner cartridges, the plurality of toner cartridges being removablely mounted on the rotary having a plurality of developing units, each of which is configured to contain toner supplied from one of the plurality of toner cartridges, A body enclosing the rotary and having an opening, the body having a non-volatile body storage section for storing requested information, A drive device including at least one drive source, configured to move each of the plurality of toner cartridges from the inside to the outside of the body through the opening, and configured to rotate the rotary such that it takes a replacement position where movement of any of the plurality of cartridges to the outside of the body is permitted, and a reading position where reading operation of the cartridge storage of any of the plurality of cartridges is permitted, Reading unit, A control unit that controls the drive device and performs the reading operation via the reading unit, the control unit configured to determine whether or not to perform the reading operation based on the request information, Equipped with, If the state of the requested information is the first state, the control unit, after executing the reading operation, takes a ready state in which it can execute the image forming operation. If the state of the requested information is the second state, the control unit does not perform the reading operation and instead takes the preparation state. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Configuration 2) The state of the request information is maintained when the power to the image forming apparatus is turned off and when the power to the image forming apparatus is turned on from off. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that it is a picture forming apparatus. (Composition 3) When one of the plurality of toner cartridges is moved outside the main body by the drive device, the state of the request information is set to the first state. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2, characterized in that... (Composition 4) When the reading operation is completed for all of the multiple toner cartridges, the state of the request information changes from the first state to the second state. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 3, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 5) An image forming apparatus configured to perform an image forming operation to form an image on a recording material, Photosensitive drum and Multiple toner cartridges, each having a cartridge memory unit that stores cartridge information, A rotary having a plurality of developing units, each having a developing roller, and each of the plurality of developing units being configured to contain toner supplied from one of the plurality of toner cartridges, the plurality of toner cartridges being removablely mounted on the rotary having a plurality of developing units, each of which is configured to contain toner supplied from one of the plurality of toner cartridges, A body enclosing the rotary and having an opening, the body having a non-volatile body storage section for storing requested information, A drive device including at least one drive source, configured to move each of the plurality of toner cartridges from the inside to the outside of the body through the opening, and configured to rotate the rotary such that it takes a replacement position where movement of any of the plurality of cartridges to the outside of the body is permitted, and a reading position where reading operation of the cartridge storage of any of the plurality of cartridges is permitted, Reading unit, A control unit that controls the drive device and performs the reading operation via the reading unit, the control unit configured to determine whether or not to perform the reading operation based on the request information, Equipped with, The state of the request information is maintained when the power to the image forming apparatus is turned off and when the power to the image forming apparatus is turned on from off. After executing the image forming operation, the control unit, when the power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned on from off, does not execute the reading operation, but instead enters a state ready to execute the image forming operation. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Composition 6) When one of the aforementioned toner cartridges is moved outside the main body by the drive device, the state of the request information changes. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 5, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 7) The positions of the multiple toner cartridges when the rotary is in the prepared state are different from the positions of the multiple toner cartridges when the rotary is in the replacement position. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized by the above. (Composition 8) The at least one drive source includes a first drive source for driving the rotary and a second drive source for moving the toner cartridge. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized by the above. (Composition 9) The rotary includes a plurality of trays, each of which is fitted with a corresponding toner cartridge from the plurality of toner cartridges. Each of the plurality of trays is driven by the second drive source to move to the outside of the main body through the opening. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 8, characterized by the above. (Composition 10) The cartridge information includes information about the type of each of the plurality of toner cartridges, The main unit storage unit stores the cartridge information read by the reading operation. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized by the above. (Composition 11) The control unit changes the state of the request information when a predetermined mode is specified. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized by the above. (Composition 12) The control unit allows the state of the request information to be changed via an external device. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized by the above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0110] 1. Printer body 2 Photosensitive drum 7 Toner Cartridges 9 Rotary 1404 Rotary Drive Unit 1412 Toner Cartridge Control Unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus configured to perform an image forming operation to form an image on a recording material, Photosensitive drum and Multiple toner cartridges, each having a cartridge memory unit that stores cartridge information, A rotary having a plurality of developing units, each having a developing roller, and each of the plurality of developing units being configured to contain toner supplied from one of the plurality of toner cartridges, the plurality of toner cartridges being removablely mounted on the rotary having a plurality of developing units, each of which is configured to contain toner supplied from one of the plurality of toner cartridges, A body enclosing the rotary and having an opening, the body having a non-volatile body storage section for storing requested information, A drive device including at least one drive source, configured to move each of the plurality of toner cartridges from the inside to the outside of the body through the opening, and configured to rotate the rotary such that it takes a replacement position where movement of any of the plurality of cartridges to the outside of the body is permitted, and a reading position where reading operation of the cartridge storage of any of the plurality of cartridges is permitted, Reading unit, A control unit that controls the drive device and performs the reading operation via the reading unit, the control unit configured to determine whether or not to perform the reading operation based on the request information, Equipped with, If the state of the requested information is the first state, the control unit, after executing the reading operation, takes a ready state in which it can execute the image forming operation. If the state of the requested information is the second state, the control unit does not perform the reading operation and instead takes the preparation state. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

2. The state of the request information is maintained when the power to the image forming apparatus is turned off and when the power to the image forming apparatus is turned on from off. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. When one of the plurality of toner cartridges is moved outside the main body by the drive device, the state of the request information is set to the first state. The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

4. When the reading operation is completed for all of the toner cartridges, the state of the request information changes from the first state to the second state. The image forming apparatus according to feature 3.

5. An image forming apparatus configured to perform an image forming operation to form an image on a recording material, Photosensitive drum and Multiple toner cartridges, each having a cartridge memory unit that stores cartridge information, A rotary having a plurality of developing units, each having a developing roller, and each of the plurality of developing units being configured to contain toner supplied from one of the plurality of toner cartridges, the plurality of toner cartridges being removablely mounted on the rotary having a plurality of developing units, each of which is configured to contain toner supplied from one of the plurality of toner cartridges, A body enclosing the rotary and having an opening, the body having a non-volatile body storage section for storing requested information, A drive device including at least one drive source, configured to move each of the plurality of toner cartridges from the inside to the outside of the body through the opening, and configured to rotate the rotary such that it takes a replacement position where movement of any of the plurality of cartridges to the outside of the body is permitted, and a reading position where reading operation of the cartridge storage of any of the plurality of cartridges is permitted, Reading unit, A control unit that controls the drive device and performs the reading operation via the reading unit, the control unit configured to determine whether or not to perform the reading operation based on the request information, Equipped with, The state of the request information is maintained when the power to the image forming apparatus is turned off and when the power to the image forming apparatus is turned on from off. After executing the image forming operation, the control unit, when the power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned on from off, does not execute the reading operation, but instead enters a state ready to execute the image forming operation. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

6. When one of the aforementioned toner cartridges is moved outside the main body by the drive device, the state of the request information changes. The image forming apparatus according to feature 5.

7. The positions of the multiple toner cartridges when the rotary is in the prepared state are different from the positions of the multiple toner cartridges when the rotary is in the replacement position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The at least one drive source includes a first drive source for driving the rotary and a second drive source for moving the toner cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. The rotary includes a plurality of trays, each of which is fitted with a corresponding toner cartridge from the plurality of toner cartridges. Each of the plurality of trays is driven by the second drive source to move to the outside of the main body through the opening. The image forming apparatus according to feature 8.

10. The cartridge information includes information about the type of each of the plurality of toner cartridges, The main unit storage unit stores the cartridge information read by the reading operation. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

11. The control unit changes the state of the request information when a predetermined mode is specified. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

12. The control unit allows the state of the request information to be changed via an external device. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images