Image forming device

Abstract

To perform image formation in an image forming condition according to cartridges even when cartridges of different versions are mounted in a mixed manner.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: an engine control unit 102 that forms images by using a plurality of cartridges 9 each having a member for forming an image and a storage device 6; and a correction determination unit 120 that sets an image forming condition in the image formation. Y, M, C cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c have identification information indicating the version of the cartridges 9 in storage devices 6a, 6b, 6c. A K cartridge 9d has, in a storage device 6d, identification information indicating the version of the cartridge 9, and correction information for correcting the image forming condition according to the identification information set to the storage devices 6 of the Y, M, C cartridges 9. The correction determination unit 120 sets the image forming condition based on the identification information that the K cartridge 9d has in the storage device 6d, and the correction information according to the identification information that the Y, M, C cartridges 9 have in the storage devices 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer that forms images by an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices form images by installing process cartridges (hereinafter referred to as cartridges), which are consumables detachable from the image forming device body and form images on recording materials. The cartridges integrate process components such as a photosensitive drum (image carrier), a charging roller that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum to a uniform potential, and a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum. The process components of the cartridges are sometimes replaced from the original process components, and image formation conditions must be adjusted to match the replaced process components. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a cartridge is provided with a storage device and an image is formed under appropriate image formation conditions based on information stored in the storage device. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which correction information corresponding to a combination of cartridges before and after the process components are replaced is stored in the storage device, thereby correcting the image formation conditions to the appropriate conditions and forming an image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-240928 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-205697 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the color image forming apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned patent document, which is configured to accommodate four color cartridges and in which correction information is stored only in a specific cartridge, the following problem may arise. That is, a specific cartridge with correction information stored in its storage device may be mixed with a newer version cartridge that has newer process members than the specific cartridge. In such a case, the correction information stored in the storage device of the specific cartridge does not include correction information for the newer version cartridge. This creates a problem in that the image formation conditions cannot be switched to match the cartridge with the newer process members.

[0005] The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and has as its object to perform image formation under image formation conditions appropriate for the cartridges even when cartridges of different versions are mixed and loaded. [Means for solving the problem]

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

[0007] (1) An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material, comprising: an image forming unit that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus and forms an image using a plurality of cartridges, each having a member for forming an image and a storage unit; and a setting unit that sets image forming conditions when forming an image, wherein the cartridges include a first cartridge and a second cartridge, the first cartridge having identification information in the storage unit that indicates the version of the first cartridge, and the second cartridge having identification information in the storage unit that indicates the version of the second cartridge and correction information for correcting the image forming conditions in accordance with the identification information set in the first cartridge; The correction information includes at least one of first correction information for correcting the image forming conditions when the first cartridge having identification information indicating a newer version than the second cartridge is attached, or second correction information for correcting the image forming conditions when the first cartridge having identification information indicating the same version as or an earlier version than the second cartridge is attached, and the setting unit sets the image forming conditions based on the first correction information when the version indicated by the identification information held in the storage unit by the first cartridge is newer than the version indicated by the identification information held in the storage unit by the second cartridge, and sets the image forming conditions based on the second correction information when the version indicated by the identification information held in the storage unit by the first cartridge is the same version as or an earlier version than the version indicated by the identification information held in the storage unit by the second cartridge. An image forming apparatus characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, even when cartridges of different versions are mixed and loaded, image formation can be performed under image formation conditions appropriate for the cartridges. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to first and second embodiments; [Figure 2] Block diagram showing the system configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the memory configuration of the storage devices of the yellow, magenta, and cyan cartridges of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the memory configuration of a storage device of a black cartridge according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart showing a control sequence for controlling correction of image forming conditions in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the memory configuration of the storage device of the black cartridge according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a control sequence for controlling correction of image forming conditions in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Example]

[0011] [Configuration of image forming device] FIG. 1 illustrates the overall configuration of a laser beam printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes multiple image forming stations, which, from the left in the figure, are image forming stations having yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner. The suffixes a, b, c, and d in the figures indicate the components of the image forming stations for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. Each image forming station has the same configuration, and in the following description, the symbols a to d will not be used unless otherwise necessary.

[0012] (Image forming section) In each image forming station, a photosensitive drum 1, which serves as an image carrier, is driven by a drive motor (not shown) to rotate in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) in the figure. A charging roller 2, which serves as a charging unit, contacts the photosensitive drum 1 and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1, uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. A voltage consisting of a DC voltage or a superimposed AC voltage is applied to the charging roller 2, and the photosensitive drum 1 is charged via the contact nip between the charging roller 2 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The exposure unit 11 is composed of a scanner unit that deflects a laser beam using a rotating polygonal mirror and scans the photosensitive drum 1 with the deflected laser beam. The exposure unit 11 irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with a scanning beam 12 modulated based on a video signal (image signal), forming an electrostatic latent image. The developing unit 8, which serves as the developing section, is composed of a developing roller 4 in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, a developer (toner) 5, and a developer application blade 7. The developing unit 8 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 with toner to form a toner image. The cleaning unit 3 collects toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 that has not been transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 80 (described later). The process cartridge 9 incorporates the photosensitive drum 1, charging roller 2, cleaning unit 3, and developing unit 8, and is an integrated cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus. The charging roller 2 and developing roller 4 are connected to a charging voltage power supply 20, which supplies voltage to the charging roller 2, and a developing voltage power supply 21, which supplies voltage to the developing roller 4, respectively. The charging roller 2 is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and a charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 2 from the charging voltage power supply 20, thereby uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The cartridge 9 also contains a storage device 6 that stores information related to image formation.

[0013] The intermediate transfer belt 80 is supported by three rollers, namely, a secondary transfer opposing roller 86, which serves as a tension member, a drive roller 14, and a tension roller 15, and is configured to maintain an appropriate tension. Driven by the drive roller 14, the intermediate transfer belt 80 moves in the direction of the arrow (clockwise) in the figure at approximately the same speed as the photosensitive drum 1. A primary transfer roller 81 is disposed opposite the photosensitive drum 1 across the intermediate transfer belt 80, and is connected to a primary transfer voltage power supply 84, which is a means for supplying voltage to the primary transfer roller 81. By applying a primary transfer voltage from the primary transfer voltage power supply 84 to the primary transfer roller 81, the toner images on the photosensitive drum 1 (image carrier) are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 80, and a multi-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 80.

[0014] (Cassette feeding section) Paper P, which is a recording material, is placed in paper feed cassette 16. When feeding paper P (hereinafter simply referred to as paper), a paper feed motor (not shown) drives cassette pickup roller 17 to raise paper feed cassette bottom plate 29 and push up the paper P placed in paper feed cassette 16. The topmost sheet of the pushed-up paper P comes into contact with cassette pickup roller 17, and as cassette pickup roller 17 rotates, the paper P is separated and fed one by one. The fed paper P is transported to registration roller 18, which is a transport means (hereinafter referred to as registration roller 18). Then, when registration sensor 35, which is a recording material detection means that detects the recording material, detects the leading edge of paper P in the transport direction, the paper feed motor (not shown) stops driving and the transport of paper P is temporarily stopped. The paper P, which has been temporarily stopped by the registration roller 18, resumes transport at a timing when the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 80 and the position (image forming position) where the toner image on the paper P is transferred coincide with each other at the secondary transfer section described later.

[0015] (Secondary transfer section) The intermediate transfer belt 80, onto which the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 1 of each image forming station have been transferred, is moved in the direction of the arrow in the figure (clockwise direction) by a drive roller 14. The toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 80 are transported to a secondary transfer section, which is the contact point between a secondary transfer roller 82 and the intermediate transfer belt 80. The secondary transfer roller 82 and a secondary transfer opposing roller 86, which is installed opposite the secondary transfer roller 82, then sandwich and transport the paper P and the intermediate transfer belt 80, and a voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 82 from a secondary transfer voltage power supply 85. As a result, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 80 is transferred to the paper P.

[0016] (fixing part) The fixing unit 19 heats and pressurizes the toner image transferred onto the paper P, thereby fixing the toner image to the paper P. The fixing unit 19 has a fixing belt 19a and a pressure roller 19b. The pressure roller 19b and a belt guide member (not shown) sandwich the fixing belt 19a with a predetermined pressure, forming a fixing nip. When the fixing nip is adjusted to a predetermined temperature, the paper P, onto which an unfixed toner image has been transferred, is introduced between the fixing belt 19a and the pressure roller 19b in the fixing nip with the image side facing upward, i.e., facing the surface of the fixing belt 19a. Then, in the fixing nip, the image side of the paper P comes into close contact with the outer surface of the fixing belt 19a, and the paper P is nipped and transported through the fixing nip. As the paper P is nipped and transported by the fixing belt 19a through the fixing nip, the toner image on the paper P is heated by the fixing belt 19a and fixed to the paper P, and the paper P with the fused toner image is discharged to the output tray 36.

[0017] [System configuration of image forming device] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an image forming apparatus for explaining this embodiment. A controller 101 communicates with an external host computer 100, and upon receiving a print job or the like requesting image formation from the host computer 100, controls an engine control unit 102 to form an image. The engine control unit 102 controls the image formation operation of the image forming apparatus. A cartridge control unit 110 controls each component of cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d, each containing yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner, to form an image. A device communication unit 111 communicates with storage devices 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d of cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d, each containing yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner, and acquires stored information. In the following, cartridge 9a whose toner color is yellow (Y) will be referred to as Y cartridge 9a, cartridge 9b whose toner color is magenta (M) will be referred to as M cartridge 9b, and cartridge 9c whose toner color is cyan (C) will be referred to as C cartridge 9c. Similarly, cartridge 9d whose toner color is black (K) will be referred to as K cartridge 9d. Secondary transfer control unit 112 controls secondary transfer voltage power supply 85 to apply secondary transfer voltage to secondary transfer roller 82, thereby controlling the transfer of the image on intermediate transfer belt 80 to sheet P. Fixing control unit 113 controls the temperature of fixing unit 19 based on the detection result of a temperature detection element installed in fixing unit 19, and controls the fixing of toner to sheet P.

[0018] The correction determination unit 120, which is a setting unit, determines whether or not correction of the image forming conditions is necessary based on the information stored in the storage devices 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d of the Y cartridge 9a, M cartridge 9b, C cartridge 9c, and K cartridge 9d. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that correction is necessary, it calculates correction values ​​for the image forming conditions based on the information stored in the storage device 6 of each cartridge 9. Below, an example will be described in which the image forming conditions for which correction is necessary based on the information stored in the storage device 6 are the secondary transfer voltage (secondary transfer condition) and the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 19 (fixing condition).

[0019] [Y, M, C cartridge identification information] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the identification information stored in the storage devices 6a, 6b, and 6c of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, which are the first cartridges. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the memory configuration of the storage devices 6a, 6b, and 6c of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, and the memory configuration of the storage devices 6a, 6b, and 6c is the same.

[0020] The identification information 300 shown in FIG. 3 is information indicating whether the material of the toner stored in the cartridge 9 provided with the storage device 6 has been changed and the number of times it has been changed. One of three values, 0, 1, or 2, is set to the identification information 300. When the identification information is 0, it indicates that the toner material is the initial version (initial version), and when the identification information is 1, it indicates that the toner material has been changed from the initial version (identification information 0). When the identification information is 2, it indicates that the toner material has been changed from the version with an identification information value of 1, and has been changed twice since the initial version. Here, the version indicates the number of times the material of the toner stored in the cartridge 9 has been changed as a product. In this embodiment, the version is described as information indicating whether the toner material has been changed or the number of times it has been changed, but this is not limited to this and various changes are possible as identification information for other components, materials, etc.

[0021] [K cartridge identification information and correction information] 4 is a diagram illustrating the information stored in the storage device 6d of the second cartridge, the K cartridge 9d. In this embodiment, the effect of a change in toner material on the secondary transfer voltage and fixing temperature is greatest for the K cartridge 9d, which uses black toner, so correction values ​​are stored only in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. Furthermore, by having only the K cartridge 9d store the correction values, it is possible to conserve memory capacity in the storage devices 6a, 6b, and 6c of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c.

[0022] (Identification information) 4(a), 4(c), and 4(e) are diagrams illustrating information stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d when the identification information stored therein is 0, 1, or 2. First, the information stored in common in each of FIGS. 4(a), 4(c), and 4(e) will be described. Similar to the identification information 300 in FIG. 3, the identification information 400 shown in FIG. 4(a), the identification information 420 shown in FIG. 4(c), and the identification information 440 shown in FIG. 4(e) are each information indicating a change in the material of the toner stored in the K cartridge 9d. Note that FIG. 4(a) illustrates information stored when the identification information is 0, FIG. 4(c) illustrates information stored when the identification information is 1, and FIG. 4(e) illustrates information stored when the identification information is 2.

[0023] (First correction information) The first correction information shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(c) is composed of first secondary transfer correction information and first fixing correction information. The first secondary transfer correction information is stored in the storage device 6d as first secondary transfer correction information 401 (labeled "first secondary transfer correction" in the figure) in FIG. 4(a) and as first secondary transfer correction information 422 (labeled "first secondary transfer correction" in the figure) in FIG. 4(c). The first fixing correction information is stored in the storage device 6d as first fixing correction information 402 (labeled "first fixing correction" in the figure) in FIG. 4(a) and as first fixing correction information 424 (labeled "first fixing correction" in the figure) in FIG. 4(c). The first correction information is a correction value used when, in the combination of the identification information of the installed cartridges 9, at least one value set in the identification information 300 of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is larger than the identification information of the K cartridge 9d. For example, if the identification information (Y, M, C, K) of the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d is (1, 2, 0, 1), the identification information of the K cartridge 9d is 1 and the identification information of the M cartridge 9b is 2, so the first correction information is used.

[0024] (Second correction information) The second correction information shown in FIGS. 4(c) and 4(e) is composed of second secondary transfer correction information and second fixing correction information. The second secondary transfer correction information is stored in the storage device 6d as second secondary transfer correction information 421 (labeled "second secondary transfer correction" in the figure) in FIG. 4(c) and as second secondary transfer correction information 441 (labeled "second secondary transfer correction" in the figure) in FIG. 4(e). The second fixing correction information is stored in the storage device 6d as second fixing correction information 423 (labeled "second fixing correction" in the figure) in FIG. 4(c) and as second fixing correction information 442 (labeled "second fixing correction" in the figure) in FIG. 4(e). The second correction information is a correction value used when, in the combination of the identification information of the installed cartridges 9, all values ​​of the identification information 300 of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c are equal to or less than the value of the identification information of the K cartridge 9d. For example, if the values ​​of the identification information (Y, M, C, K) of the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d are (0, 1, 1, 1), the identification information of the K cartridge 9d is 1, and the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c are all less than 1. In such cases, the second correction information is used.

[0025] However, if the identification information of the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d is all 0, control is performed using the initial value and no correction is necessary, so there is no need to store correction information in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. The storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d stores as secondary transfer correction information and fixing correction information correction values ​​equal to the number of combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. Therefore, the number of correction values ​​to be stored in the first correction information and the second correction information depends on the value of the identification information set for the K cartridge 9d.

[0026] (Information stored when the identification information is 0) FIG. 4A illustrates information stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d when the identification information is 0. Identification information of 0 indicates that the toner material contained in the cartridge 9d is an initial version. Therefore, it is only necessary to assume that the toner material of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is a newer version than the toner material contained in the K cartridge 9d. Therefore, only the first correction information is stored as the correction value. The first secondary transfer correction information 401 and the first fixing correction information 402, which constitute the first correction information, store correction values ​​for the number of possible combinations of the identification information of the cartridges 9. Because the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is set to 0, 1, or 2, respectively, the total number of possible combinations is 27, which is 3 cubed. However, as described above, no correction value is required when the identification information is all 0. Therefore, the number of pieces of information required for the first correction information is 26 (=27-1). Therefore, the first secondary transfer correction information 401 and the first fixing correction information 402 in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d each store 26 correction values.

[0027] FIG. 4(b) is a correspondence table that associates the memory locations (represented as data locations in the figure) where correction values ​​are stored in the storage device 6d shown in FIG. 4(a) with combinations of values ​​of the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. In the correspondence table shown in FIG. 4(b), the “Data Location” column indicates the location where the corresponding correction value is stored in the storage device 6d (an offset value indicating the position of the corresponding correction value, counting from the beginning of the memory area where the corresponding correction information is stored). The “Y,” “M,” and “C” columns indicate the values ​​of the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, respectively. Specifically, in FIG. 4(b), data locations 1 through 7 indicate data locations of correction information corresponding to combinations where the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is either 0 or 1, except for the case where the identification information is all 0. Similarly, data locations 8 through 26 indicate data locations of correction information corresponding to combinations where the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c includes a 2. For example, if the values ​​of the identification information (Y, M, C) of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9d are (1, 0, 0), the data position shown in FIG. 4B is 1. Therefore, for the first secondary transfer correction information 401, it indicates the correction value (0V) stored at reference numeral 411 in FIG. 4A, and for the first fixing correction information 402, it indicates the correction value (0°C) stored at reference numeral 413 in FIG. 4A. Similarly, if the values ​​of the identification information (Y, M, C) of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9d are (2, 2, 2), the data position shown in FIG. 4B is 26. Therefore, for the first secondary transfer correction information 401, it indicates the correction value (+7V) stored at reference numeral 412 in FIG. 4A, and for the first fixing correction information 402, it indicates the correction value (-10°C) stored at reference numeral 414 in FIG. 4A.

[0028] In FIG. 4A, correction information is stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d in case the K cartridge 9d, whose identification information is set to 0, is mixed with the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, whose identification information is set to 1 and 2, respectively. For example, if all cartridges 9 are initial versions with identification information set to 0, correction information is unnecessary. Therefore, when the identification information of the K cartridge 9d is 0, it is possible to configure the storage device 6d so that correction information is not stored in order to conserve memory capacity. Because the secondary transfer voltage and fixing temperature have the greatest impact on the image formation conditions, storing the correction information enables appropriate image formation as before.

[0029] (Information stored when the identification information is 1) 4(c) is a diagram illustrating information stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d when the identification information is 1. Because the identification information is 1, it is necessary to consider the possibility of mixing cartridges 9s whose identification information is set to 0 (the initial version, which is the previous version) or 1 (the same version) with cartridges 9s whose identification information is set to 2 (the new version). Therefore, both the above-mentioned first correction information and second correction information are stored as correction values ​​in the storage device 6d.

[0030] First, the second correction information will be described. The second correction information is a correction value when the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, each with identification information set equal to or less than the value of the identification information set for the K cartridge 9d, are installed. Because the identification information for the K cartridge 9d is 1, the identification information for each of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is set to a value of 0 or 1. This means that the total number of combinations of the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is 2 to the power of 3, or 8. Therefore, the second secondary transfer correction information 421 and the second fixing correction information 423 in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d each store eight correction values.

[0031] Next, the first correction information will be described. The first correction information is a correction value when at least one Y, M, or C cartridge 9a, 9b, or 9c is installed and has identification information set with a value greater than the identification information set for the K cartridge 9d. Therefore, the number of correction values ​​set in the first correction information is as follows: The number of combinations in which the identification information of the Y, M, or C cartridges 9a, 9b, or 9c is set to a value between 0 and 2 is 27, which is 3 to the power of 3. The number of combinations in which the identification information of the Y, M, or C cartridges 9a, 9b, or 9c is set to 0 or 1 is 8, which is 2 to the power of 3. As a result, the total number of correction values ​​set in the first correction information is 19, obtained by subtracting 8 from 27. Therefore, 19 correction values ​​are stored in each of the first secondary transfer correction information 422 and the first fixing correction information 424 in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d.

[0032] FIG. 4(d) is a correspondence table that associates memory locations (represented as data locations in the figure) where correction values ​​are stored in the storage device 6d shown in FIG. 4(c) with combinations of values ​​of identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. In the correspondence table shown in FIG. 4(d), the data location column indicates the location where the corresponding correction value is stored in the storage device 6d. In detail, in FIG. 4(d), data locations 1 to 8 indicate data locations corresponding to combinations where the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is 0 or 1. Similarly, data locations 9 to 27 indicate data locations corresponding to combinations where the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c includes a value of 2.

[0033] In order to apply the correspondence table shown in FIG. 4(d) to FIG. 4(c), the second secondary transfer correction information 421 and the first secondary transfer correction information 422 are considered to be one group of secondary transfer correction values. As described above, the second secondary transfer correction information 421 stores eight correction values, and the first secondary transfer correction information 422 stores nineteen correction values. Therefore, the correspondence between the data positions shown in the correspondence table in FIG. 4(d) and FIG. 4(c) is as follows: when the data position is 1, the correction value (+10V) of the code 431 of the second secondary transfer correction information 421 is obtained; when the data position is 8, the correction value (+7V) of the code 432 of the second secondary transfer correction information 421 is obtained; when the data position is 9, the correction value (+5V) of the code 433 of the first secondary transfer correction information 422 is obtained; and when the data position is 27, the correction value (+15V) of the code 434 of the first secondary transfer correction information 422 is obtained. As with the secondary transfer correction information described above, the second fixing correction information 423 and the first fixing correction information 424 can also be obtained by referencing the corresponding correction values ​​from the combination of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c.

[0034] (Information stored when the identification number is 2) FIG. 4(e) is a diagram illustrating the information stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d when the identification information is 2. The version with identification information 2 is a new version in which the toner material has been changed from the version with identification information 1, and the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, which have identification information values ​​greater than that of the K cartridge 9d, are not installed. Therefore, only the second correction information is stored as the correction value. The identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is set to 0, 1, or 2, respectively, so there are 27 possible combinations, which is 3 to the power of 3. Therefore, 27 correction values ​​are stored in the second secondary transfer correction information 441 and the second fixing correction information 442 of the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d.

[0035] FIG. 4(f) is a correspondence table that associates the memory locations (represented as data locations in the figure) where correction values ​​are stored in the storage device 6d shown in FIG. 4(e) with combinations of values ​​of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. The correspondence table shown in FIG. 4(f) is the same as the correspondence table shown in FIG. 4(e) described above. For example, if the values ​​of the identification information (Y, M, C) of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9d are (0, 0, 0), the data location shown in FIG. 4(f) is 1. Therefore, the second secondary transfer correction information 441 indicates the correction value (+11V) indicated by reference numeral 451 in FIG. 4(e), and the second fixing correction information 442 indicates the correction value (-10°C) indicated by reference numeral 453 in FIG. 4(e). Similarly, if the values ​​of the identification information (Y, M, C) of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9d are (2, 2, 2), the data position shown in FIG. 4(f) is 27. Therefore, the second secondary transfer correction information 441 indicates the correction value (+8V) of reference numeral 452 in FIG. 4(e), and the second fixing correction information 442 indicates the correction value (-15°C) of reference numeral 454 in FIG. 4(a).

[0036] Here, the correction values ​​set in the first correction information in FIG. 4 will be described. The correction values ​​set in the first correction information in FIG. 4 are applied when there is a cartridge 9 with a value set larger than the identification information of the K cartridge 9d. Therefore, the correction values ​​are based on the toner material that may be changed in the future. Therefore, it may be difficult to set appropriate correction values ​​if future changes in the toner material are not anticipated. In such cases, for example, by setting values ​​in the first correction information that do not correct the secondary transfer voltage and fixing temperature, image formation can be performed under process conditions equivalent to those of the conventional method. In this embodiment, the secondary transfer voltage and fixing temperature are most affected by changes in the toner material for the K cartridge 9d, so adequate image formation is possible even without correction.

[0037] On the other hand, there are cases where correction values ​​based on toner material changes in the future can be stored in the storage device of cartridges currently being produced. For example, between the time when the image formation conditions associated with the change in toner material are determined and the time when cartridges with the changed toner material are actually produced, first correction information can be stored in the storage device of cartridges that are being produced before the toner material change. Also, if the characteristics of the toner material are expected to change in the future, it is possible to store estimated correction values ​​in the first correction information in advance. In such cases, first correction information that is the correction value when the cartridges are mixed in the future can be stored.

[0038] [Judgement of whether or not image formation conditions need to be corrected] 5 is a flowchart showing a control sequence for determining whether or not correction of image forming conditions is necessary based on identification information acquired from the storage device 6 of the cartridge 9 attached to the image forming apparatus main body. The process shown in FIG. 5 is started when the engine control unit 102 performs an image forming operation, and is executed by the correction determination unit 120.

[0039] In step (hereinafter referred to as S) 501, the correction determination unit 120 acquires identification information from the storage devices 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d of the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d via the device communication unit 111. In S502, the correction determination unit 120 determines whether the value of the identification information acquired from the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d is 0. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that the value of the acquired identification information is 0, it proceeds to S503, and if it determines that the value of the acquired identification information is not 0 (the value of the acquired identification information is 1 or 2), it proceeds to S506.

[0040] In S503, the correction determination unit 120 determines whether there are any cartridges 9 with identification information of 1 or greater based on the identification information acquired from the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that there are any cartridges 9 with identification information of 1 or greater, it proceeds to S504. On the other hand, if the correction determination unit 120 determines that there are no cartridges 9 with identification information of 1 or greater (the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is 0), it ends the process because there is no need to correct the image formation conditions.

[0041] In S504, the correction determination unit 120 acquires the correction values ​​of the first correction information based on the correspondence table of FIG. 4(b) or 4(d) corresponding to the identification information of the K cartridge 9d. That is, the correction determination unit 120 acquires the correction values ​​of the first correction information corresponding to the combination of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c from the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. In S505, the correction determination unit 120 notifies the secondary transfer control unit 112 and the fixing control unit 113 of the acquired correction values ​​(secondary transfer correction information, fixing correction information) in order to correct the image formation conditions, and then ends the process. The secondary transfer control unit 112 and the fixing control unit 113 correct the secondary transfer voltage and the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 19, respectively, based on the correction values ​​(secondary transfer correction information, fixing correction information) acquired by the correction determination unit 120.

[0042] In S506, the correction determination unit 120 determines whether the value of the identification information acquired from the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d is 1. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that the value of the acquired identification information is 1, the process proceeds to S507, and if the correction determination unit 120 determines that the value of the acquired identification information is not 1 (the value of the acquired identification information is 2), the process proceeds to S508.

[0043] In S507, the correction determination unit 120 determines whether or not there is a cartridge 9 with identification information of 2, based on the identification information acquired from the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that there is a cartridge 9 with identification information of 2, it proceeds to S504. On the other hand, if the correction determination unit 120 determines that there is no cartridge 9 with identification information of 2 (the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is 0 or 1), it proceeds to S508.

[0044] In S508, the correction determination unit 120 acquires from the storage device 6d the correction values ​​of the second correction information corresponding to the combination of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, based on the correspondence table of Figure 4(d) or 4(f) corresponding to the identification information of the K cartridge 9d. After acquiring the correction values ​​of the second correction information from the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d, the correction determination unit 120 proceeds to S505.

[0045] In the above, this embodiment has described a method for appropriately correcting image formation conditions when an image forming apparatus contains a mixture of cartridges 9 whose toner material, one of the process components, has not been changed, cartridges whose toner material has been changed once, and cartridges 9 whose toner material has been changed twice. As described above, this embodiment can store correction information for a future change in toner material in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. This allows the secondary transfer voltage and the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 19 to be appropriately corrected even when a cartridge 9 whose toner material is newer than the K cartridge 9d is installed in the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, because the correction values ​​for correcting the image formation conditions are stored only in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d, the memory capacity of the storage devices 6a, 6b, and 6c of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c can be saved.

[0046] As described above, according to this embodiment, even when cartridges of different versions are mixed and loaded, image formation can be performed under image formation conditions appropriate for the cartridges. [Example]

[0047] In the first embodiment, correction information was stored even in the initial version K cartridge with identification information 0. In the second embodiment, an example is described in which correction information is not stored in the K cartridge with identification information 0. Furthermore, depending on the toner material being changed, appropriate image formation conditions may be set without dividing the correction values ​​stored in the K cartridge into first and second correction information. In this embodiment, the same correction values ​​are used for the K cartridge in the first and second correction information, and correction determination information indicating whether correction is required based on the combination of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges is added. This describes a configuration that reduces the memory capacity required for the storage device of the K cartridge while setting appropriate image formation conditions. The configuration and system configuration of the laser printer as the image forming apparatus and the identification information stored in the storage devices of the Y, M, and C cartridges in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted.

[0048] [K cartridge identification information and correction information] 6 is a diagram illustrating information stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d of this embodiment. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, correction values ​​are stored only in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. Also, by having correction values ​​only in the K cartridge 9d, it is possible to conserve memory capacity in the storage devices 6a, 6b, and 6c of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, as in the first embodiment. As described above, when the identification information set in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d is 0, that is, when it is the initial version, correction information is not stored to conserve memory capacity.

[0049] (Information stored when the identification information is 1) FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating information stored in the storage device 6d of a K cartridge 9d whose identification information is 1 and whose toner material has been changed. Because the identification information is 1, it is necessary to consider the possibility of a cartridge 9 whose identification information is set to 0 being mixed with a cartridge 9 whose identification information is set to 2. Therefore, both first and second correction information are stored as correction values ​​in the storage device 6d. In this embodiment, the first and second correction information include secondary transfer correction information 601 (referred to as "secondary transfer correction" in the figure) and fixing correction information 602 (referred to as "fixing correction" in the figure), as well as secondary transfer correction determination information 603 and fixing correction determination information 604, which are correction necessity information. The secondary transfer correction information 601 and fixing correction information 602 use the same correction value in the first and second correction information. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the secondary transfer correction information and fixing correction information stored correction values ​​correspond to the combinations of the lacquerware-specific information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. However, in this embodiment, only one correction value is stored.

[0050] The secondary transfer correction determination information 603 indicates whether or not the secondary transfer correction information 601 needs to be applied depending on the combination of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, and is composed of first secondary transfer correction determination information 613 and second secondary transfer correction determination information 614. The first secondary transfer correction determination information 613 and the second secondary transfer correction determination information 614 are each composed of bit strings of 0 and 1, with the bit positions corresponding to the combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. A "0" in the bit strings of the first secondary transfer correction determination information 613 and the second secondary transfer correction determination information 614 means that the secondary transfer voltage is not corrected, and a "1" means that the secondary transfer voltage is corrected.

[0051] The secondary transfer correction determination information 603 is 27-bit information because all possible combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c having values ​​of 0 to 2 are 3 to the power of 3, or 27 ways. The second secondary transfer correction determination information 614 is 8-bit information because all possible combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c having values ​​of 0 or 1 are 8 to the power of 2. Therefore, the first secondary transfer correction determination information 613 is 19-bit information because of the remaining 19 ways (=27 ways-8 ways).

[0052] Furthermore, the fixing correction determination information 604 is information indicating whether or not the fixing correction information 602 needs to be applied depending on the combination of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, and is composed of first fixing correction determination information 615 and second fixing correction determination information 616. The number of combinations can be considered similar to that of the secondary transfer correction determination information 603 described above. The first fixing correction determination information 615 has 19 possible combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, so it is 19-bit information. On the other hand, the second fixing correction determination information 616 has 8 possible combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, so it is 8-bit information.

[0053] FIG. 6(b) is a correspondence table showing the correspondence between the bit positions of the correction determination information in FIG. 6(a) and combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. In FIG. 6(b), bit positions 0 to 7 indicate bit positions corresponding to combinations of identification information 0 and 1, including cases where the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is all 0. Bit positions 8 to 26 indicate bit positions corresponding to combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c including identification information 2. In the secondary transfer correction determination information 603 shown in FIG. 6(a), bit positions 0 to 7 indicate second secondary transfer correction determination information 614, and bit positions 8 to 26 indicate first secondary transfer correction determination information 613. Note that bit position 0 indicates the least significant bit of the bit string indicating the correction determination information, and bit position 27 indicates the most significant bit of the bit string indicating the correction determination information.

[0054] For example, if the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is all 0, this corresponds to bit position 0 in FIG. 6B, so the secondary transfer correction determination information 603 shown in FIG. 6A references the least significant bit, code 621, which is "0." Since code 621 at bit position 0 is "0," secondary transfer correction is not performed. On the other hand, if the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is all 2, this corresponds to bit position 26 in FIG. 6B, so the secondary transfer correction determination information 603 shown in FIG. 6A references the most significant bit, code 622, which is "1." Since the most significant bit is "1," the secondary transfer correction value (+5V) of code 611 is applied as the correction value for the secondary transfer voltage. The application of the fixing correction value can also be considered in the same manner as the secondary transfer correction value described above. If the bit corresponding to the combination of the identification information of the Y, M, C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c in the fixing correction determination information is "1", the fixing correction value (-1°C) of reference numeral 612 is applied as the correction value for the fixing temperature.

[0055] (Information stored when the identification number is 2) FIG. 6(c) is a diagram illustrating information stored in the storage device 6d of a K cartridge 9d whose identification information has been changed and whose identification information is 2. Because there are no cartridges 9 whose identification information has a value greater than 2, only second correction information is stored as the correction value in the storage device 6d. The second correction information includes second secondary transfer correction information 631 (referred to as "secondary transfer correction" in the figure) and fixing correction information 632 (referred to as "fixing correction" in the figure), as well as second secondary transfer correction judgment information 633 and second fixing correction judgment information 634. The secondary transfer correction judgment information 633 and the fixing correction judgment information 634 are 27-bit information because there are 27 possible combinations, which is 3 to the power of 3, and these are all possible combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, which are values ​​from 0 to 2.

[0056] FIG. 6(d) is a correspondence table showing the correspondence between the bit positions of the correction determination information in FIG. 6(c) and combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. In FIG. 6(d), bit positions 0 to 7 indicate bit positions corresponding to combinations of identification information 0 and 1, including cases where the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is all 0. Bit positions 8 to 26 indicate bit positions corresponding to combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c including identification information 2. In FIG. 6(c), the corresponding bit position is calculated from the combination of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c according to the correspondence table shown in FIG. 6(d), and whether or not to apply a correction value is determined based on the secondary transfer correction determination information 633 and the fixing correction determination information 634. Based on the combination of identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, if the information in the corresponding bit position is "1", the secondary transfer correction value (+10V) of reference numeral 641 and the fixing correction value (-8°C) of reference numeral 642 are applied as the correction values ​​for the secondary transfer voltage and fixing temperature.

[0057] [Judgement of whether or not image formation conditions need to be corrected] 7 is a flowchart showing a control sequence for determining whether or not correction of image forming conditions is necessary based on identification information acquired from the storage device 6 of the cartridge 9 attached to the image forming apparatus main body of this embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 7 is started when the engine control unit 102 performs an image forming operation, and is executed by the correction determination unit 120.

[0058] In S701, the correction determination unit 120 acquires identification information from the storage devices 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d of the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d via the device communication unit 111. In S702, the correction determination unit 120 determines whether the value of the identification information acquired from the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d is other than 0. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that the value of the acquired identification information is other than 0 (1 or 2), the process proceeds to S703; if the correction determination unit 120 determines that the value of the acquired identification information is not other than 0 (the value of the acquired identification information is 0), the process ends because no correction is performed.

[0059] In S703, the correction determination unit 120 acquires all of the stored correction information from the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. If the identification information is 1, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d stores first and second correction information, but the correction values ​​of the first and second correction information are shared. Therefore, the correction determination unit 120 reads out the stored correction values ​​of the first and second correction information. On the other hand, if the identification information is 2, as shown in FIG. 6(c), only the second correction information is stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. Therefore, the correction determination unit 120 reads out the second correction information.

[0060] In S704, the correction determination unit 120 determines the bit position of the correction determination information corresponding to the combination of identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c obtained in S701. In S705, the correction determination unit 120 determines whether the bit data of the correction determination information corresponding to the bit position determined in S704 is "1." If the bit data of the corresponding correction determination information is "1," the correction determination unit 120 proceeds to S706 to perform correction. If the bit data of the corresponding correction determination information is "0," correction is not necessary, and the process ends. Note that there are two types of correction determination information: secondary transfer correction determination information and fixing correction determination information. Therefore, if the corresponding bit data of at least one of the correction determination information is "1," correction is performed, and the process proceeds to S706.

[0061] In S706, the correction determination unit 120 notifies the secondary transfer control unit 112 and the fixing control unit 113 of the acquired correction values ​​(secondary transfer correction information, fixing correction information) in order to correct the image formation conditions, and then ends the process. The secondary transfer control unit 112 and the fixing control unit 113 correct the secondary transfer voltage and the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 19, respectively, based on the correction values ​​(secondary transfer correction information, fixing correction information) acquired by the correction determination unit 120.

[0062] As described above, in this embodiment, correction information for a change in the toner material to be implemented in a future version for the K cartridge 9d can be stored with a reduced memory capacity of the storage device 6d compared to embodiment 1. This makes it possible to set image formation conditions according to the combination of identification information for the cartridges 9.

[0063] As described above, according to this embodiment, even when cartridges of different versions are mixed and loaded, image formation can be performed under image formation conditions appropriate for the cartridges. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 6 Storage Devices 9 Cartridges 102 Engine control unit 120 Correction judgment unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, an image forming means that is detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus and forms images using a plurality of cartridges, each of which has a member for forming an image and a storage means; a setting means for setting image forming conditions when forming an image; Equipped with The cartridge includes a first cartridge and a second cartridge, the first cartridge has, in the storage means, identification information indicating a version of the first cartridge; the second cartridge has, in the storage means, identification information indicating a version of the second cartridge and correction information for correcting the image forming conditions in accordance with the identification information set in the first cartridge; the correction information includes at least one of first correction information for correcting the image forming conditions when the first cartridge has identification information indicating a newer version than the second cartridge, or second correction information for correcting the image forming conditions when the first cartridge has identification information indicating the same version as the second cartridge or an earlier version, The setting means If the version indicated by the identification information stored in the storage means of the first cartridge is newer than the version indicated by the identification information stored in the storage means of the second cartridge, the image forming conditions are set based on the first correction information; An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the version indicated by the identification information stored in the memory means of the first cartridge is the same version as or an earlier version than the version indicated by the identification information stored in the memory means of the second cartridge, the image forming conditions are set based on the second correction information.

2. the second cartridge is a cartridge for forming a black image, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cartridge is a cartridge other than the second cartridge among the plurality of cartridges.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first correction information and the second correction information each have a correction value of the image forming condition corresponding to a combination of the identification information stored in the storage means of the first cartridge.

4. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 3, characterized in that when the second cartridge has identification information indicating that it is an initial version in the memory means, it does not have the first correction information corresponding to a combination in which all of the first cartridges have identification information indicating that they are the initial version in the memory means.

5. the first correction information and the second correction information each include correction necessity information indicating whether correction of the image forming conditions is necessary or not corresponding to the combination of the identification information stored in the storage means of the first cartridge, and a correction value of the image forming conditions; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting unit sets the image forming conditions based on the correction value of the image forming conditions when correction is required based on the correction necessity information.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the correction values ​​of the image forming conditions included in the first correction information and the second correction information are the same.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second cartridge does not have the first correction information and the second correction information when the second cartridge has identification information in the storage means indicating that it is an initial version.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the correction necessity information is configured as a bit string corresponding to the number of combinations of the identification information possessed by the first cartridge.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information indicates a version of a material of toner contained in a corresponding cartridge.

10. the image forming means includes a charging section that uniformly charges an image carrier, an exposure section that forms an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier charged by the charging section, a developing section that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier to form a toner image, a transfer section that transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier to the recording material, and a fixing section that fixes the transferred toner image to the recording material; 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first correction information and the second correction information have correction values ​​for correcting a transfer voltage applied in the transfer unit and a fixing temperature for heating the toner image in the fixing unit, respectively.

Images