Image forming apparatus and initialization method

Abstract

To allow use of a consumable article immediately after a controller initializes consumable article memory information stored in a consumable article memory of the consumable article.SOLUTION: A controller (61) included in an image forming apparatus (1) executes determination processing of at least determining if a cover (11) is in an open state, initialization processing of, when at least determining that the cover is in the open state, initializing toner cartridge information on a toner memory (42), and read-out processing of reading out the toner cartridge information with the cover (11) in a closed state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Image forming devices are equipped with consumables such as toner cartridges, drum cartridges, and ink cartridges. The consumables have consumable memory. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink cartridge equipped with a reset button for resetting the contents of the memory installed in the ink cartridge. A user manually operates the reset button to reset the contents of the memory. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-202900 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires the user to manually activate a reset button to reset the contents of the ink cartridge's memory, which has the problem of preventing the user from immediately starting to use the ink cartridge. The present disclosure aims to enable the user to immediately start using the consumable after the controller initializes the consumable memory information stored in the consumable memory of the consumable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a consumable having a consumable memory, a main body housing in which the consumable is attached, the main body housing having an opening for attaching the consumable, a cover that can open and close the opening, and a controller, and the controller executes a reception process that receives an instruction to initialize consumable memory information stored in the consumable memory, a determination process that at least determines whether the cover is in an open state in accordance with the received instruction, an initialization process that initializes the consumable memory information if it is determined that the cover is in an open state, and a read process that reads the consumable memory information from the consumable memory when the cover is closed.

[0006] A second aspect is the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, wherein the controller determines in the determination process whether the consumable memory stores predetermined information indicating that the consumable is the target of the initialization process.

[0007] A third aspect is the image forming device of the second aspect, in which the controller determines in the determination process whether the consumable memory stores at least one of the specified information: target genuine product information indicating that the consumable is a genuine product; target supplier information indicating a specified supplier of the consumable; target consumable information indicating that the consumable is a contracted consumable that can be used in the image forming device with which a contract has been concluded; and target specification information indicating a specified specification of the consumable.

[0008] A fourth aspect is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided with a display, and when the controller at least determines that the cover is in a closed state, the controller does not execute the initialization process but executes a display process to display an error screen on the display.

[0009] A fifth aspect is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided with a cover sensor provided in the opening that detects whether the cover is open or closed, and the controller executes the initialization process when it determines, based on the detection result of the cover sensor, that the cover is in an open state.

[0010] A sixth aspect is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided with a cover sensor that is provided in the opening and outputs a sensor signal to the controller when the cover is in a closed state, and when the controller does not receive the sensor signal from the cover sensor, it at least determines that the cover is in an open state and executes the initialization process.

[0011] A seventh aspect is an image forming device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the consumable memory stores status information indicating that the consumable is new or a product other than new, and the controller reads the status information from the consumable memory in the read process after executing the initialization process.

[0012] An eighth aspect is an image forming device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the consumable memory stores status information that indicates that the consumable is new or a product other than the new product, and after executing the initialization process, when the cover is closed and the status information indicates the new product, the controller executes a rewrite process to rewrite the status information from the information indicating the new product to information indicating the product other than the new product.

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an initialization method of a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is an initialization method for initializing a consumable memory of a consumable attached to a main body housing of an image forming device, and includes: a receiving step in which the image forming device receives an instruction to initialize consumable memory information stored in the consumable memory; a determination step in which, in accordance with the received instruction, at least determine whether a cover that is an opening in the main body housing and that can open and close the opening for attaching the consumable is in an open state; an initialization step in which, if it is determined that the cover is in an open state, the consumable memory information is initialized; and a reading step in which, with the cover closed, the consumable memory information is read from the consumable memory.

[0014] A tenth aspect is the initialization method of the ninth aspect, wherein the determining step determines whether or not the consumable memory stores predetermined information indicating that the consumable is a target of the initialization step.

[0015] An eleventh aspect is the initialization method of the tenth aspect, in which the determination step determines whether the consumable memory stores at least one of the specified information: target genuine product information indicating that the consumable is a genuine product; target supplier information indicating a specified supplier of the consumable; target consumable information indicating that the consumable is a contract consumable that can be used in the image forming device for which a contract has been concluded; and target specification information indicating a specified specification of the consumable.

[0016] A twelfth aspect is an initialization method according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, which includes a display step in which, if the determination step determines that the cover is in a closed state, the image forming device does not execute the initialization step and displays an error screen on a display of the image forming device.

[0017] A thirteenth aspect is an initialization method according to any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, wherein in the determination step, a cover sensor is provided in the opening and detects the opening and closing of the cover, and the image forming device executes the initialization step when it is determined at least based on the detection result of the cover sensor of the image forming device that the cover is in an open state.

[0018] A fourteenth aspect is an initialization method according to any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, in which, in the determination step, the image forming device at least determines that the cover is in an open state if it does not receive a sensor signal from a cover sensor provided in the opening, and executes the initialization step.

[0019] A 15th aspect is an initialization method according to any one of the 9th to 14th aspects, wherein the consumable memory stores status information that indicates whether the consumable is new or a product other than new, and in the reading step, the image forming device reads the status information from the consumable memory after executing the initialization step.

[0020] A 16th aspect is an initialization method according to any one of the 9th to 14th aspects, wherein the consumable memory stores status information that indicates that the consumable is new or a product other than the new product, and the image forming device includes a rewriting step of rewriting the status information from the information that indicates the new product to information that indicates the product other than the new product when the cover is closed after executing the initialization step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the controller initializes the consumables memory information with the cover open. Therefore, after the controller initializes the consumables memory information, the cover remains open. Therefore, the controller can execute a read process to read the consumables memory information from the consumables memory with the cover closed. Therefore, after the controller initializes the consumables memory information, the use of the consumables can begin immediately.

[0022] According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, it is possible to initialize the consumables memory information of the consumables memory that stores predetermined information indicating that the image forming apparatus is the target of the initialization process.

[0023] According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, it is possible to initialize the consumables memory information of the consumables memory that stores at least one of target genuine product information, target supplier information, target consumables information, and target specification information.

[0024] According to the fourth aspect of the image forming apparatus, when the cover is closed, the controller does not execute the initialization process for initializing the consumables memory information, and instead displays an error screen on the display, thereby allowing the user to notice the error.

[0025] According to the fifth aspect of the image forming apparatus, the controller can determine whether the cover is open or closed based on the detection result of the cover sensor, and can therefore execute initialization processing when the cover is open.

[0026] According to the sixth aspect of the image forming apparatus, the controller can determine that the cover is open when it has not received a sensor signal from the cover sensor, and can therefore execute initialization processing when the cover is open.

[0027] According to the seventh aspect of the image forming device, after performing the initialization process, the controller can read status information from the consumable memory with the cover closed, which is information indicating whether the consumable is new or a product other than new.

[0028] According to the image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, the controller can execute a process of rewriting the status information from information representing a new product to information representing a product other than a new product, with the cover closed, after executing the initialization process.

[0029] Each of the initialization methods of the ninth to sixteenth aspects has the same effect as that of the image forming apparatus of any of the first to eighth aspects corresponding to the initialization method of these aspects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of an image forming apparatus including a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge. [Figure 3] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of toner cartridge information stored in a toner memory. FIG. [Figure 4] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of drum cartridge information stored in a drum memory. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the image forming apparatus in a recycling preparation phase. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing a detailed process flow of S105 in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing flow of S107 in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the image forming apparatus in a recycled product use phase. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as an example, the image forming apparatus is a laser printer, and image formation is printing. However, the image forming apparatus may be a printer other than a laser printer. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be an inkjet printer.

[0032] <Structural Overview of Image Forming Apparatus 1> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1, including a drum cartridge 20 and a toner cartridge 4. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body housing 10, a cover 11, a cover sensor 14, the drum cartridge 20, and the toner cartridge 4. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a controller 61, a main body memory 62, a display 63, an operation unit 64, and a transfer belt 70.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 1 may include a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or a lamp, and an input unit such as buttons. The liquid crystal display may be integrated with a touch panel to function as the input unit.

[0034] (Main body housing 10) A toner cartridge 4 is attached to the main body housing 10. As will be described in detail later, the toner cartridge 4 is attached to the drum cartridge 20, thereby becoming one with the drum cartridge 20. In other words, the toner cartridge 4 is attached to the drum cartridge 20, and then attached to the main body housing 10 together with the drum cartridge 20. This results in an image forming device 1 including the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4.

[0035] It should be noted that the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment requires four toner cartridges 4 to be installed in order to perform printing. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured so that four drum cartridges 20 and four toner cartridges 4 can be installed. However, the number of drum cartridges 20 and toner cartridges 4 installed in the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the example in FIG. 1. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a monochrome printer that can install one drum cartridge 20 and one toner cartridge 4.

[0036] The toner cartridge 4 contains toner that is consumed by the image forming apparatus 1 when printing. In other words, the toner cartridge 4 is an example of a consumable item for the image forming apparatus 1. The drum cartridge 20 contains a photosensitive drum 21 that is used when the image forming apparatus 1 prints. The drum cartridge 20 is also an example of a consumable item for the image forming apparatus 1.

[0037] The main body housing 10 has an opening 10A for mounting the toner cartridges 4 and drum cartridges 20. The main body housing 10 is, for example, in the shape of a rectangular box. The main body housing 10 houses four drum cartridges 20, four toner cartridges 4, a controller 61, a main body memory 62, a display 63, an operation unit 64, and a transfer belt 70.

[0038] The display surface of the display 63 may be provided on the outer surface of the main body housing 10 so that the user can see the displayed information. Also, if the operation unit 64 is a hardware button, the press surface of the operation unit 64 may be provided on the outer surface of the main body housing 10 so that the user can operate it.

[0039] The main body housing 10 has four cartridge holding sections 13. Each cartridge holding section 13 is formed in a concave shape and has an opening. The drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4 are attached to the main body housing 10 by being held in each cartridge holding section 13.

[0040] (Cover 11) The cover 11 is equipped with a light source unit 50 corresponding to each drum cartridge 20. The cover 11 is rotatable about a rotation axis 11A extending in a first direction between an open position where the opening 10A is opened, represented by a solid line in Fig. 1, and a closed position where the opening 10A is closed, represented by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 1. The cover 11 is capable of opening and closing the opening 10A formed at the top end of the main body housing 10 by rotating.

[0041] The "first direction" refers to the direction in which the central axis of rotation of the developing roller 41 in the toner cartridge 4 extends. When the cover 11 is placed in the open position, the openings of the cartridge holding portion 13 are open. When the cover 11 is placed in the closed position, the cover 11 covers the openings of the cartridge holding portion 13.

[0042] A cover sensor 14 that detects whether the cover 11 is open or closed is provided in the opening 10A of the main body housing 10. The cover sensor 14 is, for example, a contact-type sensor or an optical-type sensor. The cover sensor 14 outputs a sensor signal to the controller 61 when the cover 11 is closed. Note that the cover sensor 14 may also output a sensor signal to the controller 61 when the cover 11 is open.

[0043] (Toner cartridge 4) The toner cartridge 4 has a cartridge housing capable of containing a developing roller 41 and a developer as an example of a printing material. The cartridge housing is attachable to the main body housing 10. The four toner cartridges 4 contain developers of different colors, such as "C (cyan)," "M (magenta)," "Y (yellow)," and "BK (black)," as materials used for forming images.

[0044] The developer is a material that is consumed with use. The developing roller 41 is a cylindrical member that extends in a first direction and is rotatable around a developing axis that also extends in the first direction. When the toner cartridge 4 is installed in the drum cartridge 20, the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 41.

[0045] The toner cartridge 4 also has a toner memory 42, which is an example of a consumable memory. The toner memory 42 is disposed on one outer surface in the first direction of the toner cartridge 4. The toner memory 42 is a memory from which information can be read and written, such as a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) or an EEPROM (Registered Trademark, Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory).

[0046] 2, the toner memory 42 stores toner cartridge information 420, which is information relating to the toner cartridge 4. The toner cartridge information 420 is an example of consumables memory information. The data structure of the toner cartridge information 420 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0047] (Drum cartridge 20) The drum cartridge 20 has a cartridge housing that can be attached to the main body housing 10. The cartridge housing includes a photosensitive drum 21 as a component used for forming images. The photosensitive drum 21 is a replaceable part that requires replacement due to deterioration such as surface wear that occurs with use. The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrical photosensitive element that extends in a first direction. The photosensitive drum 21 is rotatable around a drum axis that extends in the first direction. The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is covered with a photosensitive material.

[0048] The drum cartridge 20 also has a drum memory 22, which is an example of a consumable memory. The drum memory 22 is a memory from which information can be read and written. The drum memory 22 is, for example, a flash ROM or an EEPROM (registered trademark). The drum memory 22 stores drum cartridge information 220, which is information related to the drum cartridge 20. The drum cartridge information 220 is an example of consumable memory information. The data structure of the drum cartridge information 220 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0049] <Cartridge installation and printing mechanism> 1, with the cover 11 in the open position, the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4 are attached to the main body housing 10. Also, with the cover 11 in the open position, the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4 are inserted into the cartridge holding portion 13 through the opening 10A.

[0050] The four light source units 50 are attached to the inner surface of the cover 11. When the drum cartridge 20 is attached to the main body housing 10 and the cover 11 is in the closed position, the light source units 50 are arranged to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The light source units 50 also have a plurality of light sources arranged in a first direction. The light sources are capable of irradiating light onto the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The light sources are, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes).

[0051] The light source unit 50 is electrically connected to a controller 61. The controller 61 causes the multiple light sources of the light source unit 50 to emit light in accordance with input image data. The light sources irradiate the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 with light. Thus, the controller 61 causes the light source unit 50 to expose the photosensitive material on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 in accordance with the image data.

[0052] The transfer belt 70 is a component that transfers the developer on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the printing paper. The transfer belt 70 is a replaceable component that requires replacement due to deterioration such as surface wear that occurs with use. The transfer belt 70 is a ring-shaped belt that can come into contact with the photosensitive drum 21. The outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 21 can come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the transfer belt 70. During printing, the image forming apparatus 1 transports the printing paper between the transfer belt 70 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0053] The transfer belt 70 is stretched between a drive roller 71 and a driven roller 72. The drive roller 71 drives the transfer belt 70. The controller 61 rotates the drive roller 71. The driven roller 72 rotates in accordance with the movement of the transfer belt 70 caused by the drive of the drive roller 71.

[0054] <Internal structure of the main body> The controller 61 has, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The controller 61 is electrically connected to a main body memory 62, a display 63, and an operation unit 64 housed in the main body housing 10. The controller 61 executes various operations to cause the image forming apparatus 1 to perform various processes related to printing.

[0055] The controller 61 may include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). When the controller 61 includes a processor, the main body memory 62 stores a control program that realizes a control method for the image forming apparatus 1. The processor operates in accordance with the control program, and the controller 61 may cause the image forming apparatus 1 to perform various processes.

[0056] The controller 61 may also include a computer-readable recording medium such as a main memory 62 that stores a control program. The controller 61 may use, as the recording medium, a "non-transitory tangible medium" such as a ROM, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. The controller 61 may also use, as the recording medium, a RAM (Random Access Memory) into which the control program is deployed.

[0057] Furthermore, the control program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the control program, such as a communication network, broadcast waves, etc. Note that one aspect of the present disclosure may also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the control program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0058] 2, the image forming apparatus 1 has a connector 101 and a connector 102. When the drum cartridge 20 is inserted into the cartridge holding portion 13 shown in FIG. 1, the connector 101 is electrically connected to the drum memory 22, thereby enabling the controller 61 to communicate with the drum memory 22 of the drum cartridge 20. In other words, the controller 61 can execute a process of reading information from the drum memory 22 and a process of writing information to the drum memory 22.

[0059] Furthermore, when the toner cartridge 4 is attached to the main body housing 10, the connector 102 is electrically connected to the toner memory 42, thereby enabling the controller 61 to communicate with the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4. In other words, the controller 61 can read information from the toner memory 42 and write information to the toner memory 42.

[0060] The main memory 62 is a memory from which information can be read and written. The main memory 62 is, for example, a flash ROM or an EEPROM (registered trademark). The main memory 62 has one or more storage areas, and each storage area stores, for example, cartridge information 621.

[0061] The cartridge information 621 is information about the cartridges to be attached to the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the cartridge information 621 includes the toner cartridge information 420 read from the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4 of each color so that each toner cartridge 4 can be identified.

[0062] The cartridge information 621 also includes drum cartridge information 220 read from the drum memory 22 of the drum cartridge 20 so as to identify each drum cartridge 20. Details of the data structure of the toner cartridge information 420 and drum cartridge information 220 stored in the main body memory 62 as cartridge information 621 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[0063] Hereinafter, "recycling a cartridge" refers to restoring a cartridge to a state suitable for printing use by replacing or refilling only the components of the cartridge that need replacement. In other words, cartridge recycling includes not only refilling consumed materials but also replacing deteriorated replacement parts with new ones. Hereinafter, cartridges that have been recycled by refilling materials or replacing parts will be referred to as recycled cartridges.

[0064] <Cartridge information data structure> (Toner cartridge information) 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of toner cartridge information 420 stored in toner memory 42. The toner cartridge information 420 includes, for example, a toner ID 421, capacity information 422, cumulative capacity information 423, specification information 424, type information 425, and number of prints 426. The toner cartridge information 420 also includes, for example, a development roller rotation count 427, remaining toner amount 428, number of recycling times 429, genuine product information 430, status information 431, and supplier information 432.

[0065] The toner ID 421 is identification information for uniquely identifying the toner cartridge 4. As an example, the toner ID 421 is a serial number specific to the toner cartridge 4. The capacity information 422 is information indicating the volume of printing material that can be accommodated in the toner cartridge 4. In this embodiment, as an example, four levels of capacity are set for the toner cartridge 4. More specifically, the capacities that can be set for the toner cartridge 4 are, in order from smallest to largest, small capacity, standard capacity, large capacity, and extra-large capacity. The capacity information 422 indicates one of the four levels of capacity: small capacity, standard capacity, large capacity, and extra-large capacity.

[0066] The cumulative capacity information 423 is information that represents the cumulative value of the capacity represented by the capacity information 422 that was previously stored in the toner memory 42. The specification information 424 is information that represents the specifications of the toner cartridge 4. There are three specifications for the toner cartridge 4: for "EU (Europe)", for "US (United States)", and for "JP (Japan)". The specification information 424 represents one of the three specifications for EU, US, or JP.

[0067] The type information 425 is information that indicates the type of the toner cartridge 4. In this embodiment, at least two types, "contracted consumables" and "commercially available consumables", are set as the types of the toner cartridge 4. The type information 425 indicates at least one of the two types, "contracted consumables" and "commercially available consumables".

[0068] The toner memory 42 of the contract cartridge stores type information 425 indicating the type "contract consumables." The image forming device 1 can perform contract printing while the contract cartridge is installed. For example, a business supplies contract cartridges to users who have signed a contract for the image forming device 1. The toner memory 42 of a commercially available toner cartridge 4 that can be purchased from a home appliance retailer or an online shopping site stores type information 425 indicating the type "commercial consumables." In other words, "contract consumables" indicate contract cartridges that can be used in the image forming device 1 for which a contract has been concluded, and "commercial consumables" indicate commercially available cartridges that can be purchased from a home appliance retailer or an online shopping site.

[0069] The number of printed sheets 426 is information indicating the number of sheets of paper that have been printed by the image forming apparatus 1 since the toner cartridge 4 was installed in the image forming apparatus 1. The number of developing roller rotations 427 is information indicating the number of rotations of the developing roller 41 in the toner cartridge 4 that have occurred in conjunction with the execution of printing since the toner cartridge 4 was installed in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0070] The remaining toner amount 428 is information that indicates the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 4. As an example, the remaining toner amount 428 may be configured with values ​​corresponding to a plurality of stages from full to empty. For example, the remaining toner amount 428 may be a character string such as "FULL" to "EMPTY", a numerical value such as "100%" to "0%, or information that combines a character string and a numerical value.

[0071] The initial value of remaining toner amount 428 corresponds to the full amount of the capacity corresponding to capacity information 422. As an example, as toner is consumed with use, a sensor (not shown) may optically measure the toner cartridge 4. The controller 61 may write the remaining toner amount obtained by measurement by the sensor (not shown) into the toner memory 42 as remaining toner amount 428.

[0072] In another example, the controller 61 may monitor the amount of toner consumed by discharging from the toner cartridge 4, and calculate the remaining amount of toner based on the monitored amount of toner consumption and the capacity information 422 stored in the toner memory 42. The controller 61 may write the calculated remaining amount of toner in the toner memory 42 as the remaining toner amount 428.

[0073] The recycle count 429 indicates the number of times that at least a portion of the information stored in the toner memory 42 has been initialized in accordance with a user instruction. In this embodiment, the controller 61 initializes the information in the toner memory 42 in accordance with a user instruction once for each recycle.

[0074] Therefore, the "initialized count" in the toner memory 42 means the number of times the toner cartridge 4 has been recycled. If the recycled count 429 indicates a value less than 1, it means that the toner cartridge 4 has never been recycled. If the recycled count 429 indicates a value greater than or equal to 1, it means that the toner cartridge 4 is a recycled cartridge.

[0075] Genuine product information 430 is information indicating whether the toner cartridge 4 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. As an example, the toner cartridge 4 is classified as a genuine product or a non-genuine product. Supplier information 432 is information indicating the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 1 or a third party that supplies the toner cartridge 4 to the user.

[0076] The status information 431 is information indicating whether the toner cartridge 4 is new or a product other than new. "New" refers only to unused genuine products manufactured by the manufacturer of the image forming device 1, and does not refer to third-party products or remanufactured products. Third-party products are products manufactured by a third party other than the manufacturer of the image forming device 1. Remanufactured products are products manufactured by the manufacturer of the image forming device 1, but in which the information in the consumables memory has been rewritten by a third party. "Products other than new" refers to third-party products, remanufactured products, and used genuine products.

[0077] (Drum cartridge information) 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of drum cartridge information 220 stored in drum memory 22. The drum cartridge information 220 includes, for example, a drum ID 221, specification information 222, type information 223, number of prints 224, and drum rotation count 225. The drum cartridge information 220 also includes, for example, a recycled count 226, genuine product information 227, status information 228, and supplier information 229.

[0078] The drum ID 221 is identification information for uniquely identifying the drum cartridge 20. As an example, the drum ID 221 is a serial number specific to the drum cartridge 20. The specification information 222 is information that indicates the specifications of the drum cartridge 20. As with the toner cartridge 4, the drum cartridge 20 also has three specifications: EU, US, and JP. The specification information 222 indicates one of the three specifications: EU, US, and JP.

[0079] The type information 223 is information that indicates the type of the drum cartridge 20. As with the toner cartridge 4, at least two types, "contracted consumables" and "commercially available consumables," are set for the drum cartridge 20. The type information 223 indicates at least one of the two types, "contracted consumables" and "commercially available consumables."

[0080] The number of printed sheets 224 is information indicating the number of sheets of paper that have been printed by the image forming apparatus 1 since the drum cartridge 20 was installed in the image forming apparatus 1. The number of drum rotations 225 is information indicating the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 21 in the drum cartridge 20 that have occurred in conjunction with the execution of printing since the drum cartridge 20 was installed in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0081] The recycle count 226 indicates the number of times that at least a portion of the information stored in the drum memory 22 has been initialized in accordance with a user instruction. In this embodiment, the controller 61 initializes the information in the drum memory 22 in accordance with a user instruction once for each recycle.

[0082] Therefore, the "initialized count" in the drum memory 22 represents the number of times the drum cartridge 20 has been recycled. If the recycled count 226 represents a value less than 1, this means that the drum cartridge 20 has never been recycled. If the recycled count 226 represents a value greater than or equal to 1, this means that the drum cartridge 20 is a recycled cartridge.

[0083] Genuine product information 227 is information indicating whether the drum cartridge 20 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. As an example, the drum cartridge 20 is classified as a genuine product or a non-genuine product. Status information 228 is information indicating whether the drum cartridge 20 is new or a product other than new. Supplier information 229 is information indicating the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 1 or a third party that supplies the drum cartridge 20 to the user.

[0084] Next, the flow of processing executed by the controller 61 will be described with reference to a flowchart. The processing executed by the controller 61 can be broadly divided into a recycle preparation phase and a recycle use phase. In the recycle preparation phase, the controller 61 executes various processes required to initialize cartridge information stored in the consumables memory. In the recycle use phase, the controller 61 executes various processes required to use a recycle cartridge when the recycle cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0085] <Processing flow of the recycling preparation phase> 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by image forming apparatus 1 in the recycle preparation phase. The recycle preparation phase includes processing for initializing cartridge information stored in the consumables memory in accordance with a user instruction. The series of processing shown in FIG. 5 is processing executed by controller 61.

[0086] The recycle preparation phase will be described below using an example of recycling a toner cartridge 4. Therefore, in the initialization process, initializing the toner memory 42 is merely an example. The controller 61 can also execute a process to initialize the drum memory 22 in accordance with a user instruction.

[0087] When the controller 61 initializes the drum memory 22, in the following explanation, specification information 424, type information 425, and number of prints 426 are replaced with specification information 222, type information 223, and number of prints 224, respectively. Also, developing roller rotation count 427, recycling count 429, genuine product information 430, status information 431, and supplier information 432 are replaced with drum rotation count 225, recycling count 226, genuine product information 227, status information 228, and supplier information 229, respectively.

[0088] In step S101, the controller 61 causes the display 63 to display a standby screen. The standby screen is, for example, a screen that the image forming apparatus 1 displays while waiting to print. When the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on or when it returns from a sleep state, the controller 61 causes the display 63 to display the standby screen. The standby screen includes user interface components for causing the image forming apparatus 1 to execute various operations. Hereinafter, the user interface components will be referred to as UI components.

[0089] The UI component may be configured as, for example, a software button that the user can select by operating the operation unit 64. In the present embodiment, as an example, the standby screen includes a first UI component that instructs the user to initialize the toner cartridge information 420 stored in the toner memory 42.

[0090] In step S102, controller 61 detects that the user has instructed to initialize toner cartridge information 420. For example, controller 61 may detect that the operation unit 64, which is a hardware button indicating "OK," has been pressed while the first UI component on the standby screen is selected. Alternatively, controller 61 may detect that the first UI component has been touched via operation unit 64, which is configured as a touch panel integral with display 63.

[0091] As in S102, the controller 61 executes a reception process to receive an instruction to initialize the toner cartridge information 420. When the controller 61 detects that the user has instructed initialization, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S102 to S103.

[0092] If the controller 61 does not detect that the user has instructed initialization of the toner cartridge information 420, the controller 61 returns from NO in S102 to S101 and displays the standby screen on the display 63. If another UI component instructing another operation is selected on the standby screen, the controller 61 proceeds from NO in S102 to a step of executing the operation in accordance with the instruction.

[0093] In step S103, the controller 61 displays a slot selection screen on the display 63. The slot selection screen includes a second UI component that allows the user to select one of four slots provided in a drawer unit (not shown). The drawer unit is a frame that can hold four toner cartridges 4. A toner cartridge 4 can be installed in each of the four slots.

[0094] As an example, the second UI widget is configured with four buttons corresponding to the selection of four slots, and a cancel button. The second UI widget is configured to allow the user to select one of the four buttons and the cancel button. The user's selection operation may be performed via either a hardware button or a software button.

[0095] In step S104, the controller 61 determines which of the four buttons of the second UI widget and the cancel button has been selected. If the controller 61 determines that one of the four buttons of the second UI widget has been selected, the controller 61 advances the process from S104 to S105.

[0096] If the user has not selected any of the four buttons of the second UI component or the cancel button, the controller 61 continues the processing of S104. If the controller 61 determines that the cancel button has been selected, the controller 61 returns from S104 to S101 and causes the display 63 to display the standby screen.

[0097] In step S105, the controller 61 executes a determination process to determine whether the initialization conditions of the toner cartridge information 420 are satisfied in accordance with the instruction received in S102.

[0098] Specifically, the controller 61 communicates with the toner cartridge 4, reads the latest toner cartridge information 420, and determines whether the toner cartridge 4 meets the recycling requirements. If the toner cartridge 4 meets the recycling requirements, the controller 61 permits initialization of the toner cartridge information 420. The detailed processing flow of S105 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0099] In step S106, the controller 61 checks whether an error was output during the determination process of S105. If the controller 61 did not output an error, the controller 61 determines that the toner cartridge information 420 can be initialized, and proceeds from NO in S106 to S107. On the other hand, if the controller 61 output an error, the controller 61 determines that the toner cartridge information 420 cannot be initialized, and proceeds from YES in S106 to S109.

[0100] In step S107, the controller 61 executes initialization processing to initialize the toner cartridge information 420 stored in the toner memory 42. The detailed processing flow of S107 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0101] In step S108, the controller 61 checks whether an error was output during the initialization process of S107. If the controller 61 did not output an error, the controller 61 determines that the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 was successful, and returns from NO in S108 to S101 to cause the standby screen to be displayed on the display 63.

[0102] After the initialization is successful, the controller 61 may display an initialization success screen on the display 63 to notify the user that the initialization is successful. On the other hand, if the controller 61 outputs an error, the controller 61 determines that the initialization of the toner cartridge information 420 has failed, and proceeds from YES in S108 to S109.

[0103] In step S109, the controller 61 executes a display process to display an error screen on the display 63 to notify the user that the toner cartridge information 420 has not been initialized. In other words, if the controller 61 determines in S105 that the initialization conditions are not met, the controller 61 causes the display 63 to display the error screen without executing the initialization process of S107.

[0104] (Process to check whether initialization is possible) Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing flow of S105 in Fig. 5. In step S201, the controller 61 determines whether the cover 11 is open. Specifically, the controller 61 determines whether the cover 11 is open or closed based on the detection result of the cover sensor 14.

[0105] If the cover sensor 14 outputs a sensor signal to the controller 61 when the cover 11 is in a closed state, the controller 61 determines that the cover 11 is in a closed state when it receives the sensor signal output by the cover sensor 14. On the other hand, if the controller 61 does not receive a sensor signal from the cover sensor 14, it determines that the cover 11 is in an open state.

[0106] Furthermore, if the cover sensor 14 outputs a sensor signal to the controller 61 when the cover 11 is in an open state, the controller 61 determines that the cover 11 is in a closed state when it does not receive a sensor signal from the cover sensor 14. On the other hand, when it receives a sensor signal output by the cover sensor 14, the controller 61 determines that the cover 11 is in an open state.

[0107] If the controller 61 determines that the cover 11 is open, the controller 61 proceeds from YES in S201 to S202. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the cover 11 is closed, the controller 61 proceeds from NO in S201 to S208. Details of step S208 will be described later.

[0108] In step S202, the controller 61 determines whether or not communication with a consumable memory, for example, the toner memory 42, is possible. If the controller 61 determines that communication with the toner memory 42 is not possible, for example, that information in the toner memory 42 cannot be read, the controller 61 advances the process from NO in S202 to S208. If the controller 61 determines that communication with the toner memory 42 is possible, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S202 to S203.

[0109] In step S203, the controller 61 authenticates the toner cartridge 4. The method of authenticating the toner cartridge 4 is not particularly limited. For example, if the model number of the toner cartridge 4 corresponds to the model number of the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 61 may determine that the authentication of the toner cartridge 4 has been successful. On the other hand, if the model number of the toner cartridge 4 does not correspond to the model number of the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 61 may determine that the authentication of the toner cartridge 4 has failed.

[0110] If the controller 61 can authenticate the toner cartridge 4, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S203 to S204. On the other hand, if the controller 61 cannot authenticate the toner cartridge 4, the controller 61 advances the process from NO in S203 to S208.

[0111] In step S204, the controller 61 reads the genuine product information 430 from the toner memory 42. In step S205, the controller 61 determines whether the read genuine product information 430 indicates that the toner cartridge 4 is a genuine product.

[0112] If the controller 61 determines that the genuine product information 430 indicates that the toner cartridge 4 is a genuine product, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S205 to S206. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the genuine product information 430 indicates that the toner cartridge 4 is a non-genuine product, the controller 61 advances the process from NO in S205 to S208.

[0113] In step S206, the controller 61 reads the cumulative capacity information 423 from the toner memory 42. In step S207, the controller 61 determines whether the cumulative value of the capacity indicated by the read cumulative capacity information 423 is less than a predetermined threshold value.

[0114] If the cumulative capacity value represented by the cumulative capacity information 423 is less than the predetermined threshold, the controller 61 determines that the toner cartridge 4 is recyclable, proceeds to YES in S207, and ends the series of processes in S105. On the other hand, if the cumulative capacity value represented by the cumulative capacity information 423 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the controller 61 determines that the toner cartridge 4 is not recyclable, and proceeds from NO in S207 to S208.

[0115] In step S208, the controller 61 outputs an error and determines that the initialization conditions are not satisfied. Note that the controller 61 may cause an error screen indicating the reason for the error to be displayed on the display 63 in S109 of Fig. 5. If the result in S201 is NO, the error screen in S109 includes a message indicating that the cover 11 is closed.

[0116] If S202 is NO, the error screen in S109 includes a message indicating that a communication failure has occurred with the toner memory 42. If S203 is NO, the error screen in S109 includes a message indicating that the toner cartridge 4 has not been authenticated. If S205 is NO, the error screen in S109 includes a message indicating that the toner cartridge 4 is a non-genuine product. If S207 is NO, the error screen in S109 includes a message indicating that the toner cartridge 4 is not recyclable.

[0117] As described above, the initialization conditions in S105 include that the cover 11 is open, that the controller 61 is able to communicate with the toner memory 42, and that the controller 61 has authenticated the toner cartridge 4. The initialization conditions in S105 also include that the toner cartridge 4 is a genuine product and that the toner cartridge 4 is recyclable.

[0118] The controller 61 at least determines whether the cover 11 is in an open state in S105. Furthermore, the controller 61 determining in S105 that the initialization condition is not satisfied is the same as the controller 61 at least determining in S105 that the cover 11 is in a closed state.

[0119] Furthermore, the controller 61 may execute initialization processing in S107 when it has at least determined in S201 that the cover 11 is in an open state based on the detection result of the cover sensor 14. Thus, the controller 61 can determine whether the cover 11 is open or closed based on the detection result of the cover sensor 14, and can execute initialization processing when the cover 11 is in an open state.

[0120] Furthermore, if the controller 61 has not received a sensor signal from the cover sensor 14 in S201, the controller 61 may at least determine that the cover 11 is in an open state and execute initialization processing. If the controller 61 has not received a sensor signal from the cover sensor 14, the controller 61 can determine that the cover 11 is in an open state, and if the cover 11 is in an open state, the controller 61 can execute initialization processing.

[0121] (Modification of steps S204 and S205) In S204, the controller 61 may read the supplier information 432 from the toner memory 42. After the controller 61 reads the supplier information 432, in S205, the controller 61 may determine whether the read supplier information 432 is information representing the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 1 or a preset third party.

[0122] If the controller 61 determines that the supplier information 432 is information representing the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 1 or a preset third party, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S205 to S206. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the supplier information 432 is not information representing the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 1 or a preset third party, the controller 61 advances the process from NO in S205 to S208.

[0123] Furthermore, in S204, the controller 61 may read out the type information 425 from the toner memory 42. After the controller 61 reads out the type information 425, in S205, the controller 61 may determine whether the read out type information 425 is information that indicates the type "contracted consumables."

[0124] If the controller 61 determines that the type information 425 is information that indicates the type "contracted consumables", the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S205 to S206. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the type information 425 is not information that indicates the type "contracted consumables", the controller 61 advances the process from NO in S205 to S208.

[0125] Furthermore, in S204, the controller 61 may read the specification information 424 from the toner memory 42. After the controller 61 reads the specification information 424, in S205, the controller 61 may determine whether the read specification information 424 is information that represents specifications for, for example, JP.

[0126] If the controller 61 determines that the specification information 424 is information that represents specifications for JP, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S205 to S206. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the type information 425 is not information that represents specifications for JP, the controller 61 advances the process from NO in S205 to S208.

[0127] As described above, in S205, the controller 61 may determine whether or not the toner memory 42 stores predetermined information indicating that the toner cartridge 4 is the target of the initialization process in S107.

[0128] Examples of the predetermined information include target genuine product information indicating that the toner cartridge 4 is a genuine product, and target supplier information indicating the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 1 or a preset third party as the predetermined supplier of the toner cartridge 4. Examples of the predetermined information include target consumables information indicating that the toner cartridge 4 is a contract consumable, and target specification information indicating the JP specifications as the predetermined specifications of the toner cartridge 4. Note that the predetermined information may include at least one of the target genuine product information, target supplier information, target consumables information, and target specification information.

[0129] Therefore, in S105, the controller 61 may determine whether the toner memory 42 stores predetermined information indicating that the toner cartridge 4 is a target for the initialization process of S107. Therefore, it is possible to initialize the toner cartridge information 420 in the toner memory 42 that stores predetermined information indicating that the toner cartridge 4 is a target for the initialization process.

[0130] Also, when the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4 stores predetermined information, the controller 61 may proceed from YES in S205 to S206 regardless of whether the toner cartridge 4 is a genuine product, a third-party product, or a remanufactured product.

[0131] Furthermore, in S105, the controller 61 may determine whether at least one of the target genuine product information, the target supplier information, the target consumable product information, and the target specification information is stored in the toner memory 42. Therefore, it is possible to initialize the toner cartridge information 420 in the toner memory 42 that stores at least one of the target genuine product information, the target supplier information, the target consumable product information, and the target specification information.

[0132] (Process to initialize cartridge information) 7 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing flow of S107 in FIG. 5. In step S301, the controller 61 initializes various pieces of information in the toner cartridge information 420 stored in the toner memory 42. Specifically, the controller 61 resets the number of printed sheets 426, which has been counted up to a predetermined number, to zero, and resets the number of development roller rotations 427, which has been counted up to a predetermined number of rotations, to zero. The controller 61 also resets the remaining toner amount 428, which has been reduced as toner is consumed, to its initial value.

[0133] In step S302, the controller 61 increments the number of recycles 429 stored in the toner memory by 1. In step S303, the controller 61 updates the accumulated capacity information 423 stored in the toner memory .

[0134] Specifically, the controller 61 rewrites the accumulated capacity information 423 to a capacity obtained by adding the currently recycled capacity to the accumulated value of the capacity indicated by the accumulated capacity information 423 read in S206. The currently recycled capacity is the capacity indicated by the capacity information 422 stored in the toner memory 42 for which the controller 61 executed the initialization process in S107.

[0135] In S304, the controller 61 determines whether or not the write operation to the toner memory 42 has been successful. If the controller 61 has been successful in all of the write operations in S301 to S303, the controller 61 proceeds to YES in S304 and ends the series of initialization processes. On the other hand, if the controller 61 has failed in the write operation in any of S301 to S303, the controller 61 proceeds from NO in S304 to S305.

[0136] In step S305, the controller 61 outputs an error because it was unable to initialize the toner cartridge information 420. If the answer is NO in S304, the error screen in S109 includes a message indicating that the toner cartridge information 420 could not be initialized.

[0137] <Processing flow for the recycled product use phase> Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the recycled product use phase. The series of processing shown in Fig. 8 is processing executed by the controller 61. As an example, the following describes a case where a user uses a recycled toner cartridge 4.

[0138] In step S401, the controller 61 determines whether the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on or the cover 11 is closed. If the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on or the cover 11 is closed, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S401 to S402. On the other hand, if the cover 11 is open, the controller 61 continues the process of S401. Note that if the controller 61 determines that the cover 11 is closed, the controller 61 has already executed the processes of S101 to S108 in FIG. 5.

[0139] In step S402, with the cover 11 closed, the controller 61 executes a read process to read the toner cartridge information 420 from the toner memory 42. In particular, in the read process, the controller 61 reads the status information 431 from the toner memory 42. Therefore, with the cover 11 closed, the controller 61 can read the status information 431, which is information indicating that the toner cartridge 4 is new or a product other than new, from the toner memory 42.

[0140] In step S403, the controller 61 determines whether the status information 431 of the toner cartridge information 420 read in S402 is information indicating that the toner cartridge 4 is new. If the status information 431 is information indicating that the toner cartridge 4 is new, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S403 to S404. If the status information 431 is information indicating that the toner cartridge 4 is a product other than new, the controller 61 advances the process from NO in S403 to S405.

[0141] In step S404, when the cover 11 is closed and the status information 431 is information representing a new product, the controller 61 executes a rewriting process to rewrite the status information 431 from information representing a new product to information representing a product other than a new product. Thus, the controller 61 can execute a process to rewrite the status information 431 from information representing a new product to information representing a product other than a new product when the cover 11 is closed.

[0142] In step S405, the controller 61 waits until it receives a print command. When the user issues a print command via the operation unit 64, the controller 61 accepts the print command. In step S406, upon receiving the print command, the controller 61 executes the print process.

[0143] Consider the case where the image forming apparatus 1 starts using the toner cartridge 4 after the controller 61 initializes the toner cartridge information 420 in S107 of Fig. 5. When the image forming apparatus 1 starts using the toner cartridge 4, the controller 61 needs to execute a read process to read the toner cartridge information 420 from the toner memory 42 in S402 of Fig. 8. To reduce the amount of work required by the user, it is desirable for the controller 61 to execute the read process when the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on or when the cover 11 is closed.

[0144] The controller 61 initializes the toner cartridge information 420 in S107 of Fig. 5 while the cover 11 is open in S201 of Fig. 6. Therefore, after the controller 61 initializes the toner cartridge information 420, the cover 11 is in the open state.

[0145] 8, with the cover 11 closed, the controller 61 can execute a read process in S402 to read the toner cartridge information 420 from the toner memory 42. Therefore, after the controller 61 initializes the toner cartridge information 420, the user can immediately start using the toner cartridge 4 without having to turn the power of the image forming apparatus 1 off and then on again.

[0146] Furthermore, when the cover 11 is closed, the controller 61 does not execute the initialization process for initializing the toner cartridge information 420 in S107 of Fig. 5, but instead displays an error screen on the display 63 in S109. This allows the user to notice the error. Furthermore, the fact that the cover 11 is closed prevents the controller 61 from being unable to execute the read process for reading the toner cartridge information 420 from the toner memory 42 in S202 of Fig. 6.

[0147] (Variation 1) The developing roller 41 of this embodiment may be provided in the toner cartridge 4 or in the drum cartridge 20, as long as the functions described in this embodiment can be realized.

[0148] (Variation 2) In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 4 is attached to the drum cartridge 20 and inserted into the opening of the cartridge holding portion 13 together with the drum cartridge 20. That is, in this embodiment, the toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 are separate cartridges. However, the toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 may be integrated into a single cartridge.

[0149] (Variation 3) The printing material of the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to paper. For example, the printing substrate may be tape. When the printing substrate is tape, a tape cassette that supplies tape is installed in the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 prints on the tape fed from the tape cassette.

[0150] (Variation 4) The image forming apparatus 1 may be an MFP (Multi Function Printer) that also has other functions such as a scanner or a facsimile. Even when the image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP, the image forming apparatus 1 may execute the various processes described in the present embodiment in the same manner as the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 of this modified example achieves the same effects as the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

[0151] [Software implementation example] The functions of the image forming apparatus 1 can be realized by a program that causes a computer to function as the image forming apparatus 1, and by a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the image forming apparatus 1, particularly the controller 61.

[0152] In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a computer having at least one control device, such as a processor, and at least one storage device, such as a memory, as hardware for executing the above-mentioned program. The functions described in the above-mentioned embodiment are realized by executing the above-mentioned program using the above-mentioned control device and storage device.

[0153] The program may be stored non-transitoryly in one or more computer-readable storage media. The image forming apparatus 1 may or may not include the storage media. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the image forming apparatus 1 via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0154] In addition, some or all of the functions of the control blocks described above can be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit functioning as the control block described above is formed is also included in the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the functions of the control blocks described above can also be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0155] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Configurations obtained by appropriately combining different technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 1. Image forming device 4 Toner cartridges 10 Main unit housing 10A aperture 11 Cover 14 Cover Sensor 20 drum cartridges 22 Drum Memory 42 Toner Memory 61 Controller 63 Display 220 Drum Cartridge Information 228, 431 Status Information 420 Toner Cartridge Information

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, a consumable having a consumable memory; a main body housing in which the consumable item is attached, the main body housing having an opening for attaching the consumable item; a cover that can open and close the opening; a controller; The controller a receiving process for receiving an instruction to initialize the consumable memory information stored in the consumable memory; a determination process of at least determining whether the cover is in an open state in accordance with the received instruction; an initialization process for initializing the consumable item memory information when at least it is determined that the cover is in an open state; and executing a read process of reading the consumable memory information from the consumable memory while the cover is closed.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines in the determination process whether the consumable memory stores predetermined information indicating that the consumable is a target for the initialization process.

3. In the determination process, the controller Target genuine product information indicating that the consumable is a genuine product; Target supplier information indicating a predetermined supplier of the consumable; Target consumable information indicating that the consumable is a contract consumable that can be used in the image forming apparatus for which a contract has been concluded; and target specification information representing predetermined specifications of the consumables.

4. the image forming device includes a display; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller, at least when it determines that the cover is closed, does not execute the initialization process but executes a display process that displays an error screen on the display.

5. the image forming apparatus includes a cover sensor provided at the opening for detecting whether the cover is open or closed; The controller 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the initialization process is executed at least when it is determined that the cover is open based on the detection result of the cover sensor.

6. the image forming apparatus includes a cover sensor provided at the opening, the cover sensor outputting a sensor signal to the controller when the cover is in a closed state; The controller 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the sensor signal is not received from the cover sensor, the image forming apparatus at least determines that the cover is open and executes the initialization process.

7. the consumable item memory stores status information that indicates whether the consumable item is new or a product other than the new item; 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller reads the status information from the consumable memory in the read process after executing the initialization process.

8. the consumable item memory stores status information that indicates whether the consumable item is new or a product other than the new item; The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that after performing the initialization process, when the cover is closed and the status information represents the new product, the controller performs a rewriting process to rewrite the status information from the information representing the new product to information representing a product other than the new product.

9. 1. An initialization method for initializing a consumable memory of a consumable attached to a main body housing of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a receiving step in which the image forming apparatus receives an instruction to initialize the consumable memory information stored in the consumable memory; a determining step of determining at least whether a cover that is an opening of the main body housing and that can open and close the opening for installing the consumable item is in an open state in accordance with the received instruction; an initialization step of initializing the consumable item memory information when at least it is determined that the cover is in an open state; a reading step of reading the consumable memory information from the consumable memory while the cover is closed.

10. 10. The initialization method according to claim 9, wherein the determining step determines whether the consumable memory stores predetermined information indicating that the consumable is a target of the initialization step.

11. In the determining step, Target genuine product information indicating that the consumable is a genuine product; Target supplier information indicating a predetermined supplier of the consumable; Target consumable information indicating that the consumable is a contract consumable that can be used in the image forming apparatus for which a contract has been concluded; and target specification information representing a predetermined specification of the consumable item.

11. The initialization method according to claim 10, further comprising determining whether the consumable item memory stores at least one of the predetermined information.

12. The initialization method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a display step in which, if it is determined in the determination step that the cover is in a closed state, the image forming device does not execute the initialization step and displays an error screen on a display of the image forming device.

13. The initialization method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that in the determination step, a cover sensor is provided in the opening and detects the opening and closing of the cover, and if it is determined that the cover is in an open state based on the detection result of the cover sensor of the image forming device, the image forming device executes the initialization step.

14. The initialization method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, in the determination step, if the image forming device does not receive a sensor signal from a cover sensor provided in the opening, the image forming device at least determines that the cover is in an open state and executes the initialization step.

15. the consumable item memory stores status information that indicates whether the consumable item is new or a product other than the new item; 15. The initialization method according to claim 9, wherein in the reading step, the image forming apparatus reads the state information from the consumable memory after executing the initialization step.

16. the consumable item memory stores status information that indicates whether the consumable item is new or a product other than the new item; The initialization method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the image forming apparatus includes a rewriting step of, after performing the initialization step, rewriting the status information from the information representing a new product to information representing a product other than the new product when the cover is closed and the status information represents the new product.

Images