Toner Container Identification Using Stored Usage History

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses fail to distinguish between empty and solidified toner containers, leading to unnecessary replacement and waste, as they do not accurately determine if a reused toner container still contains usable toner based on stored conditions.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a toner container with a nonvolatile memory storing unique information and an estimated toner amount, and a controller that determines whether the set toner container is the same as a past container by matching stored container information, driving the toner supplier only if the container satisfies predetermined conditions, such as remaining toner amount or usage history, to prevent discarding usable toner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the apparatus determines toner container status based solely on replacement timing without considering stored container information, then the control logic is simple, but usable toner is wasted due to unnecessary replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner wasteVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing container information (ID, toner amount, usage history) in the memory when the toner container is first installed. This preliminary data collection enables later accurate determination of whether the container contains usable toner, preventing unnecessary replacement and reducing toner waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by comparing the stored container information with current container status. The determination unit uses this feedback to intelligently decide whether to supply toner or prompt replacement, optimizing the balance between reducing waste and maintaining control simplicity through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the apparatus supplies toner to all containers without verification, then toner supply is continuous, but solidified toner causes imaging defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidtoner supply continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical verification methods with electronic information processing. Instead of physically checking toner status, the determination unit uses stored container information (toner amount, usage history, ID matching) to verify toner usability, ensuring reliable image quality while maintaining continuous productivity through automated electronic assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment of toner usability by analyzing stored container information before initiating toner supply. This preliminary verification ensures that only containers with usable toner receive additional toner, preventing imaging defects from solidified toner while maintaining continuous operation for valid containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of substance

If the apparatus replaces toner containers at fixed intervals, then replacement scheduling is simple, but containers with remaining usable toner are discarded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremaining toner utilizationVSAvoidreplacement scheduling simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static fixed-interval replacement scheduling to dynamic condition-based scheduling. The determination unit dynamically assesses each container's actual status using stored information (toner amount, usage history, ID verification) to decide whether replacement is needed, maximizing remaining toner utilization while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the replacement criterion parameter from time-based (fixed intervals) to condition-based (toner amount, usage history, container ID matching). This parameter change enables flexible scheduling that adapts to actual container status, preventing discarding of containers with usable toner while keeping the replacement logic simple through automated parameter evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12105440B2Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and non-transitory recording medium

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a body, a toner container that is removably set in the body and contains toner, a toner supplier to supply the toner from the toner container to the body, a memory that stores container information that is information of the toner container, and circuitry. The circuitry is to determine, after the toner container is set in the body, based on the container information acquired from the memory, whether the toner container set in the body is same as a toner container set in the body in a past and the container information satisfies a predetermined condition, and to drive the toner supplier in a case where the toner container set in the body is determined to be same as the toner container set in the body in the past and the container information satisfies the predetermined condition.