JP5168006B2 - Consumable cartridge and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention particularly relates to a detachable consumable cartridge in an image forming apparatus or the like. When a user mounts a consumable cartridge on an image forming apparatus or the like, the consumable cartridge is provided by an image forming apparatus manufacturer. The present invention relates to a consumable cartridge that is easy to identify whether it is a consumable cartridge or a consumable cartridge provided by another company. The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus capable of notifying a user when a consumable cartridge provided by another company is installed.

  In an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer, an electrophotographic facsimile machine, an electrophotographic multifunction machine, an ink jet printer, and an ink jet multifunction machine, a cartridge filled with consumables such as toner or ink is detachably provided. When the toner or ink runs out, the consumable cartridge is replaced with a new one, and the consumable is supplied to the image forming apparatus as described above.

  In recent years, there are cases where a third party (third party or third vendor) other than the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus manufactures and sells a consumable cartridge that can be loaded into the image forming apparatus. Some of those provided by a manufacturer other than the manufacturer are not compatible with the image process of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, a consumable cartridge provided by a manufacturer other than the manufacturer is detected and a predetermined warning is output. It has been proposed.

For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-195698), in an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit having a detachable process unit and a scanner for reading a document, the scanner is attached to the process unit. An image forming apparatus including a control unit that reads an image on a sheet and determines whether the process unit is a genuine product from the read image data is described.
JP 2003-195698 A

  By the way, some of the cartridges manufactured by third parties other than the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as “cartridge remanufacturer”, etc.) use a toner or ink of their own specifications on the used consumable cartridge. There are cartridges to be provided after refilling. In some cases, consumable cartridges refilled by such cartridge remanufacturers (hereinafter also referred to as “refilled products”) are difficult to distinguish from those provided by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. It was a problem.

  However, the one described in Patent Document 1 is configured to read an image on a sheet attached to the process unit and determine whether the process unit is a genuine product from the read image data. There has been a problem that the cartridge is judged to be a genuine cartridge provided by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the consumable cartridge of the present invention is a consumable cartridge that supplies a consumable used for the image forming process of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus, and is a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. An ID tag memory identification unit comprising an ID tag memory that electrically indicates that a consumable cartridge is supplied and a label unit provided on the surface of the ID tag memory is provided at a predetermined location.

  The consumable cartridge according to the present invention is a logo sign portion that allows the user to visually recognize that the sign portion is a consumable cartridge supplied by a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus.

  In the expendable cartridge of the present invention, the ID tag memory identification unit is configured to be movable when a consumable cartridge removal request is confirmed by the image forming apparatus.

  In the consumable cartridge according to the present invention, the ID tag memory identification unit is configured to be movable in conjunction with an operation of removing the consumable cartridge from the image forming apparatus.

  In the consumable cartridge according to the present invention, the ID tag memory identification unit is a slidable plate.

  Further, the consumable cartridge of the present invention is characterized in that the ID tag memory identification portion is a rollable film.

  In the consumable cartridge according to the present invention, the ID tag memory identification section is provided on a cap portion that seals a consumable filling port used when the consumable cartridge is filled with the consumable. .

  In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has an ID tag memory identification section that includes an ID tag memory that electrically indicates that the image forming apparatus manufacturer supplies and a label section provided on the surface of the ID tag memory. An image forming apparatus to which a consumable cartridge provided at a predetermined location is mounted, wherein a tag memory reader / writer unit for reading / writing information stored in the ID tag memory and whether a consumable cartridge removal request has been made It is characterized by comprising a removal request determination unit for determining, and a moving mechanism for moving the ID tag memory identification unit when it is determined that a removal request is made.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the tag memory reader / writer unit rewrites information stored in the ID tag memory when the removal request determination unit determines that a consumable cartridge removal request is made. And

  In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has an ID tag memory identification unit including an ID tag memory that electrically indicates that the image forming apparatus manufacturer supplies and a label unit provided on the ID tag memory. An image forming apparatus to which a consumable cartridge provided at a predetermined location is mounted, and a tag memory reader / writer unit for reading and writing information stored in the ID tag memory, and an operation for removing the consumable cartridge from the image forming apparatus And a moving mechanism for moving the ID tag memory identification unit in conjunction with

According to the consumable cartridge of the present invention, an ID tag memory identification unit comprising an ID tag memory that is electrically supplied by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus, and a logo marking unit provided on the ID tag memory. However, since the consumable cartridge is always moved after the first use, the user can check the status of the ID tag memory identification unit to refill the consumable cartridge. In addition, the image forming apparatus can also determine whether or not the refill product is a refill product in which the consumable cartridge is refilled. In addition, since the memory identification unit is configured to be movable so that it cannot be read by the memory reader unit of the image forming apparatus, the memory of the refill product manufactured by refilling the toner after use is refilled. It becomes impossible to read, and the possibility that the refill consumable cartridge is determined to be a genuine cartridge can be eliminated.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a tag memory reader / writer unit that reads and writes information stored in the ID tag memory of the ID tag memory identification unit when the consumable cartridge is mounted. Therefore, when the consumable cartridge is a refilled product that has been refilled, a warning can be displayed to the user. By performing such a warning, the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus recognizes that the consumable cartridge is a refill product, and that the risk associated with the use of the refill product is known. It can be used.

  The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking as an example the case where the image forming apparatus is a printer. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram (block diagram) of a printer which is an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. A printer 2 shown in FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and is an apparatus that forms an image on a predetermined print medium based on a print request from a host computer 1 (host apparatus). The printer 2 is configured to be equipped with toner cartridges 611 (development units) of four colors, yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. In accordance with the printing request, toner images of different colors are sequentially stacked to form an image. Is to do. Note that suffixes of Y, C, M, and B are sometimes used as the reference numerals in the drawing when yellow, cyan, magenta, and black are specifically indicated. In addition, in the case where a common configuration is shown for yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, the suffixes Y, C, M, and B may be omitted.

  A host computer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a host device that makes a print request to the printer 2 via the communication I / F 41 of the printer 2, and print data including image data and control commands based on a user operation or the like. Send to printer 2. The host computer 1 can be configured by a so-called personal computer. In FIG. 1, the printer 2 is connected to the host computer 1. However, the printer 2 may be connected to a plurality of host devices via a network. For this reason, the communication I / F 41 includes a 100BASE- Interface means of a well-known standard such as TX / 10BASE-T multi-protocol Ethernet (registered trademark) interface or HI-SPEED USB (USB 2.0) interface can be used. The printer driver 3 in the host computer 1 is a part that receives data from an application (not shown) in the host computer 1 and generates the print data to be transmitted to the printer 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 2 includes a controller unit 4, an engine control unit 5, an engine 6, and an operation unit 7. The controller unit 4 receives print data transmitted from the host computer 1, interprets a control command included in the data, performs predetermined processing on the image data included in the data, and performs engine 6 side. Generate data to provide to Although not shown, the controller unit 4 includes a CPU, an image memory, and the like, and the generated data and the like are stored in the image memory. Further, the controller unit 4 transmits information indicating that development is started to the engine control unit 5 when a predetermined amount of data is generated in the image memory.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the engine control unit 5 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a log recording memory 54, a tag memory reader / writer unit 55, a cartridge lock control unit 58, a logo sign control unit 59, and the like. Composed. The CPU 51 is a part that controls each part of the engine 6. Further, the CPU 51 reads information from the history tag memory 612 and the ID tag memory 650 provided in the toner cartridge 611 via the tag memory reader / writer unit 55, and executes processing and determination based on the information. Further, the tag memory reader / writer unit 55 is configured to be able to write information to the history tag memory 612 and the ID tag memory 650 as needed, or to perform one-time writing. In this embodiment, the history tag memory 612 and the ID tag memory 650 are assumed to read and write the tag memory by non-contact communication using RFID, but the present invention is limited to such non-contact communication. However, a contact type using a terminal or the like may be used.

  The ID tag memory 650 electrically indicates that at least the toner cartridge 611 is supplied by the manufacturer of the printer 2.

  The history tag memory 612 is dedicated to managing information such as the remaining toner amount of the toner cartridge 611 and the profile of the attached toner cartridge.

  The log recording memory 54 records, on the printer 2 main body side, information relating to what type of toner cartridge 611 has been installed in the printer 2 based on the above management information stored in the history tag memory 612. This is a known nonvolatile memory.

  The ID tag memory 650 is provided as a configuration different from the history tag memory 612, and is a memory such as an RFID in which an ID unique to the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus is written.

  The ROM 52 stores various programs for controlling the printer 2, and the RAM 53 temporarily stores various information regarding the printer 2. The tag memory reader / writer unit 55 is an interface between the CPU 51 and the history tag memory 612 and the ID tag memory 650 on the toner cartridge side. The CPU 51 reads the information written in the toner cartridge side memory 612 and reads the log. This is used when writing to the recording memory 54.

  The cartridge lock control unit 58 controls the lock mechanism of the mounted toner cartridge 611, and the logo marker control unit 59 controls the raising and lowering of the engaging claws described later.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram (essential cross-sectional view) showing mainly the mechanism of the engine 6 portion of the printer 2 of the present embodiment.

  The photosensitive drum 621 has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, is rotatable about a central axis, and rotates clockwise as indicated by an arrow. The charging unit 622 charges the photosensitive drum 621, and the exposure unit 623 irradiates the charged photosensitive drum 621 with a beam from a light source such as a built-in laser or LED array to form a latent image due to static electricity. Beam irradiation of the exposure unit 623 is controlled by a drive signal modulated based on image information input from the host computer 1.

  The developing device 61 includes mounting portions 614B to 614Y on which a black toner cartridge 611B, a magenta toner cartridge 611M, a cyan toner cartridge 611C, and a yellow toner cartridge 611Y that store toner as a developer are detachably mounted. A developing rotary that is rotatable with respect to 613. The developing device 61 is rotated so that the necessary toner cartridges 611B to 611Y are brought close to the photosensitive drum 621, and the developer is supplied to the photosensitive drum 621 on which the latent image is formed. Developed.

  In order for the printer 2 to recognize the state of the toner cartridges 611B to 611Y attached to the developing device 61, each toner cartridge 611 has a storage medium for storing color information, remaining amount information, etc. of developer (toner), for example, History tag memories 612B to 612Y which are non-contact type nonvolatile memories are provided.

  Then, after the power is turned on or after the toner cartridge 611 is mounted on the developing device 61, the information in the history tag memory 612 is read by the printer 2. Further, the remaining amount information in the history tag memory of the toner cartridge 611 is updated after development. The toner cartridge side memory 612 may include various other information such as information on the toner type of the toner stored in the toner cartridge 611. Further, the history tag memory reader / writer unit 55 of the engine control unit 5 and the history tag memories 612B to 612Y may be non-contact, that is, wirelessly communicate with each other, or the tag memory reader / writer unit 55 and the history tag memory 612B. ˜612Y may communicate with each other by wire.

  The toner cartridge 611 is provided with ID tag memories 650B to 650Y as tag memories different from the history tag memories 612B to 612Y as described above. The ID tag memories 650B to 650Y store information indicating that the toner cartridge 611 is provided by the manufacturer of the printer 2, not the refilled product by the cartridge remanufacturer. Information such as a unique ID is written. The ID tag memories 650B to 650Y may be configured to delete the unique ID information after the toner cartridge 611 is used. In the case of such a configuration that deletes the unique ID information, it is preferable that the ID tag memory 650 can be written only for one time.

  For reading / writing the ID tag memory 650, a special protocol or encryption known only to the manufacturer may be used.

  The primary transfer unit 626 transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor 621 to the intermediate transfer body 627. The intermediate transfer member 627 is an endless belt in which an aluminum vapor deposition layer is formed on the surface of a PET film and a semiconductive paint is formed on the surface, for example, and is driven to rotate at the same peripheral speed as that of the photosensitive drum 621. A printing medium such as paper supplied from the paper supply cartridge 92 is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 628 and the fixing unit 629 through the paper supply roller 94. Then, the secondary transfer unit 628 transfers the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 627 to the print medium supplied from the paper feed cartridge 92, and the fixing unit 629 transfers the toner image transferred onto the print medium to the medium. To form a permanent image, and the print medium is discharged out of the printer 2.

  The cleaning unit 624 is provided between the primary transfer unit 626 and the charging unit 622 and has a cleaning blade 625 that comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 621 and remains on the photosensitive drum 621 after the primary transfer. The developer (toner) to be removed is removed by the cleaning blade 625.

An operation unit 7 (operation means) shown in FIG. 1 is a part for a user to operate the printer 2, and includes an operation display panel 71, operation buttons, and the like. A device such as a touch panel is provided on the operation display panel 71, and the user directly touches the operation display panel 71 while referring to a UI (user interface) displayed on the operation display panel 71. The second operation can be performed. In the operation unit 7, various setting actions such as setting of printing conditions in the printer 2 are possible. In addition, when the toner cartridge 611 is removed from the printer 2, an instruction is given from the operation display panel 71.

  Next, the ID tag memory used for the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the ID tag memory seal used in the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, 100 is an ID tag memory seal, 110 is a base film, 111 is an antenna part, 112 and 113 are electrode parts, 120 is a hologram part, 121 is a logo marking part, and 650 is an RFID chip (ID tag memory main body). Each is shown.

  On the surface (the surface shown in the figure) of the base film 110 of the ID tag memory seal 100, an antenna unit 111 formed by etching deposited copper is provided. One end of the antenna part 111 is electrically connected to the electrode part 112 of the aluminum plate on the surface side of the base film 110. Further, the other end side of the antenna portion 111 passes through the back surface of the base film 110 through a through hole, and further communicates with the electrode portion 113 of the aluminum plate through the through hole. The electrode portions 112 and 113 of the aluminum plate are bonded to the RFID chip (ID tag memory) 650 by vibration welding.

  On the surface of the base film 110 configured as described above, a film such as the logo marker 120 is inseparably attached with an adhesive or the like. The logo sign 120 is printed with a logo sign 121 of a company that is the manufacturer of the printer 2, and forms a visual display that can be appealed to the user of the printer 2. In addition, a hologram sticker etc. can also be used for this logo marking part 120. FIG.

  The ID tag memory seal 100 with the logo marking portion 120 attached to the base film 110 portion is expressed as a “tag memory portion” in the claims.

  An adhesive layer for enabling the ID tag memory seal 100 to be attached is provided on the back surface of the base film 110. The ID tag memory seal 100 is attached to the toner cartridge 611 by the adhesive layer formed on the back surface of the base film 110.

  Next, the configuration of the toner cartridge will be described. FIG. 4 is a view showing a toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4A shows a top view of the toner cartridge, and FIG. 4B shows a part of the A-A ′ cross section.

  4, reference numeral 653 denotes a lock claw engaging recess, 654 denotes a logo marking plate, 655 denotes a plate vertical piece, 656 denotes a marking opening, and 657 denotes a plate storage portion.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a lock claw engaging recess 653 that engages with a lock claw controlled by the cartridge lock control unit 58 is provided on the surface portion of the toner cartridge 611.

  Further, a marker opening 656 is provided on the surface portion of the toner cartridge 611, and a cavity of the plate storage portion 657 is provided so as to communicate with the opening 656. A logo labeling plate 654 is accommodated in the plate accommodating portion 657 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction of the drawing.

The logo marking plate 654 is formed with a surface region to which the ID tag memory seal 100 is attached, and a plate vertical piece 655 which is a protruding piece configured perpendicularly thereto. When the plate vertical piece 655 is moved in the left direction of the drawing, the ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the logo sign plate 654 moves from the sign opening 656 to the plate storage section 657, and the ID tag memory seal 100 logo signs 121 are configured to be invisible to the user.

  Next, attachment of the toner cartridge 611 configured as described above to the printer 2 will be described. FIG. 5 is a view showing a state where the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the printer. 5A shows a state immediately before the toner cartridge is set at the mounting position, FIG. 5B shows a state where the toner cartridge is set at the mounting position, and FIG. 5C shows a state when the toner cartridge is replaced. The state of removal is shown. In FIG. 5, the toner cartridge 611 is attached so that the toner cartridge 611 is pushed in from the right to the left, and the toner cartridge 611 is pulled out from the left to the right when the toner cartridge is removed.

  In FIG. 5, 580 is a cartridge lock control mechanism, 581 is a lock claw moving mechanism, 582 is a lock claw, 590 is a logo mark control mechanism, 591 is an engagement claw movement mechanism, and 592 is an engagement claw. .

  The tag memory reader / writer unit 55, the cartridge lock control mechanism unit 580, and the logo label control mechanism unit 590 are all configured on the printer 2, and the cartridge lock control mechanism unit 580 is controlled by the cartridge lock control unit 58 and the logo label control. The mechanism unit 590 is controlled by the logo sign control unit 59. Further, in FIG. 5, only the read / write unit of the ID tag memory 650 is shown as the tag memory reader / writer unit 55, and the read / write unit of the history tag memory 612 is not shown here.

  The cartridge lock control mechanism 580 includes a lock claw 582 that can be inserted into the lock claw engagement recess 653 and a lock claw moving mechanism 581 such as an actuator that is a moving mechanism for moving the lock claw 582 up and down. The mechanism portion 590 includes an engaging claw 592 that can be engaged with the plate vertical piece 655 and an engaging claw moving mechanism 591 such as an actuator that is a moving mechanism that moves the engaging claw 592 up and down.

  The lock claw 582 can be set in two ways, a raised position and a lowered position, by a lock claw moving mechanism 581. Similarly, the engaging claw 592 can be set to two positions, a raised position and a lowered position, by the engaging claw moving mechanism 591.

  FIG. 5A shows a state immediately before the toner cartridge 611 is set at the mounting position. At this time, the lock claw 582 is moved to the raised position by the lock claw moving mechanism 581, and the engagement claw 592 The engaging claw moving mechanism 591 is set so as to be in the ascending position. With these settings, the user can set the toner cartridge 611 at the cartridge mounting position of the printer 2 without any resistance.

  FIG. 5B shows a state in which the toner cartridge 611 is set at the mounting position. At this time, the lock claw 582 is moved to the lowered position by the lock claw moving mechanism 581 and the engagement claw 592 is engaged. It is set to be in the lowered position by the pawl moving mechanism 591. Since the lock claw 582 is fitted in the lock claw engaging recess 653, the toner cartridge 611 cannot be pulled out from the cartridge mounting position of the printer 2. In the state of FIG. 5B, the tag memory reader / writer 55 located on the upper surface of the ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the logo marker plate 654 can read and write the ID tag memory 650. It can be done.

  FIG. 5C shows a state of removal when the toner cartridge 611 is replaced. That is, a state immediately after the toner cartridge 611 is removed from the mounting position is shown. At this time, the lock claw 582 is moved to the raised position by the lock claw moving mechanism 581 and the engagement claw 592 is moved to the engagement claw. The mechanism 591 is set so as to be in the lowered position. With these settings, the lock claw 582 is disengaged from the lock claw engagement recess 653, so that the user can remove the toner cartridge 611. Since the plate vertical piece 655 is engaged with the engaging claw 592, the logo tag plate 654 is moved to the left in the drawing, and the ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the logo tag plate 654 is The logo mark 121 of the ID tag memory seal 100 can be made invisible to the user by moving from the mark opening 656 to the plate storage 657. In addition, due to such movement, the ID tag memory 650 of the ID tag memory seal 100 is displaced from the reading position of the tag memory reader / writer unit 55. As a result, even if the toner cartridge 611 is mounted on the printer 2 again, the ID tag memory 650 cannot be electrically recognized. Further, by providing an aluminum layer on the inner surface of the sign opening 657 to shield the ID tag memory 650, the tag memory reader / writer 55 may not be able to recognize the ID tag memory 650.

  According to the above configuration, the ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the logo marker plate 654 is always moved after the first use of the toner cartridge 611. Therefore, the ID tag memory By confirming the state of the seal 100, the user can determine at a glance whether or not the toner cartridge is a refilled product that has been refilled. It can be determined whether or not is a refilled product.

  Next, control when the toner cartridge 611 is attached and removed will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the process when the toner cartridge is mounted according to the embodiment of the present invention.

When the process at the time of mounting the toner cartridge 611 is started in step S001, the process proceeds to step S002, and the mounting of the toner cartridge 611 is recognized by a sensor that detects the completion of mounting of the toner cartridge 611 (not shown). Then, in step S003, the lock claw 582 is moved to the lowered position by the lock claw moving mechanism 581. In step S004, the engagement claw 592 is moved to the lowered position by the engagement claw moving mechanism 591.

  In step S005, the tag memory reader / writer 55 reads the information written in the ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the logo marker plate 654.

  In step S006, it is determined whether the information written in the ID tag memory seal 100 is the manufacturer's unique ID information.

  If the determination result in step S006 is YES, the process proceeds to step S008, and the process at the time of installation is terminated. If the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S007, and a warning is displayed to the user using the operation display panel 711. When the determination result is NO, the case where the ID tag memory 650 cannot be read is also included. The content of the warning display at this time is, for example, a phrase such as “the detected toner cartridge may not be a toner cartridge supplied by the manufacturer”. By performing such a warning, the manufacturer of the printer 2 can have the user use the toner cartridge after knowing that the toner cartridge is not a genuine product.

  Next, control when the toner cartridge 611 is removed will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the process for removing the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, when the removal process of the toner cartridge 611 is started in step S100, the process proceeds to step S101, and the input from the user on the operation display panel 711 is referred to.

  In step S102, it is determined on the operation display panel 711 whether or not the user has input a cartridge removal request.

  When the determination result of step S102 is YES, the process proceeds to step S103, and when the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S107 and the process ends.

  In step S103, the purpose of removing the toner cartridge 611 is determined. The purpose of removing the toner cartridge 611 is also input from the operation display panel 711 by the user. In step S103, it is determined whether or not the purpose of removing the toner cartridge 611 is for replacement. In cases where the purpose of removal is other than replacement (exchange), the removed toner cartridge 611 may be used in another printer 2 of the same type.

  When the result of determination in step S103 is YES, the process proceeds to step S106, and when the result of determination in step S103 is NO, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S106, the unique ID information in the ID tag memory 650 in the ID tag memory seal 100 is rewritten. This rewriting process includes, for example, a process of invalidating the unique ID information. In short, when the ID tag memory 650 is read again, information indicating that the toner cartridge 611 has already been used may be used. If possible, this rewriting process is preferably a one-time rewriting process. Subsequent to step S106, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S104, the engaging claw moving mechanism 591 moves the engaging claw 592 to the raised position. In step S105, the lock claw moving mechanism 581 moves the lock claw 582 to the raised position.

  In step S107, the toner cartridge 611 removal process is terminated.

  According to the above configuration, the ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the logo marker plate 654 is always moved after the first use of the toner cartridge 611. Therefore, the ID tag memory By confirming the state of the seal 100, the user can determine at a glance whether or not the toner cartridge is a refilled product, and the ID tag memory 650 has a tag memory reader / writer unit. Therefore, the printer 2 can also determine whether or not the consumable cartridge is a refilled product that has been refilled.

  Next, the configuration of a toner cartridge according to another embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a view showing a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A shows a top view of the toner cartridge, and FIG. 8B shows a part of the A-A ′ cross section. FIG. 9 is a view showing a moving mechanism of the ID tag memory seal 100 of the toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  8 and 9, 653 is a locking claw engaging recess, 656 is a marking opening, 660 is a logo marking film, 661 is a take-up roll, 662 is a feeding roll, 663 is a rack interlocking lever, and 664 is a pinion member. , 665 respectively indicate rack members.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a lock claw engaging recess 653 that engages a lock claw controlled by the cartridge lock control unit 58 is provided on the surface portion of the toner cartridge 611.

  Further, a marking opening 656 is provided on the surface of the toner cartridge 611. A feeding roll 662 for feeding the logo marking film 660 to both sides of the marking opening 656, and the sent logo marking. A take-up roll 661 for winding up the film 660 is provided.

  The logo tag film 660 has a region to which the ID tag memory seal 100 is attached, and the ID tag memory seal 100 on the logo label film 660 can be recognized from the label opening 656 as shown in FIG. ing.

  Next, the moving mechanism of the ID tag memory seal 100 in this embodiment will be described. Also in this embodiment, similarly to the previous embodiment, the lock claw 582 that can be inserted into the lock claw engagement recess 653 and the lock claw moving mechanism 581 such as an actuator that is a moving mechanism that moves the lock claw 582 up and down. A cartridge lock control mechanism 580 is provided.

  In this embodiment, an engagement claw 592 that can be engaged with the rack interlocking lever 663 (in the previous embodiment, the plate vertical piece 655), and an actuator that is a moving mechanism that moves the engagement claw 592 up and down. And the like, a logo marker control mechanism 590 including an engaging claw moving mechanism 591.

  The take-up roll 661 and the pinion member 664 are rotated together by a common shaft, and the rack member 665 is engaged with the pinion member 664. With the above configuration, when the rack interlocking lever 663 is moved in the left direction of the drawing by the engaging claw 592, the ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the logo marker film 660 is taken up by the take-up roll 661. Thus, the logo mark 121 of the ID tag memory seal 100 is configured to be invisible to the user by detaching from the mark opening 656. In addition, due to such movement, the ID tag memory 650 of the ID tag memory seal 100 is displaced from the reading position of the tag memory reader / writer unit 55 (not shown). As a result, even if the toner cartridge 611 is mounted on the printer 2 again, the ID tag memory 650 cannot be electrically recognized. Further, the logo labeling film 660 is provided with an aluminum layer, and it is preferable that the logo marking 121 is wound up so as to be completely shielded by the aluminum layer of the labeling film. This ensures that the ID tag memory 650 cannot be read by the tag memory reader / writer unit 55.

  According to the above configuration, the ID tag memory seal 100 attached on the logo marking film 660 is always moved after the first use of the toner cartridge 611. By confirming the state of the memory seal 100, the user can determine at a glance whether the toner cartridge is a refilled product that has been refilled. It is possible to determine whether or not the cartridge is a refilled product.

Next, the configuration of a toner cartridge according to another embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a view showing a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A shows a top view of the toner cartridge, and FIG. 10B shows a part of the AA ′ cross section. FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a printer.

  10 and 11, 670 is a logo marking plate, 671 is a first rib, 672 is a second rib, 673 is a drop plate receiving portion, 595 is a logo marking control mechanism portion, 596 is a plunger, and 597 is a striking portion. Respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a lock claw engagement recess 653 that engages with a lock claw controlled by the cartridge lock control unit 58 is provided on the surface portion of the toner cartridge 611.

  A marking opening 656 is provided on the surface of the toner cartridge 611, and a logo marking plate 670 made of resin is provided in the center of the marking opening 656. The labeling plate 670 is integrally coupled to the peripheral edge of the labeling opening 656 by the first rib 671 and the second rib 672 on both sides. Here, the strength at which the first rib 671 is coupled to the peripheral portion is set to be stronger than the strength at which the second rib 672 is coupled to the peripheral portion. That is, the second rib 672 is made more fragile.

  The logo tag plate 670 has a region to which the ID tag memory seal 100 is attached, and the ID tag memory seal 100 on the logo label film 660 can be recognized from the label opening 656 as shown in FIG. ing.

  FIG. 11 shows a state in which the toner cartridge is set at the mounting position. In FIG. 11, the tag memory reader / writer unit 55, the cartridge lock control mechanism unit 580, and the logo marker control mechanism unit 595 are all on the printer 2 side. The lock claw moving mechanism 581 is controlled by the cartridge lock control unit 58. The logo sign control mechanism 590 is controlled by the logo sign control unit 59. Further, in FIG. 5, only the read / write unit of the ID tag memory 650 is shown as the tag memory reader / writer unit 55, and the read / write unit of the history tag memory 612 is not shown here.

  The cartridge lock control mechanism 580 includes a lock claw 582 that can be fitted into the lock claw engagement recess 653 and a lock claw moving mechanism 581 such as an actuator that is a moving mechanism that moves the lock claw 582 up and down. The cartridge lock control mechanism 580 is the same as that of the previous embodiment. The lock claw 582 can be set in two ways, a raised position and a lowered position, by a lock claw moving mechanism 581.

  Further, the logo marking control mechanism 595 includes a hitting portion 597 that hits the logo marking plate 670 at a cartridge mounting position, and a plunger 596 that gives a driving force to hit the hitting portion 597. . FIG. 11 shows a state in which the logo marking plate 670 has hit the hitting portion 597 and the second rib 672 has been destroyed.

  The control when the toner cartridge 611 according to another embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is mounted and removed will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a process at the time of mounting a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

When the process at the time of mounting the toner cartridge 611 is started in step S201, the process proceeds to step S202, and the mounting of the toner cartridge 611 is recognized by a sensor that detects the completion of the mounting of the toner cartridge 611 (not shown). Then, in step S203, the lock claw moving mechanism 581 moves the lock claw 582 to the lowered position.

  In step S204, the tag memory reader / writer 55 reads information written on the ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the logo marker plate 670.

In step S205, it is determined whether the information written in the ID tag memory seal 100 is the manufacturer's unique ID information.
If the determination result in step S205 is YES, the process proceeds to step S207, the process at the time of installation is terminated, and if the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S206, and a warning is displayed to the user using the operation display panel 711. The content of the warning display at this time is, for example, “The detected toner cartridge may not be a toner cartridge supplied by the manufacturer. If a failure occurs due to the use of this toner cartridge, repair will be charged. Please note that this may happen. " By performing such a warning, the manufacturer of the printer 2 asks the user to use the toner cartridge after the toner cartridge is a refill product and is aware of the risks associated with the use of the refill product. Is possible.

  Next, control when the toner cartridge 611 is removed will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process for removing a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 13, when the removal process of the toner cartridge 611 is started in step S300, the process proceeds to step S301, and the input from the user on the operation display panel 711 is referred to.

  In step S302, the operation display panel 711 determines whether the user has input a cartridge removal request.

  When the determination result of step S302 is YES, the process proceeds to step S303, and when the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S307 and the process ends.

  In step S303, the purpose of removing the toner cartridge 611 is determined. The purpose of removing the toner cartridge 611 is also input from the operation display panel 711 by the user. In step S303, it is determined whether or not the purpose of removing the toner cartridge 611 is for replacement. In cases where the purpose of removal is other than replacement (exchange), the removed toner cartridge 611 may be used in another printer 2 of the same type.

  When the result of determination in step S303 is YES, the process proceeds to step S305, and when the result of determination in step S303 is NO, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S305, the unique ID information in the ID tag memory 650 in the ID tag memory seal 100 is rewritten. This rewriting process includes, for example, a process of invalidating the unique ID information. In short, when the ID tag memory 650 is read again, information indicating that the toner cartridge 611 has already been used may be used. If possible, this rewriting process is preferably a one-time rewriting process.

  In the next step S306, the plunger 596 is operated to give a driving force to the hitting portion 597, and the second rib 672 of the logo marker plate 670 is broken.

In step S304, the lock claw moving mechanism 581 moves the lock claw 582 to the raised position. In step S307, the removal process of the toner cartridge 611 ends.

  According to the above configuration, the ID tag memory seal 100 attached on the logo marking plate 670 is always moved after the first use of the toner cartridge 611. Therefore, the ID tag By confirming the state of the memory seal 100, the user can determine at a glance whether the toner cartridge is a refilled product that has been refilled. It is possible to determine whether or not the cartridge is a refilled product.

  Next, the configuration of a toner cartridge according to another embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a view showing a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14A shows a top view of the toner cartridge, and FIG. 14B shows a part of the A-A ′ cross section.

  The configurations of the toner cartridge and the printer according to the present embodiment are obtained by simplifying the configurations of the toner cartridge and the printer described at the beginning to reduce the cost. In the first embodiment, a lock claw such as a cartridge lock control mechanism or an engagement claw moving mechanism or an actuator for vertically moving the engagement claw is used. However, in this embodiment, the cartridge lock control is performed. The mechanism is omitted, and the engaging claw moving mechanism also uses an elastic force without using an electric actuator.

  In FIG. 14, reference numeral 654 denotes a logo marking plate, 655 denotes a plate vertical piece, 656 denotes a marking opening, and 657 denotes a plate storage portion.

  A marker opening 656 is provided on the surface of the toner cartridge 611, and a cavity of the plate storage portion 657 is provided so as to communicate with this. A logo labeling plate 654 is accommodated in the plate accommodating portion 657 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction of the drawing.

  The logo marking plate 654 is formed with a surface region to which the ID tag memory seal 100 is attached, and a plate vertical piece 655 which is a protruding piece configured perpendicularly thereto. When the plate vertical piece 655 is moved in the left direction of the drawing, the ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the logo sign plate 654 moves from the sign opening 656 to the plate storage section 657, and the ID tag memory seal 100 logo signs 121 are configured to be invisible to the user.

  Next, attachment of the toner cartridge 611 configured as described above to the printer 2 will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted. 15A shows a state immediately before the toner cartridge is set at the mounting position, FIG. 15B shows a state where the toner cartridge is set at the mounting position, and FIG. 15C shows a state when the toner cartridge is replaced. The state of removal is shown. In FIG. 15, the toner cartridge 611 is attached so that the toner cartridge 611 is pushed in from the right to the left, and the toner cartridge 611 is drawn out from the left to the right when the toner cartridge is removed.

  In FIG. 15, reference numeral 595 denotes a logo sign control mechanism, 596 denotes an elastic member, and 597 denotes an engaging claw.

Both the tag memory reader / writer unit 55 and the logo marker control mechanism unit 595 are configured on the printer 2 side. In this embodiment, since the mechanism for locking the toner cartridge is omitted, the cartridge lock control unit 58 in the printer 2 can be omitted.

  Further, since the logo marker control mechanism 595 is operated by the elastic member 596, the logo marker control unit 59 of the printer 2 can be omitted. Further, in FIG. 15, only the read / write unit of the ID tag memory 650 is shown as the tag memory reader / writer unit 55, and the read / write unit of the history tag memory 612 is not shown here.

  The logo marker control mechanism 595 includes an engaging claw 597 that can be engaged with the plate vertical piece 655 and an elastic member 596 that applies an elastic force to the engaging claw 597 in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 15A shows a state immediately before the toner cartridge 611 is set at the mounting position. When the user pushes the toner cartridge to the left as it is, the engaging claw 597 is caused by the action of the elastic member 596. It moves up and down so as to get over the plate vertical piece 655. Accordingly, the user can set the toner cartridge 611 at the cartridge mounting position of the printer 2 while obtaining an appropriate click feeling.

  FIG. 15B shows a state in which the toner cartridge 611 is set at the mounting position. At this time, the engaging claw 597 is engaged with the plate vertical piece 655 as shown in the figure. . 15B, the tag memory reader / writer 55 located on the upper surface of the ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the logo marker plate 654 can read and write the ID tag memory 650. It can be done.

  FIG. 15C shows the state of removal when the toner cartridge 611 is replaced. That is, a state immediately after the toner cartridge 611 is separated from the mounting position is shown. At this time, the engaging claw 597 maintains the engaged state with the plate vertical piece 655 as shown in the figure, so that the logo mark The ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the logo marker plate 654 is moved from the marker opening 656 to the plate storage unit 657, and the logo of the ID tag memory seal 100 is moved. The sign 121 can be made invisible to the user. In addition, due to such movement, the ID tag memory 650 of the ID tag memory seal 100 is displaced from the reading position of the tag memory reader / writer unit 55. In addition, an aluminum layer may be provided on the inner surface of the sign opening 657 so that the tag memory reader / writer 55 cannot recognize the ID tag memory 650. As a result, even if the toner cartridge 611 is mounted on the printer 2 again, the ID tag memory 650 cannot be electrically recognized.

  In this embodiment, the ID tag memory 650 is always moved when the toner cartridge 611 is removed from the printer 2 regardless of whether or not the user intends to end the toner cartridge 611. Regardless of whether or not there is an intention to finish, the ID tag memory 650 is always moved when the toner cartridge 611 is removed from the printer 2. The winding roll for winding the logo marking film shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is used. It can also be configured according to the embodiment.

  According to the above configuration, the ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the logo labeling plate 654 and the logo labeling film 660 is always moved after the toner cartridge 611 is used for the first time. Therefore, by checking the state of the ID tag memory seal 100, the user can determine at a glance whether the toner cartridge is a refilled product that has been refilled, and the printer 2 side. However, it is possible to determine whether or not the consumable cartridge is electrically refilled.

  Next, the configuration of a toner cartridge according to another embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a view showing a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16A shows a top view of the toner cartridge, and FIG. 16B shows a part of the A-A ′ cross section.

  The configuration of the toner cartridge and printer according to the present embodiment is greatly different from the configurations of the toner cartridge and printer described above in the position where the ID tag memory seal 100 is attached. In the embodiments described so far, the toner cartridge is provided with a predetermined movable part, and the toner cartridge is attached to the movable part. In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge is moved during the process for regenerating the toner cartridge. The ID tag memory seal 100 is configured to be attached to a place that must be provided.

  In FIG. 16, reference numeral 680 denotes a toner sealing port, and 681 denotes a cap part. As shown in FIG. 16, in this embodiment, the cap part closes the toner sealing port 680 for sealing toner in the toner cartridge 611. The ID tag memory seal 100 is attached so as to cover 681.

  FIG. 17 is a view showing a state of a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention when the printer is mounted, and FIG. 18 is a view showing a state of toner refilling in the toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. is there.

  Also in this embodiment, the tag memory reader / writer unit 55 which is the configuration on the printer 2 side is in a position where the ID tag memory 650 of the ID tag memory seal 100 attached to the cap unit 681 can be read and written as shown in FIG. Provide. Accordingly, when the ID tag memory sticker 100 is read by the tag memory reader / writer unit 55 and the unique ID of the manufacturer of the printer 2 cannot be recognized, the user can use the operation display panel 711. A warning is displayed. The content of the warning display at this time is, for example, “The detected toner cartridge may not be a toner cartridge supplied by the manufacturer. If a failure occurs due to the use of this toner cartridge, repair will be charged. Please note that this may happen. " By performing such a warning, the manufacturer of the printer 2 asks the user to use the toner cartridge after the toner cartridge is a refill product and is aware of the risks associated with the use of the refill product. Is possible.

  Further, when the toner is encapsulated in the toner cartridge 611 configured as in the present embodiment and the toner is to be reproduced, the ID tag memory attached to the cap unit 681 as shown in FIG. The seal 100 must be peeled off so that the toner sealing port 680 appears. That is, also in this embodiment, the ID tag memory seal 100 is always moved after the first use of the toner cartridge 611. Therefore, by checking the state of the ID tag memory seal 100, the user can In addition, it is possible to determine at a glance whether the toner cartridge is a refilled product that has been refilled, and whether the toner cartridge is also a refilled product that has been electrically refilled with the consumable cartridge. Can be discriminated.

  In the above description, the toner cartridge is used as the printer consumable. However, the present invention can be applied to all consumable cartridges filled with a recording material for an image forming apparatus. The concept of the present invention can also be applied to a printer of a type and an ink cartridge that is a consumable item.

In the above description, an example of a printer as an image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to the relationship between an image forming apparatus and consumables necessary for image formation. The present invention relates to image forming of other image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines, electrophotographic facsimile machines, electrophotographic multifunction machines, ink jet printers, ink jet facsimile machines, and ink jet multifunction machines. It can also be applied to an apparatus.

  Further, although an example in which an RFID chip is used as the ID tag memory 650 has been described, the ID tag memory 650 is electrically connected to the toner cartridge 611 supplied by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus (printer 2). It suffices to have a function as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the manufacturer of the printer 2 supplies the toner cartridge depending on whether or not the ID tag memory 650 is set as a resistor having a predetermined resistance value and is made conductive to detect the predetermined resistance value on the printer 2 side. You may make it determine whether it is a thing.

  In addition, although various embodiments have been described above, the present invention includes embodiments composed of arbitrary combinations of components of the respective embodiments.

1 is a configuration diagram (block diagram) of a printer as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. It is a block diagram (main part sectional drawing) centering on the mechanism of the engine 6 part of the printer 2 of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure of an ID tag memory seal used in the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state when the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the toner cartridge is mounted according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for removing a toner cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view showing a moving mechanism of an ID tag memory seal 100 of a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a printer. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing when a toner cartridge is mounted according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for removing a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention is mounted. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention is mounted. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state of toner refilling in a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host computer (host apparatus), 2 ... Printer, 3 ... Printer driver, 4 ... Controller part, 41 ... Communication i / F, 5 ... Engine control part,
6 ... Engine, 7 ... Operation part (operation means), 71 ... Operation display panel, 51 ... CPU, 52 ... ROM, 53 ... RAM, 54 ... For log recording Memory 55... Tag memory reader / writer unit 58... Cartridge lock control unit 58... Cartridge lock control unit 59. 62 ... Other engine unit, 611 ... Toner cartridge (development unit), 612 ... History tag memory, 7 ... Operation unit, 71 ..., Operation display panel, 92 ... Feed Paper cartridge, 94 ... feed roller, 95 ... cursor, 100 ... ID tag memory seal, 110 ... base film, 111 ... antenna part, 112,113 ... electrode part, 120 ... logo sign part, 121 ... logo sign, 580 ... cartridge lock control mechanism part, 581 ... lock claw moving mechanism, 582 ... lock claw, 590 ... logo sign control mechanism part , 591 ... engagement claw moving mechanism, 592 ... engagement claw, 595 ... logo label control mechanism, 596 ... elastic member, 597 ... engagement claw, 650 ... RFID chip (ID tag memory), 653... Lock claw engaging recess, 654... Logo marking plate, 655... Plate vertical piece, 656. 660... Logo marking film 661 .. take-up roll 662 .. delivery roll 663 .. rack interlocking lever 664 .. pinion member 665 .. rack member 680.・Toner filling port, 681 ... cap section, 683 ... opening, 685 ... Tekojo member, 686 ... sealing arms, 687 ... boost arms unit, 688 ... supporting point portion

Claims (9)

A consumable cartridge for supplying a consumable used for an image forming process of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus,
A memory identification unit including a memory electrically indicating that the cartridge is a consumable cartridge supplied by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus and a label unit provided on the memory surface is provided at a predetermined location.
The memory identification unit is configured to be movable from the predetermined position so that reading by the memory reader unit of the image forming apparatus is disabled when a consumable cartridge removal request is confirmed by the image forming apparatus. Consumable cartridge to be used.   The consumable cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sign part is a logo sign part that visually recognizes that the consumable cartridge is supplied by a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus.   The consumable cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the memory identification unit is configured to be movable in conjunction with an operation of removing the consumable cartridge from the image forming apparatus.   The consumable cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the memory identification unit is a slidable plate.   The consumable cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the memory identification unit is a rollable film. The consumable cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the memory identification unit is provided on a cap portion that seals a consumable filling port used when the consumable cartridge is filled with the consumable. An image forming apparatus to which a consumable cartridge having a memory identification portion provided at a predetermined position is provided, which includes a memory that is electrically supplied by a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus and a marking portion provided on the surface of the memory. There,
A memory reader / writer unit for reading and writing information stored in the memory;
A removal request determination unit that determines whether or not a request for removal of the consumable cartridge has been made;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a moving mechanism that moves a memory identification unit when it is determined that a removal request is made. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the tag memory reader / writer unit rewrites information stored in the memory when the removal request determination unit determines that a consumable cartridge removal request is made. An image forming apparatus in which a consumable cartridge having a memory identification unit provided at a predetermined position is provided with a memory electrically indicating that a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus supplies and a marking unit provided on the memory. There,
A memory reader / writer unit for reading and writing information stored in the memory;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a moving mechanism that moves the memory identification unit in conjunction with an operation of removing the consumable cartridge from the image forming apparatus.

Images