CN1716132B - Process cartridge for an image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A process cartridge detachably inserted into a main body of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge having at least one constituent element performing an image forming process and a nonvolatile memory (20: 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K). In a non-volatile memory, data with the same content is stored in multiple storage units spaced apart from each other, and the number of storage units depends on the type of data. For a plurality of memory cells for the same data content, an address shift amount between one memory cell and another memory cell is set according to the data type.

Description

Process cartridge for image forming device

This application is a divisional application of the Chinese invention patent application No. 01125491.2 filed on July 24, 2001, entitled "Processing Box for Imaging Device".

technical field

The present invention relates to a process cartridge detachably inserted into an image forming apparatus main body, and having executable image forming process components and a nonvolatile memory storing given information associated with an address.

Background technique

In recent years, a process cartridge detachably inserted into an image forming apparatus main body has come into general use with the main purpose of recovering natural resources. In addition to the components necessary to complete the known electrophotographic process, including a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, an exposing unit, a developing unit, a cleaner, and a toner storage, some of these process cartridges also have non-volatile The memory stores information on the respective process cartridges.

FIG. 6 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-19929 shows a memory map of an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) which is a nonvolatile memory included in a process cartridge. It is obvious from the storage map that data of the same content is stored in a plurality of addresses, and each address is separated from each other to enhance the reliability of data recording. In addition, since the shift amount ("address shift amount") between adjacent memory cells storing the same data is constant (32 in the above-mentioned memory map), storing and reading data can be simplified as an access procedure .

However, the above-mentioned constant address shift amount leads to an unhelpful increase in address usage, resulting in low storage efficiency. It is inconvenient for the process cartridge because it is difficult to mount a large-capacity memory thereon, and in consideration of cost.

Contents of the invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a process for detachably inserting into the main body of an image forming apparatus, and having an executable image forming process component (such as a toner storage) and a nonvolatile memory containing various information. An improvement in cartridges that allows data to be stored in a non-volatile memory with a more preferable data distribution without the above disadvantages.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachably inserted into an image forming apparatus main body, comprising:

components that perform the imaging process, and

Non-volatile memory, which stores data with the same content in a plurality of mutually spaced storage units, the number of which depends on the type of data in question, one storage unit corresponds to one or more consecutive addresses,

Wherein, the data having the same content stored in a plurality of storage units spaced apart from each other is rewritable data, and the number of storage units storing one rewritable data in the nonvolatile memory is the same as or less than Each read-only data is stored in a storage unit, and among all the rewritable data, the rewritable data is assigned to the storage unit with the smallest number of storage units.

In the process cartridge according to the present invention, the nonvolatile memory stores data with the same content in a plurality of mutually spaced storage units, the number of storage units depends on the type of data, and one storage unit corresponding to one or more consecutive addresses , and for a plurality of storage units for the same data content, an address shift amount between one storage unit and another storage unit is set according to the data type. Storing one piece of data in multiple spaced apart memory locations allows another piece of data to be stored between the memory locations. It is therefore less likely that the same data stored in different storage units will be corrupted at the same time. Also, the storage efficiency of the nonvolatile memory is also increased.

In one embodiment, address shift amounts of multiple data allocated to different numbers of storage units in the nonvolatile memory are different. On the other hand, the address shift amounts of a plurality of data allocated to the same number of memory cells in the nonvolatile memory are the same.

In a non-volatile memory, data allocated to a single memory cell may be stored at an address preceding an address for storing a second memory cell having the same data content. Therefore, even if the process cartridge is inserted into a test machine in which no data arrangement rules for the nonvolatile memory of the process cartridge are installed, the machine only passes through the Sequential access from the earliest address also reads all data stored in non-volatile memory. Therefore, nonvolatile memory can be accessed with simpler control.

Rewritable data is susceptible to errors that accompany write operations, while read-only data not only has a low risk of errors since it is not affected by write operations, but also has a low degree of importance or validity. In view of this, in one embodiment, the non-volatile memory stores rewritable data with the same content at a plurality of separated storage units, and the number is the same or less than that used in all rewritable data Read-only data (for example, data indicating a type of process cartridge) is stored in memory cells assigned to rewritable data memory cells of the minimum number of memory cells. Therefore, the data can be effectively mapped or arranged according to the frequency or ratio of errors and the degree of importance, so that the data arrangement of the non-volatile memory is more reliable.

The rewritable data may include counter data representing a count value when an image forming process is performed with the process cartridge. The rewritable data may also include insertion detection data indicating whether the process cartridge is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus, and/or new product detection data indicating whether the process cartridge is new. The number of memory cells of the nonvolatile memory for insertion detection data and new product detection data can be smaller than the number of memory cells for counter data because the frequency of reading insertion detection data and new product detection data will be less than reading the counter The frequency of the data, so it is less susceptible than counter data.

In one embodiment, the nonvolatile memory sequentially stores insertion detection data indicating whether the process cartridge has been inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus, target data indicating the target of the process cartridge, indicating formed by the process cartridge, in order from the earliest address. The color code data for the image color.

A process cartridge having such a data arrangement of the nonvolatile memory allows the control system on the side of the main body of the image forming apparatus to access the nonvolatile memory, reading data sequentially from the earliest address as follows. First, the control system reads insertion detection data to determine whether a process cartridge exists in the main body of the image forming apparatus. If so, the control system reads the next target data to determine whether the specified target of the process cartridge coincides with the target data of the imaging device itself. The final result indicates whether the process cartridge matches the main body of the imaging device. If the process cartridge is determined to match the main body of the image forming apparatus, the control system reads the color code data to determine whether the process cartridge is placed in place on the main body of the image forming apparatus (eg, in a location that matches the color of the process cartridge). Only after it is determined that the process cartridge is in the position of the main body of the image forming apparatus is it determined that the process cartridge has been correctly inserted into the image forming apparatus. Thereafter, the control system of the image forming apparatus allows various control operations for image formation using the process cartridge to be started.

It can be understood from the above that the control system on the side of the imaging device does not need to have a data table storing the order of accessing the non-volatile memory addresses, but allows sequential access to the non-volatile memory addresses from the first. Therefore, the arrangement of data in such a nonvolatile memory can simplify control regarding access thereto by the control system of the imaging device. This is also true when the process cartridge is inserted into the testing machine before shipping the process cartridge or after recycling or returning the process cartridge.

In order to obtain a carefully inspected process cartridge object, the object data may include, in address order, shipping object data indicating destinations classified by region, and OEM code data indicating an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that manufactured the process cartridge.

Density adjustments to the process cartridges are generally required prior to other controls on the imaging operation to achieve color balance with other process cartridges placed in the main body of the imaging device. In one embodiment, in order to meet this need, new product detection data indicating whether the process cartridge is new is contained at an address subsequent to the address where the color code data is stored in the nonvolatile memory. The control system of the image forming apparatus reads the color code data only after determining that the nonvolatile memory has been correctly inserted, but before starting control of the image forming operation using the process cartridge. When it is determined that the process cartridge is new, density adjustment of the process cartridge is allowed before the control of image formation with the process cartridge is started.

To facilitate manufacture of the process cartridge, at least one constituent element of the process cartridge may include a photosensitive unit including a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a cleaner, and a developing unit including a developing device and a toner storage.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

Description of drawings

The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example only and are therefore not limiting of the invention, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the construction of the whole printer system including a printer in which a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed;

Figure 2 shows the operator panel of the printer;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the printer;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a process cartridge;

Figure 5 shows the method of inserting the process cartridge into the printer main body;

6 schematically illustrates the configuration of the printer control system, and process cartridges of different colors are inserted into the printer main body;

Fig. 7 shows an example of displaying data read from EEPROM and data stored therein at the monitor terminal;

Fig. 8 has shown the example of the storage image of an EEPROM;

Figure 9 shows the number of storage units of each data according to the number of accesses and the degree of importance;

Figure 10 illustrates an example of arranging data according to a rule;

Figures 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D show data exchange between the printer main body and the process cartridge;

Figure 12 shows the control flow regarding the "developing roller counter" data;

Figure 13 shows the control flow regarding the "new product detection" data;

Figure 14 shows the control flow regarding "TC history" data;

Figure 15 shows the control flow regarding the "target" data;

Fig. 16 has shown the example of the storage image of another EEPROM;

Figure 17 shows the main paths for controlling the EEPROMs of different-color process cartridges placed in the printer main body;

Fig. 18 shows a part of the detailed flow for controlling the EEPROMs of process cartridges of different colors;

Fig. 19 shows a part of the detailed flow for controlling the EEPROMs of process cartridges of different colors;

FIG. 20 shows another flow for controlling the EEPROMs of the process cartridges of different colors shown in FIG. 19. FIG.

Detailed ways

FIG. 1 shows the construction of an entire printer system 1 including a printer 3 into which a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention has been inserted. The printer system 1 has a LAN 2 (local area network), and a plurality of terminals PC1-PCn, and a printer 3 connected to the LAN 2.

Each of the terminals PC1-PCn has a personal computer main unit 401 having a hard disk and the like, and a monitor display 402 and a keyboard 403 connected to the main unit 401 . Installed on the hard disk are an OS (Operating System) compatible with the LAN2, a printer driver, and application software for creating documents and the like.

When a document generated using application software is printed out with the printer 3, image data (print data) of document data and paper information (such as paper size information) of one size on which the document is printed etc. is sent to the printer via the LAN 2. 3.

The printer 3 has a scanning part 4 for reading the image of the original document and a printing part 10 for forming an image based on the image data of the original document read by the scanning part 4 or the printing data sent from PC1-PCn via the LAN 2.

The scanning part 4 is of a known type. That is, in the scanning part 4, a light source emits light onto the original document, and the CCD image sensor converts the light reflected from the original document into an electronic signal, and the electronic signal thus obtained is used for printing. The controller 25 (see FIG. 6) of the section 10 converts into image data.

The printing section 10 forms an image on paper using an electrophotographic method. In this embodiment, the printing section 10 has a printer main body 5, a paper feed cassette 6 for setting A4 size paper, and a paper feed cassette 7 for setting B4 size paper. Each of the paper feed cassettes 6 and 7 is provided with a paper detection sensor (not shown). A detection signal is transmitted from the paper detection sensor to the controller 25 . Based on the detection signal, the controller 25 determines whether paper is set in the paper feeding cassettes 6 and 7 .

The operation panel 8 is placed at a position where the scanning section 4 is easy to operate. As shown in FIG. 2 , the operation panel 8 has a liquid crystal display 501 and a touch panel 506 made of a transparent material and placed on the liquid crystal display 501 . The liquid crystal display 501 displays the operation mode of the printer 3 and its internal status. The touch panel 506 has pressure sensitive switches. By using the touch panel 506 and the liquid crystal display 501 in combination, the user can input a printing operation mode and the like. The operation panel 8 has a ten-key number pad 502 for inputting values such as the number of prints, the print magnification, etc., the start key 505 is used to indicate the start of the print operation, and the clear key is used to clear the print operation set by the user mode, the stop key is used to stop the printing operation of the printer 3 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the printer 3 has process cartridges 9Y, 9M detachably attached to Y (yellow), M (maternal), C (cyan), and K (black) image forming parts respectively located approximately in the center of the printer main body 5 , 9C and 9K. As constituent elements for forming an image, each of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K includes a photosensitive drum 111, a charging unit 101, an exposure unit 102 with a light emitting diode (LED), a developing unit 103, and a photosensitive drum 111 all placed around the photosensitive drum 111. A cleaner for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 111. Also, the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K respectively include toner storages (not shown) for supplying yellow, magenta, cyan and black toners to their respective developing units 103 . An ATDC (Automatic Toner Density Controller) sensor (not shown) that detects the density of the toner and automatically adjusts the density of the toner in the toner storage is integrally installed in each of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K on the developing unit 103. The photosensitive drums 111 of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K face respective primary transfer rollers 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K with an intermediate transfer belt 113 supported by rollers 112a, 112b, and 112c interposed therebetween.

The paper feeding/conveying section 120 is placed at a lower position of the printer main body 5 . In the paper feeding/conveying section 120, the paper feeding roller 109 feeds the paper 108 accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 6 (for convenience, the paper feeding cassette 7 is not shown in FIG. The paper is conveyed to the second transfer roller 105 .

In the respective image forming locations Y, M, C, and K, the charging unit 101 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 111 . Then, based on the image data, light emitting diodes (LEDs) emit light to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 111 . The developing unit 103 attaches the toner supplied from the toner storage to the photosensitive drum 111 to form an electrostatic latent image, and forms (develops) a toner image. The first transfer roller 104 first transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 111 to the intermediate transfer belt 113 driven by rollers 112a, 112b, and 112c. The second transfer roller 105 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 113 to the paper 108 supplied by the transfer roller 110a. The paper 108 to which the toner image has been transferred is fed to a fixing/ejecting portion 106 placed in a higher position of the printer main body 5 .

The fixing/ejecting portion 106 fixes the toner on the paper 108 . Then, the fixing/ejecting portion 106 ejects the paper (print) on which the toner image has been fixed to the output tray portion 114 placed in a higher position of the printer main body 5 by the conveying roller 110 b.

The printer main body 5 has an unshown front end housing which shields the user from at least the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K. Sensor SE16 detects whether the front cover is opened or closed.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 9 (representing 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K). The process cartridge 9 is formed by integrating the photosensitive drum 111, the charging unit 101, the exposing unit 102, the developing unit 103 and the cleaner 116 shown in FIG. 3 into one unit. The process cartridge 9 incorporates a nonvolatile memory EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 20 . Also, a data transfer connector 21 is provided on the end surface of the process cartridge 9 . When the process cartridge 9 is inserted into the printer main body 5, the process cartridge 9 slides in along the guide rail element 163 formed inside the printer main body 5 until the connector 21 of the process cartridge 9 is connected with the relevant connector 160 of the printer main body 5, As shown in Figure 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates the configuration of the control system of the printer 3 while the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are installed in the printer main body 5 . The connectors 21Y, 21M, 21C and 21K (corresponding to 21 of FIG. 5 of 160) on.

The printer 3 has a controller 25 for controlling the entire printer operation, and a control board 26 for controlling the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K. The control board 26 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 27 , ROM (Read Only Memory) 28 , RAM (Random Access Memory) 29 , expansion I/O (Input/Output) interface 30 and serial-to-parallel converter 31 . CPU27, ROM28, RAM29, expansion I/O interface 30 and serial parallel converter 31 exchange data with each other through address data bus 40. The CPU 27 exchanges data with the controller 25 to implement the printing process. Via the serial buses 41Y, 41M, 41C and 41K, the serial-to-parallel converter 31 of the control board 26 exchanges data with the EEPROMs 20Y, 20M, 20C and 20K (corresponding to 20 of FIG. 5 ) of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K, respectively. . Control board 26 is connected on the LAN 2 with RS232C interface 161. Therefore, data exchange is performed between the control board 26 and the terminal (only PC1 is shown in FIG. 6 for convenience) through the LAN2 to display the information of the EEPROM20 on the monitor display 402 of the terminal PC1.

7 shows an example of displaying data read from the EEPROM on the monitor display 402 of the terminal PC1, and data stored therein when the control board 26 and the terminal PC1 exchange data via the LAN2.

In the display example, a data display portion 217 and a data saving portion 218 are displayed. The data display part 217 has an EEPROM selection vertical list (drop-down list) 219, which the user can use to select desired display data from the EEPROMs 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, and a "download data" button 220 to download data from the selected The data is read in the EEPROM 20, and there is also a data display area 221, which displays the read data. Data preservation part 218 has EEPROM selection longitudinal list (drop-down list) 222, and the user can use it to select the data that needs to be stored from EEPROM20Y, 20M, 20C and 20K, " preserve data " button 223, with the selected EEPROM 20 The data is saved in a file, and the data display area 224, in which the saved data is displayed.

When displaying the data stored in the data display area 221 of the EEPROM 20, the user develops the EEPROM selection drop list 219 to select the data EEPROM 20 to be displayed from among the EEPROMs 20Y, 20M, 20C and 20K. Thereafter, pressing the "download data" button 220 reads the data of the EEPROM 20 and the read data displayed in the data display area 221 .

When storing data in any of the EEPROMs 20Y, 20M, 20C and 20K, the user develops an EEPROM selection drop list 222 and selects the data EEPROM 20 to be stored from the EEPROMs 20Y, 20M, 20C and 20K. Thereafter, pressing the “Save Data” button 223 saves the data in a file, and displays the stored data in the data display area 224 . By viewing the display, the user can easily confirm the data content stored in the EEPROM 20 .

The data display areas 221 and 224 respectively have display storage units (locations) with addresses 0-32 of Adisp and Asave. The addresses of Adisp and Asave are equivalent to the address of EEPROM20. That is, the data read from the EEPROM 20 and the data to be stored therein are displayed in the display storage units of the data display areas 221 and 224 respectively in accordance with the address sequence of the EEPROM 20 .

FIG. 8 shows an example of a memory map of the EEPROM 20 incorporated in each process cartridge 9. As shown in FIG. In the table shown in Fig. 8, the column name refers to the address where the code storing data is formed with two bytes as "address", and "data name" refers to the data name to be stored (or stored), "Start value" refers to a value stored at the time of shipment from a factory, and "data type" refers to whether data to be stored (or already stored) is only read-only data or rewrite data.

As is evident from the memory map, the stored data is divided into read-only data, such as those named "Color Code" and "Lot Number," and overwritten data, such as those named "Developing Roller Counter" and "Photosensitive Drum Counter" data.

The “insertion detection” data refers to whether or not the process cartridge 9 has been inserted into the printer main body 5 . The "new product detection" data refers to whether or not the process cartridge 9 is new. The "shipping destination" data refers to the destination area where the process cartridge 9 is shipped, such as Japan, North America, and the like. The "OEM code" data refers to an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) that manufactures the process cartridge 9 . That is, the "OEM code" data refers to the purchaser of the process cartridge 9 under the brand on which the process cartridge 9 is sold. The "color code" data refers to the image color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) formed by the process cartridge 9 . The "lot number" data refers to the lot number of the process cartridge 9 . Each "number of recycling" data refers to the remaining number of recycling process cartridges 9 . The “TC history” data refers to the history of the ratio of toner to carrier in the developing unit 103 of the process cartridge 9 . The "ADTC sensor shift value" data refers to the control amount for the developing unit 103 of the process cartridge 9 with respect to the output of the ADTC sensor. The “developing roller counter” data refers to the number of developing units 103 using the process cartridge 9 . The "photosensitive drum counter" data refers to the number of photosensitive drums 111 using the process cartridge 9 .

Read-only data having the same content is not stored in multiple addresses of the memory, but is stored in one address. On the other hand, rewriting data having the same content is stored in a plurality of addresses of the memory separated from each other depending on the number of accesses and the degree of importance. When data is stored in consecutive addresses, it is considered that data is stored in one memory unit. Data is stored according to the following rules.

(a) The same data having a large number of accesses and a high degree of importance are stored in 3 storage units separated from each other. For example, the value of "developing roller counter" is stored in 3 memory locations of address 23-24, address 48-49 and address 59-60. Similarly, the value of "photosensitive drum counter" is stored in the 3 memory locations of address 25-26, address 50-51 and address 61-62.

(b) Store the same data with the average number of accesses and the average degree of importance in two storage units separated from each other. For example, the result of "insertion detection" is stored in two memory locations at address 0 and address 40. Similarly, the result of "new product detection" is stored in two storage units at address 1 and address 41.

(c) The same data having a low number of accesses and a low degree of importance are stored in 1 storage unit. For example, "TC history" is stored in only one storage unit at address 21 . Similarly, "ADTC sensor shift value" data is stored in only 1 memory location at address 22.

The table shown in FIG. 9 lists the number of memory storage units of each data according to the number of accesses and the degree of importance based on the rules (a)-(c).

According to the rules (a)-(c), the data is efficiently arranged in the EEPROM 20 according to the frequency and importance of errors. Therefore, EEPROM 20 has a preferred data arrangement.

(d) In a plurality of different data respectively stored in the same number of memory cells separated from each other, the amount of address shift is the same. For example, for the "developing roller counter" data and "photosensitive counter" data stored in three storage units respectively, the second storage unit (address 48-49, address 50-51) is compared to the first storage unit (address 23-24 , address 25-26) address shift amount is 25, the third storage unit (address 59-60, address 61-62) to the second storage unit (address 48-49, address 50-51) address shift amount The same is 11. For the "insertion detection" data and "new product detection" data stored in 2 memory storage units respectively, the second storage unit (address 40, address 41) shifts the address of the first storage unit (address 0, address 1) The same amount is 40.

(e) Among the data having different numbers of memory cells, the address shift amounts are different from each other. For example, for the "developing roller counter" data and "photosensitive counter" data stored in three storage units respectively, the address shift amount of the first and second storage unit is 25, and the address shift amount of the second and third storage unit The amount is 11. These address shift amounts are different from the address shift amounts 40 of the "insertion detection" data and the "new product detection" data respectively stored in the two memory cells.

(f) Data stored in one storage unit, that is, read-only data such as "purpose" data and "OEM" data, and some rewriting data such as "TC history" data and "ADTC sensor shift value" data is stored in an address prior to a second address having the same content stored in the plurality of storage units. For example, "purpose" data, "OEM" data, "TC history" data and "ADTC sensor shift value" data are stored in addresses 2, 3, 21, 22, respectively. The serial numbers of these addresses 2, 3, 21, 22 are lower than the second lowest serial address 40 (the second address of the "insert detection" data) with the same content stored in the plurality of addresses.

(g) The total number of addresses existing between adjacent memory cells storing data is greater than the number of addresses for storing other data of a given number of memory cells different from the first data mentioned. Its purpose is to place other data between adjacent first data storage units.

Fig. 10 illustrates an example of data arrangement according to rules (d)-(g). The vertically arranged four-square boxes in FIG. 10 refer to data placed in order of addresses, and the numbers before the hyphens in each four-square box refer to the number of storage units storing the same data. The numbers after the hyphen in each box refer to the serial number of the same data. For example, the uppermost indication "2-1" means that two storage units are allocated to the data, and the data is stored in the first of the two storage units. "1-1" after "2-1" means that a storage unit is allocated to the data, and the data is stored in a single storage unit. "3-1" after "1-1" means that three storage units are allocated to the data, and the data is stored in the first of the three storage units.

According to the rules (d)-(g), other data with a certain number of storage units are placed between the same data stored in a plurality of storage units. Referring to the data arrangement shown in FIG. 10, the data "1-1" and "3-1" are placed between the same content data "2-1" and "2-2", and the data "2-2" is placed in the same The content data is between "3-1" and "3-2". Therefore, there is little possibility that the data "2-1" and "2-2" of the same content and the data "3-1" and "3-2" of the same content are simultaneously damaged.

In addition, it is possible to enhance the storage efficiency of the EEPROM and efficiently place data in the EEPROM 20. For example, only 63 codes are required in the memory map shown in Figure 8, while 127 codes are required in the conventional memory map.

Also, since the rules for arranging data in the EEPROM 20 are established, access procedures for storing and reading data can be simplified. Specifically, according to the rule (f), even if the process cartridge 9 is set in a machine (for example, a testing machine used after transporting the process cartridge 9 or recycling it) into which the EEPROM 20 has not entered the arrangement data rule, the Access address, before accessing data of the same content stored in multiple places, all the data stored in the EEPROM 20 can be read without repeatedly reading the same data. Therefore, control of access to the EEPROM 20 can be simplified.

11A-11D illustrate data exchange modes between the printer main body 5 (more specifically, the control board 26) and the process cartridge 9. As shown in FIG. FIG. 11A shows data exchange of "developing roller counter" as an example of rewriting data stored in three storage units. FIG. 11B shows data exchange of "new product detection" as an example of rewriting data stored in 2 storage units. FIG. 11C shows data exchange of "TC history" as an example of rewriting data stored in 1 memory cell. FIG. 11D shows the data exchange of "transport destination" which is an example of read-only data stored in only 1 storage unit. In any of the above cases, the printer main body 5 sends a control (request) signal to the process cartridge 9 through the serial transmission bus Tx, and receives a response signal to the request signal from the process cartridge 9 through the serial reception bus Rx.

The control steps of the data exchange (shown in FIGS. 11A-11D ) will be described in detail below, assuming that the storage map of the EEPROM 20 is as shown in FIG. 8 .

Referring to FIG. 12, in the control of data exchange of "developing roller counter", it is determined in step 101 whether the accepted request is a "write" request or a "read" request. If the accepted request is a "write" request, a write address 23 for storing "developing roller counter" data is set in step S102 to perform a write operation in step S103. In step S104, address 48 is obtained by adding an address shift amount of 25 to address 23, and is set as a write address to perform a write operation in S105. Thereafter, in step S106, address 59 is obtained by adding an address shift amount of 11 to address 48, and is set as a write address to perform a write operation in S107. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that the accepted request is a "read" request, a designated read address is set in step S111. In step S112, a continuous read operation or a code read operation is performed, and data is read at a specified read address. In step S113 , the read data is set in a sending buffer (not shown), and the read data is sent to the printer main body 5 . Then, the read data is sent from the process cartridge 9 to the printer main body 5 through the serial transmission bus Tx.

Referring to FIG. 13, in the control of the "new product detection" data exchange, in step 121 it is discriminated whether the content of the accepted request is a "write" request or a "read" request. If the accepted request is a "write" request, a write address 1 for storing "new product detection" data is set in step S122 to perform a write operation in step S123. In step S124, address 41 is obtained by adding an address shift amount of 40 to address 1, and is set as a write address to perform a write operation in S125. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S121 that the accepted request is a "read" request, a designated read address is set in step S131. In step S132, a continuous read operation or a code read operation is performed, and data is read at a specified read address. In step S133 , the read data is set in a sending buffer (not shown) for sending the read data to the printer main body 5 . Then, the read data is sent from the process cartridge 9 to the printer main body 5 through the serial transmission bus Tx.

Referring to FIG. 14, in the control of "TC history" data exchange, in step 141 it is discriminated whether the content of the accepted request is a "write" request or a "read" request. If the accepted request is a "write" request, a write address 21 for storing "TC history" data is set in step S142 to perform a write operation in step S143. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S141 that the accepted request is a "read" request, a designated read address (21 in this case) is set in step S151. In step S152, a continuous read operation or a code read operation is performed, and data is read at a specified read address. In step S153 , the read data is set in a sending buffer (not shown) for sending the read data to the printer main body 5 . Then, the read data is sent from the process cartridge 9 to the printer main body 5 through the serial transmission bus Tx.

Referring to FIG. 15, in the control of "transport destination" data exchange, since the "transport destination" data is read-only data, it is not necessary to determine whether the content of the acceptance request is a "write" request or a "read" request. Therefore, once the write request is accepted, a specified read address 2 is set in step S161. In step S162, a continuous read operation or a code read operation is performed to read data at a specified read address. In step S163 , the read data is set in a sending buffer (not shown) for sending the read data to the printer main body 5 . The read data is sent from the process cartridge 9 to the printer main body 5 through the serial transmission bus Tx.

FIG. 16 shows another example of the memory map added to the EEPROM 20 of each process cartridge 9. As shown in FIG. Similar to the storage map shown in FIG. 8, read-only data is not stored in multiple storage units, but only in one storage unit. On the other hand, rewriting data having the same content is stored in a plurality of storage units separated from each other according to the number of times of access and the degree of importance thereof. Also, similar to the memory map of FIG. 8, if data is stored in consecutive addresses, the consecutive addresses are regarded as one memory unit.

The memory map shown in Figure 16 is characterized in that "insertion detection" data, "shipment destination" data, "OEM code" data, "color code" data and "new product detection" data are stored in the first address 0 to address 4.

FIG. 17 shows the main program of the out process to be executed by the CPU 27 (included in the control board 26 of the printer main body 5) to detect whether the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K have been properly set or inserted into the printer main body 5. middle.

When the power is turned on, in step S201, the CPU 27 detects whether an EEPROM (an unillustrated nonvolatile memory different from the EEPROM 20) that stores the program transfer processing procedure of the CPU 27 exists in the printer main body 5. If the EEPROM is not present, a problem can be determined to have occurred. Therefore the subsequent processing is not performed.

The sensor SE16 shown in Figure 13 detects that when the EEPROM exists in the printer body 5, the front cover of the printer body 5 progresses from its open state to the closed state, and the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are processed in steps S202-S205. to process.

18 and 19 show the detailed process flow (steps S202-S205) of the respective process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K. The processing procedures shown in the general execution flow are for the EEPROMs 20 of the respective process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, and are parallel to each other, while the repeated program returns to the main program shown in FIG. 17 (hereinafter simply referred to as "return") . In steps S211 to S221, the processing of executing the EEPROM of the printer status 5 is performed in parallel with the execution of the EEPROM 20 of the respective process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. However, for convenience, the processing performed by the EEPROM 20 of the respective process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K will be described below.

Referring to FIG. 18, when it is determined in step S210 that the front cover of the printer state 5 is open, the variable "state" is set to 1 in step S240, and the program returns.

Once it is determined that the front cover of the printer status 5 is closed, to access the first address of the EEPROM 20, 0 is assigned to the variable "adr (address)" indicating the address in step S211. Then the program returns.

In the next process, the data Aah is written to the address "adr" and the address "adr+40" in step S212, then the variable "state" is set to 2 in step S213, and the program returns.

In the next process, the data of address "adr" and address "adr+40" are read in step S214, and it is determined whether the read data is Aah. If neither the data read from the address "adr" nor the address "adr+40" is Aah, it can be determined that the EEPROM 20 does not exist in the printer main body 5 . Then in step S215, the CPU 27 notifies the controller 25 that the EEPROM 20 (ie, the process cartridge 9) does not exist in the printer main body 5, or is not inserted. After setting the variable "state" to 0 in step S216, the program returns. When it is determined that the EEPROM 20 does not exist in the printer main body 5, no further processing is performed on the EEPROM 20, such as reading initial data and writing data. If it is determined in step S214 that at least one of the data read from the address "adr" and the address "adr+40" is Aah, it is determined that the EEPROM 20 exists or is inserted in the printer main body 5 . Then in step S217, the CPU 27 starts the process of continuously reading all the data stored in the EEPROM 20. All read data is stored in the RAM 29 of the control board 26 . Then, after setting the variable "state" to 3 in step S218, the program returns.

If it is determined in step S219 that reading all data has not been completed, in step S221 the variable "adr" is incremented by 1 (indicated as "adr++" in the figure), and then the program returns to the other hand, if it is determined in step S219 that reading all data Finished, set the variable "state" to 4 in step S220. After incrementing the variable "adr" in step S221, the program returns. In this method, all data stored in the EEPROM 20 is stored in the RAM 29 of the control board 26 .

At this time, the same address map as that of the EEPROM 20 is implemented in the RAM 29 . Therefore, “data at address ×××” mentioned below is equal to data read from the same address ××× of the EEPROM 20 .

Referring to FIG. 19, in the next process, it is determined in step S222 whether the "shipping destination" data at the address "adr" coincides with the "shipping destination" data read from the EEPROM of the printer main body itself. Thus, it can be judged whether or not the process cartridge 9 is compatible with the printer main body 5 . For example, if the shipping destination of the process cartridge 9 is Europe and the shipping destination of the printer main body 5 is Japan, it may be determined that the process cartridge 9 and the printer main body 5 do not match. In this case, the CPU 27 notifies the controller 25 that the process cartridge 9 has been inserted into the printer main body 5 by mistake in step S223. Then, after setting the variable "state" to 0 in step S224, the program returns. When it is determined that the process cartridge 9 has been inserted by mistake, that is, the process cartridge 9 is a wrong process cartridge, the EEPROM 20 of the process cartridge 9 is not accessed until the front cover of the printer main body 5 is found to be changed from the open state to the closed state. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S222 that the "shipping destination" data of the address "adr" and the "shipping destination" data of the printer state 5 are consistent with each other, the variable "state" is set to 5 in step S225. Then, the variable "adr" is incremented in step S226, and the program returns.

In the next process, it is determined in step S227 whether the "OEM code" data at the address "adr" coincides with the "OEM code" data read from the EEPROM of the printer main body itself. Thus, it can be judged whether or not the process cartridge 9 is compatible with the printer main body 5 . If it is determined in step S227 that the "OEM code" data of the address "adr" and the "OEM code" data of the printer main body 5 are inconsistent with each other, that is, if it is determined that the process cartridge 9 and the printer main body 5 do not match, the CPU 27 notifies the controller 25 in step S223, The process cartridge 9 has been inserted or set in the printer main body 5 by mistake, as in the process performed in the previous process. Then, after setting the variable "state" to 0 in step S224, the program returns. When it is determined that the process cartridge 9 has been wrongly inserted into the printer body 5, the EEPROM 20 of the process cartridge 9 is not accessed until the front cover of the printer body 5 is found to be changed from the open state to the closed state. If it is determined in step S227 that the "OEM code" data of the address "adr" and the "OEM code" data read from the EEPROM of the printer body itself are consistent with each other, the variable "state" is set to 6 in step S228. Then, the variable "adr" is incremented in step S229, and the program returns.

In the next process, it is determined at step S230 whether the "color code" data of the address "adr" and the "color code" data of the cartridge positions (yellow, magenta, cyan and black positions) inserted from the printer 5 agree with each other. The color code 1 corresponds to cyan (C), 2 corresponds to magenta (M), 4 corresponds to yellow (Y), and 8 corresponds to black (K). For example, if the "color code" data of the address "adr" is 1 indicating cyan (C), and the "color code" data of the position where the printer 5 is inserted into the process cartridge is 2 indicating magenta (M), it can be determined that the process cartridge 9 is not placed in the correct position of the printer body 5. That is, if it is determined that the "color code" data of the address "adr" and the "color code" data of the position where the process cartridge is inserted from the printer 5 do not coincide with each other, the process cartridge 9 is not placed in the correct position of the printer main body 5, and then in step S223 the CPU 27 notifies the controller 25 that the process cartridge 9 has been inserted into the printer main body 5 by mistake. Then, after setting the variable "state" to 0 in step S224, the program returns. When it is determined that the process cartridge 9 has been wrongly inserted into the printer body 5, the EEPROM 20 of the process cartridge 9 is not accessed until the front cover of the printer body 5 is found to be changed from the open state to the closed state. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S230 that the "color code" data of the address "adr" and the "color code" data of the position where the process cartridge is inserted from the printer 5 coincide with each other, that is, it is determined that the process cartridge 9 is placed at the correct position, Then it can be confirmed for the first time that the process cartridge 9 is correctly inserted and seated. Therefore, the variable "state" is set to 7 in step S231, the variable "adr" is increased in step S232, and the CPU 27 notifies the controller 25 in step S232 that the process cartridge has been correctly inserted. Then the program returns. When it is determined that the process cartridge 9 is properly seated, access to the process cartridge 9 is permitted until the printer main body 5 is opened. Therefore, the controller 25 of the printer main body 5 can now start the control of image formation using the process cartridge 9 .

For example, in the next process, "new product detection" data indicating whether the process cartridge 9 is new is read at step S234 to determine whether the process cartridge 9 is new. If the value of "new product detection" is neither 4Bh nor FFFFh, the process cartridge 9 is not new, and if the value of "new product detection" is 4Bh or FFFFh, the process cartridge 9 is new. If the process cartridge 9 is not new, the variable "state" is set to 0 in step S236. Then the program returns. If the process cartridge 9 is new, the CPU 27 notifies the controller 25 that the process cartridge 9 is new. Thereafter, after setting the variable "state" to 0 in step S236, the program returns. This allows the density adjustment of the process cartridge 9 to be completed before other image forming controls are performed. Therefore, the color of the process cartridge 9 can be balanced with the colors of other process cartridges 9 .

As can be understood from the above, by performing simple control, the CPU 27 can determine whether the process cartridge 9 is correctly inserted into the printer main body. This is because, according to the present invention, the EEPROM 20 of the process cartridge 9 sequentially contains the "insertion detection" data at the first address 0, the "shipping object" at the next address 1 as destination data, and the next address 2 at the next address 2 as well. "OEM code" as destination data, and data "color code" at the next address 3. That is, due to the storage map of the EEPROM 20 of the process box 9 shown in FIG. Information necessary for detecting whether the process cartridge 9 is correctly set in the printer main body 5 can be obtained. Therefore, there is no need to prepare such a list.

In addition, when the process cartridge 9 is mounted on the inspection machine used before transporting the process cartridge 9 and/or after retracting or recovering it, the control system of the inspection machine allows sequential access to the EEPROM 20 of the process cartridge 9 from the first address. That is, the inspection machine can inspect the process cartridge 9 without using the list containing the address order information of the EEPROM 20 to be accessed. Therefore, there is no need to prepare such a list.

FIG. 20 shows an alternative flow of the detailed flow for processing the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K shown in FIG. 19 (to be executed in steps S202-S205 in FIG. 17). In this example as well, the processing from step S210 to step S221 shown in FIG. 18 is executed. That is, the state process from detecting the front cover of the printer main body 5 from the open state to the closed state to storing the used data of the EEPROM in the RAM 29 of the control board 26 will still be performed in combination with the steps in FIG. 20 .

Referring now to FIG. 20, after the used data have been read, it is determined in step S322 whether the "shipping destination" data of the address "adr" and the "shipping destination" data read from the EEPROM of the printer main body 5 coincide with each other. Whether or not the process cartridge 9 matches the printer main body 5 is thereby found. If it is determined in step S322 that the "shipping destination" data of the address "adr" and the "shipping destination" data read from the EEPROM of the printer main body 5 agree with each other, the variable "adr" is incremented in step S323.

Subsequently, it is determined in step S324 whether the "OEM code" data of the address "adr" and the "OEM code" data read from the EEPROM of the printer main body 5 coincide with each other. Whether or not the process cartridge 9 matches the printer main body 5 is thereby found. If it is determined in step S324 that the address "adr" and the "OEM code" data from the printer main body 5 coincide with each other, it can be determined that the process cartridge 9 matches the printer main body 5. The variable "adr" is then incremented in step S325.

It is then determined in step S326 whether the "color code" data of the address "adr" and the "color code" data of the cartridge insertion positions (ie yellow, magenta, cyan and black positions) from the printer main body 5 coincide with each other. Whether or not the process cartridge 9 matches the printer main body 5 is thereby found. If the "color code" data of the address "adr" and the "color code" data of the cartridge insertion position of the printer 5 coincide with each other, and thus the cartridge 9 is placed at the correct position, it can be determined that the cartridge 9 is correctly inserted. Therefore, the variable "adr" is incremented in step S327, and then the CPU 27 notifies the controller 25 in step S238 that the process cartridge 9 has been correctly inserted. Then the program returns. Once it is determined that the process cartridge 9 is correctly inserted, access to the EEPROM 20 of the process cartridge 9 is allowed until the front cover of the printer main body 5 is opened. Therefore, the controller 25 of the printer main body 5 can initiate various control operations for image formation using the process cartridge 9 .

For example, "new product detection" data indicating whether the process cartridge 9 is new is read at step S329 to determine whether the process cartridge 9 is new or not. If the process cartridge 9 is not new, the variable "state" is set to 0 in step S331. Then the program returns. On the other hand, if the process cartridge 9 is new, the CPU 27 notifies the controller 25 that the process cartridge 9 is new in step S330. This allows density adjustment of the process cartridge 9 to be completed before other controls for imaging are performed. Therefore, the color of the process cartridge 9 can be balanced with the colors of the other process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S322 that the "shipping destination" data of the address "adr" and the "shipping destination" data from the printer main body 5 do not coincide with each other, then the process cartridge 9 does not match the printer main body 5 accordingly, and in step S332 The CPU 27 notifies the controller 25 that the process cartridge 9 has been inserted into the printer main body 5 by mistake. Similarly, if it is determined in step S324 that the "OEM code" data of the address "adr" and the "OEM code" data of the printer main body 5 do not coincide with each other, then the process cartridge 9 does not match the printer main body 5 accordingly, and the CPU 27 notifies in step S332 The controller 25, the process cartridge 9 are inserted into the printer main body 5 by mistake. Similarly, if it is determined in step S326 that the "color code" data of the address "adr" and the "color code" data of the position where the printer main body 5 is inserted into the process cartridge are inconsistent with each other, then the process cartridge 9 is not placed in the correct position accordingly. The CPU 27 notifies the controller 25 in S332 that the process cartridge 9 has been inserted into the printer main body 5 by mistake. When the CPU 27 notifies the controller 25 that the process cartridge 9 has been wrongly inserted into the printer main body 5, the variable "state" is set to 0 in step S331, and the program returns. When it is determined that the process cartridge 9 is wrongly inserted, no further access is made to the EEPROM 20 of the process cartridge 9 until it is found that the front cover of the printer main body 5 is changed from the open state to the closed state.

In this example with the flow of FIG. 26, the CPU 27 can also determine whether the process cartridge 9 is correctly inserted or set in the printer main body 5 by performing simple control as in the previous examples. Furthermore, the example of the flowchart of FIG. 20 requires fewer steps than the example of the flowchart of FIG. 19 before it is determined that the process cartridge 9 is correctly inserted. Therefore, the determination process can be performed faster.

In the example, the process cartridge 9 has a photosensitive drum 111, a charging unit 101, an exposure unit 102, a developing unit 103, a cleaner 116, and a toner storage as constituent elements of image forming means, and in addition, as a nonvolatile Memory EEPROM 20. But the process cartridge of the present invention is not limited to this mode. It should be understood that any process cartridge is included in the scope of the present invention as long as it has any one of the constituent elements as image forming means. For example, an exposure unit for exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum may be fixedly mounted on the casing of the printer main body. In this case, the photosensitive drum, charging unit and cleaner may be integrated together as a photosensitive unit, and the developing unit and toner storage may be integrated together as a developing unit. This unitization of constituent elements makes it easy to manufacture the process cartridge.

Also, it should be understood that a process cartridge having only a nonvolatile memory and a toner memory is included in the scope of the present invention. When using such a process cartridge, other components, namely, a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, an exposing unit, a developing unit and a cleaner may be fixed to the printer main body. In addition, the above-mentioned other components may be formed as a case detachably housed in the main body of the printer.

Furthermore, in the example, the EEPROM 20 contained in the process cartridge 9 is an example of a nonvolatile memory. However, the process cartridge of the present invention may have a nonvolatile memory other than EEPROM. Moreover, the nonvolatile memory need not necessarily be contained in the casing of the process cartridge, but may also be connected to the outer surface of the casing of the process cartridge through a sleeve provided on the outer surface thereof.

The invention thus being described, it will be obvious that the invention may be varied in many ways. All such changes are obvious to those skilled in the art and are considered to be included within the scope of the following claims, provided that such changes are not considered to depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (7)

1. A process cartridge detachably inserted into an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: components that perform the imaging process, and Non-volatile memory, which stores data with the same content in a plurality of mutually spaced storage units, the number of said storage units depends on the type of said data, one storage unit corresponds to one or more consecutive addresses, Wherein, the data having the same content stored in a plurality of storage units spaced apart from each other is rewritable data, and the number of storage units storing one rewritable data in the nonvolatile memory is the same as or less than Each read-only data is stored in a storage unit, and among all the rewritable data, the rewritable data is assigned to the storage unit with the smallest number of storage units. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said rewritable data includes counter data representing a value counted by the counter when an image forming process is performed with the process cartridge. 3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the rewritable data further includes insertion detection data indicating whether the process cartridge has been inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus. 4. The process cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the number of storage units for insertion detection data in said nonvolatile memory is smaller than the number for counter data. 5. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said rewritable data further includes new product detection data indicating whether the process cartridge is new. 6. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the number of storage units for the new product detection data in the nonvolatile memory is smaller than the number for the counter data. 7. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said read-only data includes data indicating a kind of the process cartridge.

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