JP2001290398A - Image forming apparatus, cartridge, storage unit, and image forming number recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an image forming apparatus, a cartridge, a storage means, and a system for recording the number of images to be formed, by which a cartridge manufacturer, a service provider, or the like can grasp the use status of each type of recording medium in the market. provide. SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, means for counting the number of images formed for each type of recording medium S, and a cartridge for counting the number of images formed for each type of recording medium Or a means for storing the date and time when the image was formed for each type of recording medium in the storage means of the cartridge.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention generally relates to a method for forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member by an electrophotographic method or the like,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that visualizes this electrostatic latent image with a developer, and a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to an image forming number recording system.

Here, examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile machine, and the like.

The cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, developing means for supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and electrophotographic photosensitive member. This means at least one of the cleaning means for cleaning the body. In particular, a process cartridge is one in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. Or, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a laser beam printer has been used.
A latent image is formed by irradiating light corresponding to image information to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing agent is supplied to the latent image using a developing means to visualize the latent image, and the image is transferred from the photosensitive member to a recording medium. Thus, an image is formed on the recording medium. A developer container for storing the developer is connected to the developing unit, and the developer is consumed by forming an image.

In such an image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are used in order to facilitate replacement of consumables such as an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developer and maintenance. There is a process cartridge system in which the developing means, the charging means, the cleaning means, the developer accommodating container and the waste developer container are integrated as a process cartridge and can be detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

For example, in a color image forming apparatus having developing means of a plurality of colors, when the degree of wear of each developing means is different, a developing cartridge of each color in which the developing means of each color and a developer container are formed into a cartridge is used. There is also an image forming apparatus which is detachable from an image forming apparatus and can be individually replaced.

According to the cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a serviceman. The user replaces the cartridge when the developer runs out, for example, to form an image again. be able to. As described above, the cartridge system can greatly improve the operability of the apparatus, and is therefore widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

Conventionally, for example, a non-volatile memory is built in a cartridge as a storage means, and data such as a use history of the cartridge and process conditions are recorded in the memory, and communication with the image forming apparatus main body is made in a contact or non-contact manner. A configuration has been proposed.

[0009]

As a recording medium on which an image is formed, for example, there are various types of recording sheets generally used depending on differences in size and the like. The degree of use of the recording paper differs depending on the type.

[0010] For example, in various situations in the development of an image forming apparatus, such as the setting of the initial amount of developer in a cartridge and the life of a photosensitive drum, the manufacturer can use the recording medium in the market in various situations. Knowing is very important.

However, conventionally, it has been difficult for the manufacturer to grasp the usage status of each type of recording paper in the market, that is, the number of images formed per recording paper, the date and time of image formation, and the like.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which enables a cartridge manufacturer, a service provider, or the like to know the use status of each type of recording medium in the market.
An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge, a storage unit, and a system for recording the number of images formed.

Another object of the present invention is to record, for example, a situation where a large amount of images are formed on a specific type of recording medium, and to record the usage status of each type of recording medium. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a cartridge, a storage unit, and a system for recording the number of images to be formed, which can reduce the capacity of the storage unit and reduce costs.

[0014]

The above object is achieved by an image forming apparatus, a cartridge, a storage means, and a system for recording the number of images to be formed according to the present invention. In summary, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, a cartridge having a storage unit is detachable, and the number of images formed for each type of recording medium is reduced. There is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: means for counting; and means for storing a count value of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium in a storage means of the cartridge.

In the first aspect of the present invention, according to one embodiment, the apparatus main body further comprises means for storing the date and time when an image was formed for each type of recording medium in the storage means of the cartridge. According to one embodiment, the date and time when the image was formed for each type of recording medium is stored in the storage means of the cartridge using clock information held by the apparatus main body. According to another embodiment, the date and time when an image is formed for each type of recording medium is stored in the storage means of the cartridge using clock information held by a host computer communicably connected to the apparatus main body. You.

In the first aspect of the present invention, according to another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises collecting a count value of the number of image-formed sheets for each type of recording medium stored in the storage means of the cartridge. And means for performing statistical processing. According to another embodiment, the apparatus main body further includes a count value of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium stored in the storage unit of the cartridge, and an image formed for each type of recording medium. It has means for collecting date and time and performing statistical processing.

In the first aspect of the present invention, according to another aspect, the apparatus main body further collects a count value of the number of image-formed sheets for each type of recording medium stored in the storage means of the cartridge. The apparatus is capable of communicating with a device having means for performing statistical processing, and in a state in which the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, count value data of the number of image-formed sheets for each type of recording medium stored in the storage means. Send to the device. According to another embodiment, the apparatus main body further includes a count value of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium stored in the storage unit of the cartridge, and an image formed for each type of recording medium. It is capable of communicating with a device having means for collecting date and time and performing statistical processing, and in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, a total number of image-formed sheets for each type of recording medium stored in the storage means. Numerical data and date and time data when an image is formed for each type of recording medium are transmitted to the device. According to one embodiment, the device capable of communicating with the device main body is a host computer communicably connected to the device main body. According to another embodiment, the device capable of communicating with the device main body includes:
A service jig communicably connected to the main body of the apparatus as desired.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in a cartridge which is detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium and has a storage means, the storage means includes Wherein a count value of the number of images formed is stored in the cartridge. According to one embodiment, the storage unit further stores the date and time when the image was formed for each type of recording medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means provided in a cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body for forming an image on a recording medium, wherein the number of images formed for each type of recording medium is provided. Is stored. According to the embodiment, the date and time when the image is formed is stored for each type of the recording medium.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, (a) a cartridge which is detachable from an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium and has a storage means, and (b) the cartridge is detachable. Means for counting the number of images formed for each type of recording medium, and means for storing the counted value of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium in the storage means of the cartridge. Equipment and
(C) means for communicating with the storage means of the cartridge, for reading, collecting, and performing statistical processing of count value data of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium stored in the storage means of the cartridge; And a device having the image forming number recording system.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, according to one embodiment, the image forming apparatus further comprises means for storing the date and time when the image was formed for each type of recording medium in the storage means of the cartridge. The device that can communicate with the storage unit also reads and collects the date and time data on which an image is formed for each type of recording medium stored in the storage unit of the cartridge, and performs statistical processing. According to one embodiment,
The date and time when the image was formed for each type of recording medium is stored in the storage unit of the cartridge using clock information held by the image forming apparatus main body. According to another embodiment, the date and time when an image is formed for each type of recording medium is stored in the storage unit of the cartridge using clock information held by a host computer communicably connected to the image forming apparatus main body. It is memorized.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, according to another aspect, an apparatus capable of communicating with the storage means of the cartridge is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus main body,
An apparatus for accessing the storage unit with the cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus main body. According to one embodiment, an apparatus communicably connected to the apparatus main body is capable of communicating with the apparatus main body. Host computer connected to the According to another embodiment, the device communicably connected to the apparatus main body is a service jig communicably connected to the apparatus main body as desired.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, according to yet another embodiment, the device capable of communicating with the storage means of the cartridge is communicably connected to the storage means removed from the cartridge, Is a reading device that accesses the storage means.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the means for counting the number of images formed for each type of recording medium includes a counter memory for each type of recording medium, and a time when the counter memory becomes full. Then, the number of images formed for each recording medium is counted.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the storage means provided in the cartridge can communicate with or without contact with the apparatus main body.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge further includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing device for supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Means for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus, a cartridge, a storage means and a system for recording the number of images to be formed according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 First, with reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge constructed according to the present invention can be attached and detached will be described. In the present embodiment, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic laser beam printer A, receives image information from a host computer such as a user's personal computer, and executes a recording medium by an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, an image is formed on a recording sheet, an OHP sheet, a cloth, or the like.

The laser beam printer A has a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, that is, a photosensitive drum 1. The photoreceptor drum 1 is charged by a primary charger 2 as a charging unit, and then irradiates a laser beam L corresponding to the image information from a laser scanner unit 3 to cause the photoreceptor drum 1 to have a latent image corresponding to the image information. An image is formed. This latent image is developed by the developing device 4 by the developing device 5 to be a visible image, that is, a toner image. The laser scanner 3
The laser unit 3a includes a laser unit 3a that emits laser light, a polygon motor 3b for scanning the photosensitive drum 1 with the laser light from the laser unit 3a, an imaging lens group 3c, and a mirror 3d. Further, a pre-exposure lamp 13 is provided adjacent to the photosensitive drum 1,
After the image formation, the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly discharged.

The developing device 4 has a developer container 4a as a developer accommodating section and a developing roller 5a as a developer carrier, and the developer in the developer container 4a is filled with the developing roller 5a.
Supplied to. In the developer container 4a, a stirring means 4b which rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 is provided, and by the rotation of the stirring means 4b, the developer is supplied to the developing roller 5a while being loosened. In this embodiment, an insulating magnetic one-component toner was used as the developer. Also, the developing roller 5a
Has a built-in fixed magnet 5b, the developer is conveyed by rotating the developing roller 5a, and a triboelectric charge is given by a developing blade 5c, which is a developer layer thickness regulating member, and the developer is developed to a predetermined thickness. The toner image is transferred to a latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 to form a toner image. The developing roller 5a is connected to a developing bias applying means (not shown), and is usually applied with a developing bias voltage in which a DC voltage is superimposed on an AC voltage.

On the other hand, the recording medium S stored in the paper supply cassette 17 is fed out by the paper supply roller 6, and is conveyed along the conveyance path 18 to the registration roller pair 7 provided downstream in the conveyance direction.
The registration roller pair 7 conveys the recording medium S to the transfer position in synchronization with the formation of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1.

At a transfer position downstream of the registration roller 7, a transfer charger 8 as a transfer unit is disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 1, and a voltage is applied to the toner on the photosensitive drum 1. The image is transferred to the recording medium S.

The recording medium S having received the transfer of the toner image is conveyed to a fixing device 9 located further downstream. The fixing device 9 includes a fixing roller 9b having a built-in heater 9a and a driving roller 9c, and heat-presses and fixes the toner image formed on the recording medium S passing therethrough.

The recording medium S on which the fixing process has been performed is discharged by a discharge roller 10 onto a loading tray 11 on which the recording medium S on which recording is completed is loaded.

After the transfer of the toner image to the recording medium S by the operation of the transfer charger 8, the cleaning device 12 removes the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 1, and then forms the next image. Subjected to the process. The cleaning device 12 scrapes off the residual developer on the photosensitive drum 1 by an elastic cleaning blade 12 a provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 to remove the waste developer container 12.
b.

In this embodiment, the main motor 14 applies a driving force to the paper feed roller 6, the registration roller pair 7, the fixing means 9, and the paper discharge roller 10, and a photosensitive member provided in a process cartridge B described later. Driving force is also applied to the drum 1, the developing device 4, and the generator 19.

In the image forming apparatus A of this embodiment, the process cartridge B is detachably mounted via the cartridge mounting means 15. Process cartridge B is
A developing device 4 in which a photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier, a developing means 5 such as a developing roller 5a and a developing blade 5c and a developer container 4a are integrated, and a cleaning blade 12
a and cleaning device 12 such as waste developer container 12b
And the primary charger 2, and are integrally formed into a cartridge by the frame body 16.

FIG. 2 shows an image forming apparatus A in which the process cartridge B is mounted, and a host computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “host”), which is a user's personal computer, for example, as a device communicably connected to the image forming apparatus A. The relationship between C and a service jig D described later in detail is schematically shown.

The process cartridge B of this embodiment includes:
A non-volatile memory (EEPROM) (hereinafter simply referred to as “memory”) as a storage unit for recording data such as a cartridge use history and a process condition of the printer main body, and a communication unit with the image forming apparatus main body 100. An antenna 21 as communication means is provided.

The image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided with a main body side antenna 22 which is a main body side communication means for communicating with the memory 20 of the process cartridge B. or,
The image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided with a CPU 23 as a control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus A, and the main body side antenna 22 is connected to the CPU 23.

Further, a host connector 24 that can be connected to the host C and a mounting connector 25 for the service jig D are provided. Thereby, the host C and the service jig D
Is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus main body 100.
The service jig D is a service tool used mainly by a service person, and is not usually provided in the image forming apparatus A.

The storage means 20 may be a memory which can communicate with the device main body 100 in a contact or non-contact manner, such as a normal semiconductor electronic memory such as a combination of a nonvolatile memory, a volatile memory and a backup battery. Can be used without any particular limitation. In particular, by using a non-contact memory in which data communication between the storage unit 20 and the image forming apparatus main body 100 is performed in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves as in the present embodiment, the process cartridge B
This eliminates the possibility of contact failure due to the mounting state of, and can perform highly reliable control.

Next, a method for recording the number of images to be formed by the image forming apparatus A of this embodiment will be described.

To start image formation (printing) by the image forming apparatus A of this embodiment, first, a print instruction is issued from the host C. The print instruction is from the host C,
Image data, for example, a recording medium S such as a recording paper size
Print information such as the type of image, the number of images formed (the number of prints), and a print start instruction.
Transmits the print information to the CPU 23 included in the image forming apparatus main body 100.

When the CPU 23 of the image forming apparatus main body A receives the print information, the image forming apparatus A
The print operation is started based on the print information sent from.

According to the present embodiment, at the same time as starting the printing operation, the CPU 23 counts the number of prints for each type of recording medium S, for example, for each size of recording paper. This count value is stored in the memory 20 of the process cartridge B.

Further, in this embodiment, for each type of the recording medium S, the data of the date and time of printing is stored in the main body antenna 2.
2, through the antenna 21 of the process cartridge B, and stored in the memory 20 provided in the process cartridge B.

As the date and time data, the clock information held by the host C in, for example, a control unit or the clock information held by the image forming apparatus main body A in a control unit provided with, for example, the CPU 23 can be used. .

In this manner, each time printing is performed, the number of prints and the date and time are stored in the memory 20 provided in the process cartridge B for each type of the recording medium S.

The data on the number of prints and the date and time of each type of the recording medium S of the process cartridge B stored in the memory 20 are stored in the host C or the service jig D communicably connected to the image forming apparatus main body 100. It is configured so that it can be used and read. Devices such as the host C and the service jig D are provided with application software for processing count value data of the number of prints for each recording medium S and print date and time data for each type of recording medium S in advance. By using this, statistical processing can be performed.

Such statistical processing includes, for example, calculating the total number of prints for each type of recording medium S within a predetermined period, or calculating the usage rate up to the present for each type of recording medium S. . However, the present invention is not particularly limited to the statistical processing. The statistical processing is performed using the number of prints of each type of the recording medium S by the cartridge B provided with the storage unit 20 and the print date and time of each recording medium. If present, it is included in the present invention.

In this way, the results of the statistical processing performed by the host C or the service jig D can be displayed on the display means 30, 31 such as a display provided in the host C or the service jig D, respectively. it can.

The image forming apparatus main body 100 itself is a recording medium S stored in the memory 20 of the process cartridge B.
The means for performing statistical processing using the count value data of the number of prints for each type and the print date and time data for each type of recording medium S may be built in the CPU 23, for example. Then, the result of the statistical processing is transmitted to, for example, a host C, which is a device communicably connected to the image forming apparatus main body 100, and the result of the statistical processing is displayed on a display unit provided in the host C. You can also. The result of the statistical processing can be displayed on the display unit 32 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100, or can be recorded on the recording medium S and output.

Further, the memory 20 is removed from the process cartridge B, and the data stored in the memory 20, that is, the count data of the number of prints for each type of the recording medium S, and the print date and time for each type of the recording medium S It is also possible to read data and perform statistical processing using this data.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the process cartridge B collected by the manufacturer
Is removed, the memory 20 is attached to the statistical processing device E which is a reading device, and the statistical processing device E and the memory 20 are communicably connected. The statistical processing can be performed using the application software built in the statistical processing device E using the count value data of the number of prints for each type of the recording medium S and the print date and time data. Further, the statistical processing device E is provided with a display means 33 capable of displaying the result of the statistical processing using the number of prints and the print date and time data for each type of the recording medium S.

As described above, according to the present invention, the number of prints and the date and time of printing for each type of recording medium S are recorded in the memory 20 provided in the process cartridge B, so that the type of recording medium S in the market can be stored. For example, a manufacturer or service provider of the process cartridge B can grasp the usage status of each process cartridge B, and a system for performing statistical processing using this data can be constructed. Also, the recording medium S in the market
It is very useful in various situations of the development of the image forming apparatus and the cartridge, for example, the direction of development of the image forming apparatus in the future is determined from the usage status of each type.

Embodiment 2 In this embodiment, a detailed description will be given of a mode in which the storage capacity can be reduced when the number of prints is stored in the memory 20 for each type of the recording medium S. Note that the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment and the cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. And detailed description is omitted.

A method of recording the number of prints will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, the number of bits stored in the memory 20 for storing the number of prints is set to 16 for each type of recording medium S.
If the number of bits is 16, the type of the recording medium S on which the image of the process cartridge B can be formed is 16 types.
A 16 × 16 bit counter memory bit is provided in the memory 20 as a storage area for the number of prints.

As described above, when the counter memory bit is 16 bits for one type of recording medium S, the number of prints that can be stored for one type of recording medium S is 65535.

However, assuming that the minimum unit bit is 16 bits, when using the process cartridge B capable of printing 65536 or more prints,
In order to make the counter memory bit number capable of storing 5536 or more prints, it is necessary to make 16 bits × 2, that is, 32 bits for one type of recording medium S. 32
429496 bits of counter memory bits
The number of prints can be stored up to 7295.

However, generally, it is not necessary to print up to 429,697,295 sheets with one process cartridge B, but it is sufficient to have the number of counter memory bits for the number of sheets that can be actually printed. If the storage capacity of the memory 20 is increased more than necessary, there is a problem that the cost is increased. That is, in general, a large amount of printing is not performed on all types of recording media S by a single process cartridge B as described above, but is performed on a specific type of recording medium. It is necessary to assume a case.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the minimum unit counter memory bit (16 bits) is divided into 16 while the minimum unit bit remains 16 bits, and each bit is used as an arithmetic overflow bit (overflow bit). I do.

That is, the 16 bits of the counter memory bit assigned to each recording medium S are full, that is, FFF
When Fh is reached and another sheet is printed, the arithmetic overflow bit (overflow bit) assigned to each recording medium S is set to 1. As a result, up to 131071 (65536 × 2) sheets can be stored for each recording medium S.

FIG. 4 shows each counter memory capable of storing a total of 16 types of print sheets of the types of the recording medium S, that is, the sizes A3, A4, B4 of the recording paper and other types (not shown). An example is shown in which each of the bit and the arithmetic overflow bit (overflow bit) is 16 bits.

First, when the counter memory bit 41 assigned to the A3 recording paper becomes FFFFh, that is, when it becomes full, the arithmetic overflow bit 51 of the A3 recording paper in the arithmetic overflow bit 50 is set to 1. When the counter memory bit 42 of the A4 recording paper becomes FFFFh, the arithmetic overflow bit 52 of the A4 recording paper in the arithmetic overflow bit 50 is set to 1
To Similarly, when the counter memory bit 43 of the B4 recording paper becomes FFFFh, the arithmetic overflow bit 53 of the B4 recording paper is set to 1. Although not shown in FIG. 4,
The same applies to other types of recording media S.

As described above, by providing arithmetic bits (overflow bits), the number of counter memory bits for each recording medium S and the storage capacity of the memory 20 can be increased for each type of recording medium S without unnecessarily increasing. The number of prints can be stored.

If the arithmetic overflow bit (overflow bit) is set to 2 bits for each type of recording medium S,
For each type of recording medium S, up to 262144 prints can be stored. Similarly, by increasing the number of arithmetic overflow bits for each type of recording medium S, the storable number can be increased without unnecessarily increasing the number of counter memory bits or the storage capacity of the memory 20 more than necessary.

Next, the print number storing process for each type of the recording medium S as described above will be further described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 5, for simplicity of description, the counter memory bits for each type of the recording medium S are four bits. As the type of the recording medium S, the total size of recording paper sizes A3, A4, B4, and other types is 4
Type. The arithmetic overflow bits are obtained by dividing the minimum unit counter memory bit (4 bits) into four, and
3, 1 on A4, B4 recording paper and other recording media S
Bits allocated. Note that, as described above, the counter memory is full when the counter memory bit is 16 bits, FFFFh, and when the counter memory bit is 4 bits, it is Fh.

First, the host C sends the image forming apparatus main body 10
A print instruction is sent to the CPU 23 provided in the CPU 0. At this time, the image data, the type of the recording medium S, and the number of prints are also C.
The data is sent to the PU 23 (S1). Subsequently, printing is performed (S2). If the size of the recording paper is A3 (S3),
The counter memory bit value of the A3 recording paper is Fh,
It is determined whether the counter memory is full (S
7). If the counter memory bit of the A3 recording sheet is Fh, the arithmetic overflow bit of the A3 recording sheet is set to 1 (S8), and then a print instruction is waited (S1).
If the counter memory bit of the A3 recording sheet is not Fh, 1 is set to the counter memory bit of the A3 recording sheet (S9), and then a print instruction is waited (S1).

Similarly, if the size of the recording paper is A4 (S4), the counter memory bit value of the A4 recording paper becomes F4.
h is determined (S10). If the counter memory bit of the A4 recording sheet is Fh, the arithmetic overflow bit of the A4 recording sheet is set to 1 (S11), and then a print instruction is waited (S1). If the counter memory bit of the A4 recording paper is not Fh, 1 is set to the counter memory bit of A4 (S12), and then a print instruction is waited (S1).

Similarly, if the size of the recording paper is B4 (S5), the counter memory bit value of the B4 recording paper becomes F4.
h is determined (S13). If the counter memory bit of the B4 recording sheet is Fh, the arithmetic overflow bit of the B4 recording sheet is set to 1 (S14), and then a print instruction is waited (S1). If the counter memory bit of the B4 recording paper is not Fh, 1 is set to the counter memory bit of B4 (S15), and then a print instruction is waited (S1).

Similarly, if the recording medium S is of another type, the counter memory bit value of the other recording medium S is Fh.
It is determined whether or not (S6). If the counter memory bit of the other recording medium S is Fh, the arithmetic overflow bit of the other recording medium S is set to 1 (S16), and then a print instruction is waited (S1). If the counter memory bit of the other recording medium S is not Fh, 1 is added to the counter memory bit of the other recording medium S (S1).
7), and then wait for a print instruction (S1).

As described above, each time a print instruction is issued from the host C, the type of the recording medium S is determined, and 1 is added to the counter memory bit corresponding to the recording medium S to be printed.

As described above, the recording medium S provided in the memory 20
By setting an overflow bit when the counter memory cell of each type becomes full, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the counter memory, cope with a specific large-volume printing, and also reduce the cost of the storage means.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a developing device in the form of a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device in the form of a cartridge according to this embodiment includes a developing means 6 such as a developing roller 5a and a developing blade 5c, and a developer containing a developer therein for supplying the developing means to the developing means 6. The container 4a is integrally unitized, and the developing cartridge F
It is said. That is, the developing cartridge F of this embodiment is
The developing device 4 of the process cartridge B described in the first embodiment is formed into a cartridge, that is, it is considered that the process cartridge B is a cartridge integrated by removing the photosensitive drum 1, the primary charger 2, and the cleaning device 12. be able to. Therefore, all the developing device components and the method of storing the number of image formations described in the first and second embodiments are similarly applied to the developing cartridge F of the present embodiment. The description of these configurations and operations is given in Example 1.
The description given in and above is cited.

As described above, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the first and second embodiments can be achieved.

[0079]

As described above, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium in which a cartridge having a storage means is detachable, and the number of images formed for each type of recording medium. Means for counting the number of images formed for each type of recording medium, and means for storing the count value of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium in the storage means of the cartridge. Means for storing the date and time in the storage means of the cartridge, and further, a count value of the number of image-formed sheets for each type of recording medium stored in the storage means, or a count value of the recording medium stored in the storage means. The statistical processing is performed by collecting the count value data of the number of images formed for each type and the date and time when the image was formed for each type of recording medium. The use situation, such as a cartridge manufacturers and service providers it is possible to grasp.

According to the present invention, the means for counting the number of images formed for each type of recording medium includes a counter memory for each type of recording medium and an arithmetic overflow bit set when the counter memory becomes full. Is provided to count the number of images formed for each recording medium, so that, for example, when a large number of images are formed on a specific type of recording medium, Can be recorded, the capacity of the storage means can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and devices that are communicably connected to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a statistical processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a counter memory according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of recording the number of images to be formed according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of the cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photosensitive member, image carrier) 2 primary charger (charging means) 3 laser scanner section 5 developing means 8 transfer charger (transfer means) 9 fixing means 12a cleaning blade (cleaning means) 20 storage means (Memory, EEPROM) 21 Antenna (communication means) 22 Body-side antenna (body-side communication means) 23 CPU (control means) 100 Image forming apparatus main body A Image forming apparatus B Process cartridge (cartridge) C User's personal computer (host computer) ) D Service jig E Statistical processor F Developing cartridge (cartridge)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ06 AR01 AS02 HK15 HN15 2H027 DA38 DA45 DC02 DC10 EJ05 EJ08 EJ15 HB02 HB05 HB15 HB17 2H071 BA13 BA32 BA33 DA06 DA08 DA13 DA15 9A001 BB03 JJ35 LL09

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, wherein a cartridge having a storage means is detachable, a means for counting the number of images formed for each type of recording medium, and a type of recording medium. Means for storing, in the storage means of the cartridge, a count value of the number of sheets on which an image has been formed for each image. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus main body further includes means for storing the date and time when an image is formed for each type of recording medium in the storage means of the cartridge. 3. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the date and time when the image is formed for each type of recording medium is stored in the storage unit of the cartridge using clock information held by the apparatus main body.
Image forming apparatus. 4. The date and time when an image is formed for each type of recording medium is stored in the storage means of the cartridge using clock information held by a host computer communicably connected to the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for collecting a count value of the number of image-formed sheets for each type of recording medium stored in the storage means of the cartridge and performing statistical processing. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The apparatus body further collects a count value of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium stored in the storage means of the cartridge and a date and time when the image was formed for each type of recording medium. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: means for performing statistical processing by using the image forming apparatus. 7. The apparatus main body can further communicate with an apparatus having a unit for collecting a count value of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium stored in the storage unit of the cartridge and performing statistical processing. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, count value data of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the device. Image forming device. 8. The apparatus main body further collects the count value of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium and the date and time when the image was formed for each type of recording medium stored in the storage means of the cartridge. The apparatus is capable of communicating with a device having means for performing statistical processing, and in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, count value data of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium stored in the storage means, and 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein date and time data when an image is formed for each type of recording medium is transmitted to the device. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the device capable of communicating with the apparatus main body is a host computer communicably connected to the apparatus main body. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the device capable of communicating with the apparatus main body is a service jig communicably connected to the apparatus main body as desired. 11. The means for counting the number of images formed for each type of recording medium is provided with a counter memory for each type of recording medium and an arithmetic overflow bit that is set when the counter memory becomes full. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of images formed for each recording medium is counted. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means provided in said cartridge is capable of communicating with or not in contact with an apparatus main body. . 13. The cartridge further includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, developing means for supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and cleaning means for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following. 14. A cartridge which is detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium and has a storage means, wherein the storage means has a count value of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium. Is stored. 15. The cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the storage unit further stores a date and time when an image is formed for each type of recording medium. 16. The storage means is provided with a counter memory for each type of recording medium, and an arithmetic overflow bit set when the counter memory becomes full.
16. The cartridge according to claim 14, wherein a count value of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium is stored. 17. The cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the storage means can communicate with the apparatus main body in a contact or non-contact manner. 18. An electrophotographic photosensitive member, charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, developing means for supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and cleaning means for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member The cartridge according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the cartridge has one. 19. A storage means provided in a cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body for forming an image on a recording medium, wherein a count value of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium is stored. Characteristic storage means. 20. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a date and time when an image is formed for each type of said recording medium.
Storage means. 21. A counter memory for each type of recording medium and an arithmetic overflow bit which is set when the counter memory becomes full are provided, and a count value of the number of image formed sheets for each type of recording medium is provided. 21. The storage means according to claim 19, wherein the storage means is stored. 22. (a) a cartridge which is detachable from an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium and has a storage means; and (b) the cartridge is detachable and is provided for each type of recording medium. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for counting the number of images formed on the cartridge; and means for storing the counted value of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium in the storage means of the cartridge; and (c) the cartridge. A device that is capable of communicating with the storage unit and has a unit that reads, collects, and performs statistical processing on count value data of the number of images formed for each type of recording medium stored in the storage unit of the cartridge. An image forming number recording system, comprising: 23. The image forming apparatus further comprises: means for storing the date and time when the image was formed for each type of recording medium in the storage means of the cartridge, wherein the device capable of communicating with the storage means further comprises the cartridge 23. The image forming number recording system according to claim 22, wherein date and time data on which an image is formed for each type of recording medium stored in said storage means are also read and collected, and statistical processing is performed. 24. The image according to claim 23, wherein the date and time when an image is formed for each type of recording medium is stored in a storage unit of the cartridge using clock information held by the image forming apparatus main body. Recording number recording system. 25. The date and time when an image was formed for each type of recording medium is stored in the storage means of the cartridge using clock information held by a host computer communicably connected to the image forming apparatus main body. The image recording number recording system according to claim 23, wherein: 26. An apparatus capable of communicating with the storage means of the cartridge is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus main body, and accesses the storage means in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The image formation number recording system according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the system is an apparatus. 27. The system according to claim 26, wherein the apparatus communicably connected to the apparatus main body is a host computer communicably connected to the apparatus main body. 28. The system according to claim 26, wherein the equipment communicably connected to the apparatus main body is a service jig communicably connected to the apparatus main body as desired. 29. A device which can communicate with the storage means of the cartridge is a reading device which is communicably connected to the storage means removed from the cartridge and accesses the storage means of the cartridge. An image formation number recording system according to any one of claims 22 to 25.