JP2019159250A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve convenience for a user who receives notification of notification information on the amount of toner remaining in a container.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: an operation panel; a container that stores toner; a printing unit that executes a print job to print an image on a sheet by using the toner in the container; and a control unit that determines the amount of toner remaining in the container and displays, on the operation panel, notification information on the amount of remaining toner. There are plurality of types of notification information, and the control unit changes the type of the notification information to be displayed on the operation panel according to the amount of remaining toner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that executes a print job.

  The image forming apparatus executes a print job using toner. Toner used in a print job is stored in a container (sometimes called a cartridge or a tank). Such an image forming apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

  Here, the toner in the container is consumed by executing the print job. If the container becomes empty, the print job cannot be executed. In this case, it is necessary to replace the empty container with a new container. For this reason, some image forming apparatuses display notification information regarding the remaining amount of toner in a container on an operation panel.

JP 2000-238393 A

  For example, in a conventional image forming apparatus, the remaining amount of toner (a value indicating how much toner remains) is displayed on the operation panel as notification information regarding the remaining amount of toner. Normally, the type of notification information regarding the remaining amount of toner does not change.

  Here, depending on the user, for example, in order to determine whether or not a new container needs to be prepared (purchased), more detailed information regarding the remaining amount of toner (how many days later the container will be empty) There is a case where it is desired to receive a notification of information indicating However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, only one type (toner remaining amount) is displayed on the operation panel as notification information regarding the remaining amount of toner, which is inconvenient for the user.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of improving the convenience of a user who receives notification information related to a toner remaining amount in a container. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation panel for displaying information, a container that is detachable from the image forming apparatus, and that stores toner and an image on a sheet using toner in the container. A printing unit that executes a print job for printing the image, and a control unit that obtains the remaining amount of toner in the container and displays notification information about the remaining amount of toner on the operation panel. There are a plurality of types of notification information, and the control unit changes the type of notification information displayed on the operation panel according to the remaining amount of toner.

  In the configuration of the present invention, the type of notification information displayed on the operation panel can be changed according to the remaining amount of toner. For example, when there is enough toner in the container, the remaining amount of toner is displayed on the operation panel as notification information. When the toner in the container is low, more detailed information (how many days the container will be empty) For example, information indicating how many sheets can be printed with toner remaining in the container) and the like on the operation panel. Thereby, the convenience of the user who receives the notification information regarding the remaining amount of toner can be improved.

  With the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user who receives the notification information regarding the toner remaining amount in the container.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a container mounted on an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating first type notification information (toner remaining amount) displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The figure which shows the 2nd type alerting | reporting information (printable days) which the operation panel of the image forming apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention displays. The figure which shows the 3rd type alerting | reporting information (printable number of sheets) which the operation panel of the image forming apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention displays. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of type selection processing (processing for a monochrome machine) performed by the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The figure when the kind of alerting | reporting information displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention changes from 2nd type to 3rd type 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of condition determination processing performed by the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of type selection processing (color machine processing) performed by the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a control unit 1 and a storage unit 2. The control unit 1 includes a CPU. The control unit 1 operates based on a control program and data, and performs processing for controlling the image forming apparatus 100. The storage unit 2 includes a ROM and a RAM. The storage unit 2 stores a control program and data. The storage unit 2 is connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 reads information from the storage unit 2 and writes information to the storage unit 2.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 3. The image reading unit 3 reads a document and generates image data. The image reading unit 3 is connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 controls the reading operation of the image reading unit 3.

  Although not shown, the image reading unit 3 includes a light source and an image sensor. The light source irradiates the original with light. The image sensor receives reflected light reflected from the document and photoelectrically converts it.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a printing unit 4. The printing unit 4 forms an image (toner image) and executes a print job for printing the image on paper. In the print job, for example, the printing unit 4 prints an image on a sheet based on image data of a document read by the image reading unit 3. The printing unit 4 is connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 controls the printing operation of the printing unit 4 (print job executed by the printing unit 4).

  When the image forming apparatus 100 is a color machine, the printing unit 4 prints a monochrome job on a sheet (hereinafter referred to as a monochrome print job) and a print job (hereinafter referred to as a color print job) that prints a color image on a sheet. It is configured to be executable. When the image forming apparatus 100 is a monochrome machine, the print job executed by the printing unit 4 is only a monochrome print job.

  The printing unit 4 includes a printing unit 40 including a photosensitive drum (not shown). When executing the print job, the printing unit 40 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum into a toner image, and transfers (prints) the toner image onto a sheet. In order to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image, the printing unit 40 is provided with a developing device 41. The developing device 41 stores toner used in a print job. The developing device 41 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 is a monochrome machine, the number of printing units 40 installed in the image forming apparatus 100 is one, and the developing device 41 stores black toner. The printing unit 40 directly transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum developed using the black toner onto the sheet.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 is a color machine, a plurality of printing units 40 respectively corresponding to black, yellow, cyan, and magenta are installed in the image forming apparatus 100. The developing device 41 of each color printing unit 40 accommodates the corresponding color toner and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image using the corresponding color toner. Each color printing unit 40 primarily transfers a toner image on the photosensitive drum developed using the corresponding color toner onto an intermediate transfer belt (not shown). Then, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred to the paper (secondarily transferred).

  Here, the toner of the developing device 41 is consumed by the execution of the print job. Therefore, it is necessary to supply toner to the developing device 41. For this reason, the image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with a container 200 that stores replenishment toner (toner used in a print job).

  The container 200 is detachable (replaceable) with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. A part of the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus 100 is an opening / closing cover (not shown), and a space for mounting the container 200 is exposed by opening the opening / closing cover. Thus, when the container 200 becomes empty, the empty container 200 can be replaced with a new container 200 (a container 200 in which toner is fully accommodated).

  In order to supply toner from the container 200 to the developing device 41, the container 200 is provided with a supply screw 201 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the supply screw 201 is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. When the container 200 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the container 200 and the developing device 41 are connected by the supply pipe 202.

  The replenishment screw 201 is rotated by the power transmitted from the replenishment motor TM for toner replenishment. When toner is supplied from the container 200 to the developing device 41, the supply screw 201 rotates, and thereby the toner falls from the container 200. The toner dropped from the container 200 is supplied to the developing device 41 via the supply pipe 202. The replenishment motor TM is connected to the control unit 1 and controlled by the control unit 1.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 is a color machine, containers for four colors are mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, but the structure of the container 200 (toner supply mechanism) is common to each color. However, the capacity of the container 200 may differ depending on the color (for example, the container 200 that stores black toner has a larger capacity than other containers 200).

  Returning to FIG. 1, the control unit 1 is connected with a toner sensor TS for detecting toner contained in the developing device 41. Although not particularly limited, the toner sensor TS is an optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The toner sensor TS changes the output value in accordance with the accumulated height of toner stored in the developing device 41. When a sufficient amount of toner remains in the developing device 41, the optical path (between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit) of the toner sensor TS is shielded, and a first level signal is output from the toner sensor TS. On the other hand, when the toner stored in the developing device 41 decreases, the optical path of the toner sensor TS is opened, and a second level signal is output from the toner sensor TS.

  Based on the output value of the toner sensor TS, the control unit 1 determines whether or not toner replenishment from the container 200 to the developing device 41 is necessary. When the control unit 1 detects that the output value of the toner sensor TS has reached the second level, the control unit 1 determines that toner supply to the developing device 41 is necessary, and drives the supply motor TM. As a result, the replenishing screw 201 rotates and the toner is replenished from the container 200 to the developing device 41. When the controller 1 detects that the output value of the toner sensor TS has reached the first level after the start of toner supply, the controller 1 ends the toner supply. As a result, even if the toner of the developing device 41 decreases during execution of the print job, the reduced amount of toner is supplied to the developing device 41. That is, the accumulated height of the toner stored in the developing device 41 (the amount of toner stored in the developing device 41) is kept constant.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 is a color machine (when a plurality of developing devices 41 are installed in the image forming apparatus 100), a toner sensor TS is provided for each developing device 41, and each toner sensor TS is controlled by a control unit. 1 is connected. Then, the control unit 1 determines whether or not toner replenishment is necessary for each developing device 41, and performs toner replenishment only for the developing device 41 that is determined to require toner replenishment.

  Further, the control unit 1 obtains the remaining amount of toner in the container 200 (a value indicating how much toner remains when the state where the toner is fully contained in the container 200 is 100%). The control unit 1 detects the remaining amount of toner in the container 200, so that a toner replenishment amount replenished from the container 200 to the developing device 41 after the new container 200 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 The cumulative value of the toner) is obtained by assuming that the toner is supplied to 100%.

  For example, the shape and installation position of the supply screw 201 are designed such that the toner supply amount per rotation of the supply screw 201 becomes a predetermined target amount. Therefore, the control unit 1 counts the number of rotations of the supply screw 201 when the toner is supplied. Then, the control unit 1 uses the cumulative value of the number of rotations of the replenishment screw 201 after the new container 200 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100, and the toner after the new container 200 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100. The accumulated value of the replenishment amount is obtained (the toner replenishment amount per rotation of the replenishment screw 201 may be multiplied by the accumulated value of the number of rotations of the replenishment screw 201).

  The control unit 1 stores the accumulated value of the toner replenishment amount in the storage unit 2. When the container 200 is replaced, the control unit 1 resets the accumulated value of the toner replenishment amount. When a storage medium is installed in the container 200, the accumulated value of the toner replenishment amount may be stored in the storage medium of the container 200. Then, the control unit 1 obtains a value obtained by subtracting the accumulated value of the toner replenishment amount from the toner amount when the container 200 is full (100%) as the toner remaining amount of the container 200.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 is a color machine (when a plurality of containers 200 are attached to the image forming apparatus 100), toner supply from the container 200 to the developing device 41 is performed for each container 200 (depending on the color). How to reduce the toner is different). Therefore, the control unit 1 obtains the toner remaining amount of the container 200 for each container 200.

  In addition, the control unit 1 obtains the toner usage amount used when the print job is executed (a value indicating how much toner is used when the state where the container 200 is fully filled with toner is 100%). For example, the control unit 1 obtains the toner supply amount supplied from the container 200 to the developing device 41 when the print job is executed as the toner usage amount. When the image forming apparatus 100 is a color machine, the control unit 1 obtains the toner usage amount for each color.

  The control unit 1 stores job information indicating a print job execution history in the storage unit 2. For example, when the print job is executed, the control unit 1 executes the print job, uses the toner amount of the print job, the number of prints of the print job, and determines whether the print job is a monochrome print job. Information indicating whether the job is a print job is included in the job information.

  The control unit 1 also stores container information indicating the usage history of the container 200 in the storage unit 2. For example, the control unit 1 includes the mounting date (the replacement date of the container 200) when the container 200 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 in the container information. When the image forming apparatus 100 is a color machine, container information is stored in the storage unit 2 for each container 200. Container information may be stored in the storage medium of the container 200.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation panel 5. The operation panel 5 displays a home screen and a job setting screen (a screen for accepting print job settings from the user) and accepts operations from the user.

  The operation panel 5 includes a touch screen and hardware buttons. The touch screen displays a screen on which software buttons and messages are arranged, and accepts a touch operation on the display screen from the user. A plurality of hardware buttons are provided on the operation panel 5. The hardware buttons provided on the operation panel 5 include a start button for accepting a print job execution request from the user.

  The operation panel 5 is connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 controls the display operation of the operation panel 5. Further, the control unit 1 detects an operation performed on the operation panel 5 (an operation on the touch screen or an operation on the hardware button).

<Display of notification information>
The control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to display notification information 50 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) regarding the remaining amount of toner in the container 200. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a notification column 50 </ b> C is provided on the home screen and the job setting screen displayed on the operation panel 5 (the home screen is illustrated in FIG. 3). Then, the operation panel 5 displays the notification information 50 in the notification column 50C. In the following description, reference numeral 500 is attached to a screen including the notification column 50C such as a home screen or a job setting screen.

  There are three types of notification information 50: a first type, a second type, and a third type. The first type corresponds to the toner remaining amount in the container 200 (hereinafter simply referred to as toner remaining amount). The second type corresponds to the number of printable days. The third type corresponds to the number of printable sheets. FIG. 4 shows a notification column 50C displaying the first type notification information 50 (remaining toner amount), and FIG. 5 shows a notification column 50C displaying the second type notification information 50 (printable days). FIG. 6 shows a notification column 50C in which the third type of notification information 50 (printable days) is displayed. Note that the number of printable days is a value (predicted value) indicating how many days the container 200 will be empty, and the number of printable sheets is a value indicating how many sheets can be printed with the toner remaining in the container 200. (Predicted value).

  Here, when displaying the notification information 50 on the operation panel 5 (when displaying the screen 500 on the operation panel 5), the control unit 1 sets the notification information 50 to be displayed on the operation panel 5 based on the current remaining toner amount. A type selection process for selecting (setting) the type is performed. By performing the type selection process by the control unit 1, the type of the notification information 50 displayed on the operation panel 5 is changed according to the current toner remaining amount.

(Type selection processing for monochrome machines)
The flow of type selection processing (processing for a monochrome machine) performed by the control unit 1 when the image forming apparatus 100 is a monochrome machine will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The start of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is when the main power supply of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on or when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 100 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode. At this time, the operation panel 5 receives an instruction from the control unit 1 and displays a screen 500 (home screen) including the notification column 50C.

  In step S1, the control unit 1 obtains the current toner remaining amount. In step S2, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the current toner remaining amount (Tr) is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value (Th1). For example, the first threshold is 50%. As a result, when the control unit 1 determines that the current toner remaining amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the control unit 1 selects the first type (toner remaining amount) as the type of the notification information 50 to be displayed on the operation panel 5. In step S4, the control unit 1 instructs the operation panel 5 to display the first type of notification information 50 as shown in FIG. 4 in the notification column 50C. In this case, the current toner remaining amount is displayed in the notification column 50C.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 1 recognizes a level corresponding to the current toner remaining amount among a plurality of predetermined levels (3 to 10 levels) and corresponds to the recognized level. The block image BG having the size (height) to be displayed is displayed on the operation panel 5 as the first type of notification information 50. The size of the block image BG increases as the level corresponding to the current toner remaining amount increases.

  Returning to FIG. 7, when the control unit 1 determines in step S <b> 2 that the current remaining toner amount is less than the first threshold value, the process proceeds to step S <b> 5. In step S5, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the current toner remaining amount (Tr) is equal to or larger than a predetermined second threshold (Th2) that is smaller than the first threshold. For example, the second threshold is 10%. As a result, when the control unit 1 determines that the current toner remaining amount is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the process proceeds to step S6.

  If transfering it to step S6, the control part 1 will select 2nd type (printable days) as a kind of the alerting | reporting information 50 displayed on the operation panel 5. FIG. At this time, the control unit 1 performs the number of days calculation process for obtaining the number of printable days (details will be described later). In step S7, the control unit 1 instructs the operation panel 5 to display the second type of notification information 50 as shown in FIG. 5 in the notification column 50C. In this case, the printable days calculated by the control unit 1 in the day calculation process are displayed in the notification column 50C.

  When performing the number-of-days calculation process, the control unit 1 obtains a cumulative toner usage amount (Tu) from when the container 200 is mounted to the image forming apparatus 100 to the present time, and after the container 200 is mounted to the image forming apparatus 100. The number of days elapsed (D) up to now is obtained, and the amount of toner used per day (Tu / D) obtained by dividing the accumulated toner usage (Tu) by the number of days elapsed (D) is obtained. Further, the control unit 1 obtains a value obtained by dividing the current toner remaining amount (Tr) by the amount of toner used per day (Tu / D) as a value corresponding to the number of days. And the control part 1 calculates | requires the printing possible days displayed on the operation panel 5 as the 2nd type alerting | reporting information 50 based on the number of days correspondence value. When the day-corresponding value does not include a fractional part, the control unit 1 sets the day-corresponding value as a printable number of days. When the day-corresponding value includes an integer part and a decimal part, the control part 1 can print the integer part of the day-corresponding value. The number of days.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to display a message including the printable days calculated in the day calculation process as the second type of notification information 50. Although not particularly limited, a message “Toner needs to be replaced after about aa days” is displayed on the operation panel 5. The number of printable days is inserted in “aa” of the message.

  Returning to FIG. 7, when the control unit 1 determines in step S5 that the current toner remaining amount is less than the second threshold value, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the control unit 1 selects the third type (printable number of sheets) as the type of the notification information 50 to be displayed on the operation panel 5. At this time, the control unit 1 performs a sheet number calculation process for obtaining the printable sheet number (details will be described later). In step S9, the control unit 1 instructs the operation panel 5 to display the third type of notification information 50 as shown in FIG. 6 in the notification column 50C. In this case, in the notification column 50C, the printable number of sheets obtained by the control unit 1 in the number calculation process is displayed.

  When performing the number-of-sheets calculation process, the control unit 1 obtains a cumulative toner usage amount (Tu) from when the container 200 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 to the present time, and after the container 200 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100. The cumulative number of printed sheets (N) up to now is obtained, and the amount of used toner (Tu / N) obtained by dividing the cumulative amount of used toner (Tu) by the cumulative number of printed sheets (N) is obtained. Further, the control unit 1 obtains a value obtained by dividing the current toner remaining amount (Tr) by the amount of toner used per sheet (Tu / N) as a value corresponding to the number of sheets. Then, the control unit 1 obtains the printable number of sheets to be displayed on the operation panel 5 as the third type of notification information 50 based on the number-of-sheets correspondence value. When the value corresponding to the number of sheets does not include a decimal part, the control unit 1 sets the value corresponding to the number of sheets as a printable number, and when the value corresponding to the number of sheets includes an integer part and a decimal part, the integer part of the value corresponding to the number of sheets can be printed. Number of sheets.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to display a message including the printable number of sheets calculated in the number calculation process as the third type of notification information 50. Although not particularly limited, a message “About bb sheets can be printed” is displayed on the operation panel 5. The number of printable sheets is inserted in “bb” of the message.

  After selecting the type of the notification information 50 to be displayed on the operation panel 5, the control unit 1 obtains the remaining amount of toner each time a print job is executed, and performs the type selection process based on the obtained remaining amount of toner. Therefore, the type of the notification information 50 may change while the notification information 50 is displayed on the operation panel 5.

  After selecting the first type as the type of the notification information 50, the control unit 1 displays the remaining amount of toner to be displayed on the operation panel 5 (block image) every time the level corresponding to the remaining amount of toner decreases by one step. BG size) is updated. Then, the control unit 1 changes the type of the notification information 50 displayed on the operation panel 5 when the remaining amount of toner becomes less than the first threshold value. That is, the type of the notification information 50 is changed from the first type to the second type.

  Further, the control unit 1 selects the third type as the type of the notification information 50 and thereafter (after changing the type of the notification information 50 from the second type to the third type), and each time a print job is executed. If the number of printable sheets calculated this time is reduced with respect to the number of printable sheets calculated last time, the number of printable sheets to be displayed on the operation panel 5 (“bb” portion of the message as the notification information 50) ). In other words, the printable sheet number obtained last time is changed to the printable sheet number obtained this time.

  The control unit 1 selects the second type as the type of the notification information 50 (after changing the type of the notification information 50 from the first type to the second type), and the number of printable days until the date changes. (“Aa” portion of the message as the notification information 50) is not updated.

  In this configuration, when the remaining amount of toner is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the remaining amount of toner is displayed on the operation panel 5 as notification information 50 (the first type is selected as the type of notification information 50). When the remaining amount of toner is less than the first threshold, more detailed information is displayed on the operation panel 5 as the notification information 50 (the second type or the third type is selected as the type of the notification information 50). Thereby, the convenience of the user who receives the notification of the notification information 50 can be improved.

  When the remaining amount of toner is less than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, the number of printable days is displayed on the operation panel 5 as the notification information 50 (the second type is selected as the type of the notification information 50). Thereby, it can be notified to the user how many days the container 200 will be empty (scheduled replacement date of the container 200). From the user's point of view, it is possible to determine whether or not it is necessary to purchase a new container 200, which is convenient. That is, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that there is no new container 200 (the container 200 cannot be replaced) even though the container 200 is empty.

  When the remaining amount of toner is less than the second threshold, the number of printable sheets is displayed on the operation panel 5 as the notification information 50 (the third type is selected as the type of the notification information 50). Accordingly, the user can be notified of how many sheets of toner can be printed with the toner remaining in the container 200. From the user's point of view, it is possible to know in detail the timing when the container 200 becomes empty, which is convenient. For example, the user can determine whether or not the container 200 becomes empty during execution of the print job requested by the user.

(Condition judgment processing)
Since the control unit 1 selects the second type as the type of the notification information 50 to be displayed on the operation panel 5 (after changing the type of the notification information 50 from the first type to the second type), the remaining amount of toner remains. If it decreases rapidly, the type of the notification information 50 displayed on the operation panel 5 is forcibly changed from the second type to the third type even if the remaining amount of toner is not less than the second threshold. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, even if the remaining amount of toner is not less than the second threshold value, the notification information 50 displayed on the operation panel 5 can be printed from the number of printable days (see the upper diagram in FIG. 8). There is a case where a transition to FIG.

  Here, after selecting the second type as the type of the notification information 50 to be displayed on the operation panel 5, the control unit 1 performs a condition determination process and determines whether or not a predetermined forced change condition is satisfied. To do. If the forcible change condition is satisfied, the control unit 1 determines that the remaining amount of toner is rapidly decreasing. At this time, the type of the notification information 50 is changed from the second type to the third type.

  Below, the flow of the condition determination process performed by the control unit 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 starts when the control unit 1 selects the second type as the type of the notification information 50 (when the type of the notification information 50 is changed from the first type to the second type). That is, when the current toner remaining amount is less than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, the condition determination process by the control unit 1 is performed.

  In step S11, the control unit 1 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied. The control unit 1 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the current toner remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 30%) that is smaller than the first threshold and larger than the second threshold. When the control unit 1 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the control unit 1 obtains a cumulative toner usage amount (Tu) from when the container 200 is mounted to the image forming apparatus 100 to the present, and the previous day after the container 200 is mounted to the image forming apparatus 100. The cumulative toner usage (Tu ′) up to the present day is obtained, and the value (Tu−Tu ′) obtained by subtracting the cumulative toner usage (Tu) up to the previous day by the cumulative toner usage (Tu ′) up to the previous day is the first comparison value. Obtained as (C1). The first comparison value is a cumulative toner usage amount from the date to the present (today's cumulative toner usage amount). Further, the control unit 1 obtains the number of days (D ′) that have elapsed since the container 200 was attached to the image forming apparatus 100 until the previous day, and the accumulated toner usage (Tu ′) up to the previous day is the number of days that have passed since the previous day (D The value (Tu ′ / D ′) divided by “′) is obtained as the second comparison value (C2). The second comparison value is a cumulative toner usage amount per day up to the previous day.

  Thereafter, in step S13, the control unit 1 determines whether the first comparison value (C1) is also larger than the value (C2 × 2) obtained by doubling the second comparison value (C2). As a result, when the control unit 1 determines that the first comparison value is larger than the value obtained by doubling the second comparison value, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the control unit 1 determines that the forcible change condition is satisfied (the remaining amount of toner is rapidly decreasing). In step S15, the control unit 1 changes the type of the notification information 50 from the second type to the third type. At this time, the control unit 1 obtains the printable number of sheets by performing the same process as the process of step S8 (number of sheets calculation process), and uses the operation panel 5 as a third type notification information 50 with a message including the obtained number of printable sheets. To display. That is, the type of the notification information 50 displayed on the operation panel 5 is changed from the number of printable days to the number of printable sheets.

  In step S11, when the control unit 1 determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied (the current toner remaining amount exceeds the predetermined value), this flow ends. In addition, when the control unit 1 determines in step S13 that the first comparison value is equal to or less than a value obtained by doubling the second comparison value, this flow is ended. Thereafter, every time a print job is executed until the type of the notification information 50 is changed from the second type to the third type (until the remaining amount of toner becomes less than the second threshold value), the control unit 1 The condition determination process is performed.

  With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the content of the notification information 50 from becoming inaccurate. Specifically, when the amount of toner used today is significantly larger than the amount of toner used per day up to the previous day, the number of printable days displayed as the notification information 50 on the operation panel 5 may be inaccurate. . Therefore, the control unit 1 performs a condition determination process, and as a result, if the forced change condition is satisfied (if the amount of toner used today is significantly greater than the amount of toner used per day up to the previous day). ), The type of the notification information 50 displayed on the operation panel 5 is changed from the second type (printable days) to the third type (printable number of sheets).

(Type selection processing for color machines)
The flow of type selection processing (color machine processing) performed by the control unit 1 when the image forming apparatus 100 is a color machine will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The start of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 is when the main power supply of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on or when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 100 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode. At this time, the operation panel 5 receives an instruction from the control unit 1 and displays a screen 500 (home screen) including the notification column 50C.

  In step S <b> 21, the control unit 1 obtains the current toner remaining amount for each of the plurality of containers 200. Then, the control unit 1 recognizes the container 200 having the smallest remaining toner amount as the target container 200 and recognizes the toner contained in the target container 200 as the target toner.

  Thereafter, in step S22, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the current toner remaining amount (Trt) of the target container 200 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (Th1). As a result, when the control unit 1 determines that the current toner remaining amount of the target container 200 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, the control unit 1 selects the first type (remaining toner amount) as the type of the notification information 50 to be displayed on the operation panel 5. In step S24, the control unit 1 instructs the operation panel 5 to display the current toner remaining amount of the target container 200 in the notification column 50C. That is, the notification information 50 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed in the notification column 50C. In this case, the size of the block image BG corresponds to the current toner remaining amount of the target container 200.

  In step S22, when the control unit 1 determines that the current toner remaining amount of the target container 200 is less than the first threshold value, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the control unit 1 determines whether the current toner remaining amount (Trt) of the target container 200 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (Th2). As a result, when the control unit 1 determines that the current toner remaining amount of the target container 200 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the process proceeds to step S26.

  If transfering it to step S26, the control part 1 will select 2nd type (printable days) as a kind of the alerting | reporting information 50 displayed on the operation panel 5. FIG. Further, the control unit 1 obtains the number of days that can be printed of the target container 200 by performing the number of days calculation process.

  When obtaining the printable days of the target container 200, the control unit 1 obtains the cumulative toner usage amount (Tut) of the target toner from when the target container 200 is mounted to the image forming apparatus 100 to the present, and the image forming apparatus 100. The amount of elapsed days (Dt) from when the target container 200 is mounted to the present time is obtained, and the toner usage per day (Tut / Dt) obtained by dividing the cumulative toner usage (Tut) by the elapsed days (Dt) ) Further, the control unit 1 obtains a value obtained by dividing the current toner remaining amount (Trt) of the target container 200 by the amount of toner used per day (Tut / Dt) as a value corresponding to the number of days of the target container 200. And the control part 1 calculates | requires the printable days of the target container 200 based on the days corresponding value of the target container 200 (the integer part of the days corresponding value of the target container 200 is obtained as the printable days of the target container).

  After calculating the printable days of the target container 200, in step S27, the control unit 1 instructs the operation panel 5 to display the printable days of the target container 200 as the second type of notification information 50 in the notification column 50C. That is, the notification information 50 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed in the notification column 50C. In “aa”, the number of printable days of the target container 200 is inserted.

  In step S25, when the control unit 1 determines that the current toner remaining amount of the target container 200 is less than the second threshold value, the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, the control unit 1 selects the third type (printable number of sheets) as the type of the notification information 50 to be displayed on the operation panel 5. Further, the control unit 1 obtains the number of printable sheets of the target container 200 by performing a sheet number calculation process.

  When determining the number of printable sheets of the target container 200, the control unit 1 calculates the total toner usage (Tut) of the target toner from when the target container 200 is mounted to the image forming apparatus 100, and also the image forming apparatus 100. The cumulative number of prints (Nt) of a print job using the target toner from when the target container 200 is mounted to the present is obtained, and the cumulative toner usage (Tut) is divided by the cumulative number of prints (Nt). The amount of toner used per sheet (Tut / Nt) is obtained. Further, the control unit 1 obtains a value obtained by dividing the current toner remaining amount (Trt) of the target container 200 by the toner usage amount (Tut / Nt) per sheet as a value corresponding to the number of sheets of the target container 200. . Then, the control unit 1 obtains the number of printable sheets of the target container 200 based on the value corresponding to the number of sheets of the target container 200 (obtains the integer part of the number of values corresponding to the number of sheets of the target container 200 as the printable number of sheets of the target container 200).

  After calculating the printable sheet number of the target container 200, in step S29, the control unit 1 instructs the operation panel 5 to display the printable sheet number of the target container 200 as the third type of notification information 50 in the notification column 50C. That is, the notification information 50 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed in the notification column 50C. In “bb”, the number of printable sheets of the target container 200 is inserted.

  After selecting the type of the notification information 50 to be displayed on the operation panel 5, the control unit 1 obtains the remaining amount of toner for each of the plurality of containers 200 each time a print job is executed, and calculates the target container 200 and the target toner. Recognize Then, the control unit 1 performs a type selection process (color machine process) based on the remaining amount of toner in the target container 200.

  In this configuration, notification information 50 relating to the remaining amount of toner in the container 200 having the smallest remaining toner amount among the plurality of containers 200 is displayed on the operation panel 5. For this reason, since it is possible to know the container 200 that is most likely to be empty first among the plurality of containers 200, it is convenient for the user.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiment but by the scope of claims, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims and all modifications within the scope of +.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 4 Printing part 5 Operation panel 50 Notification information 100 Image forming apparatus 200 Container

Claims (7)

An operation panel that displays information,
A container that is detachable from the image forming apparatus and contains toner;
A printing unit for executing a print job for printing an image on a sheet using toner of the container;
A controller that obtains the remaining amount of toner in the container and displays notification information on the remaining amount of toner on the operation panel;
There are a plurality of types of broadcast information,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit changes a type of the notification information to be displayed on the operation panel according to the toner remaining amount.   2. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the remaining amount of toner on the operation panel as the notification information when the remaining amount of toner is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value. apparatus. When the remaining amount of toner is less than the first threshold, the control unit displays the number of printable days on the operation panel as the notification information,
The control unit, when displaying the number of printable days on the operation panel, divides a cumulative toner usage amount from the installation of the container to the present by the number of days elapsed from the installation of the container to the present. The obtained toner usage amount per day is obtained, and the printable days to be displayed on the operation panel is calculated based on a value obtained by dividing the current toner remaining amount by the obtained toner usage amount per day. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is obtained. The control unit causes the operation panel to display a printable number of sheets as the notification information when the remaining amount of toner is less than a predetermined second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value.
The control unit, when displaying the printable number of sheets on the operation panel, divides the cumulative amount of toner used from when the container is mounted to the present time by the total number of printed sheets from when the container is mounted to the present. The printing to be displayed on the operation panel based on a value obtained by dividing the current remaining toner amount by the obtained toner usage amount per sheet obtained by obtaining the toner usage amount obtained per step The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the possible number of sheets is obtained.   When the predetermined amount is satisfied when the remaining amount of toner is less than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold when the remaining amount of toner is satisfied, the control unit displays a cumulative toner usage amount from when the container is mounted to the present. A value obtained by subtracting the accumulated toner usage from the installation to the previous day is obtained as a first comparison value, and the cumulative toner usage from the installation of the container to the previous day is elapsed from the installation of the container to the previous day. A value obtained by dividing by the number of days is obtained as a second comparison value, and if the first comparison value is larger than the second comparison value, the printable number of sheets is displayed on the operation panel as the notification information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.   6. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein the control unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than a predetermined value that is smaller than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold. The image forming apparatus described. A plurality of the containers for respectively storing a plurality of color toners;
The said control part calculates | requires the said said toner remaining amount of each of the said some container, and displays the said alerting | reporting information regarding the minimum said toner remaining amount on the said operation panel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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