JP4823852B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine, and more particularly to a memory unit attached to the image forming apparatus.

In order to meet the needs of users, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, facsimiles, and multifunction machines may provide a plurality of versions of image forming apparatuses having different functions such as an image forming speed.
As a result, the user can select and purchase an inexpensive version with standard functions, an expensive version with multiple functions, and the like.

In such image forming apparatuses having different versions, the functions differ from version to version, and therefore it is necessary to perform different control for each version. For this reason, in a conventional image forming apparatus, a memory unit such as a memory board on which a dedicated memory storing control parameters, software, and the like of that version is prepared and installed for each version. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus in which different types (versions) of image forming units are individually controlled by mounting memories that store correction data (control parameters).
JP 2002-251120 A

  However, when a different memory is used for each version as described above, it is necessary to manage the memory and the board (memory unit) on which the memory is mounted as a separate item for each version. In addition, when different software is used for each version, it is necessary to separately manage and develop each software.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to share memory and software between different versions.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention selectively stores a control parameter of a plurality of types of devices at a predetermined address for each type of the device, and the address of the memory selectively. And a control means for controlling the entire apparatus based on the control parameter stored at the designated address.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the selection unit applies a power supply voltage to the memory terminal in a state where the open portion formed in the middle portion is opened and the open portion is closed. It is possible to employ a configuration including a connection unit that applies a ground voltage to the terminals of the memory and a switch unit that selects an open / close state of the open unit.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to employ a configuration including a fixing unit that fixes the address selected by the selection unit.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the selection unit applies a power supply voltage to the memory terminal in a state where the open portion formed in the middle portion is opened and the open portion is closed. The connecting means for applying a ground voltage to the terminals of the memory and a switch for selecting the open / closed state of the open portion, the fixing means includes the open portion, and the memory It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a part of the substrate that can be separated from the substrate body to be mounted is configured.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the mounting member is installed on the substrate body on which the memory is mounted and attached at a position corresponding to the address designated by the selection unit, and formed on the installation location of the substrate body. In addition, it is possible to employ a configuration including a receiving portion of the mounting member formed at a position corresponding to the type of the device itself.

  Next, a memory unit according to the present invention includes a memory that stores control parameters of a plurality of types of devices at a predetermined address for each type of the device, and a selection unit that selectively designates the address of the memory. It is characterized by that.

  Further, in the memory unit of the present invention, the selection unit applies a power supply voltage to the terminals of the memory with the open part formed in the middle part opened, and the open part is closed. It is possible to employ a configuration including a connection unit that applies a ground voltage to the terminals of the memory and a switch unit that selects an open / close state of the open unit.

  In the memory unit of the present invention, it is possible to employ a configuration including a fixing unit that fixes the address selected by the selection unit.

  Further, in the memory unit of the present invention, the selection unit applies a power supply voltage to the terminals of the memory with the open part formed in the middle part opened, and the open part is closed. The connecting means for applying a ground voltage to the terminals of the memory and a switch for selecting the open / closed state of the open portion, the fixing means is formed with the open portion, and the memory is mounted. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a part of the substrate that can be separated from the substrate body is formed.

According to the present invention, all types (versions) of control parameters are stored in the memory, and each type of control parameters can be read out by selecting an address of the memory by the selection unit. For this reason, it is not necessary to prepare a memory for each type, and the memory can be shared. In addition, by making each type of control parameter according to the software of the control means provided on the apparatus side, it is not necessary to prepare software for each type.
Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to share memory and software between different versions.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus and a memory unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a copying machine will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus. Moreover, in the following drawings, the scale is appropriately changed in order to make each member a recognizable size.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the copier A of the present embodiment includes an operation unit 1, a display unit 2, an image reading unit 3, a hard disk 4, an image processing unit 5, a printing unit 6, a memory substrate 7 (memory unit), and a control. Unit 8 (control means) is provided.

  The operation unit 1 accepts various operation instructions from an operator and outputs the operation instructions to the control unit 8 and includes a numeric keypad, function keys, a touch panel, and the like.

  The display unit 2 is a liquid crystal display that functions as the touch panel. The display unit 2 displays various information using characters, graphics, and the like based on a display instruction input from the control unit 8 and is input by an operator touching the display surface. The operation instruction is output to the control unit 8.

  The image reading section 3 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 3a and a scanner section 3b. Under the control of the control unit 8, such an image reading unit 3 sequentially reads the original image supplied from the automatic document feeder 3 a by the scanner unit 3 b, and stores color image data indicating the color of the original image on the hard disk 4. Output to.

The automatic document feeder 3a supplies the originals placed on the document table one by one to the scanner unit 3b. The scanner unit 3b supplies the original image of the original document supplied from the automatic document feeder 3a. Is formed of a color line sensor that reads color image data and outputs color image data, and a scanning unit that sequentially moves the line-shaped reading position of the color line sensor. As is well known, the color line sensor is a pixel in which a plurality of optical sensors (for example, CCD sensors) corresponding to the three primary colors (R, G, B) are arranged in a straight line. The color image data output from such a color line sensor is an RGB pixel data group obtained by decomposing the color of each part of the original image into three primary colors (R, G, B).
The mechanism and optical configuration of the automatic document feeder 3a and the scanner unit 3b are well-known matters and will not be described.

  The hard disk 4 stores the color image data of the original image input from the image reading unit 3. Under the control of the control unit 8, the hard disk 4 writes the color image data of the original image and reads out the color image data and outputs it to the image processing unit 5. That is, the control unit 8 controls the writing of the color image data to the hard disk 4 and the reading of the color image data stored in the hard disk 4.

  The image processing unit 5 converts the color image data input from the hard disk 4 into color image data for printing and outputs it to the printing unit 6. Under the control of the control unit 8, the printing unit 6 prints (forms) an original image on the printing paper based on the color image data by transporting the printing paper and attaching toner to the printing paper. This is a printing means of a type, and includes a known paper feeding device, photosensitive drum, exposure device, transfer belt, fixing device, and the like.

  The memory board 7 includes a plate-like board and a memory 72 mounted on the board. Here, the memory substrate 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the memory 72. The memory 72 stores a plurality of versions of control parameters including the copying machine A of the present embodiment at separate addresses, and a serial EEPROM is used in the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the memory 72 includes an SCL terminal 307, an SDA terminal 308, a WP terminal 309, a VDD terminal 310, and a VSS terminal 311. The SCL terminal 307 and the SDA terminal 308 are electrically connected to the control unit 8 by two signal lines. The SCL terminal 307 is supplied with a clock, and the SDA terminal 308 is supplied with an address of a slave device, an internal address of the device, and data.
In addition to these terminals 307 to 311, the memory 72 includes an A0 terminal 312, an A1 terminal 313, and an A2 terminal 314. These terminals 312 to 314 are terminals for designating device addresses, and each of the terminals 312 to 314 is connected to the power supply voltage VDD or the ground VSS. A maximum of eight addresses can be set by applying a power supply voltage or ground to the three terminals 312 to 314, respectively. In the present embodiment, the control parameters of the version (version 1) of the copying machine A of the present embodiment are stored in the memory 72 at the address FG1, and the control parameters of the other three versions (versions 2 to 4) are stored. Assume that they are stored in addresses FG2, FG3, and FG4, respectively.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of address setting for the memory 72. This chart shows the relationship between the addresses FG1 to FG4 and the values of the terminals 312 to 314 (A0 terminal 312, A1 terminal 313, A2 terminal 314). In the figure, “Low” corresponds to the ground, and “Hi” corresponds to the power supply voltage. As can be seen from FIG. 3, in this embodiment, by applying “Low”, that is, ground, to the A0 terminal 312, “Hi”, that is, power supply voltage, and “Hi”, that is, power supply voltage, to the A1 terminal 313, The version 1 control parameter stored in the address FG1 can be extracted.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically showing the substrate 71 in the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, on the board 71, in addition to the memory 72, a connector 101, pull-up resistors 102 to 104, and frame ground parts (FG parts) 105 to 108 are arranged.
The connector 101 is used to connect the control unit 8 and the memory 72 and supply the power supply voltage VDD to the memory 72.
The A0 terminal 312, the A1 terminal 313, and the A2 terminal 314 of the memory 72 are connected to the power supply voltage VDD via the pull-up resistors 102 to 104.
The FG portions 105 to 108 are a part of the substrate 71 and are formed to protrude from the substrate body 711. A perforation 200 is formed at a boundary portion between each FG portion 105 to 108 and the substrate body 711, and each FG 105 to 108 can be cut by bending each FG 105 to 108 with respect to the substrate body 711. It has become.
Further, the surfaces of the FG portions 105 to 108 are configured as one or a plurality of conductive surfaces 109. Each FG portion 105 to 108 and the substrate body 711 are formed with attachment holes 300 for attaching a ground plate to be described later.

FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the memory substrate 7. As shown in this figure, the A0 terminal 312 is connected to the conductive surface 109 of the FG part 105 and one conductive surface 109 of the FG part 107, and the A1 terminal 313 is connected to the conductive surface 109 of the FG part 106 and the other of the FG part 107. Connected to the conductive surface 109, the A2 terminal 314 is connected to the conductive surface 109 of the FG portion 108. The A0 terminal 312 is connected to the ground via the contact 701, the A1 terminal 313 is connected to the ground via the contact 702 and the contact 703, and the A2 terminal 314 is connected to the ground via the contact 704. ing.
In the copying machine A of the present embodiment, the addresses of the memory 72 can be designated by selectively closing these contacts 701 to 704. For example, when the contact 701 is closed, the level becomes “Low” by applying the ground voltage to the A0 terminal 312 and the level becomes “Low” by applying the power supply voltage to the A1 terminal 313 and the A2 terminal 314. Hi "and the address FG1 is designated. Further, when the contact 702 is closed, the level becomes “Low” by applying the ground voltage to the A1 terminal 313, and the level becomes “Low” by applying the power supply voltage to the A0 terminal 312 and the A2 terminal 314. Hi "and the address FG2 is designated. When the contact 703 is closed, the ground voltage is applied to the A0 terminal 312 and the A1 terminal 313, the level becomes “Low”, and the power supply voltage is applied to the A2 terminal 314, thereby the level becomes “ Hi "and the address FG3 is designated. When the contact 704 is closed, the ground voltage is applied to the A2 terminal 314, the level becomes “Low”, and the power supply voltage is applied to the A0 terminal 312 and the A1 terminal 313. Hi "and the address FG4 is designated.
That is, in this embodiment, the wiring 700 in which the power supply voltage or the ground voltage is applied to the A0 terminal 312, the A1 terminal 313, and the A2 terminal 314 and the contacts 701 to 704 (open portions) are formed in the middle part. It functions as a connecting portion of the present invention.

In addition, each contact 701-704 respond | corresponds to each FG part 105-108. When the contacts 701 to 704 are closed, the corresponding FG portions 105 to 108 and the wiring of the substrate body 711 are made conductive by a ground plate (switch portion).
Here, in the copying machine A of the present embodiment, since the control parameter is stored in the address FG1 of the memory 72, the FG unit 105 and the substrate body 711 are electrically connected by the ground plate 400 as shown in FIG. . The ground plate 400 is fixed to the substrate 71 by a screw 500 that is screwed into the mounting hole 300 through the formed through hole 401. In FIG. 6, the screw 500 is shown in a removed state and from the front.

When the memory board 7 is mounted on another version of the copying machine, the FG units 106 to 108 are selected so that the address of the memory for storing the control parameters of the copying machine is selected. Conduction with the wiring 711 is made. For example, when the memory board 7 is mounted on a copying machine in which the control parameter is stored in the address FG2, the FG unit 106 and the wiring of the board body 711 are made conductive by the ground plate. Further, when the memory board 7 is mounted on the copier whose control parameter is stored in the address FG3, the FG section 107 and the wiring of the board body 711 are made conductive by the ground plate. In addition, when the memory board 7 is mounted on the copying machine in which the control parameter is stored in the address FG4, the FG unit 108 and the wiring of the board body 711 are made conductive by the ground plate.
That is, the open / close state of the wiring 700 is selected by the ground plate. In the present embodiment, the wiring 700 and the ground plate 400 constitute the selection unit of the present invention.

  Further, when the memory substrate 7 is incorporated into the copying machine, the FG portion other than the FG portion to be used (FG portion on which the ground plate is installed) is incorporated in a state where it is cut off from the substrate body 711. For this reason, in the copying machine A of the present embodiment, the FG units 106 to 108 other than the FG unit 105 are separated from the substrate body 711 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for simply explaining the configuration of the body part to which the memory board 7 is attached. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, a restricting portion 1002 for restricting the installation of the memory substrate 7 is formed at the installation location 1001 of the memory substrate 7 of the copying machine main body 1000. The restricting portion 1002 is a receiving hole (receiving portion) formed at a different position for each version of the copying machine A, and is capable of inserting one end side of the screw 500 described above.
Here, in this embodiment, since the control parameters of the copying machine A are stored at the address FG1 of the memory 72, the restricting portion 1002 is formed at a location corresponding to the FG portion 105 into which the screw 500 is screwed. Yes. In the present embodiment, since two screws 500 are used, two restriction portions 1002 are formed in the depth direction.
Therefore, when the memory substrate 7 is attached to the copying machine main body 1000, only when the screw 500 is screwed to the FG portion 105, one end of the screw 500 is inserted into the restriction portion 1002, as shown in FIG. As a result, the memory board 7 can be installed. On the other hand, when the screw 500 is screwed to the FG units 106 to 108 other than the FG unit 105, one end side of the screw 500 interferes with the copying machine main body 100 as shown in FIG. 7 can not be installed.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the screw 500 functions as an attachment member attached at a position corresponding to the designated address of the memory 72, and the restricting portion 1002 is formed at the installation location of the memory substrate 7, and the copying machine A It is comprised by the receiving part formed in the position according to the version.

Returning to FIG. 1, the control unit 8 performs the entire copying machine A based on the operation instruction input from the operation unit 1 or the display unit 2, the control program (software) stored in the internal memory, various control data, and the like. It controls the operation. That is, the control unit 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs control calculation based on the control program, operation instructions, various control data, and the like (that is, the operation unit 1, the display unit 2, and the image reading unit 3). , Hard disk 4, image processing unit 5, printing unit 6, and memory substrate 7), and various other input / output interface circuits, and the like. The original image read by 3 is copied and printed by the printing unit 6.
In the copying machine A of the present embodiment, since the address FG1 of the memory 72 is designated, the control unit 8 controls the overall operation of the copying machine A using the control parameter stored in the address FG1.

  In the copying machine A of the present embodiment configured as described above, an image of a document is read by the image reading unit 3 under the control of the control unit 8, and the read data is stored in the hard disk 4 as color image data. The Then, the color image data stored in the hard disk 4 is converted into color image data for printing by the image processing unit 5, and the printing unit 6 forms an image on the printing paper based on the converted color image data.

According to the copying machine A of the present embodiment as described above, the control parameters of all versions of the copying machine are stored in the memory 72, and the FG units 105 to 108 are selectively connected to the substrate body 711 by the ground plate 400. By conducting the wiring, the address of the memory 72 is designated, and among the control parameters stored in the memory 72, it is possible to read out the control parameters corresponding to the mounted copying machine. For this reason, it is not necessary to prepare different memories for each version as in the conventional copying machine, and it becomes possible to share the memories.
In addition, by making the control parameters of each version stored in the memory 72 correspond to the control program used in the control unit 8, the control program used in all versions can be shared.
Therefore, even when a plurality of versions of the copying machine is provided, the memory and the memory substrate can be shared, and the management cost, the development cost, and the like can be reduced.

  Further, in the copying machine A of the present embodiment, the FG units 105 to 108 can be separated from the substrate body 711, and are designated by separating unused FG units 106 to 108 from the substrate body 711. The address of the memory 72 cannot be changed and is fixed. As a result, other control parameters of the memory 72 cannot be taken out, so that it is possible to prevent unauthorized changes in the function of the copying machine due to modification or the like.

Further, in the copying machine A of the present embodiment, a restricting portion 1002 is formed at a location corresponding to the FG portion 105 into which the screw 500 is screwed. For this reason, a memory board in which the screw 500 is screwed to another FG portion, that is, a memory board in which addresses FG2 to FG4 other than the address FG1 are selected cannot be installed. Therefore, erroneous mounting of the memory board 7 can be prevented.
Further, in the copying machine A of the present embodiment, the screw 500 is also used as an attachment member that can be attached to a position corresponding to a specified address in the memory 72. For this reason, it is not necessary to prepare a mounting member separately.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and design changes and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, the configuration related to the wiring 700 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5, and as illustrated in FIG. 8, the conductive surface 109 of the FG 107 is single, and the contact 703 and the A0 terminal 312, the contact 703 and the A1 terminal. A configuration in which the diodes 901 and 902 are installed between each of the terminals 313 and 313 can also be adopted. Further, wiring structures other than these examples may be adopted, and the number of contacts and the number of memory terminals connected to the contacts are not limited to the above embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, the ground plate 400 and the substrate 71 are fixed by the screw 500 to ensure conduction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one end of the ground plate may have a leaf spring structure. This eliminates the need to screw one end of the ground plate with the screw 500.

In the above embodiment, the copying machine A has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a multifunction machine.
Further, for example, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus that does not include the image reading unit 3 and prints an image based on color image data input directly from a network or a terminal.

  In the above embodiment, the color image data of the image printed on the document is acquired. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the monochrome image data of the image printed on the document is acquired. It can also be set as the structure to do.

  In the above embodiment, the intermediate transfer printing unit 6 is used as the image printing unit of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an inkjet printer or the like is used as the image printing unit. It is also possible.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a copier that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a memory included in a copier that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a table for explaining an example of address setting for a memory included in a copier according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram of the board | substrate with which the copying machine which is one Embodiment of this invention is provided. 1 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a memory substrate provided in a copier that is an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration when a memory board included in a copier that is an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a copier. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for simply explaining a configuration of a main body portion to which a memory substrate provided in the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached. FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a modification of the memory substrate provided in the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  A: Copying machine (image forming apparatus), 7: Memory board (memory unit), 71 ... Board, 72 ... Memory, 8 ... Control unit (control device), 105-108 ... FG unit (fixed) Means), 312... A0 terminal, 313... A1 terminal, 314... A2 terminal, 400... Ground plate, 500. ), 1002 ...... Regulatory department (receiving part)

Claims (4)

A memory for storing control parameters of a plurality of types of devices at predetermined addresses for each type of the devices;
A selector for selectively designating the address of the memory;
Control means for controlling the entire apparatus based on the control parameter stored at the specified address;
An attachment member installed on a substrate body on which the memory is mounted and attached at a position corresponding to an address designated by the selection unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a receiving portion of the mounting member formed at an installation location of the substrate body and formed at a position corresponding to a type of the apparatus itself . The selection unit includes:
A connection part for applying a power supply voltage to the memory terminal in a state where the open part formed in the middle part is opened and applying a ground voltage to the memory terminal in a state where the open part is closed;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a switch unit that selects an open / closed state of the open unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing unit that fixes the address selected by the selection unit. The selection unit applies a power supply voltage to the memory terminal in a state where an open part formed in the middle part is opened, and applies a ground voltage to the memory terminal in a state where the open part is closed. And a switch unit that selects an open / closed state of the open part.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fixing unit includes a part of a substrate on which the open portion is formed and which can be separated from a substrate body on which the memory is mounted.

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