JP7814909B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to image forming devices such as copiers and printers that form images using electrophotography or electrostatic recording methods.

Image forming devices form images by installing process cartridges (hereinafter referred to as cartridges), which are consumables that can be attached to and detached from the image forming device main body and form images on recording materials. The cartridge integrates process components such as a photosensitive drum (image carrier), a charging roller that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum to a uniform potential, and a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum. The process components of a cartridge may be changed from the original process components, and image formation conditions must be set to match the changed process components. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a cartridge is provided with a storage device and images are formed under appropriate image formation conditions based on information stored in the storage device. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which correction information corresponding to the combination of cartridges before and after the process components are changed is stored in a storage device, and images are formed under appropriate image formation conditions.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-240928 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-205697

However, in color image forming devices that can accommodate four color cartridges as disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents and that store correction information only in specific cartridges, the following problem can arise. That is, a specific cartridge with correction information stored in its storage device may be used together with a newer version cartridge that has newer process members than the specific cartridge. In such cases, the correction information stored in the storage device of the specific cartridge does not include correction information for the newer version cartridge. This creates the problem of not being able to switch image formation conditions to match the cartridge with the newer process members.

The present invention was developed in response to these circumstances, and its purpose is to perform image formation under image formation conditions appropriate to the cartridge, even when different versions of cartridges are mixed.

To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following configuration.

(1) An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image using a plurality of cartridges that are detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus and each of which has a member for forming an image and a storage unit; and a setting unit that sets image forming conditions when forming an image, wherein the cartridges include a first cartridge and a second cartridge, the first cartridge having identification information in the storage unit that indicates the version of the first cartridge, and the second cartridge having identification information in the storage unit that indicates the version of the second cartridge and correction information for correcting the image forming conditions in accordance with the identification information set in the first cartridge, and the correction information is set to correct the image forming conditions when the first cartridge having identification information indicating a newer version than the second cartridge is mounted. and a setting means for setting the image forming conditions based on the first correction information when the version indicated by the identification information held in the storage means by the first cartridge is newer than the version indicated by the identification information held in the storage means by the second cartridge, and for setting the image forming conditions based on the second correction information when the version indicated by the identification information held in the storage means by the first cartridge is the same version as or an earlier version than the version indicated by the identification information held in the storage means by the second cartridge .

According to this invention, even when cartridges of different versions are mixed, image formation can be performed under image formation conditions appropriate for the cartridge.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to first and second embodiments; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to first and second embodiments. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the memory configuration of the storage devices of the yellow, magenta, and cyan cartridges of the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the memory configuration of a storage device of a black cartridge according to a first embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing a control sequence for controlling correction of image forming conditions in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the memory configuration of the storage device of the black cartridge according to the second embodiment. A flowchart showing a control sequence for controlling correction of image forming conditions in the second embodiment.

The following describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
FIG. 1 illustrates the overall configuration of a laser beam printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes multiple image forming stations, which, from the left in the figure, are image forming stations containing yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner. The suffixes a, b, c, and d in the figures indicate the components of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) image forming stations, respectively. Each image forming station has the same configuration, and the following description will not use the reference numerals a to d unless otherwise necessary.

(Image forming unit)
In each image forming station, a photosensitive drum 1, which serves as an image carrier, is driven by a drive motor (not shown) to rotate in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) in the figure. A charging roller 2, which serves as a charging unit, contacts the photosensitive drum 1 and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1, uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. A voltage consisting of a DC voltage or a superimposed AC voltage is applied to the charging roller 2, and the photosensitive drum 1 is charged via the contact nip between the charging roller 2 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. An exposure unit 11 includes a scanner unit that deflects a laser beam using a rotating polygonal mirror and scans the photosensitive drum 1 with the deflected laser beam. The exposure unit 11 irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with a scanning beam 12 modulated based on a video signal (image signal), forming an electrostatic latent image. The developing unit 8, which serves as the developing section, is composed of a developing roller 4 in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, a developer (toner) 5, and a developer application blade 7. The developing unit 8 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 with toner to form a toner image. A cleaning unit 3 collects toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 that has not been transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 80 (described later). The process cartridge 9 incorporates the photosensitive drum 1, charging roller 2, cleaning unit 3, and developing unit 8, and is an integrated cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus. The charging roller 2 and developing roller 4 are connected to a charging voltage power supply 20 and a developing voltage power supply 21, respectively, which supply voltage to the charging roller 2 and the developing roller 4. The charging roller 2 is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and a charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 2 from the charging voltage power supply 20, thereby uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The cartridge 9 also contains a storage device 6 that stores information related to image formation.

The intermediate transfer belt 80 is supported by three rollers: a secondary transfer opposing roller 86, which serves as a tension member, a drive roller 14, and a tension roller 15, and is configured to maintain an appropriate tension. Driven by the drive roller 14, the intermediate transfer belt 80 moves in the direction of the arrow (clockwise) in the figure at approximately the same speed as the photosensitive drum 1. The primary transfer roller 81 is positioned opposite the photosensitive drum 1 across the intermediate transfer belt 80 and is connected to a primary transfer voltage power supply 84, which supplies voltage to the primary transfer roller 81. By applying a primary transfer voltage from the primary transfer voltage power supply 84 to the primary transfer roller 81, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 (image carrier) is sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 80, forming a multi-color image on the intermediate transfer belt 80.

(Cassette feeding section)
Paper P, which is a recording material, is placed in the paper feed cassette 16. When feeding paper P (hereinafter simply referred to as paper), a paper feed motor (not shown) drives the cassette pickup roller 17 to raise the paper feed cassette bottom plate 29 and push up the paper P placed in the paper feed cassette 16. The topmost sheet of the pushed-up paper P comes into contact with the cassette pickup roller 17, and as the cassette pickup roller 17 rotates, the paper P is separated and fed one by one. The fed paper P is transported to a registration roller 18 (hereinafter referred to as the registration roller 18), which is a transport means. When a registration sensor 35, which is a recording material detection means that detects the recording material, detects the leading edge of the paper P in the transport direction, the paper feed motor (not shown) stops driving and the transport of the paper P is temporarily halted. The paper P, which has been temporarily stopped by the registration roller 18, is then resumed being transported at a timing such that the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 80 and the position (image forming position) where the toner image on the paper P is transferred coincide with each other at the secondary transfer section described later.

(Secondary transfer section)
The intermediate transfer belt 80, onto which the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 1 of each image forming station have been transferred, is moved in the direction of the arrow in the figure (clockwise direction) by the drive roller 14. The toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 80 are transported to a secondary transfer section, which is the contact point between the secondary transfer roller 82 and the intermediate transfer belt 80. The secondary transfer roller 82 and a secondary transfer opposing roller 86, which is installed opposite the secondary transfer roller 82, then sandwich and transport the paper P and the intermediate transfer belt 80, and a voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 82 from a secondary transfer voltage power supply 85. This causes the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 80 to be transferred to the paper P.

(fixing part)
The fixing unit 19 heats and pressurizes the toner image transferred onto the paper P, thereby fixing the toner image to the paper P. The fixing unit 19 includes a fixing belt 19a and a pressure roller 19b. The pressure roller 19b and a belt guide member (not shown) sandwich the fixing belt 19a with a predetermined pressure, forming a fixing nip. When the fixing nip is adjusted to a predetermined temperature, the paper P with an unfixed toner image transferred thereto is introduced between the fixing belt 19a and the pressure roller 19b in the fixing nip with the image side facing upward, i.e., facing the fixing belt 19a. Then, in the fixing nip, the image side of the paper P is in close contact with the outer surface of the fixing belt 19a, and the paper P is sandwiched and transported through the fixing nip. As the paper P is sandwiched and transported by the fixing belt 19a through the fixing nip, the toner image on the paper P is heated by the fixing belt 19a and fixed to the paper P, and the paper P with the fused toner image is discharged to the output tray 36.

[System Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the system configuration of an image forming apparatus for explaining this embodiment. A controller 101 communicates with an external host computer 100. When a print job or the like requesting image formation is received from the host computer 100, the controller 101 controls an engine control unit 102 to form an image. The engine control unit 102 controls the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus. A cartridge control unit 110 controls each component of the cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d, each containing yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner, to form an image. A device communication unit 111 communicates with the storage devices 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d of the cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d, each containing yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner, and acquires stored information. In the following, the cartridge 9a with yellow (Y) toner will be referred to as the Y cartridge 9a, the cartridge 9b with magenta (M) toner will be referred to as the M cartridge 9b, and the cartridge 9c with cyan (C) toner will be referred to as the C cartridge 9c. Similarly, the cartridge 9d with black (K) toner will be referred to as the K cartridge 9d. The secondary transfer control unit 112 controls the secondary transfer voltage power supply 85 to apply a secondary transfer voltage to the secondary transfer roller 82, thereby controlling the transfer of the image on the intermediate transfer belt 80 to the sheet P. The fixing control unit 113 controls the temperature of the fixing unit 19 based on the detection results of a temperature detection element installed in the fixing unit 19, and controls the fixing of the toner to the sheet P.

The correction determination unit 120, which is a setting means, determines whether or not correction of the image formation conditions is necessary based on the information stored in the storage devices 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d of the Y cartridge 9a, M cartridge 9b, C cartridge 9c, and K cartridge 9d. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that correction is necessary, it calculates correction values for the image formation conditions based on the information stored in the storage device 6 of each cartridge 9. Below, we will explain an example in which the secondary transfer voltage and fixing temperature are corrected, assuming that the image formation conditions for which correction is determined based on the information stored in the storage device 6 are the secondary transfer voltage (secondary transfer condition) and the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 19 (fixing condition).

[Identification information of Y, M, C cartridges]
3 is a diagram illustrating the identification information stored in the storage devices 6a, 6b, and 6c of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, which are the first cartridges. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the memory configuration of the storage devices 6a, 6b, and 6c of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, and the memory configuration of the storage devices 6a, 6b, and 6c is the same.

The identification information 300 shown in FIG. 3 indicates whether the toner material stored in the cartridge 9 in which the storage device 6 is installed has been changed, and the number of times it has been changed. One of three values, 0, 1, or 2, is set for the identification information 300. Identification information 0 indicates that the toner material is the initial version (initial version), and identification information 1 indicates that the toner material has been changed from the initial version (identification information 0). Identification information 2 indicates that the toner material has been changed from a version with an identification information value of 1, and has been changed twice since the initial version. Here, the version represents the number of times the toner material stored in the cartridge 9 has been changed as a product. In this embodiment, the version is described as information indicating whether the toner material has been changed or the number of times it has been changed, but this is not limited to this, and various changes are possible as identification information for other components, materials, etc.

[K Cartridge Identification Information and Correction Information]
4 is a diagram illustrating the information stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d, which is the second cartridge. In this embodiment, the effect of a change in toner material on the secondary transfer voltage and fixing temperature is greatest for the K cartridge 9d, which uses black toner, so correction values are stored only in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. Furthermore, by having only the K cartridge 9d store the correction values, it is possible to conserve memory capacity in the storage devices 6a, 6b, and 6c of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c.

(Identification information)
4(a), 4(c), and 4(e) are diagrams illustrating information stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d when the identification information is 0, 1, or 2. First, the information stored in common in each of FIGS. 4(a), 4(c), and 4(e) will be described. Similar to the identification information 300 in FIG. 3, the identification information 400 shown in FIG. 4(a), the identification information 420 shown in FIG. 4(c), and the identification information 440 shown in FIG. 4(e) are information indicating a change in the material of the toner stored in the K cartridge 9d. Note that FIG. 4(a) illustrates information stored when the identification information is 0, FIG. 4(c) illustrates information stored when the identification information is 1, and FIG. 4(e) illustrates information stored when the identification information is 2.

(First correction information)
The first correction information shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C is composed of first secondary transfer correction information and first fixing correction information. The first secondary transfer correction information is stored in the storage device 6d as first secondary transfer correction information 401 (labeled "first secondary transfer correction" in the figure) in FIG. 4A and as first secondary transfer correction information 422 (labeled "first secondary transfer correction" in the figure) in FIG. 4C. The first fixing correction information is stored in the storage device 6d as first fixing correction information 402 (labeled "first fixing correction" in the figure) in FIG. 4A and as first fixing correction information 424 (labeled "first fixing correction" in the figure) in FIG. 4C. The first correction information is a correction value used when, in the combination of the identification information of the installed cartridges 9, at least one value set in the identification information 300 of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is larger than the identification information of the K cartridge 9d. For example, if the identification information (Y, M, C, K) of the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d is (1, 2, 0, 1), the identification information of the K cartridge 9d is 1 and the identification information of the M cartridge 9b is 2, so the first correction information is used.

(Second correction information)
The second correction information shown in Figures 4(c) and 4(e) is composed of second secondary transfer correction information and second fixing correction information. The second secondary transfer correction information is stored in the storage device 6d as second secondary transfer correction information 421 (labeled "second secondary transfer correction" in the figure) in Figure 4(c) and as second secondary transfer correction information 441 (labeled "second secondary transfer correction" in the figure) in Figure 4(e). The second fixing correction information is stored in the storage device 6d as second fixing correction information 423 (labeled "second fixing correction" in the figure) in Figure 4(c) and as second fixing correction information 442 (labeled "second fixing correction" in the figure) in Figure 4(e). The second correction information is a correction value used when, in the combination of the identification information of the installed cartridges 9, all values of the identification information 300 of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c are equal to or less than the value of the identification information of the K cartridge 9d. For example, if the values of the identification information (Y, M, C, K) of the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d are (0, 1, 1, 1), the identification information of the K cartridge 9d is 1, and the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c are all less than 1. In such a case, the second correction information is used.

However, if the identification information for the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d is all 0, control is performed using the initial value and no correction is required, so there is no need to store correction information in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. The storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d stores as many correction values as there are combinations of identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c as secondary transfer correction information and fixing correction information. Therefore, the number of correction values to be stored in the first correction information and second correction information depends on the value of the identification information set for the K cartridge 9d.

(Information stored when identification information is 0)
FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating information stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d when the identification information is 0. Identification information of 0 indicates that the toner material contained in the cartridge 9d is an initial version. Therefore, it is only necessary to assume that the toner material of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is a newer version than the toner material contained in the K cartridge 9d, and therefore only the first correction information is stored as the correction value. The first secondary transfer correction information 401 and the first fixing correction information 402, which constitute the first correction information, store correction values for the number of possible combinations of identification information for the cartridges 9. Because the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is set to 0, 1, or 2, respectively, the total number of possible combinations is 27, which is 3 cubed. However, as described above, no correction value is required when the identification information is all 0, so the number of pieces of information required for the first correction information is 26 (=27-1). Therefore, the first secondary transfer correction information 401 and the first fixing correction information 402 in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d each store 26 correction values.

Figure 4(b) is a correspondence table that associates the memory locations (represented as data locations in the figure) where correction values are stored in the storage device 6d shown in Figure 4(a) with combinations of identification information values for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. In the correspondence table shown in Figure 4(b), the Data Location column indicates the location where the corresponding correction value is stored in the storage device 6d (an offset value indicating the position of the stored value, counting from the beginning of the memory area where the corresponding correction information is stored). The Y, M, and C columns also indicate the identification information values for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, respectively. Specifically, in Figure 4(b), data locations 1 through 7 indicate data locations of correction information corresponding to combinations of the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c consisting of 0 or 1, excluding the case where the identification information is all 0. Similarly, data locations 8 through 26 indicate data locations of correction information corresponding to combinations of the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c containing a 2. For example, if the identification information (Y, M, C) of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9d has a value of (1, 0, 0), the data position shown in FIG. 4B is 1. Therefore, for the first secondary transfer correction information 401, it indicates the correction value (0 V) stored at reference numeral 411 in FIG. 4A, and for the first fixing correction information 402, it indicates the correction value (0°C) stored at reference numeral 413 in FIG. 4A. Similarly, if the identification information (Y, M, C) of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9d has a value of (2, 2, 2), the data position shown in FIG. 4B is 26. Therefore, for the first secondary transfer correction information 401, it indicates the correction value (+7 V) stored at reference numeral 412 in FIG. 4A, and for the first fixing correction information 402, it indicates the correction value (-10°C) stored at reference numeral 414 in FIG. 4A.

In Figure 4(a), correction information is stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d in case the K cartridge 9d, whose identification information is set to 0, is mixed with the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, whose identification information is 1 and 2. For example, if all cartridges 9 are initial versions with identification information set to 0, correction information is unnecessary. Therefore, when the identification information of the K cartridge 9d is 0, it is possible to configure the storage device 6d so that correction information is not stored in order to conserve memory capacity. The effects of secondary transfer voltage and fixing temperature on image formation conditions are most significant for the K cartridge 9d, so storing the correction information enables appropriate image formation as before.

(Information stored when identification information is 1)
4(c) is a diagram illustrating the information stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d when the identification information is 1. Because the identification information is 1, it is necessary to consider the possibility of mixing cartridges 9 whose identification information is set to 0 (the initial version, which is the previous version) or 1 (the same version) with cartridges 9 whose identification information is set to 2 (the new version). Therefore, both the first correction information and the second correction information described above are stored as correction values in the storage device 6d.

First, the second correction information will be described. The second correction information is a correction value when Y, M, C, and K cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c are installed, with identification information set to a value equal to or less than the identification information set for K cartridge 9d. Because the identification information for K cartridge 9d is 1, the identification information for all Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is set to a value of 0 or 1. Therefore, the total number of combinations of identification information for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is 2 cubed, or 8. Therefore, 8 correction values are stored in each of the second secondary transfer correction information 421 and second fixing correction information 423 in the storage device 6d for K cartridge 9d.

Next, the first correction information will be described. The first correction information is a correction value when at least one Y, M, or C cartridge 9a, 9b, or 9c is installed and has identification information set to a value greater than the identification information set for the K cartridge 9d. Therefore, the number of correction values set in the first correction information is as follows: The number of combinations in which values 0 to 2 are set for the identification information of the Y, M, or C cartridges 9a, 9b, or 9c is 3 to the power of 3, or 27. The number of combinations when the identification information of the Y, M, or C cartridges 9a, 9b, or 9c is 0 or 1 is 2 to the power of 3, or 8. As a result, the total number of correction values set in the first correction information is 19, obtained by subtracting 8 from 27. Therefore, 19 correction values are stored each in the first secondary transfer correction information 422 and the first fixing correction information 424 in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d.

Figure 4(d) is a correspondence table that associates the memory locations (represented as data locations in the figure) where correction values are stored in the storage device 6d shown in Figure 4(c) with combinations of values in the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. In the correspondence table shown in Figure 4(d), the data location column indicates the location where the corresponding correction value is stored in the storage device 6d. In detail, in Figure 4(d), data locations 1 to 8 indicate data locations corresponding to combinations where the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is 0 or 1. Similarly, data locations 9 to 27 indicate data locations corresponding to combinations where the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c includes a 2.

To apply the correspondence table shown in FIG. 4(d) to FIG. 4(c), the second secondary transfer correction information 421 and the first secondary transfer correction information 422 are considered to be one group of secondary transfer correction values. As described above, the second secondary transfer correction information 421 stores eight correction values, and the first secondary transfer correction information 422 stores nineteen correction values. Therefore, the correspondence between the data positions shown in the correspondence table in FIG. 4(d) in FIG. 4(c) is as follows: when the data position is 1, the correction value (+10V) of the code 431 in the second secondary transfer correction information 421 is obtained; when the data position is 8, the correction value (+7V) of the code 432 in the second secondary transfer correction information 421 is obtained; when the data position is 9, the correction value (+5V) of the code 433 in the first secondary transfer correction information 422 is obtained; and when the data position is 27, the correction value (+15V) of the code 434 in the first secondary transfer correction information 422 is obtained. For the second fixing correction information 423 and the first fixing correction information 424, similar to the secondary transfer correction information described above, the corresponding correction values can be referenced from the combination of identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c.

(Information stored when identification information is 2)
FIG. 4E is a diagram illustrating the information stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d when the identification information is 2. The version with identification information 2 is a new version in which the toner material has been changed from the version with identification information 1, and the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, which have identification information values greater than that of the K cartridge 9d, are not installed. Therefore, only the second correction information is stored as the correction value. Because the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is set to a value of 0, 1, or 2, the total number of combinations is 27, which is the cube of 3. Therefore, 27 correction values are stored in the second secondary transfer correction information 441 and the second fixing correction information 442 of the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d.

Figure 4(f) is a correspondence table that associates the memory locations (represented as data locations in the figure) where correction values are stored in the storage device 6d shown in Figure 4(e) with combinations of values of the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. The correspondence table shown in Figure 4(f) is the same as the correspondence table shown in Figure 4(e) described above. For example, if the values of the identification information (Y, M, C) for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9d are (0, 0, 0), the data location shown in Figure 4(f) is 1. Therefore, the second secondary transfer correction information 441 indicates the correction value (+11V) indicated by reference numeral 451 in Figure 4(e), and the second fixing correction information 442 indicates the correction value (-10°C) indicated by reference numeral 453 in Figure 4(e). Similarly, if the value of the identification information (Y, M, C) for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9d is (2, 2, 2), the data position shown in FIG. 4(f) is 27. Therefore, the second secondary transfer correction information 441 indicates the correction value (+8V) of reference numeral 452 in FIG. 4(e), and the second fixing correction information 442 indicates the correction value (-15°C) of reference numeral 454 in FIG. 4(a).

The correction values set in the first correction information in Figure 4 will now be described. The correction values set in the first correction information in Figure 4 are applied when there is a cartridge 9 with a value set greater than the identification information for the K cartridge 9d, and therefore are correction values based on future changes to the toner material. For this reason, it may be difficult to set appropriate correction values if future changes to the toner material are not anticipated. In such cases, for example, by setting values in the first correction information that do not correct the secondary transfer voltage and fixing temperature, it is possible to form images under process conditions equivalent to conventional methods. In this embodiment, the impact of changes in the toner material on the secondary transfer voltage and fixing temperature is greatest for the K cartridge 9d, so sufficiently appropriate image formation is possible even without correction.

On the other hand, it may be possible to store correction values based on toner material changes in the future in the storage device of cartridges currently being produced. For example, between the time when the image formation conditions for a toner material change are determined and the time when cartridges with the changed toner material are actually produced, first correction information can be stored in the storage device of cartridges being produced before the toner material change. Also, if it is anticipated that the characteristics of the toner material will change in the future, it is possible to store estimated correction values in the first correction information in advance. In such cases, it is possible to store first correction information that is the correction value when the cartridges are mixed in the future.

[Determining whether or not image formation conditions need to be corrected]
5 is a flowchart showing a control sequence for determining whether or not correction of image forming conditions is necessary based on identification information acquired from the storage device 6 of the cartridge 9 mounted in the image forming apparatus main body. The process shown in FIG. 5 is started when the engine control unit 102 performs an image forming operation, and is executed by the correction determination unit 120.

In step (hereinafter referred to as S) 501, the correction determination unit 120 acquires identification information from the storage devices 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d of the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d via the device communication unit 111. In S502, the correction determination unit 120 determines whether the value of the identification information acquired from the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d is 0. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that the value of the acquired identification information is 0, it proceeds to S503; if it determines that the value of the acquired identification information is not 0 (the value of the acquired identification information is 1 or 2), it proceeds to S506.

In S503, the correction determination unit 120 determines whether there are any cartridges 9 with identification information of 1 or more based on the identification information acquired from the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that there are any cartridges 9 with identification information of 1 or more, it proceeds to S504. On the other hand, if the correction determination unit 120 determines that there are no cartridges 9 with identification information of 1 or more (the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is 0), it terminates processing because there is no need to correct the image formation conditions.

In S504, the correction determination unit 120 acquires the correction values of the first correction information based on the correspondence table of FIG. 4(b) or 4(d) corresponding to the identification information of the K cartridge 9d. That is, the correction determination unit 120 acquires the correction values of the first correction information corresponding to the combination of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c from the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. In S505, the correction determination unit 120 notifies the secondary transfer control unit 112 and the fixing control unit 113 of the acquired correction values (secondary transfer correction information, fixing correction information) in order to correct the image formation conditions, and then ends the processing. The secondary transfer control unit 112 and the fixing control unit 113 respectively correct the secondary transfer voltage and the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 19 based on the correction values (secondary transfer correction information, fixing correction information) acquired by the correction determination unit 120.

In S506, the correction determination unit 120 determines whether the value of the identification information acquired from the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d is 1. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that the value of the acquired identification information is 1, the process proceeds to S507; if the correction determination unit 120 determines that the value of the acquired identification information is not 1 (the value of the acquired identification information is 2), the process proceeds to S508.

In S507, the correction determination unit 120 determines whether a cartridge 9 with identification information of 2 is present, based on the identification information acquired from the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that a cartridge 9 with identification information of 2 is present, the process proceeds to S504. On the other hand, if the correction determination unit 120 determines that a cartridge 9 with identification information of 2 is not present (the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is 0 or 1), the process proceeds to S508.

In S508, the correction determination unit 120 acquires the correction values of the second correction information corresponding to the combination of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c from the storage device 6d, based on the correspondence table of FIG. 4(d) or 4(f) corresponding to the identification information of the K cartridge 9d. Once the correction determination unit 120 acquires the correction values of the second correction information from the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d, the process proceeds to S505.

This embodiment has described a method for appropriately correcting image formation conditions when an image forming apparatus contains a mixture of cartridges 9 whose toner material, one of the process components, has not been changed, cartridges whose toner material has been changed once, and cartridges 9 whose toner material has been changed twice. As described above, this embodiment can store correction information for future changes to the toner material in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. This allows the secondary transfer voltage and the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 19 to be appropriately corrected even when cartridges 9 whose toner material is newer than the K cartridge 9d are installed in the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, because the correction values for correcting image formation conditions are stored only in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d, memory capacity in the storage devices 6a, 6b, and 6c of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c can be conserved.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, even when cartridges of different versions are mixed, image formation can be performed under image formation conditions appropriate for the cartridge.

In Example 1, correction information was stored even in the initial version K cartridge with identification information 0. Example 2 describes an example in which correction information is not stored in K cartridges with identification information 0. Furthermore, depending on the toner material being changed, appropriate image formation conditions may be set without dividing the correction values stored in the K cartridge into first and second correction information. In this example, the same correction value is used for the K cartridge as the first and second correction information, and correction determination information indicating whether correction is required based on the combination of the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges is added. This describes a configuration that reduces the memory capacity required for the K cartridge's storage device while setting appropriate image formation conditions. The configuration and system configuration of the laser printer as the image forming apparatus in Example 2, and the identification information stored in the storage devices of the Y, M, and C cartridges are the same as in Example 1. In this example, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals as in Example 1, and their description will be omitted.

[K Cartridge Identification Information and Correction Information]
6 is a diagram illustrating information stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d in this embodiment. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, correction values are stored only in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. Furthermore, since only the K cartridge 9d has correction values, the memory capacity of the storage devices 6a, 6b, and 6c of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c can be saved, as in the first embodiment. As described above, when the identification information set in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d is 0, i.e., the initial version, correction information is not stored in order to save memory capacity.

(Information stored when identification information is 1)
FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating information stored in the storage device 6d of a K cartridge 9d whose identification information is 1 and whose toner material has been changed. Because the identification information is 1, it is necessary to consider the possibility of a cartridge 9 whose identification information is set to 0 being mixed with a cartridge 9 whose identification information is set to 2. Therefore, both first and second correction information are stored as correction values in the storage device 6d. In this embodiment, the first and second correction information include secondary transfer correction information 601 (referred to as "secondary transfer correction" in the figure) and fixing correction information 602 (referred to as "fixing correction" in the figure), as well as secondary transfer correction determination information 603 and fixing correction determination information 604, which are correction necessity information. The secondary transfer correction information 601 and fixing correction information 602 use the same correction value in the first and second correction information. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the secondary transfer correction information and fixing correction information stored correction values correspond to the combinations of the lacquerware-specific information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. However, in this embodiment, only one correction value is stored.

Secondary transfer correction judgment information 603 indicates whether or not secondary transfer correction information 601 needs to be applied, depending on the combination of identification information for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, and is composed of first secondary transfer correction judgment information 613 and second secondary transfer correction judgment information 614. The first secondary transfer correction judgment information 613 and second secondary transfer correction judgment information 614 are each composed of bit strings of 0 and 1, with the bit positions corresponding to combinations of identification information for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. A "0" in the bit strings of first secondary transfer correction judgment information 613 and second secondary transfer correction judgment information 614 indicates that secondary transfer voltage correction will not be performed, and a "1" indicates that secondary transfer voltage correction will be performed.

The secondary transfer correction determination information 603 is 27 bits of information, since all possible combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, which have values between 0 and 2, are 3 to the power of 3, or 27 ways. The second secondary transfer correction determination information 614 is 8 bits of information, since all possible combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, which have values between 0 and 1, are 2 to the power of 3, or 8 ways. Therefore, the first secondary transfer correction determination information 613 is 19 bits of information, since it has the remaining 19 ways (= 27 ways - 8 ways).

Furthermore, the fixing correction judgment information 604 is information indicating whether or not the fixing correction information 602 needs to be applied depending on the combination of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, and is composed of first fixing correction judgment information 615 and second fixing correction judgment information 616. The number of combinations can be considered similar to that of the secondary transfer correction judgment information 603 described above. The first fixing correction judgment information 615 has 19 possible combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, so it is 19-bit information. On the other hand, the second fixing correction judgment information 616 has 8 possible combinations of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, so it is 8-bit information.

Figure 6(b) is a correspondence table showing the correspondence between the bit positions of the correction judgment information in Figure 6(a) and combinations of identification information for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. In Figure 6(b), bit positions 0 to 7 indicate bit positions corresponding to combinations of identification information 0 and 1, including cases where the identification information for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is all 0. Bit positions 8 to 26 indicate bit positions corresponding to combinations of identification information for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c that include identification information 2. In the secondary transfer correction judgment information 603 shown in Figure 6(a), bit positions 0 to 7 indicate second secondary transfer correction judgment information 614, and bit positions 8 to 26 indicate first secondary transfer correction judgment information 613. Note that bit position 0 indicates the least significant bit of the bit string indicating the correction judgment information, and bit position 27 indicates the most significant bit of the bit string indicating the correction judgment information.

For example, if the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c are all 0, this corresponds to bit position 0 in FIG. 6(b), so the secondary transfer correction determination information 603 shown in FIG. 6(a) references the least significant bit, code 621, which is "0." Since code 621 for bit position 0 is "0," secondary transfer correction is not performed. On the other hand, if the identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c are all 2, this corresponds to bit position 26 in FIG. 6(b), so the secondary transfer correction determination information 603 shown in FIG. 6(a) references the most significant bit, code 622, which is "1." Since the most significant bit is "1," the secondary transfer correction value (+5V) at code 611 is applied as the correction value for the secondary transfer voltage. The application of the fixing correction value can also be considered in the same manner as the secondary transfer correction value described above. If the bit corresponding to the combination of identification information for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c in the fixing correction determination information is "1," the fixing correction value 612 (-1°C) is applied as the fixing temperature correction value.

(Information stored when identification information is 2)
6C is a diagram illustrating information stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d, whose identification information has been changed and whose toner material is 2. Because there are no cartridges 9 whose identification information has a value greater than 2, only second correction information is stored as the correction value in the storage device 6d. The second correction information includes second secondary transfer correction information 631 (referred to as "secondary transfer correction" in the figure) and fixing correction information 632 (referred to as "fixing correction" in the figure), as well as second secondary transfer correction judgment information 633 and second fixing correction judgment information 634. The secondary transfer correction judgment information 633 and the fixing correction judgment information 634 are 27-bit information because there are 27 possible combinations, which is 3 cubed, of the identification information of the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, which are all possible combinations of 0 to 2.

Figure 6(d) is a correspondence table showing the correspondence between the bit positions of the correction judgment information in Figure 6(c) and combinations of identification information for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c. In Figure 6(d), bit positions 0 to 7 indicate bit positions corresponding to combinations of identification information 0 and 1, including cases where the identification information for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c is all 0. Bit positions 8 to 26 indicate bit positions corresponding to combinations of identification information for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c that include identification information 2. In Figure 6(c), the corresponding bit position is calculated from the combination of identification information for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c according to the correspondence table shown in Figure 6(d), and a determination is made as to whether or not to apply a correction value based on the secondary transfer correction judgment information 633 and the fixing correction judgment information 634. Based on the combination of identification information for Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c, if the information in the corresponding bit position is "1," the secondary transfer correction value (+10V) indicated by reference numeral 641 and the fixing correction value (-8°C) indicated by reference numeral 642 are applied as the correction values for the secondary transfer voltage and fixing temperature.

[Determining whether or not image formation conditions need to be corrected]
7 is a flowchart showing a control sequence for determining whether or not correction of image forming conditions is necessary based on identification information acquired from the storage device 6 of the cartridge 9 mounted in the image forming apparatus main body of this embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 7 is started when the engine control unit 102 performs an image forming operation, and is executed by the correction determination unit 120.

In S701, the correction determination unit 120 acquires identification information from the storage devices 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d of the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d via the device communication unit 111. In S702, the correction determination unit 120 determines whether the value of the identification information acquired from the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d is other than 0. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that the value of the acquired identification information is other than 0 (1 or 2), the process proceeds to S703. If the correction determination unit 120 determines that the value of the acquired identification information is not other than 0 (the value of the acquired identification information is 0), the process ends since no correction will be performed.

In S703, the correction determination unit 120 obtains all stored correction information from the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. If the identification information is 1, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d stores first and second correction information, but the correction values of the first and second correction information are shared. Therefore, the correction determination unit 120 reads out the stored correction values of the first and second correction information. On the other hand, if the identification information is 2, as shown in FIG. 6(c), only the second correction information is stored in the storage device 6d of the K cartridge 9d. Therefore, the correction determination unit 120 reads out the second correction information.

In S704, the correction determination unit 120 determines the bit position of the correction determination information corresponding to the combination of identification information for the Y, M, and C cartridges 9a, 9b, and 9c obtained in S701. In S705, the correction determination unit 120 determines whether the bit data of the correction determination information corresponding to the bit position determined in S704 is "1." If the bit data of the corresponding correction determination information is "1," the correction determination unit 120 proceeds to S706 to perform correction; if the bit data of the corresponding correction determination information is "0," correction is not necessary and the process ends. Note that there are two types of correction determination information: secondary transfer correction determination information and fixing correction determination information. Therefore, if the corresponding bit data of at least one of the correction determination information is "1," the process proceeds to S706 to perform correction.

In S706, the correction determination unit 120 notifies the secondary transfer control unit 112 and the fixing control unit 113 of the acquired correction values (secondary transfer correction information, fixing correction information) in order to correct the image formation conditions, and then ends the process. The secondary transfer control unit 112 and the fixing control unit 113 correct the secondary transfer voltage and the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 19, respectively, based on the correction values (secondary transfer correction information, fixing correction information) acquired by the correction determination unit 120.

As explained above, in this embodiment, correction information for changes in toner material that will be implemented in future versions of the K cartridge 9d can be stored with a reduced memory capacity in the storage device 6d compared to embodiment 1. This makes it possible to set image formation conditions according to the combination of cartridge 9 identification information.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, even when cartridges of different versions are mixed, image formation can be performed under image formation conditions appropriate for the cartridge.

6 Storage device 9 Cartridge 102 Engine control unit 120 Correction determination unit

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material,
an image forming means that is detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus and forms images using a plurality of cartridges, each of which has a member for forming an image and a storage means;
a setting means for setting image forming conditions when forming an image;
Equipped with
The cartridge includes a first cartridge and a second cartridge,
the first cartridge has, in the storage means, identification information indicating a version of the first cartridge;
the second cartridge has, in the storage means, identification information indicating a version of the second cartridge and correction information for correcting the image forming conditions in accordance with the identification information set in the first cartridge;
the correction information includes at least one of first correction information for correcting the image forming conditions when the first cartridge has identification information indicating a newer version than the second cartridge, or second correction information for correcting the image forming conditions when the first cartridge has identification information indicating the same version as the second cartridge or an earlier version,
The setting means
If the version indicated by the identification information stored in the storage means of the first cartridge is newer than the version indicated by the identification information stored in the storage means of the second cartridge, the image forming conditions are set based on the first correction information;
An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the version indicated by the identification information stored in the memory means of the first cartridge is the same version as or an earlier version than the version indicated by the identification information stored in the memory means of the second cartridge, the image forming conditions are set based on the second correction information . the second cartridge is a cartridge for forming a black image,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first cartridge is a cartridge other than the second cartridge among the plurality of cartridges. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the first correction information and the second correction information each have a correction value of the image forming condition corresponding to a combination of the identification information stored in the storage means of the first cartridge. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 3, characterized in that when the second cartridge has identification information indicating that it is an initial version in the memory means, it does not have the first correction information corresponding to a combination in which all of the first cartridges have identification information indicating that they are the initial version in the memory means . the first correction information and the second correction information each include correction necessity information indicating whether correction of the image forming conditions is necessary or not corresponding to the combination of the identification information stored in the storage means of the first cartridge, and a correction value of the image forming conditions;
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the setting unit sets the image forming conditions based on the correction value of the image forming conditions when correction is required based on the correction necessity information. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the correction values of the image forming conditions included in the first correction information and the second correction information are the same. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second cartridge does not have the first correction information and the second correction information when the second cartridge has identification information in the storage means indicating that it is an initial version. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the correction necessity information is configured as a bit string corresponding to the number of combinations of the identification information possessed by the first cartridge. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the identification information indicates a version of a material of toner contained in a corresponding cartridge. the image forming means includes a charging section that uniformly charges an image carrier, an exposure section that forms an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier charged by the charging section, a developing section that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier to form a toner image, a transfer section that transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier to the recording material, and a fixing section that fixes the transferred toner image to the recording material;
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first correction information and the second correction information have correction values for correcting a transfer voltage applied in the transfer unit and a fixing temperature for heating the toner image in the fixing unit , respectively.