Patent Grant
8374516
The invention relates to an image forming apparatus which has a developing device on which an accommodating section to accommodate developer is exchangeably installed, especially, relates to an image forming apparatus which can inform user after developer in an accommodating section is exhausted.
Until now, an image forming apparatus is well known, on which a developing device is installed for performing a development process by using developer such as toner and the like (For example, it may refer to the following Patent Document 1).
In such developing device, in order to supply the developer, there is a case to establish and use an exchangeable accommodating section of cartridge type.
As shown by
The developing section 91, as shown by
In the supplying section 92, as shown by
However, in the former developing device 90 above mentioned, because the detecting section 100 is installed under installation position of the accommodating section 93, after the accommodating section 93 became empty and a long time passed, the reduction of the developer is detected. Then, the developing device 90 requires user to exchange the accommodating section 93. Therefore, even if the accommodating section 93 becomes empty, there is also a problem that the user can not immediately grasp such state.
For solving the problem above mentioned, a way to set the detecting section 100 beside the installation position of the accommodating section 93 is considered, but also there are problems about cost and so on.
Therefore, when the developer in the accommodating section is exhausted, an image forming apparatus capable of informing user of the state is expected without changing the position of the detecting section.
According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, though the position of the detecting section is not changed, because it becomes possible to inform the user when the developer in the accommodating section is exhausted, improvement of convenience is realized by low cost.
The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail herein below with reference to the drawings.
A printer 10 of the present embodiment, as an image forming apparatus on which a developing device is installed, overlaps toners i.e. developers of 4 colors of black, yellow, magenta and cyan so as to form a color image.
On the low part of the printer 10, a paper tray 35 used for accommodating paper 36, and a separating roller 37 are furnished. The separating roller 37 separates respective papers 36 in the paper tray 35 one by one, and respectively sends them to the interspace of conveying rollers 38a and 38b. Then, the paper 36 is conveyed by the conveying rollers 38a and 38b, and is fed onto a transferring belt 39.
The transferring belt 39 is formed as an endless band, as shown by
On the transferring belt 39, along running instruction of the transferring belt 39, 4 independent developing units 11K, 11Y, 11M and 11C are installed in sequence.
The developing units 11K, 11Y, 11M and 11C are respectively printing mechanisms of electrophotographic type, with respect to respective colors of black, yellow, magenta and cyan; and respectively have a same structure as shown by
Here, it is to explain about a structure of the developing unit 11 by using from
The developing unit 11, as a developing device, as shown by
The developing section 15 has a photosensitive body drum 28 as an image carrying body on which a toner image is formed on surface. Further, in the developing section 15, around the photosensitive body drum 28, a charging roller 29 that is a charging unit used for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 28, a developing roller 31 that is a developer carrying body, a removing electrostatic light source 32 that is used for removing electrostatic of the photosensitive body drum 28, are respectively arranged. Furthermore, an exposing unit 30 that is used for exposing the surface of the charged photosensitive body drum 28 and forming an electrostatic latent image on the basis of image data, is installed in a main part of the printer 10.
The supplying section 16 has a sponge roller 33 as a toner supplying material and a developing blade 34. The sponge roller 33 and the developing blade 34 are connected and installed in the developing roller 31, supplies toner on the surface of the developing roller 31, and forms uniform toner layer.
Further, in the supplying section 16, a toner sensor 24 as a toner detecting section for detecting reduction of toner in the supplying section 16 is furnished.
On the supplying section 16, the toner cartridge 17 as an accommodating section for accommodating toner is exchangeably installed. The toner cartridge 17, on the condition of being installed on the supplying section 16, supplies toner to an space part in the inner of the supplying section 16, that is, to a part where toner is not accommodated.
The supplying section 16 receives and accommodates the supplied toner from the toner cartridge 17. The accommodated toner in the supplying section 16 is used with the execution of the development processing in the developing unit 11, as shown by
The paper 36 that has been fed on the transferring belt 39, with the rotative movement of the transferring belt 39, is conveyed to the lower part of the developing unit 11K. Then, a black toner image that has been formed on the surface of the photosensitive body drum 28K, is transferred on the surface of the paper 36. Continuously, the paper 36 is conveyed to the lower part of respective developing units 11Y, 11M and 11C in order, the toner images of respective colors are transferred on the paper 36 in order. Then, the paper 36 on which 4 color images have been transferred, is further conveyed to the fixing section 42, with the rotative movement of the transferring belt 39.
The fixing section 42 heats and presses the conveyed paper 36, dissolves the transferred toner images of respective colors on the paper 36, and makes them fix on the surface. The paper 36 on which toner image is fixed, after being further conveyed to conveying rollers 43a and 43b, is ejected to a stacker section 45 that is set up on the printer 10 through ejecting rollers 44a and 44b.
Further, on the printer 10, a panel (not shown) is furnished.
Next, it is to explain about a controlling system of the printer 10 in the present embodiment.
The printer 10 of the present embodiment, as shown by
The interface section 12, as a receiving section, receives the sent print data from an upper apparatus (not shown), and outputs the print data to the image processing section 13.
The image processing section 13, as an analyzing and obtaining section, analyses print data output from the interface section 12; generates every page of the image data for printing, obtains a page number that, as a received page number “n”, corresponds to pages of the generated image data to be developed; and outputs the image data and the received page number “n” to the controlling section 26.
The panel 14 has a displaying function of displaying various information, and displays a message representing an exchange time of the toner cartridge 17 in order to inform the user that the toner cartridge 17 is empty on the basis of the control of the informing section 22 mentioned below. Further, the panel 14 displays a message representing “toner LOW” in order to inform the user of reduction of toner remainder amount in the developing unit 11. Furthermore, the panel 14 displays a message representing toner exhaustion in order to inform the user that the toner does not exist in the developing unit.
The developing section 15, on the basis of the input image data from the controlling section 26, forms electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body drum 28 (
The space amount obtaining section 18 obtains a space amount of the supplying section 16. Here, the space amount is a capacity of a space part in the supplying section 16, that is, the part where toner is not accommodated. In the present embodiment, the total toner accommodation amount of the supplying section 16 is regarded as a supplying section toner accommodation amount v1. Further, the amount of toner which is accommodated in the supplying section 16 is regarded as a supplying section toner amount V1. In the case, the space amount obtaining section 18 calculates a space amount V01 on the basis of a formula V01=v1−V1.
The initial amount calculating section 19 calculates an amount of toner in the toner cartridge 17 just after exchanged, as an initial amount V02. In the present embodiment, a total toner accommodation amount of new toner cartridge 17 for exchanging is regarded as a cartridge capacity v2. In the case, an accommodated toner amount in the toner cartridge 17 just before exchanging equals to the cartridge capacity v2, a toner amount that is moved from the toner cartridge 17 to the supplying section 16 just after exchanged, equals to the space amount V01 of the supplying section 16. Therefore, the initial amount calculating section 19 calculates an initial amount V02 on the basis of a formula V02=v2−V01.
The use amount calculating section 20 has a count function, and calculates an accumulated use amount ΔV of toner used by the developing section 15. In the present embodiment, the use amount calculating section 20 previously stores a toner average use amount of each page in general print processing execution in the printer 10, as a page use amount Δv0. The use amount calculating section 20 multiplies the page use amount Δv0 by the received page number “n” that is informed from the controlling section 26, and calculates a use amount Δv=n×Δv0 of each use. Then, the use amount calculating section 20 regards the accumulated use amount ΔV that has been calculated previously as an accumulated use amount ΔV′; and adds the calculated use amount Δv to the accumulated use amount ΔV′; and then calculates an accumulated use amount ΔV=ΔV′+Δv0. Further, the use amount calculating section 20, on the basis of a initialization instruction output from the controlling section 26, initializes the accumulated use amount ΔV, that is ΔV=0.
The judging section 21 compares the initial amount V02 of the toner cartridge 17 just after exchanged, with the accumulated use amount ΔV used after exchanged, and judges whether or not toner exists in the toner cartridge 17. In the case that the accumulated use amount ΔV is more than the initial amount V02 and a condition formula ΔV≧V02 is tenable, the judging section 21 judges that the toner does not exist in the toner cartridge 17, that is, judges that the toner cartridge 17 is empty. Further, in the case that the accumulated use amount ΔV is less than the initial amount V02 and a condition formula ΔV<V02 is tenable, the judging section 21 judges that the toner still exists in the toner cartridge 17. The judging section 21 informs the controlling section 26 of the judgment result.
The informing section 22 controls the panel 14 to inform user of a toner remainder amount in the toner cartridge 17 or in the supplying section 16.
The exchange detecting section 23 is installed beside installation position of the toner cartridge 17 in the supplying section 16, and after the toner cartridge 17 is dismantled from the supplying section 16, it detects that a new toner cartridge 17 is installed, and outputs a detection signal to the controlling section 26. The exchange detecting section 23 reads information from RFID that is set in the toner cartridge 17, and detects an installation of the new toner cartridge 17 through comparing it with former information.
The toner sensor 24, as shown by the
Further, beside the base of the supplying section 16, a toner sensor (not shown) is established, toner exhaustion the supplying section 16 is detected, and a detecting signal is outputted to the controlling section 26.
The correcting section 25, on the basis of control of the controlling section 26, corrects the space amount V01 that is obtained through the space amount obtaining section 18. When the “toner LOW” is detected by the toner sensor 24, the correcting section 25 corrects the space amount V01 to V01=v1−VLOW based on the detected toner amount VLOW.
The controlling section 26 has a controlling function of each section mentioned above. When the image data and the received page number “n” from the image processing section 13 is input, the controlling section 26 sends the image data to the developing section 15, and informs the use amount calculating section 20 of the received page number “n”. Further, when the detecting signal from the exchange detecting section 23 is inputted, the controlling section 26 makes the space amount obtaining section 18 act; and initializes the accumulated use amount ΔV through the use amount calculating section 20. Furthermore, when the detecting signal from the toner sensor 24 is inputted, the controlling section 26 makes the correcting section 25 act, and initializes the accumulated use amount ΔV through the use amount calculating section 20.
Next, it is to explain operation of the printer 10 in the present embodiment.
Here, it is to explain calculation judgment process for calculating a toner amount through the developing section 15 and judging whether or not there is toner in the toner cartridge 17 by using
Firstly, it is to explain an example in the case that a developing unit 11 of new article is installed in the printer 10, after print process is executed, the toner cartridge 17 becomes empty and exchange period is informed.
In the printer 10, when the developing unit 11 is new article (step S101), the supplying section 16 is empty, the toner of the cartridge amount v2 in the toner cartridge 17 is accommodated. At this time, a space amount of the supplying section 16 just before the toner cartridge 17 is installed, equals to a toner accommodated amount v1 of the supplying section, the space amount obtaining section 18 obtains the space amount V01=v1 on the basis of control of the controlling section 26 (step S102). The space amount obtaining section 18 informs the controlling section 26 of the obtained space amount V01. Further, the controlling section 26 initializes the accumulated use amount ΔV through the use amount calculating section 20, and makes ΔV=0 (step S102).
Continuously, the controlling section 26 calculates the initial amount V02 of the toner cartridge 17 though the initial amount calculating section 19 (step S103). The toner cartridge 17 is installed in the supplying section 16, and after the toner moves from the toner cartridge 17 to the supplying section 16, the initial amount calculating section 19 calculates the initial amount V02 of the toner that is accommodated in the toner cartridge 17 on the basis of formula V02=v2−V01 (step S103). The initial amount calculating section 19 calculates an initial amount V02=v2−V01 by using the obtained space amount V01=v1 through the space amount obtaining section 18, and informs the controlling section 26 of it.
In the printer 10, when the interface section 12 receives print data, print process is executed on the basis of the print data (step S104). The image processing section 13 generates image data by analyzing the print data; and obtains received page number “n”, and outputs the image data and the received page number “n” to the controlling section 26. The controlling section 26 sends the image data to the developing section 15, and the developing section 15 executes developing process on the basis of the image data.
Further, the controlling section 26 informs the use amount calculating section 20 of the received page number “n” that is inputted from the image processing section 13. Then, the use amount calculating section 20 calculates a use amount Δv=n×Δv0 of the toner that is used by the developing section 15 on the basis of the control of the controlling section 26, adds the use amount Δv to a accumulated use amount ΔV′ of being calculated end, and calculates an accumulated use amount ΔV=ΔV′+Δv after developing process (step S105). The use amount calculating section 20 informs the controlling section 26 of the calculated accumulated use amount ΔV.
Next, the controlling section 26 informs the judging section 21 of the initial amount V02 and the accumulated use amount ΔV. Then, the judging section 21 compares the informed initial amount V02 with the accumulated use amount ΔV (step S106).
When the accumulated use amount ΔV is less than the initial amount V02, that is ΔV<V02 (step S106), the judging section 21 judges that the toner exists in the toner cartridge 17, and informs the controlling section 26 of the judgment result (step S109). Then, the printer 10 continues to print on the basis of the control of the controlling section 26 (step S104).
When the accumulated use amount ΔV is or over the initial amount V02, that is ΔV≧V02 (step S106), the judging section 21 judges that the toner does not exist in the toner cartridge 17 (step S107). The judging section 21 informs the controlling section 26 of the judgment result.
When the controlling section 26 is informed of the judgment result from the judging section 21, it sends an information indication to the informing section 22. Then, the panel 14 displays exchange period of the toner cartridge 17 through the control of the informing section 22 (step S108).
As above mentioned, the initial amount V01 of the toner in the toner cartridge 17 just after exchange is compared with the accumulated use amount ΔV of the toner after exchange, and existence/inexistence of the toner in the toner cartridge 17 is judged. Then, when it is judged that the toner does not exist, the user is informed of the exchange period of the toner cartridge 17.
Next, after the information of the exchange period, it is to explain about a case that the toner cartridge 17 is exchanged.
In the printer 10, when the toner cartridge 17 that has become empty is dismantled from the supplying section 16, and a new toner cartridge 17 is installed, the exchange detecting section 23 detects the exchange of the toner cartridge 17, and outputs a detecting signal (step S110).
When the detecting signal is inputted from the exchange detecting section 23, the controlling section 26 informs the space amount obtaining section 18 of the initial amount V02 of being calculated end by the initial amount calculating section 19 and the accumulated use amount ΔV of being calculated by the use amount calculating section 20, and makes the space amount obtaining section 18 act. Here, the initial amount V02 is the amount of the toner that is accommodated in the exchange toner cartridge 17 just after the toner cartridge 17 is exchanged last time, that is cartridge toner amount (
Continuously, the initial amount calculating section 19, on the basis of the control of the controlling section 26, calculates the initial amount V02 of toner in the toner cartridge 17 just after exchanged (step S103). In the new toner cartridge 17, toner of cartridge capacity v2 is accommodated, and in this toner, toner corresponding to the space amount V01 of the supplying section 16, moves from the toner cartridge 17 to the supplying section 16. Therefore, the initial amount calculating section 19 calculates the initial amount V02 just after the exchange on the basis of the formula V02=v2−V01 (step S103).
Then, the printer 10 executes the print process on the basis of the print data received through the interface section 12 (step S104). The printer 10, on the basis of the control of the controlling section 26, adds it to the accumulated use amount ΔV by calculating the use amount Δv (step S105), compares the calculated accumulated use amount ΔV with the initial amount V02 (step S106), and judges existence/inexistence of the toner in toner cartridge 17.
As above mentioned, when the toner cartridge 17 is exchanged, the initial amount V01 of the toner cartridge 17 just after exchanged is calculated once more; and the accumulated use amount ΔV of being calculated end is initialized.
Moreover, in the step S101, when the developing unit 11 is not new article, the judging section 21 judges existence/inexistence of the toner in the toner cartridge 17 (step S106). On the basis of the judgment result, the printer 10 executes the following process of step S107.
Next, it is to explain a case that after the toner cartridge 17 becomes empty, the print process is continued without exchanging the toner cartridge 17.
After exchange period is displayed in the panel 14 (step S108), the print process is continued (step S112) without exchanging the toner cartridge 17 (step S110), the use amount calculating section 20 continues to calculate the accumulated use amount ΔV on the basis of the control of the controlling section 26 (step S113).
With the execution of the print process, the toner in the supplying section 16 is reduced by being used. Then, as shown by
When the detecting signal is inputted from the toner sensor 24, the controlling section 26 instructs to display the “toner LOW” in the informing section 22. Then, on the basis of the control of the informing section 22, the panel 14 displays the “toner LOW” (step S115). Further, the correcting section 25 corrects the space amount V01 of the supplying section 16 obtained by the space amount obtaining section 18 to a detecting space amount V01=v1−VLOW on the basis of the detecting toner amount VLOW (step S115).
As above mentioned, when the “toner LOW” is detected by the toner sensor 24, the space amount V01 that is calculation amount is corrected on the basis of the detecting toner amount VLOW.
After the detection of the “toner LOW”, the toner cartridge 17 is exchanged (step S117), and when the detecting signal from the exchange detecting section 23 is inputted, the controlling section 26 makes the space amount obtaining section 18 obtain the space amount V01=ΔV−V02 of the toner cartridge 17 just before exchange; and initializes the use amount calculating section 20 (step S111). Then, on the basis of the calculated space amount V01, the use amount calculating section 20 calculates the initial amount V02=v2−V01 just after exchange (step S103).
After the detection of the “toner LOW”, when the print process is continued (step S118) without exchanging the toner cartridge 17 (step S117), the use amount calculating section 20 further continues to calculate the accumulated use amount ΔV (step S119).
Later, when toner exhaustion of the supplying section 16 is detected by toner sensor (not shown) and the detecting signal is inputted to the controlling section 26 (step S120), the controlling section 26 instructs the informing section 22 to display toner exhaustion. Then, on the basis of the control of the informing section 22, the panel 14 displays toner exhaustion (step S121).
As above mentioned, the printer 10 in the present embodiment, calculates the use amount of the toner used in each developing unit 11 per use, and through comparing the use amount with the initial amount of the toner in the toner cartridge 17, because existence/in existence of the toner in the toner cartridge 17 is judged, it is possible to inform the user of exchange period of the toner cartridge 17 without changing position of the toner sensor 24 just after the toner cartridge 17 becomes empty. Therefore, with position change of the sensor, cost becomes unnecessary; and before the toner in the developing unit 11 is all exhausted and print becomes impossible, because it becomes possible for the user to prepare toner cartridge used for exchanging, convenience is improved. Further, because the printer 10 can correct the calculating amount on the basis of the detecting amount through the toner sensor 24, the more accurate judgment becomes possible.
Moreover, in the present embodiment, the use amount calculating section 20 accumulates the use amount of the toner of the toner cartridge 17 from being exchanged to next being exchanged, and though calculates the accumulated use amount, it is not limited in the present invention. For example, it is also possible to get a structure of calculating the remainder amount of the toner in the toner cartridge 17 of each print process. In the embodiment 2, it is to explain about the structure.
A printer 50 in this embodiment has a composition of a time calculating section 52 that is added to a developing unit 51, so the printer 50 is different from that in the embodiment 1.
Moreover, in this embodiment, the same composition with the embodiment 1 is represented by the same mark, so detailed explanation about these is omitted.
The printer 50 in this embodiment, as shown by
The storing section 53 previously stores an average use amount of toner of each page in execution of general print process in the printer 50 as page use amount Δv0. Further, the storing section 53 previously stores an average development time of each page in execution of general print process in the printer 50 as page development time Δt0.
The use amount calculating section 54 calculates a use amount Δv of toner used by the developing section 15. The use amount calculating section 54 calculates the Δv=n×Δv0 of each use on the basis of the page use amount Δv0 stored in the storing section 53 and the received page number “n” informed from the controlling section 62.
The remainder amount calculating section 55, after executing developing process by the developing section 15, calculates a remainder amount of the toner accommodated in the toner cartridge 17 as cartridge toner amount V2. The remainder amount calculating section 55, on the basis of an initial amount V02 corresponding to cartridge toner amount before the developing process execution and the use amount Δv with the developing process execution, calculates a cartridge toner amount V2=V02−Δv.
The judging section 56, on the basis of the cartridge amount V2, judges existence/inexistence of the toner in the toner cartridge 17 after developing process execution. When ΔV2≦0, the toner does not exist in the toner cartridge 17 after developing process execution, that is the judging section 56 judges that the toner cartridge 17 becomes empty. When ΔV2>0, the toner exists in the toner cartridge 17 after developing process execution, that is the judging section 56 judges that the toner cartridge 17 does not become empty.
The page number calculating section 57, on the basis of the cartridge toner amount ΔV2 and the page use amount Δv0, calculates developing possible page of the developing section 15 until the toner in the toner cartridge 17 is exhausted as a remainder page number “N”. The page number calculating section 57 performs calculation of the remainder page “N” on the basis of a formula N=ΔV2/Δv0.
The comparing section 58 judges magnitude by comparing the received page number “n” with the remainder page number “N”.
The time calculating section 52, on the basis of the remainder page number “N” and the page development time Δt0, calculates time needed by development of an image data corresponding to the remainder amount “N” as development time Δt. The time calculating section 52, on the basis of a formula Δt=N×Δt0, performs calculation of the development time Δt.
The informing section 59 informs user of exchange period of the toner cartridge 17 and the development time Δt until the exchange period by controlling the panel 4.
The space amount obtaining section 60 obtains a space amount V01 of the supplying section 16. When the cartridge toner amount V2 calculated by the remainder amount calculating section 55 is below 0, the space amount obtaining section 60 obtains the space amount V01=|V2|.
The initial amount calculating section 61 calculates toner amount in the toner cartridge 17 just after exchange as an initial amount V02. Further, when the cartridge toner amount V2 after developed of being calculated end by the remainder amount calculating section 55 exceeds 0, the initial amount calculating section 61 obtains the initial amount V02=V2.
The controlling section 62 has a controlling function of each section in the printer 50. The controlling section 62, when image data and the received page number “n” from the image processing section 13 are inputted, temporarily stores the image data (not shown) in the temporary storing section and informs the comparing section 58 of the received page number “n”. Then, when the received page number “n” is under the remainder page number “N”, the controlling section 62 sends the image data to the developing section 15. When the received page number “n” is or over the remainder page number, the controlling section 62 instructs the time calculating section 52 to calculate the development time Δv, and after made the development time Δv inform by the informing section 59, sends the image data to the developing section 15.
Next, it is to explain about operation of the printer 50 in this embodiment.
Here, it is to explain about calculation judgment process of the printer 50 by using
Firstly, it is to explain an example in the case that the developing unit 51 of new article is installed in the printer 50, after print data is received, exchange period of the toner cartridge 17 is informed.
In the printer 50, when the developing unit 51 is new article (step S201), the space amount obtaining section 60, on the basis of toner accommodated amount v1 of the supplying section in the supplying section 16, obtains a space amount V01=v1, and informs the controlling section 62 of it (step S202).
Continuously, the controlling section 62 informs the initial amount calculating section 61 of the space amount V01, the initial amount calculating section 61 calculates an initial amount V02=v2−V01=v2−v1 of the toner in the toner cartridge 17 (step S203). Further, the controlling section 62 informs the remainder amount calculating section 55 of the initial amount V02 and the use amount Δv=0, and the remainder amount calculating section 55 calculates a cartridge toner amount V2=V02 of the toner cartridge 17 (step S203).
Next, the controlling section 62 informs the judging section 56 of the cartridge toner amount V2. Then, the judging section 56 judges the existence/inexistence of toner in the toner cartridge 17 on the basis of plus-minus of the cartridge toner amount V2. When the developing unit 12 is new article, because the cartridge toner amount V2>0 (step S204), the judging section 56 judges that toner exists in the toner cartridge 17 (step S205).
When it is judged that the toner exists in the toner cartridge 17 (step S205), the controlling section 62 informs the page number calculating section 57 of the cartridge toner amount V2 and the page use amount Δv0 that is stored in the storing section 53. The page number calculating section 57, on the basis of the informed cartridge toner amount V2 and the page use amount Δv0, calculates a remainder page number N=V2/Δv0, and informs the controlling section 62 of it (step S206).
In the printer 50, when the interface section 12 receives print data (step S207), the image processing section 13 generates the image data by analyzing the print data; and obtains the received page number “n”, and then outputs the image data and the received page “n” to the controlling section 62 (step S208).
When the image data and the received page number “n” are inputted, the controlling section 62 stores the image data (not shown) in the temporary storing section. Further, the controlling section 62 informs the comparing section 58 of the inputted received page number “n” and the remainder page number “N” that is calculated by the page number calculating section 57. Then, the comparing section 58 compares magnitude of the received page number “n” and the remainder page number “N”, and informs the controlling section 62 of the comparison result (step S209).
When the received page number “n” is or over the remainder page number “N”, that is n≧N (step S209), the controlling section 62 informs the time calculating section 52 of the remainder page number “N” and the page development time Δt0 that is stored in the storing section 53. Then, the time calculating section 52, on the basis of the informed remainder page number “N” and the page development time Δt0, calculates development time Δt=N×Δt0, and informs the controlling section 62 of it (step S210).
Continuously, the controlling section 62 sends an information instruction of the exchange period and the development time Δt to the informing section 59. Then, the panel 14 displays the exchange period of the toner cartridge 17 and the development time Δt through a control of the informing section 59 (step S211). In the panel 14, a message representing that the time until the toner cartridge 17 becomes empty is development time Δt, is displayed.
Later, the controlling section 62 reads the image data from the temporary storing section (not shown), and sends it to the developing section 15. Then, the printer 50 executes the print process on the basis of the image data (step S212).
As above mentioned, when the remainder page number “N” corresponding to the cartridge toner amount V2 is calculated, and the remainder page number “n” is bigger than the remainder page number “N”, execution of the print process is preceded, and the development time Δt which is the time until the toner cartridge 17 becomes empty, it is displayed in the panel 14.
Moreover, when the print process is completed on the basis of the image data without detection of the “toner LOW” (step S213) and the toner exhaustion (step S214), the controlling section 62 makes the use amount calculating section 54 calculate the use amount Δv (step S215). On the basis of the received page number “n” corresponding to the printed image data and the page use amount Δv0 that is stored in the storing section 53, the use amount calculating section 54 calculates the use amount Δv=n×Δv0 (step S215).
Continuously, on the basis of the initial amount V0 and the use amount Δv, the remainder amount calculating section 55 calculates the cartridge toner amount V2=V0−Δv, and informs the controlling section 62 of it (step S216).
The controlling section 62 informs the judging section 56 of the cartridge toner amount V2. Then, on the basis of plus-minus of the cartridge toner V2, the judging section 56 judges the existence/inexistence of toner in the toner cartridge 17 (step S204).
When the cartridge toner amount meets V2≦0 (step S204), the judging section 56 judges that the toner does not exist in the toner cartridge 17 (step S217).
When it is judged that the toner does not exist (step S217), the controlling section 62 sends the information instruction to the informing section 59. Then, the panel 14 displays the exchange period of the toner cartridge 17 through a control of the informing section 59 (step S218). Further, the space amount obtaining section 60, on the basis of the cartridge amount V2 obtaining negative value, obtains the space amount V01=|V2| of the supplying section 16 (step S218).
As above mentioned, when it is judged that the toner does not exist in the toner cartridge 17, user is informed of the exchange period.
After the display of the exchange period (step S218), and when the toner cartridge 17 is dismantled and a new toner cartridge 17 is installed, the exchange detecting section 23 outputs a detecting signal (step S219).
When the detecting signal from the exchange detecting section 23 is inputted, the controlling section 62 informs the initial amount calculating section 61 of the space amount V01. Then, the initial amount calculating section 61 calculates the initial amount V02=v2−V01 of the toner in the toner cartridge 17 (step S203). Further, the controlling section 62 informs the remainder amount calculating section 55 of the initial amount V02 and the use amount Δv=0, the remainder amount calculating section 55 calculates the cartridge toner amount V2=V02 (step S203).
As above mentioned, when the toner cartridge 17 is exchanged, the cartridge amount V2 is calculated.
In step S201, when the developing unit 51 is not new article, the controlling section 62 judges the existence/inexistence of the toner in the toner cartridge 17 through the judging section 56 (step S204). On the basis of the judgment result, the printer 50 executes the following process of step S205.
Next, it is to explain about a case that after the toner cartridge 17 becomes empty, the print process is continued without exchanging the toner cartridge 17.
In the execution of the print process (step S212), when the toner sensor 24 detects the “toner LOW”, and outputs the detection signal (step S213), the controlling section 62 instructs the informing section 59 to display the “toner LOW”. Then, on the basis of the control of the informing section 59, the panel 14 displays the “toner LOW” (step S222). Further, the correcting section 25 corrects the space amount V01 of the supplying section 16 obtained through the space amount obtaining section 60 to the detecting space amount V01=v1−VLOW (step S222).
After the detection of the “toner LOW”, when the toner cartridge 17 is exchanged (step S219), and the detection signal from the exchange detecting section 23 is inputted, on the basis of the control of the controlling section 62, the initial amount calculating section 61 calculates the initial V02=v2−V01, and the remainder amount calculating section 55 calculates the cartridge amount V2=V02 (step S203).
Later, the print data is received through the interface section 12 (step S220) without exchanging the toner cartridge 17 (step S219), the image processing section 13 obtains the received page number “n” by generating the image data, and outputs the image data and the received page number “n” to the controlling section 62 (step S221).
Further, the controlling section 62 sends the image data to the developing section 15, and the printer 50 executes the print process on the basis of the image data (step S212).
In the execution of the print process, when the toner exhaustion of the supplying section 16 is detected through the toner sensor (not shown), the controlling section 62 instructs the informing section 59 to display the toner exhaustion. Then, on the basis of the control of the informing section 59, the panel 14 displays the toner exhaustion (step S223).
As above mentioned, the printer 50 of this embodiment, a developing process execution in the developing section 15 is preceded, calculates the remainder page number capable of developing until the toner in the toner cartridge 17 is exhausted, and in the case that the received page number is or over the remainder page number, it calculates the time spending in the development of the remainder page number, because the printer 50 informs the user of it, it becomes possible for user to grasp the remainder time until the toner cartridge 17 becomes exchangeable
The Utilization Possibility on Industry
In respective embodiments above mentioned, it is to explain a case of the printer of electrophotography type which uses toner as developer, but it is not limited in the present invention.
Further, in respective embodiments above mentioned, by using an in the general print process execution, the calculation of the use amount of the toner, but it is not limited in the present invention. For example, the use condition of the toner in the executed print process is recorded as a print log, and it becomes possible to calculate the use amount of the toner on the basis of average use amount of the toner of each page that is calculated on the basis of the print log. Further, on the basis of the dot number included in the image data, the use amount may also be calculated.
Further, in respective embodiments above mentioned, although the exchange period is informed by displaying a message in the panel of the printer, it is not limited in the present invention. For example, it is possible to inform the exchange period beside the upper apparatus that is a sending source of print data.
The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but many modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the appended claims of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-214219 | Aug 2008 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20050265738 | Ogata | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2000-238374 | Sep 2000 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20100046966 A1 | Feb 2010 | US |
