Abstract:
An image forming apparatus is supplied capable of improving distance precision and relative position precision of RFID tag and RFID unit so as to heighten communication quality of image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus comprises attachable and removable exchange cartridge which is used for accommodating toner and has a RFID tag, and RFID unit that communicates with the RFID tag through radio communication, wherein the exchange cartridge is furnished as retreating in non-operational time; the exposure head unit is furnished movably; in the case that the exchange cartridge retreats, the exposure head unit moves together with the exchange cartridge.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to an image forming apparatus which can use a toner cartridge having RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In recent years, image forming apparatus is spread which can mount a toner cartridge having RFID tag and can manage toner remainder amount. In such conventional image forming apparatus, the RFID tag is furnished on the upper part of the toner cartridge, and a RFID antenna is furnished in a position which is on an upper cover of the image forming apparatus and faces to the RFID tag (refer to FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1). On the basis of such structure, the RFID tag and the RFID antenna communicate in radio form, and an management of toner remainder amount is executed. 
         [0003]    Patent Document 1: Japan patent publication 2006-267528. 
         [0004]    However, in such image forming apparatus, there is a problem, that is, because a distance precision or a relative position precision between the RFID tag and the RFID antenna is not achieved, communication error easily occurs. In particular, in such image forming apparatus comprising image forming units of four colors of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), K (Black), in the case to alternate color print and monochrome print, except the image forming unit of K color, the other image forming units of other three colors shift up and down, because of such repeated operations, it is difficult to keep precision of distance or relative position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of solving the above problem. 
         [0006]    An aspect of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including attachable and removable exchange cartridge which is used for accommodating toner and has a RFID tag, comprising: 
         [0007]    exposure head unit that is furnished and located with respect to the exchange cartridge; and 
         [0008]    RFID unit that is furnished on the exposure head unit and performs radio communication with the RFID tag, 
         [0009]    wherein the RFID tag is furnished on side wall of the exchange cartridge and faces to the RFID unit. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including attachable and removable exchange cartridge which is used for accommodating toner and has a RFID tag, comprising: 
         [0011]    RFID unit that communicates with the RFID tag through radio communication, 
         [0012]    wherein the exchange cartridge is furnished as retreating in non-operational time; the exposure head unit is furnished movably; in the case that the exchange cartridge retreats, the exposure head unit moves together with the exchange cartridge. 
       The Effect of the Present Invention: 
       [0013]    According to the image forming apparatus of the invention, the exposure head unit and the exchange cartridge are located in exact positions, thus, vibration or warp of the exchange cartridge that is caused by rotation of photosensitive body drum is inhibited to a minimum. Therefore, it becomes easy to keep a distance precision and a relative position precision between the RFID tag and the RFID unit. As a result, it is possible to improve communication quality between the RFID tag and the RFID unit. 
         [0014]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a summary structure of image forming apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  is a diagram showing a structure of image forming unit; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2B  is a diagram showing LED head and its circumference in  FIG. 2A  when image forming unit is lifted up; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  is a bottom view showing LED head and its circumference; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3B  is a side view showing LED head and its circumference; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a diagram for explaining opening and shutting operations of upper cover; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of controlling system of image forming apparatus in embodiment 1; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a function block diagram of RFID unit; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart for explaining operation of RFID unit; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of controlling system of image forming apparatus in embodiment 2; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of Head LSI; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a time chart of image forming apparatus of embodiment 2. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. 
       Embodiment 1  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a summary structure of image forming apparatus of the present invention. The drawing is used to explain summary operation of image forming apparatus of the present invention. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2A  is a diagram showing a structure of image forming unit; and  FIG. 2B  is a diagram showing LED head and its circumference in  FIG. 2A  when image forming unit is lifted up. These drawings are used to explain detail structure of image forming apparatus of the present invention. 
         [0030]    The following is to explain summary operation and structure of image forming apparatus of the present invention while referring to these drawings. 
         [0031]    An image forming apparatus  1  of the present invention is a color printer as an example, it comprises four sets of image forming units  6  that can respectively form toner images of four colors of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), K (Black) and transfer the toner images onto paper. Each image forming unit  6  is movably attached to the image forming apparatus  1 . 
         [0032]    Paper  3  set on paper tray  2  is fed to a belt unit  4  through paper feeding roller (not shown). The belt unit  4  conveys the paper  3  to a fixing unit  5 . Toner images that are formed in accumulative layers on the conveyance way in image forming units  6  of four colors of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), K (Black), are respectively transferred onto the paper  3  by transferring rollers  15 . The toner images transferred on the paper  3  are fixed on the paper  3  through the fixing unit  5  heats to high temperature, and the paper  3  is ejected. 
         [0033]    As shown by these drawings, in the image forming unit  6  of the present invention, a RFID tag  7  is furnished inside the image forming unit  6  and is placed on the side wall of the image forming unit  6  so as to obtain a structure disenabling the RFID tag  7  to be easily taken out. The RFID tag  7  is a semiconductor element that has a memory area into which information such as inherent tag number, accumulation rotation number of photosensitive body drum  14 , toner remainder amount calculated on the basis of the accumulation rotation number, or the like is written. Moreover, the image forming unit  6  may include a removable and attachable toner cartridge to accommodate toner, as exchange cartridge. Then, the RFID tag  7  may furnished inside the exchange cartridge. 
         [0034]    A RFID unit  9  includes a transmitting and receiving circuit and a transmitting and receiving antenna (described below), and can communicate with the RFID tag  7 . The RFID unit  9  is furnished in a position which is on the side surface of a LED head installing section  10  and is facing to the RFID tag  7 . The RFID tag  7  and the RFID unit  9  communicate through radio, and perform operations to write or read the information stated above, so that management or the like of toner remainder amount is executed. 
         [0035]    The LED head installing section  10  is an outer frame to support a LED head  11  in slidable state. The LED head installing section  10  is fixed on an upper cover  13 . Thereby, when opening or shutting the upper cover  13 , the LED head installing section  10  moves up and down together with the upper cover  13 . Regarding these operations, that will be explained again by using other drawings. 
         [0036]    As stated above, in the present invention, the RFID tag  7  is furnished inside the image forming unit  6  and is placed on the side wall of the image forming unit  6  so that it could not be easily taken out, the RFID unit  9  is furnished in a position which is on the side surface of the LED head installing section  10  and is facing to the RFID tag  7 . Here, a position relation of the LED head installing section  10  and the image forming unit  6  is carefully set in order to improve print precision. 
         [0037]    Therefore, through furnishing the RFID tag  7  inside the image forming unit  6  and placing the RFID tag  7  on the side wall of the image forming unit  6 ; and through furnishing the RFID unit  9  in a position which is on the side surface of the LED head installing section  10  and is facing to the RFID tag  7 , it is possible to easily achieve a distance precision and a relative position precision between the RFID tag  7  and the RFID unit  9 . Through improving the distance precision and the precision of relative position between the RFID tag  7  and the RFID unit  9 , the radio communication quality between the RFID tag  7  and the RFID unit  9  can be heightened. 
         [0038]    Here, as a structure used for exactly keep position relation of the LED head  11  and the image forming unit  6 , a structure and function of a position deciding post  12  is explained by using drawings including other drawings. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3A  is a bottom view showing LED head and its circumference; and  FIG. 3B  is a side view showing LED head and its circumference. 
         [0040]    As shown by  FIG. 3A , a bottom plane is shown where the LED head  11  faces to the photosensitive body drum  14  of the image forming unit  6 . In the LED head  11 , a lens array  30  is composed of plural LED to correspond to the LED dots in main movement direction. On the two sides of the lens array  30 , a circle hole  31   a  and a circle hole  31   b  are furnished. 
         [0041]    As shown by  FIG. 3B , the upper cover  13  ( FIG. 1 ) is shut, a position deciding post  12   a  is fitting into the circle hole  31   a,  and a position deciding post  12   b  is fitting into the circle hole  31   b;  the LED head  11  is fitting to the image forming unit  6 . When the upper cover  13  is completely shut, a spring  35   a  and a spring  35   b  use elastic pressure to fix the LED head  11  to the image forming unit  6  ( FIG. 2 ). The spring  35   a  and the spring  35   b  are pressed by bracket (not shown) furnished on the LED head installing section  10 . Thus, the LED head  11  is decided in exact positions. Moreover, the LED head  11  is furnished to be shiftable with respect to the LED head installing section  10  via the spring  35   a  and the spring  35   b.    
         [0042]    Further, as stated above, in such image forming apparatus comprising image forming units of four colors of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), K (Black), in the case to alternate color print and monochrome print, except the image forming unit of K color, the other image forming units of other three colors are lifted up or lifted down. However, in the case, as shown by  FIG. 2B , because the LED head  11  is shiftable with respect to the LED head installing section  10 , so the LED head  11  shifts up or shifts down together with the image forming unit  6 . That is, as shown by  FIG. 2B , the LED head  11  can moves in the LED head installing section  10 , when the image forming unit  6  is lifted up by a movement amount “D”, the LED head  11  is still in an intact position with respect to the image forming unit  6  through the position deciding post  12   a  and the position deciding post  12   b.  Therefore, in fact, the LED head  11  is also lifted up together with the image forming unit  6 . Moreover, because the LED head installing section  10  is fixed on the upper cover  13  at the side of printer body, the LED head installing section  10  is not lifted up. 
         [0043]    Therefore, a position relation of the LED head  11  and the image forming unit  6  is exactly kept. 
         [0044]    As shown by  FIG. 3B , there are a LED head substrate  32 , a connector  33  and a connector  34 . 
         [0045]    The connector  33  is soldered on the LED head substrate  32  and loads the RFID unit  9  on the LED head substrate  32 . The RFID unit  9  is decided to be in an exact position through installing the connector  33 . However, it is also possible to install the RFID unit  9  on the side wall of the LED head installing section  10  ( FIG. 2 ) and to connect the RFID unit  9  with the LED head substrate  32  via lead line and the like without using the connector  33 . 
         [0046]    The connector  34  is used for connecting the LED head substrate  32  with a LED head cable  8  and is soldered on the LED head substrate  32 . Through the LED head cable  8 , bit information of the LED head  11  and information written into the RFID tag  7  or read out from the RFID tag  7  can be sent or received. 
         [0047]    As explained above, the LED head  11  is decided in an exact position so that a position relation of the LED head  11  and the image forming unit  6  is kept exactly. Therefore, in the case to lift up/down the image forming units of other three colors except the image forming unit of K color when alternating color print and monochrome print, even if the photosensitive body drum  14  is rotating, it is possible to inhibit vibration or warp of the image forming unit  6  to a minimum. That is, a better distance precision and a better relative position precision of the RFID tag  7  and the RFID unit  9  can be easily obtained. 
         [0048]    As shown by  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2A , the LED head  11  is a part to receive dot signal from an upper apparatus and emit light onto surface of the photosensitive body drum  14  so as to form an electrostatic latent image. The upper cover  13  is an apparatus cover of the image forming apparatus  1  on upside, and it is opened and is shut when exchanging the image forming unit  6 . On the upper cover  13 , the LED head installing section  10  is fixed. When opening or shutting the upper cover  13 , the upper cover  13  and the LED head installing section  10  move up and down together. Regarding the function, it will be explained again by using drawing. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  is a diagram for explaining opening and shutting operations of upper cover. 
         [0050]      FIG. 4  shows a state that the upper cover  13  and the LED head installing section  10  operate together when exchanging the image forming unit  6  or the like. As shown by  FIG. 4 , the upper cover  13  is opened to rotate an angle of θ degrees when exchanging the image forming unit  6 . At that time, the LED head  11  is separated from the position deciding post  12   a.  Further, when the upper cover  13  is shut again, the LED head  11  is fit to the position deciding post  12   a  so as to be located, at that time, a guide pin  17  furnished on the side surface (it corresponds to back side in  FIG. 4 ) of the LED head installing section  10  is guided to a predetermined position by a position deciding guide  16  formed on the side surface (it corresponds to front side in  FIG. 4 ) of a case outer frame (not shown). 
         [0051]    Next, it is to explain a controlling system of the image forming apparatus  1 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of controlling system of image forming apparatus in embodiment 1. 
         [0053]    As shown by  FIG. 5 , a controlling system  40  of the image forming apparatus  1  in the embodiment 1 includes a CPU  41 , a ROM  42 , a RAM  43  and a LSI  44 . 
         [0054]    The CPU  41  is a central processing unit to control image data process and the whole apparatus, as a central calculating control element, through executing control program previously stored in the ROM  42 . The ROM  42  is a read only memory to previously store control program executed by the CPU  41  for controlling image data process and the whole apparatus. 
         [0055]    The RAM  43  is a random access memory to necessary calculation area when the CPU  41  executes the control program previously store in the ROM  42  to control image data process and the whole apparatus. 
         [0056]    The LSI  44  is a large scale integration circuit needing for signal process when the CPU  41  communicates with the LED head  11  and the RFID unit  9 . A LED head cable  8  contains a cable  45  to connect the LSI  44  to the LED head  11 ; and a cable  46  to connect the LSI  44  to the RFID unit  9 . All the cable  45  and the cable  46  are connected with the image forming units  6  of four colors of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), K (Black), as a pair of cables. 
         [0057]      FIG. 6  is a function block diagram of RFID unit. 
         [0058]    As shown by  FIG. 6 , the RFID unit  9  includes a connector  50 , a controlling section  51 , a transmitting circuit  52 , a receiving circuit  53  and a transmitting/receiving antenna  54 . 
         [0059]    The connector  50  is a connector to connect the RFID unit  9  to the LED head  11  ( FIG. 5 ). The controlling section  51  is a part to control the whole RFID unit  9 . The transmitting circuit  52  is a circuit to generate transmission signal such as writing information toward the RFID tag  7  and the like on the basis of the control of the controlling section  51 . Further, the transmitting circuit  52  also is a signal modulating circuit for radioing the transmission signal via the transmitting/receiving antenna  54 . 
         [0060]    The receiving circuit  53  is a circuit to receive receiving signal from the RFID tag  7  via the transmitting/receiving antenna  54  on the basis of the control of the controlling section  51 . Further, the receiving circuit  53  also is a circuit to demodulate the receiving signal so as to obtain reading information of the RFID tag  7  and the like. 
         [0061]    The transmitting/receiving antenna  54  is a radio antenna for radio communication with the RFID tag  7 . Through the transmitting/receiving antenna  54 , information toward the RFID tag  7  can be received and information written into the RFID tag  7  can be transmitted. 
         [0062]    The RFID unit  9  performs the following operations. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart for explaining operation of RFID unit. 
         [0064]    The following is to perform an explanation according to an order from step S 1  to step S 4  in the flowchart of  FIG. 7 , together with  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0065]    Step S 1 : 
         [0066]    On the basis of a control of the controlling system  40  of the image forming apparatus  1 , the controlling section  51  performs a radio communication with the respective RFID tags  7  in the image forming units  6  of four colors of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), K (Black); and checks whether or not abnormality occurs in communication. 
         [0067]    Step S 2 : 
         [0068]    In the case that the controlling section  51  detected an error communication in the communication with any of the RFID tags  7  in the image forming units  6  of four colors of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), K (Black), the controlling section  51  executes step S 4 ; in the case that an error is not detected from any of the image forming units  6 , the controlling section  51  executes step S 3 . 
         [0069]    Step S 3 : 
         [0070]    Because the controlling section  51  judges that error does not exist in any of the image forming units  6  of four colors of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), K (Black), when power source is turned on, the controlling section  51  reads information of the RFID tags  7  of respective colors; when executing print, the controlling section  51  writes toner use amounts (according to rotation number of the photosensitive body drum  14 ) in the respective image forming units  6  ( FIG. 1 ) into the RFID tags  7 , as consumption part life information; and notifies the controlling system  40  of the image forming apparatus  1  of the consumption part life information. Then, the controlling section  51  normally ends the flow on the basis of the control of the controlling system  40  of the image forming apparatus  1 . 
         [0071]    Step S 4 : 
         [0072]    Because the controlling section  51  judges that error exists in one of the image forming units  6  of four colors of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), K (Black), the controlling section  51  notifies the controlling system  40  of the image forming apparatus  1  of such case. The controlling system  40  of the image forming apparatus  1  displays the error on an operation panel (not shown). Then, the controlling section  51  abnormally ends the flow on the basis of the control of the controlling system  40  of the image forming apparatus  1 . 
         [0073]    As explained above, according to the embodiment, the RFID tag  7  is furnished on the side wall inside the image forming unit  6  and the RFID unit  9  is furnished in a position on the side plane of the LED head installing section  10  as facing to the RFID tag  7 , therefore, it is possible to easily achieve a distance precision and a relative position precision of the RFID tag and the RFID antenna. 
         [0074]    Further, the LED head  11  and the image forming unit  6  are exactly located, vibration or warp of the image forming unit  6  that is caused by rotation of photosensitive body drum is inhibited to a minimum. Therefore, it becomes easy to keep a distance precision and a relative position precision between the RFID tag  7  and the RFID unit  9 . 
         [0075]    Moreover, because the LED head installing section  10 , the LED head  11  and the image forming unit  6  are exactly located, in the case that the image forming unit  6  is not correctly set when opening or shutting the upper cover  13 , when changing color print to monochrome print or changing monochrome print to color print, even if lifting up or lifting down the image forming unit  6 , it is possible to prevent degradation of precision of distance or relative position of the RFID tag  7  and the RFID unit  9  from occurring. 
         [0076]    Furthermore, because the precision of distance or relative position of the RFID tag  7  and the RFID unit  9  is improved and kept, it is possible to heighten radio communication quality between the RFID tag  7  and the RFID unit  9 . 
       Embodiment 2  
       [0077]    In the embodiment 1, the LED head cable  8 , as shown by  FIG. 5 , includes two kinds of communication lines of the cable  45  to connect the LSI  44  to the LED head  11 ; and the cable  46  to connect the LSI  44  to the RFID unit  9 . In the embodiment 2, a cable is used in common for two kinds of signal lines. In order to realize such objective, a controlling system of image forming apparatus in the embodiment is formed as follows. 
         [0078]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of controlling system of image forming apparatus in embodiment 2. 
         [0079]    As shown by  FIG. 8 , a controlling system  90  of image forming apparatus of the embodiment 2 includes a CPU  41 , a ROM  42 , a RAM  43  and a LSI  94 . The following is only to explain component different from the embodiment 1. Regarding some same component as the embodiment 1, same symbol is assigned, and its explanation is omitted. 
         [0080]    The CPU  41  is a central processing unit to control image data process and the whole apparatus, as a central calculating control element, through executing control program previously stored in the ROM  42 . The ROM  42  is a read only memory to previously store control program executed by the CPU  41  for controlling image data process and the whole apparatus. 
         [0081]    The RAM  43  is a random access memory to necessary calculation area when the CPU  41  executes the control program previously store in the ROM  42  to control image data process and the whole apparatus. 
         [0082]    The LSI  94  is a large scale integration circuit that includes a signal transmitting/receiving section  94 Y and is needed for the CPU  41  to communicate with the LED head  110 Y (it contains the RFID unit  9 ). In the embodiment, though various components are used for four colors of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), K (Black), because they have the same structure, so, only structure for Y color will be explained, regarding structure for other colors, their explanations are omitted. 
         [0083]    The signal transmitting/receiving section  94 Y is a part to identify transmission signal and receiving signal between the CPU  41  and the LED head  110 Y and interface them. A LED head cable  98 Y is a communication line used for connecting the LSI  94  to the LED head  110 Y and used in common for transmitting and receiving. 
         [0084]    Further, as shown by  FIG. 8 , the LED head  110 Y of the image forming apparatus in embodiment 2 includes a RFID unit  9 Y, a Head LSI  95 Y, an EEPROM  96 Y, and a LED Driver  97 Y. 
         [0085]    The EEPROM  96 Y is a read only memory to previously store dot correction signal of the LED head  110 Y. The RFID unit  9 Y, as well as the embodiment 1, is a unit which has a transmitting/receiving circuit and a transmitting/receiving antenna; and can communicates with the RFID tag  7 . 
         [0086]    The Head LSI  95 Y is a part to analyze command of signal between the controlling system  90  and the LED head  110 Y; and control a conflict prevention of signal (that is, to prevent a conflict in timings of respective signals from occurring) among the EEPROM  96 Y, the RFID unit  9 Y and the LED Driver  97 Y. Regarding the control content, it will be explained below. The following is to explain an internal structure of the Head LSI  95 Y. 
         [0087]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of Head LSI. 
         [0088]    As shown by  FIG. 9 , the Head LSI  95 Y has an EEPROM R/W portion  95   a;  a RFID R/W portion  95   b;  a data transferring portion  95   c;  and a command analyzing portion  95   d.    
         [0089]    The EEPROM R/W portion  95   a  is a part to read out dot correction information from the EEPROM  96 Y ( FIG. 8 ) on the basis of a control of the command analyzing portion  95   d.    
         [0090]    The RFID R/W portion  95   b  is a part to connect with the RFID unit  9 Y ( FIG. 8 ) on the basis of a control of the command analyzing portion  95   d  for executing transmission and receiving of consumption part life information and the like with the RFID tag  7 Y. 
         [0091]    The data transferring portion  95   c  is a part to send dot data to the lens array  30  ( FIG. 3 ) on the basis of a control of the command analyzing portion  95   d  for making LED emit light to correspond to dot. 
         [0092]    The command analyzing portion  95   d  is a part to analyze command of signal between the controlling system  90  and the LED head  110 Y; and control a conflict prevention of signals among the EEPROM  96 Y, the RFID unit  9 Y and the LED Driver  97 Y. Regarding the control content, it will be explained below. 
         [0093]    The following is to explain control method of image forming apparatus of embodiment 2 around operations of the Head LSI through using a time chart. 
         [0094]      FIG. 10  is a time chart of image forming apparatus of embodiment 2. 
         [0095]    In the  FIG. 10 , from top to bottom, (1) apparatus state; (2) data received by Head LSI; (3) data sent by Head LSI; (4) time, are set and shown as items. Along a horizontal direction, a common time passage for respective items is shown. 
         [0096]    The following is to perform an explanation for control method of image forming apparatus according to a time order together with  FIG. 8 . 
         [0097]    Time T 0 : 
         [0098]    When power source switch of image forming apparatus is turned on or in the case that the power source has been turned on, the upper cover  13  ( FIG. 1 ) becomes shutting state from opening state. 
         [0099]    Time T 1 : 
         [0100]    The Head LSI  95 Y receives Head RD command from the controlling system  90  via the LED head cable  98 Y. 
         [0101]    Time T 2 : 
         [0102]    The Head LSI  95 Y sends a Head Data (response) to the controlling system  90  via the LED head cable  98 Y. The CPU  41  starts to continuous the following control when recognized that the response is normal. 
         [0103]    Time T 3 : 
         [0104]    The Head LSI  95 Y receives a RFID RD command from the controlling system  90  via the LED head cable  98 Y. The Head LSI  95 Y analyzes the RFID RD command and controls the RFID unit  9 Y to read out RFID information of the RFID tag  7 Y. 
         [0105]    Time T 4 : 
         [0106]    The Head LSI  95 Y sends RFID Data read out from the RFID tag  7 Y to the controlling system  90  via the LED head cable  98 Y. 
         [0107]    Time T 5 : 
         [0108]    The controlling system  90  starts to receive print data from an upper apparatus (not shown). At that time, the Head LSI  95 Y is standing by without operating. 
         [0109]    Time T 6 : 
         [0110]    The Head LSI  95 Y receives EEPROM RD command from the controlling system  90  via the LED head cable  98 Y. The Head LSI  95 Y reads out dot correction information (EEPROM Data) from the EEPROM  96 Y. 
         [0111]    Time T 7 : 
         [0112]    The Head LSI  95 Y sends the dot correction information (EEPROM Data) read out from the EEPROM  96 Y to the controlling system  90  via the LED head cable  98 Y. 
         [0113]    Time T 8 : 
         [0114]    The Head LSI  95 Y starts to receive Head Data from the controlling system  90  via the LED head cable  98 Y. The Head Data is obtained through the controlling system  90  corrects the print data received at time T 5  from the upper apparatus on the basis of the dot correction information (EEPROM Data) received at time T 7 . At this time, the Head LSI  95 Y starts to send the Head Data to the LED Driver  97 Y. Therefore, a print is started. 
         [0115]    Time T 9 : 
         [0116]    The Head LSI  95 Y ends to receive the Head Data from the controlling system  90  via the LED head cable  98 Y. Therefore, print is ended. 
         [0117]    Time T 10 : 
         [0118]    The Head LSI  95 Y receives RFID WR command and consumption part life information from the controlling system  90  via the LED head cable  98 Y. The Head LSI  95 Y writes the received consumption part life information into the RFID tag  7 Y and ends operation. 
         [0119]    As stated above, according to the embodiment, through furnishing the Head LSI  95  (Y, M, C, K) inside the LED head  110  (Y, M, C, K), it is possible to analyze command signal received/sent between the controlling system  90  and the LED head  110  (Y, M, C, K); and control conflict prevention of signals received/sent among the EEPROM  96  (Y, M, C, K), the RFID unit  9  (Y, M, C, K) and the LED Driver  97  (Y, M, C, K). So it is possible to only use one LED head cable  98  (Y, M, C, K) instead of the LED head cable  8  containing cables  45  and  46  in embodiment 1. 
       The Utilization Possibility in Industry: 
       [0120]    In the above stated explanation, only such case is explained that the present invention is applied to a color electronic printer of four colors. However, the present invention is not limited in this case. The present invention also can be applied to various devices such as monochrome printer, copying apparatus, facsimile apparatus, multiplex apparatus having two functions or over and the like. If only LED head and image forming unit exist, the present invention can be applied. 
         [0121]    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.