Patent Publication Number: US-9405222-B2

Title: Image forming apparatus, toner storage member and method of controlling image forming apparatus

Description:
The present application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-223361 filed on Oct. 31, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a toner storage member that stores a toner, an image forming apparatus that includes a toner storage member and a method of controlling an image forming apparatus. 
     In some image forming apparatuses such as a multifunctional peripheral and a printer, printing is performed with a toner. A toner storage member (which may also be referred to as a “toner container” or a “toner cartridge”) that stores a toner is attached to such an image forming apparatus. The toner storage member may be counterfeited by a third party other than the manufacturer thereof. In a non-genuine toner storage member, an inferior toner may be used. In order to prevent a failure in an image forming apparatus, the use of a genuine toner storage member is recommended. However, a non-genuine toner storage member may be put into the market and used. Hence, the following image forming apparatus is known which prevents easy replication and in which whether or not a toner storage member is genuine is determined. 
     Specifically, an image forming apparatus is known which includes: a toner storage portion that stores a toner; an engine portion that utilizes the toner supplied from the toner storage portion to form an image; a plurality of agitation members in which at least part of the agitation member is formed of a magnetic material and in which the agitation member is rotated and moved within the toner storage portion to agitate the toner; a detection portion that is arranged outside the toner storage member and that detects the permeability of each of the agitation members where at least part of the agitation member is formed of the magnetic material; and a determination portion that determines, based on the permeability detected by the detection portion, whether or not the toner storage portion is genuine. 
     In an image forming apparatus, a chip such as an IC tag may be provided which stores information (security information) for determining whether or not a toner storage member is genuine. The image forming apparatus reads the information stored in the chip. Then, whether the information can be acquired and whether the acquired information is appropriate are checked, and thus whether or not the toner storage member is genuine is determined. 
     In an image forming apparatus, a sensor for detecting the amount of toner left in a toner storage member may also be provided. Based on an output value of the sensor, the image forming apparatus detects the remaining amount of toner in the toner storage member and whether or not the toner storage member is empty (the remaining amount is zero). 
     Conventionally, the chip and the sensor described above are provided as separate substrates. Furthermore, a circuit for communication with the sensor substrate, a circuit for communication with the chip substrate and the wiring thereof are needed. As described above, since the chip and the sensor are provided as separate substrates, it is disadvantageously difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost of the image forming apparatus and the toner storage member. 
     As the remaining amount of magnetic material toner is decreased, the permeability in the vicinity of a toner storage member is decreased. Hence, a circuit which includes an element such as a differential transformer whose output is changed according to the permeability and whose output is changed according to the permeability can be used as a remaining amount detection sensor. However, when the position of the element or the circuit whose output is changed according to the permeability is displaced, even if the remaining amount of toner within the toner storage member is the same, a difference in the output value from the circuit is disadvantageously produced. Hence, variations in the output value of the circuit in an empty state are produced according to the position of the circuit. As described above, the element and the circuit whose output is changed according to the permeability are affected by the position where they are attached. Thus, it may be disadvantageously difficult to accurately detect the remaining amount of toner and the empty state. 
     Furthermore, an attempt to utilize the characteristic of the circuit described above to more accurately determine whether or not the attached toner storage member is genuine is not conventionally made. 
     In the known technology described above, with the agitation members for agitating the toner, it is possible to determine whether or not the toner storage member is genuine. However, the technology cannot cope with the problem in which the manufacturing cost is increased by providing the sensor and the chip separately and the problem in which the element (circuit) for detecting the permeability whose output is changed by the position where the element is attached. 
     SUMMARY 
     An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a print portion, a toner storage member, a terminal portion, a determination portion and a notification portion. The print portion performs printing with a toner. The toner storage member is removable with respect to the image forming apparatus, has a substrate portion attached and supplies the toner to the print portion. The terminal portion communicates with the substrate portion. The determination portion determines, based on information received with the terminal portion from the toner storage member, whether or not the toner storage member is a genuine product and detects the remaining amount of the toner in the toner storage member. The notification portion notifies the state of the apparatus. The substrate portion is one substrate which includes a communication terminal portion in contact with the terminal portion, a remaining amount detection portion and a memory. The remaining amount detection portion includes a differential transformer and a detection circuit which processes an output of the differential transformer to output a voltage corresponding to the remaining amount. The memory stores security information for determining whether or not the toner storage member is the genuine product and an empty output value indicating an output value of the detection circuit when the toner storage member is in an empty state. The communication terminal portion transmits details stored in the memory to the determination portion and inputs the output value of the detection circuit to the determination portion. The determination portion recognizes a magnitude of the output value of the detection circuit and compares the empty output value stored in the memory with the output value of the detection circuit to determine whether or not the toner storage member is in the empty state. When the determination portion determines that the toner storage member is in the empty state, the notification portion notifies information that the toner storage member is empty. 
     Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more obvious from embodiments described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an example of a printer according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printer according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a part related to toner supply in the printer according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram showing an example of a substrate portion provided in a toner container. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for communication between a main body side and the substrate portion. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an example of a communication terminal in the embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of detection of the remaining amount of toner. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen which notifies information that a toner container is determined to be non-genuine. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing an example of a determination based on security information stored in the toner container. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a determination when a new toner container is attached. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and a toner storage member that can accurately detect the remaining amount of toner and an empty state while reducing the manufacturing cost thereof and the promotion of use of genuine products. An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 10 . A description will be given below using, as an example, a printer  100  (which corresponds to an image forming apparatus) that includes a toner container  1  (which corresponds to a toner storage member) storing a magnetic material toner and that uses the magnetic material toner in the toner container  1  to perform printing. However, elements such as configurations and arrangements described in the embodiment do not limit the scope of the disclosure, and are simply illustrative. 
     (Outline of the Printer  100 ) 
     The outline of the printer  100  according to the embodiment will first be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the printer  100  of the present embodiment includes an operation panel  2 . The printer  100  has a print portion  3  therewithin. The print portion  3  includes a paper feed portion  3   a , a first transport portion  3   b , an image formation portion  3   c , a fixing portion  3   d  and a second transport portion  3   e.    
     The operation panel  2  includes a display panel  20  (which corresponds to a notification portion) that notifies the state of the printer  100 . The display panel  20  displays (notifies) the remaining amount of toner in the toner container  1 , the empty state of the toner container  1  and information that the toner container  1  is non-genuine. The operation panel  2  receives various types of setting operations on the printer  100 . 
     The paper feed portion  3   a  of the print portion  3  stores a plurality of sheets, and feeds out the sheet at the time of printing. The first transport portion  3   b  transports the sheet supplied from the paper feed portion  3   a  to the image formation portion  3   c . The image formation portion  3   c  includes a development device  4  that develops, based on image data printed, with the toner, an electrostatic latent image formed by an exposure device  31  on the circumferential surface of a photosensitive drum  32 . The image formation portion  3   c  transfers the toner image to the sheet. The development device  4  receives the supply of the toner from the toner container  1  when printing is performed. The fixing portion  3   d  heats and pressurizes the sheet to which the toner image is transferred to fix the toner image on the sheet. The second transport portion  3   e  ejects the sheet passed through the fixing portion  3   d  to the outside of the apparatus. 
     (Hardware Configuration of the Printer  100 ) 
     The hardware configuration of the printer  100  according to the embodiment will then be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the printer  100  includes a control portion  5  (which corresponds to a determination portion). The control portion  5  controls the individual portions of the printer  100 . The control portion  5  communicates with various types of substrates within the printer  100  and receives the outputs of sensors to perform various types of detection. The control portion  5  includes a CPU  51 , an image processing portion  52  that performs image processing on image data used in printing and other electronic circuits and elements. The CPU  51  performs control and computation on the individual portions of the printer  100  based on control programs and control data stored in a storage portion  53 . The storage portion  53  is a combination of a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM, a flash ROM or a HDD and a volatile storage device such as a RAM. 
     The control portion  5  controls the operation of the print portion  3  (the paper feed portion  3   a , the first transport portion  3   b , the image formation portion  3   c , the fixing portion  3   d  and the second transport portion  3   e ). Then, based on print data received from a computer  200 , the control portion  5  makes the print portion  3  perform printing. The control portion  5  controls the operation of the operation panel  2 . The control portion  5  recognizes the details of an operation and a setting performed on the operation panel  2  and recognizes instructions to perform the details of the setting and printing. 
     A communication portion  54  is connected to the control portion  5 . The control portion  5  controls the operation of the communication portion  54  and communication processing. The communication portion  54  is an interface for communicating with the computer  200  such as a personal computer or a server. Based on the print data (data on image data and print settings) received by the communication portion  54 , the control portion  5  makes the print portion perform printing. 
     (Outline of Toner Supply to the Development Device  4 ) 
     The outline of toner supply to the development device  4  in the present embodiment will then be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     The toner is consumed by printing. Hence, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , in the printer  100 , the toner container  1  for supplying the toner to the development device  4  is provided. The toner container  1  stores the magnetic material toner (the toner of one component type). On the front surface of the printer  100 , a front cover  101  is provided (see  FIG. 1 ). An opening/closing detection sensor S 1  for detecting the opening and closing of the front cover  101  is provided. An output of the opening/closing detection sensor S 1  is input to the control portion  5 . The control portion  5  recognizes, based on the output of the opening/closing detection sensor S 1 , whether the front cover  101  is opened or closed. 
     Through an opening appearing when the front cover  101  is opened, a user can attach and detach the toner container  1 . When the toner container  1  enters the empty state, the user replaces the toner container  1  with a new one. In the printer  100  of the present embodiment, an attachment/detachment detection sensor S 2  for detecting the attachment and detachment of the toner container  1  is provided. An output of the attachment/detachment detection sensor S 2  is input to the control portion  5 . The control portion  5  recognizes, based on the output of the attachment/detachment detection sensor S 2 , whether the toner container  1  is detached or attached. 
     (Flow of Toner Supply) 
     Members related to the toner supply in the present embodiment and the basic flow of the toner supply will then be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     In order to input the toner from the toner container  1  into the development device  4 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , an input portion  41  is provided. The input portion  41  includes a container screw  42  that feeds out (inputs) the toner in the toner container  1  in the direction of the development device  4 . The input portion  41  includes a container motor  43  that rotates the container screw  42 . The input portion  41  includes an input pipe  44  which connects the container screw  42  and the toner input port of the development device  4  and through which the toner is passed (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The container screw  42  is provided below the toner container  1 . The container screw  42  is provided to face a feed opening portion from which the toner in the toner container  1  is fed out. By the rotation of the container screw  42 , the toner is input into the development device  4  through the input pipe  44 . 
     When the toner is supplied to the development device  4 , the control portion  5  rotates the container motor  43  to feed out the toner from the toner container  1 . An agitation member (not shown) that is rotated within the toner container  1  and that loosens the toner within the toner container  1  may be provided. In a case where the agitation member is provided, the container motor  43  also rotates the agitation member. 
     A development sensor  41  for detecting whether or not the specified amount of toner is present (charged) in the development device  4  is provided within the development device  4 . In the development sensor  41 , an output is changed depending on whether the toner within the development device  4  is more than the specified amount or is equal to or less than the specified amount. 
     The control portion  5  receives the output of the development sensor  41  to recognize whether or not the toner within the development device  4  is equal to or less than the specified amount. When the control portion  5  recognizes that the toner within the development device  4  is decreased beyond the specified amount, the control portion  5  operates the input portion  41  (the container motor  43 ) to input the toner into the development device  4 . Then, when the control portion  5  recognizes, based on the output of the development sensor  41 , that the toner within the development device  4  reaches the specified amount, the control portion  5  stops the input portion  41  (the container motor  43 ). 
     (Communication Between the Main Body Side and the Toner Container  1 ) 
     Communication between the main body (the control portion  5 ) of the printer  100  according to the embodiment and a substrate portion provided in the toner container  1  will then be described with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the substrate portion  7  is attached to the outside (the outer surface of a housing) of the toner container  1 . In an example shown in  FIG. 4 , the substrate portion  7  is attached to one side surface of the toner container  1 . The substrate portion  7  is one substrate. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the substrate portion  7  includes a memory  71 , a communication terminal portion  72  and a remaining amount detection portion  8 . The communication terminal portion  72  is connected to a terminal portion  9  provided on the main body side. By connection between the communication terminal portion  72  of the toner container  1  and the terminal portion  9  on the main body side, it is possible to perform communication (the acquisition of signals and data) between the control portion  5  of the printer  100  and the memory  71  and the remaining amount detection portion  8  of the substrate portion  7 . The terminal portion  9  of the printer  100  is provided in a position corresponding to (position in contact with) the communication terminal portion  72  of the toner container  1  attached to the interior of the printer  100 . 
     In the terminal portion  9  and the communication terminal portion  72 , a power supply terminal, a ground terminal, a serial clock terminal and a serial data terminal are provided. The power supply terminal and the ground terminal are terminals for supplying power to the memory  71  and the remaining amount detection portion  8  (an oscillation circuit  81 , a differential transformer  82  and a detection circuit  83 ). The serial clock terminal is a terminal for inputting, to the substrate portion  7 , a clock signal that is generated by the control portion  5  and that is supplied to the memory  71  and the oscillation circuit  81 . The serial data terminal is a terminal for transmitting information (data) read from the memory  71  to the control portion  5  and for transmitting an instruction to the memory  71  and information (data) to be stored to the memory  71 . In the data communication between the control portion  5  and the substrate portion  7 , communication standards such as 12C are adopted. In the printer  100  (the terminal portion  9 ) and the substrate portion  7  (the communication terminal portion  72 ), a detection circuit output terminal is provided. The detection circuit output terminal is a terminal for inputting, to the control portion  5 , the output value of the detection circuit  83  included in the remaining amount detection portion  8 . 
     Here, the individual terminals of the terminal portion  9  on the main body side are plate springs  90  obtained by bending a conductive metal plate or a plate whose surface is covered with a conductive metal. When the toner container  1  is attached, the terminals of the terminal portion  9  and the terminals of the communication terminal portion  72  are reliably brought into contact by the elasticity of the plate springs  90 . Hence, the occurrence of a contact failure in the terminals is prevented. The plate springs may instead be adopted as the terminals on the side of the communication terminal portion  72 . 
     The remaining amount detection portion  8  is a circuit for detecting the amount of toner left in the toner container  1 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the remaining amount detection portion  8  includes the oscillation circuit  81 , the differential transformer  82  and the detection circuit  83 . The oscillation circuit  81  is a circuit that generates an AC voltage from a DC voltage supplied from the communication terminal portion  72  and that inputs it to the differential transformer  82 . The differential transformer  82  is formed as a circuit pattern on the substrate portion  7 . The differential transformer  82  includes a primary coil and two secondary coils (a detection coil and a reference coil), and outputs a voltage difference between the secondary coils. As the remaining amount of magnetic material toner is increased, the permeability around the differential transformer  82  is increased whereas as the remaining amount of magnetic material toner is decreased, the permeability around the differential transformer  82  is decreased. Based on a change in the permeability corresponding to the remaining amount of toner, the output of the differential transformer  82  is changed. 
     The detection circuit  83  is a circuit that processes and outputs an output (signal) of the differential transformer  82 . The detection circuit  83  outputs a higher DC voltage as the remaining amount of toner is increased and outputs a lower DC voltage as the remaining amount of toner is decreased (for example, 2.5 V at the time of the filled state, 1.0 V at the time of the empty state). How the output of the differential transformer  82  is processed by the detection circuit  83  and what type of output is produced can be determined as necessary. For example, the detection circuit  83  may be a circuit that focuses on the point at which the amplitude and phase of the output voltage of the differential transformer  82  are changed according to the change in the remaining amount of toner (the change in the permeability). In this case, the detection circuit  83  may be a circuit that compares the phase of the output voltage of the differential transformer  82  with the phase of the AC voltage on the side of the primary coil, that generates a signal corresponding to the phase difference, that smooths out the generated signal and that outputs a DC voltage corresponding to the remaining amount of toner. 
     Through the communication terminal portion  72  and the terminal portion  9 , the output voltage of the detection circuit  83  is input to the control portion  5 . The control portion  5  determines the remaining amount of toner in the toner container  1  based on data that defines the magnitude of the output value (analogue voltage value) of the detection circuit  83  which is input and the remaining amount of toner corresponding to the magnitude of the output value of the detection circuit  83 . The storage portion  53  (see  FIG. 2 ) stores data that defines a value indicating a ratio of (current amount of toner)/(amount of toner at the time of the filled state) corresponding to the magnitude of the output value of the detection circuit  83 . 
     The memory  71  stores security information D 1 . The security information D 1  is information for determining, by the control portion, whether or not the toner container  1  is genuine. What type of information is set as the security information D 1  can be determined as necessary. As the security information D 1 , information can be used that is obtained by encrypting information indicating the identification and function of the toner container  1  such as the manufacturing number, the manufacturing site, the manufacturing date, the model of the toner container  1 , a toner charge date, a compatible model, the amount of toner in the filled state and the type of toner. 
     In the memory  71 , a remaining amount value D 2  of the toner in the toner container  1  (remaining amount data) is stored. The control portion  5  reads the remaining amount value D 2  in the memory  71  to recognize the remaining amount value D 2 . As the toner is consumed, the control portion  5  transmits the current remaining amount value D 2  to the memory  71  to update the remaining amount value D 2  in the memory  71  (the details of which will be described later). The remaining amount value D 2  can be set at the current output value of the detection circuit  83  which receives the input. Furthermore, a value indicating the remaining amount of toner determined by computation based on the output value of the detection circuit  83  may be stored. 
     Specifically, before the shipment of the toner container  1 , the output value of the detection circuit  83  in the filled state is written in the memory  71  as the remaining amount value D 2 . In other words, the memory  71  stores the output value of the detection circuit  83  when the toner is charged (at the time of the filled state) as the initial value of the remaining amount value D 2 . Then, the toner container  1  is attached to the printer  100 , and thereafter as the toner is consumed, the control portion  5  updates the remaining amount value D 2  in the memory  71 . 
     (Detection of the Remaining Amount of Toner in the Toner Container  1 ) 
     An example of the flow of detection of the remaining amount of toner in the toner container  1  will then be described with reference to  FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 8 . 
     First, the start of  FIG. 7  is a time when the remaining amount of toner in the toner container  1  is detected. The time when the remaining amount of toner is detected is previously determined. Examples of the time when the remaining amount of toner is detected include a time during which printing is being performed by the print portion  3  (the remaining amount of toner is detected at regular intervals), a time when the main power supply of the printer  100  is turned on, a time when the mode is returned from a power saving mode and a time when a new toner container  1  is attached. The start of  FIG. 7  is a state where the toner container  1  to which the substrate portion  7  is attached is fitted to the printer  100  and the control portion  5  and the substrate portion  7  can communicate with each other. 
     When the substrate portion  7  is not attached to the toner container  1  (when the remaining amount detection portion  8  and the memory  71  are not present), the control portion  5  cannot detect the empty state and the remaining amount. In this case, the control portion  5  determines that the toner container  1  is not present or that the toner container  1  is in the empty state. When it is impossible to communicate with the substrate portion  7  such that the presence of the substrate portion  7  cannot be recognized, the control portion  5  determines that the toner container  1  is not present or that the toner container  1  is in the empty state. 
     The control portion  5  (the CPU  51 ) inputs power and a clock signal to the substrate portion  7 , reads an empty output value D 3  stored in the memory  71  and checks whether or not the empty output value D 3  can be acquired (step # 11 ). 
     Here, the “empty output value D 3 ” is previously stored in the memory  71  of the toner container  1  (see  FIG. 5 ). The empty output value D 3  is the output value of the detection circuit  83  when the toner container  1  is in the empty state (where the toner is not present and the remaining amount is zero). Before the shipment of and at the time of manufacturing of the toner container  1 , the toner container  1  before the toner is charged is set to the printer  100 . Then, the control portion  5  recognizes the output value (analogue voltage value) of the detection circuit  83  at that time by AD conversion or the like. The control portion  5  stores the recognized output value of the detection circuit  83  in the memory  71  as the empty output value D 3 . 
     In the toner container  1  of the present embodiment, as part of the remaining amount detection portion  8 , the differential transformer  82  is provided. However, when the position of the differential transformer  82  on the substrate or the position where the substrate portion  7  is placed is displaced, the output of the detection circuit  83  is affected by such a displacement. Then, in the toner container  1  of the present embodiment, in each toner container  1 , variations in the position where the substrate portion  7  is attached and the position of the differential transformer  82  within the substrate portion  7  are intentionally produced. In other words, a plurality of patterns of the position where the substrate portion  7  is attached or the position where the differential transformer  82  is formed within the substrate portion  7  are prepared (see  FIG. 4 , and the pattern of the position where the substrate portion  7  is attached is indicated by broken lines as an example). Regardless of the position where the substrate portion  7  is attached, the terminal portion  9  may be movable such that the terminal portion  9  appropriately makes contact with the communication terminal portion  72  or a guide for the terminal portion  9  may be provided such that the terminal portion  9  appropriately makes contact with the communication terminal portion  72 . 
     As described above, in the toner container  1  of the present embodiment, variations in the position of the differential transformer  82  and differences in the position where the substrate portion  7  is attached are produced, and thus the empty output values D 3  of all the toner containers  1  are prevented from being the same. In the genuine toner container  1 , in the memory  71 , the appropriate empty output value D 3  corresponding to the toner container  1  is stored. Thus, it is possible to reliably detect the empty state of the toner. 
     On the other hand, in a non-genuine toner container  1 , there may be a case where the empty output value D 3  is not present or the appropriate empty output value D 3  corresponding to the position of the differential transformer  82  is not provided. When the appropriate empty output value D 3  is not provided, though the toner is left, the empty state may be detected. Thus, it is possible to prevent a non-genuine product from achieving the same performance as the genuine toner container  1 . 
     If the control portion  5  cannot acquire the empty output value D 3  (no in step # 11 ), the information stored in the memory  71  of the genuine product is not stored. Hence, when the empty output value D 3  cannot be acquired (no in step # 11 ), the control portion  5  determines that the toner container  1  is not genuine (step # 12 ). The control portion  5  displays, in a message display column  21  provided within the screen of the display panel  20 , information that the toner container  1  is not genuine (see  FIG. 8 ). In the message display column  21 , a warning message such as “a toner that is not specified is fitted” is displayed. 
     When the empty output value D 3  cannot be acquired, the control portion  5  may determine that the toner container  1  is non-genuine and that the toner container  1  is in the empty state. This is because in the control portion  5 , in the empty state, until the toner container  1  is replaced, the printing by the print portion  3  or the operation of toner supply by the input portion  41  is stopped. Hence, it is possible to prevent a failure caused by the use of a non-genuine toner. In this way, instead of the security information D 1  in the memory  71 , with the other information, it is possible to determine whether or not the toner container  1  is genuine. Thus, it is possible to more reliably determine whether or not the toner container  1  is genuine than the conventional method. 
     After step # 12 , the control portion  5  displays (notifies), on the display panel  20 , information that the toner container  1  is non-genuine (step # 13  end). On the other hand, when the empty output value D 3  is acquired (yes in step # 11 ), the control portion  5  checks whether or not the output value of the detection circuit  83  is equal to the empty output value D 3  (step # 14 ). 
     When the output value of the detection circuit  83  is equal to the empty output value D 3  (yes in step # 14 ), the control portion  5  determines that the toner container  1  is in the empty state (the remaining amount of toner in the toner container  1  is zero) when the printing of the allowable number of sheets D 4  is performed by the print portion  3  after the output value of the detection circuit  83  becomes equal to the empty output value D 3  (step # 15 ). 
     Here, in the genuine product, the allowable number of sheets D 4  may be changed according to the position (the magnitude of the empty output value D 3 ) of the differential transformer  82 . Depending on the position of the differential transformer  82 , in a state where a small amount of toner is left, the output value of the detection circuit  83  may reach a lower limit value. In such a case, the toner in the toner container  1  is not used up. Hence, the allowable number of sheets D 4  is changed according to the position of the differential transformer  82  such that in any genuine toner container  1 , the toner is used up. 
     The control portion  5  keeps a state where the print portion  3  is prevented from performing printing without being operated, until the toner container  1  is newly replaced by the detection of the empty state (step # 16 ). The control portion  5  also keeps a state where the input portion  41  is not operated and the operation of the toner supply is stopped (step # 16 ). The control portion  5  can also detect the replacement with a new toner container  1  based on, for example, the fact that the output of the attachment/detachment detection sensor S 2  and the security information D 1  obtained when the control portion  5  communicates with the toner container  1  differ from those of the toner container  1  which was fitted before. Then, the flow is completed. 
     If the output value of the detection circuit  83  is not equal to the empty output value D 3  (no in step # 14 ), the control portion  5  recognizes the remaining amount of toner within the toner container  1  based on the output value of the detection circuit  83  (step # 17 ). The output value of the detection circuit  83  is increased as the remaining amount of toner is increased. Hence, the control portion  5  determines a ratio of the absolute value of a difference between the current output value of the detection circuit  83  and the empty output value D 3  to the absolute value of a difference between a value (which is higher than the empty output value D 3 ) previously determined as the output value of the detection circuit  83  when the toner container  1  is in the filled state and the output value of the detection circuit  83  (determines what percentage of the toner is left). Then, the control portion  5  displays (notifies), as a value indicating the remaining amount of toner, the ratio on the display panel  20  (step # 18 ). The ratio may be displayed in a specific region on the display panel  20  in a fixed manner or the ratio may be displayed when a specific operation is performed on the operation panel  2 . 
     Then, the control portion  5  transmits the remaining amount value D 2  to the memory  71  of the toner container  1  to update the remaining amount value D 2  of the memory  71  (step # 19 ). Then, the flow is completed (end). The control portion  5  makes the memory  71  update the remaining amount value D 2  only when the attached toner container  1  is genuine. 
     (Determination of Whether or not the Toner Container  1  is Genuine Based on the Security Information D 1 ) 
     The determination based on the security information D 1  of the toner container  1  according to the embodiment will then be described with reference to  FIG. 9 . First, the start of  FIG. 9  is a time that is previously determined as the time when based on the security information D 1 , whether or not the toner container  1  is genuine is determined. At previously determined times when the main power supply is turned on, the mode is returned from the power saving mode and a new toner container  1  is attached, the determination based on the security information D 1  is performed. 
     The control portion  5  first communicates with the substrate portion  7  of the toner container  1  to check whether or not the security information D 1  is acquired (step # 21 ). When the control portion  5  cannot communicate with the memory  71  of the substrate portion  7  (cannot receive a response), for example, because the substrate portion  7  itself is not present, the control portion  5  determines that the toner container  1  is not attached or that the toner container  1  is in the empty state. Then, when the control portion  5  cannot communicate with the memory  71  of the substrate portion  7 , the control portion  5  keeps the state where the printer  100  is prevented from performing printing and the state where the operation of the toner supply to the development device  4  is stopped. Consequently, a counterfeit product in which the substrate portion  7  is not present and an inferior toner is highly likely to be stored cannot be used. 
     Although the presence of the memory  71  is recognized, when the security information D 1  cannot be acquired (no in step # 21 ), it is impossible to determine whether or not the toner container  1  is suitable for the printer  100 . Hence, the control portion  5  determines that the toner container  1  is non-genuine (step # 22 ). Then, the control portion  5  displays (notifies), on the display panel  20 , information that the toner container  1  is not genuine (step # 23 ). Then, the present flow is completed (end). When the control portion  5  determines that in step # 22 , the toner container  1  is non-genuine, the control portion  5  may recognize that the toner container  1  is in the empty state. 
     On the other hand, when the security information D 1  is acquired (yes in step # 21 ), the control portion  5  checks whether or not the acquired security information D 1  is suitable (step # 24 ). The types of information included in the security information D 1  and the range of the acquired values are previously specified. Hence, the control portion  5  determines, by whether or not they follow the specifications, whether the security information D 1  is appropriate or abnormal. 
     When an abnormal value is included (when the security information D 1  is not appropriate; no in step # 24 ), the control portion  5  determines that the toner container  1  is non-genuine (to step # 22 ). On the other hand, when the security information D 1  is appropriate, the control portion  5  determines that the toner container  1  is genuine (step # 25 ). Then, since it is not necessary to issue a warning to the user, the flow is completed (end). 
     (Determination when a New Toner Container  1  is Attached) 
     A determination when a new toner container  1  is attached will then be described with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
     The security information D 1  stored in the memory  71  may be analyzed. Hence, when the processing for confirming the security information D 1  is performed, the possibility that a counterfeit product which is not determined as a non-genuine product is manufactured is not zero. Thus, in the printer  100  of the present embodiment, based on the output value of the detection circuit  83  when the toner container  1  is attached, the control portion  5  finds out that a newly attached toner container  1  is counterfeit. 
     First, the start of  FIG. 10  is a time when the control portion  5  recognizes the attachment of a new toner container  1 . The determination based on the security information D 1  shown in  FIG. 9  is also performed when a new toner container  1  is attached. Hence, the control portion  5  performs the flow shown in  FIG. 10  parallel to the flow of  FIG. 9 . Only when in all the flowcharts, the toner container  1  is determined not to be non-genuine, the control portion  5  deals with the attached toner container  1  as the genuine product. When in any one of the flowcharts, the toner container  1  is determined to be non-genuine, the control portion  5  deals with the attached toner container  1  as a non-genuine product. 
     As described previously, the control portion  5  can recognize, with the sensor (attachment/detachment detection sensor S 2 ) for detecting the attachment and detachment of the toner container  1 , that a new toner container  1  is attached. When the control portion  5  reads security information D 1  that differs from the security information D 1  on the toner container  1  which was attached before, the control portion  5  can recognize that a new toner container  1  is attached. 
     The control portion  5  recognizes the output value of the detection circuit  83  of the toner container  1  (the substrate portion  7 ) (step # 31 ). The control portion  5  also checks whether or not the proper remaining amount value D 2  can be read from the memory  71  (step # 32 ). 
     In the memory  71  of the toner container  1  of the genuine product, the initial value (the initial value at the time of the filled state) of the remaining amount value D 2  is stored. Hence, when the remaining amount value D 2  cannot be read or when an abnormal remaining amount value D 2  in which all the values of the digits of the data of the remaining amount value D 2  are zero or one is read (when the proper remaining amount value D 2  cannot be read from the memory  71 ; no in step # 32 ), the control portion  5  determines that a newly attached toner container  1  is non-genuine (step # 33 ). Then, the control portion  5  displays (notifies), on the display panel  20 , information that the toner container  1  is non-genuine (step # 34 ). Then, the present flow is completed. 
     On the other hand, when the proper remaining amount value D 2  is read from the memory  71  (yes in step # 32 ), the control portion  5  checks whether or not a difference between the remaining amount value D 2  stored in the memory  71  and the recognized current output value of the detection circuit  83  falls within an allowable range (step # 35 ). 
     The output value of the detection circuit  83  is affected by the position of the differential transformer  82 . By utilizing this, it is possible to determine whether or not the toner container  1  is genuine. In the toner container  1  used in the printer  100  of the present embodiment, a plurality of patterns of the position where the substrate portion  7  is attached, the position where the differential transformer  82  is formed within the substrate portion  7  and the amount of toner charged at the time of manufacturing are provided. In other words, variations in the position of the differential transformer  82  and the amount of toner at the time of the filled state are intentionally produced. In this way, variations are intentionally produced in the output value of the detection circuit  83  at the time of the toner-filled state. 
     Hence, when in a counterfeit product, a displacement is produced in any one of the amount of toner at the time of the filled state and the positon of the differential transformer  82 , a displacement between the remaining amount value D 2  stored in the memory  71  from the time of the filled state (from the time of the attachment) and the output value of the detection circuit  83  falls outside the allowable range. In this way, it is possible to find out a delicate counterfeit product. 
     When the difference falls within the allowable range (yes in step # 35 ), the control portion  5  determines that a newly attached toner container  1  is genuine (step # 36 ). Then, the present flow is completed. On the other hand, when the difference falls outside the allowable range (no in step # 35 ), the flow is moved to step # 33 . 
     As described above, the image forming apparatus (the printer  100 ) according to the present embodiment includes the print portion  3  (the paper feed portion  3   a , the first transport portion  3   b , the image formation portion  3   c , the fixing portion  3   d  and the second transport portion  3   e ), the toner storage member (the toner container  1 ), the terminal portion  9 , the determination portion (the control portion  5 ) and the notification portion. The print portion  3  uses the toner to perform printing. The toner storage member is removable with respect to the image forming apparatus, has the substrate portion  7  attached thereto and supplies the toner to the print portion  3 . The terminal portion  9  is provided to communicate with the substrate portion  7  attached to the toner storage member. The determination portion determines, based on the information received with the terminal portion  9  from the toner storage member, whether or not the toner storage member is genuine, and detects the remaining amount of toner in the toner storage member. The notification portion (the display panel  20 ) notifies the state of the apparatus. The substrate portion  7  is one substrate that includes the communication terminal portion  72  in contact with the terminal portion  9 , the remaining amount detection portion  8  and the memory  71 . The remaining amount detection portion  8  includes the differential transformer  82  and the detection circuit  83  that processes the output of the differential transformer  82  to output a voltage corresponding to the remaining amount. The memory  71  stores the security information D 1  for determining whether or not the toner storage member is genuine and the empty output value D 3  indicating the output value of the detection circuit  83  when the toner storage member is in the empty state. The communication terminal portion  72  transmits details stored in the memory  71  to the determination portion and inputs the output value of the detection circuit  83 . The determination portion recognizes the magnitude of the output value of the detection circuit  83  and compares the empty output value D 3  stored in the memory  71  with the output value of the detection circuit  83  to determine whether or not the toner storage member is in the empty state. When the determination portion determines that the toner storage member is in the empty state, the notification portion notifies information that the toner storage member is empty. 
     Conventionally, the memory  71  and the remaining amount detection portion  8  (the remaining amount detection sensor) are provided as separate substrates, and are attached to the toner storage member (the toner container  1 ). However, since they are formed into one substrate, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost. Conventionally, in the toner storage member storing the magnetic material toner, the remaining amount detection sensor including an element such as the differential transformer  82  may be used to detect variations in the permeability of the toner storage member and thereby detect the remaining amount of toner. However, a displacement of the position of the detection element may cause a significant variation in the output value. Then, it is necessary to enhance the accuracy of the detection of the remaining amount of toner. Hence, the output value (the empty output value D 3 ) of the detection circuit  83  when the toner storage member of the toner is in the empty state (in the state where the toner is not left) is stored. Then, based on the empty output value D 3 , whether or not the toner storage member is in the empty state is determined. Thus, it is possible to accurately detect that the toner storage member enters the empty state. On the other hand, the substrate portion  7  can be attached while the position is being adjusted such that the output value of the detection circuit  83  when the toner storage member becomes empty is a predetermined empty output value D 3 . Hence, the detection circuit  83  can also be used as a sensor for detecting whether or not the position where the differential transformer  82  and the substrate portion  7  are attached is an appropriate position for accurately detecting the remaining amount of toner. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, when the position of the substrate portion  7  of a non-genuine product is displaced with respect to the genuine product, even if the empty output value D 3  is stored in the toner container  1  of the non-genuine product, the empty output value D 3  may not be appropriate. Hence, it is possible to prevent the same performance as the genuine product from being achieved. Thus, it is also possible to encourage the user to use the genuine product. 
     The memory  71  stores the remaining amount value D 2  on the remaining amount of toner in the toner storage member (the toner container  1 ). When a new toner storage member is attached, the determination portion (the control portion  5 ) checks whether or not the difference between the output value of the detection circuit  83  and the remaining amount value D 2  falls within the allowable range, and when the difference falls within the allowable range, the toner storage member is determined to be genuine whereas when the difference falls outside the allowable range, the toner storage member is determined not to be genuine. 
     When the position of the differential transformer  82  of a non-genuine product is displaced as compared with the genuine product, the difference between the output value of the detection circuit  83  and the remaining amount value D 2  may be increased. Hence, by whether or not the difference between the output value of the detection circuit  83  of the toner storage member (the toner container  1 ) and the remaining amount value D 2  falls within the appropriate range (the allowable range), it is possible to determine whether or not the attached toner storage member is genuine. Thus, it is possible to prevent an inferior toner stored in a non-genuine product from being mixed with the print portion  3  (the image formation portion  3   c  and the development device  4 ). 
     The initial value of the remaining amount value D 2  is the output value of the detection circuit  83  when the toner storage member (the toner container  1 ) of the toner is in the filled state. The determination portion (the control portion  5 ) updates, according to the consumption of the toner, the remaining amount value D 2  stored in the memory  71  of the toner storage member determined to be genuine. In this way, regardless of the amount of toner within the toner storage member of a non-genuine product, it is possible to determine whether or not the toner storage member is genuine. 
     Depending on the position where the substrate portion  7  is placed, even when a small amount of toner is left within the toner storage member (the toner container  1 ), the output value of the detection circuit  83  may reach the lower limit value. Hence, after the output value of the detection circuit  83  reaches the empty output value D 3 , the memory  71  stores the allowable number of sheets D 4  which is the allowable number of sheets to be printed. After the output value of the detection circuit  83  reaches the empty output value D 3 , the determination portion (the control portion  5 ) determines, when the printing of the allowable number of sheets D 4  is performed by the print portion  3 , that the toner storage member (the toner container  1 ) is in the empty state. 
     In this way, after the toner in the toner storage member (the toner container  1 ) is almost used up, the toner storage member is determined to be in the empty state. Thus, it is possible to accurately determine the toner empty state. Although the empty state is detected, printing is not prevented immediately, and a given amount of printing is allowed, with the result that it is possible to enhance the usability of the image forming apparatus (the printer  100 ). 
     When the memory  71  does not store the empty output value D 3 , the determination portion (the control portion  5 ) determines that the toner storage member (the toner container  1 ) is not genuine. In this way, even if it is determined by checking the security information D 1  that the toner storage member is genuine, it is possible to determine, based on the other information of the empty output value D 3 , whether or not the toner storage member is genuine. Thus, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the toner storage member is genuine. 
     When the determination portion (the control portion  5 ) determines that the toner storage member (the toner container  1 ) is not genuine, the determination portion makes the notification portion notify information that the toner storage member attached to the notification portion (the display panel  20 ) is not genuine. In this way, it is possible to notify the user of the information that the toner storage member is not genuine. It is also possible to encourage the use of the genuine product. 
     Any one of the terminal provided in the terminal portion  9  and the terminal in the communication terminal portion  72  is the plate spring  90 . In this way, it is possible to easily and reliably connect a new substrate and the determination portion such that they can communicate with each other. 
     In the substrate portion  7 , as a circuit pattern, the differential transformer  82  is provided. A plurality of patterns of the position where the substrate portion  7  is attached or the position where the differential transformer  82  is formed within the substrate portion  7  are provided. As described above, a plurality of patterns are prepared, and thus it is possible to produce variations in the empty output value D 3  of each toner storage member (the toner container  1 ). Hence, in a counterfeit product, even though the toner is left, the toner storage member may be determined to be in the empty state. This makes it difficult to manufacture a counterfeit product having the same performance as the genuine product. 
     The present disclosure can be regarded as the following toner storage member: a toner storage member is used in the image forming apparatus (the printer  100 ) described above and includes the memory  71 , the remaining amount detection portion  8  for detecting the remaining amount of toner left, the communication terminal portion  72  and the substrate portion  7  which is one substrate, the memory  71  stores the security information D 1  for determining whether or not the toner storage member is genuine, the remaining amount detection portion  8  includes the differential transformer  82  and the detection circuit  83  for processing the output of the differential transformer  82 , the communication terminal portion  72  transmits the details stored in the memory  71  to the determination portion (the control portion  5 ) and transfers the output value of the detection circuit  83  and the memory  71  stores the security information D 1  and the empty output value D 3  indicating the output value of the detection circuit  83  when the toner storage member (the toner container  1 ) is in the empty state. In this way, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those described above. 
     When it is impossible to communicate with the substrate portion  7 , and the presence of the substrate portion  7  is not recognized, the control portion  5  determines that the toner storage member (the toner container  1 ) is not present or is in the empty state. In this way, it is possible to prevent toner from flowing into the development device  4  from an inferior counterfeit product to which the substrate portion  7  is not attached. 
     Another embodiment will then be described. In the embodiment described above, as the image forming apparatus, the printer  100  is illustrated. However, the image forming apparatus may be a multifunctional peripheral, a copying machine, a facsimile machine or the like. In the embodiment described above, an example where the developer used in the development of an electrostatic latent image is one-component developer is described. However, the present disclosure can be applied to an image forming apparatus and a toner container  1  that use a two-component developer. 
     Although the embodiments of the present disclosure are described above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to them, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.