Patent Publication Number: US-8526833-B2

Title: Image forming apparatus, cartridge, and apparatus main unit

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers, apparatus main units of these image forming apparatuses, and cartridges containing toner to be used in these image forming apparatuses, and particularly relates to techniques of carrying out management of these cartridges using wireless tags. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In image forming apparatuses such as printers, fax machines, and copiers, which are provided with development devices that develop an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photosensitive drum using a two-constituent developing agent constituted by toner and carrier, image forming is carried out by turning the electrostatic latent image into a toner image using toner supplied from a cartridge mounted in the apparatus main unit, then transferring this toner image to paper or the like. Then, when the toner in the cartridge becomes low, toner is replenished into the image forming apparatus by having a user replace the cartridge with a new cartridge. 
     In this case, although there is no problem if the newly replaced cartridge is a legitimate and genuine product of the maker of the image forming apparatus or a product certified by the maker (hereinafter collectively referred to as “certified product”), cases are being found in which cartridges other than certified products (non-certified products) are being used. When a cartridge other than a certified product is used, it is not only that the full capabilities of the image forming apparatus are not achieved, but it also possibly leads to malfunctioning of the image forming apparatus. 
     For this reason, many image forming apparatuses developed in recent years make use of technologies such as RFID (radio frequency identification: wireless automatic identification) in carrying out cartridge management. In this case, a wireless tag in which cartridge and toner information is stored as tag information is attached to the cartridge, and after the cartridge is mounted, a communication circuit arranged on the main unit side of the image forming apparatus reads the tag information, thereby identifying whether or not the cartridge that is mounted is a certified product. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention improves the above-described conventional technologies. 
     That is, one aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus, provided with: an apparatus main unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data; and a cartridge that contains a developing agent and is detachably mountable with respect to the apparatus main unit, wherein the cartridge is provided with: a wireless tag that is stored classification information of the cartridge; and a magnet that is attached in a different position according to a type of the cartridge, and wherein the apparatus main unit is provided with: a communication section that read the classification information of the cartridge stored in the wireless tag by using wireless communication; a magnetoelectric transducer that is arranged in a position that intersects a magnetic flux of the magnet attached to the cartridge when a cartridge that is certified in advance is mounted to the apparatus main unit, and detects the magnetic flux of the magnet to output a detection signal; a storage section that stores classification information of the apparatus main unit; and an identifying section that identifies the mounted cartridge as a certified product when the classification information of the cartridge read by the communication section and the classification information of the apparatus main unit stored in the storage section are in agreement and the detection signal has been outputted from the magnetoelectric transducer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an outline cross-sectional view for describing an embodiment of an internal structure of a printer; 
         FIG. 2A  is a diagram showing a board configuration of an RFID tag and  FIG. 2B  is a diagram showing a board configuration of an RFID board; 
         FIG. 3A  is a diagram showing another example of a board configuration of an RFID tag and  FIG. 3B  is a diagram showing another example of a board configuration of an RFID board; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing one example of a Hall element circuit, and 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of identifying whether or not a cartridge that is mounted is a certified product. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus, a cartridge, and an apparatus main unit according to an embodiment of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that although a printer is described as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention in the following embodiments, in addition to this, a copier and a multi-function machine provided with functions such as copying, scanning, faxing, and printing are also possible. 
       FIG. 1  is an outline cross-sectional view for describing an embodiment of an internal structure of a printer  1  according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the printer  1  according to the present embodiment is provided with an apparatus main unit  11  that is presented in the form of a box. The apparatus main unit  11  is internally provided with an image forming section  12  that forms an image based on image data transmitted from an external device such as a computer, a fixing section  13  that executes a fixing process on a toner image that is formed by the image forming section  12  and transferred to a recording paper P as a transfer material, a paper storage section  14  that stores recording papers, and a toner supply section  15  that supplies toner to the image forming section  12 , and is also provided with a paper discharge section  16  above the apparatus main unit  11  to which the recording papers P are discharged after the fixing process. 
     Arranged in appropriate locations on an upper surface of the apparatus main unit  11  are an operation panel (not shown in diagram) for performing input operations such as output conditions of the recording paper P and a display panel (not shown in diagram) that displays messages and the like to the user. The operation panel is provided with a power key and a start button as well as settings keys for setting various functions. 
     The paper storage section  14  is provided with a paper tray  141  that is detachably mounted at a position below an exposure device  124  inside the apparatus main unit  11 . The paper tray  141  is provided as a box structure whose upper surface is entirely open and is capable of storing a paper bundle P 1  in which multiple recording papers P are stacked. A downstream end (right end in  FIG. 1 ) of an upper surface of the uppermost recording paper P of the paper bundle P 1  stored in the paper tray  141  is drawn out from the paper bundle P 1  toward a paper transport path  111  by the driving of a pickup roller  142 , and the recording papers P that are drawn out sheet by sheet are fed into a nip area between a second transfer roller  113  and a drive roller  125   a  (intermediate transfer belt  125   c ) in the image forming section  12  by way of the paper transport path  111  by the driving of transport roller pairs  112 . 
     The image forming section  12  forms a toner image on the recording paper P supplied from the paper storage section  14 , and in the present embodiment is provided with a black image forming section  12 K that uses a black color toner (developing agent), a yellow image forming section  12 Y that uses a yellow color toner, a cyan image forming section  12 C that uses a cyan color toner, and a magenta image forming section  12 M that uses a magenta color toner, which are disposed in order from an upstream side (left side in  FIG. 1 ) to a downstream side. Hereinafter, these image forming section are referred to collectively as “image forming section (s)  12 .” 
     And each of the image forming sections  12  is provided with a photosensitive drum  121 , a charging device  122  that uniformly charges a circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121 , an exposure device  124  that forms an electrostatic latent image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121  by irradiating a laser beam onto the charged circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121  based on image data, a development device  123  that forms a toner image by developing the electrostatic latent image that has been formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121 , a transfer roller  126  that transfers the toner image formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121  to the intermediate transfer belt  125   c , and a cleaning device  127  that removes residual toner from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121  after the toner image has been transferred. 
     An intermediate transfer member  125  is provided at a position above the photosensitive drums  121 . The intermediate transfer member  125  has the endless intermediate transfer belt  125   c  that is arranged spanning between a drive roller  125   a  and an idler roller  125   b , and the circumferential surface of each of the photosensitive drums  121  contacts a lower side of the intermediate transfer belt  125   c . The intermediate transfer belt  125   c  is configured to circle around the drive roller  125   a  and the idler roller  125   b  in synchronization with the photosensitive drums  121  in a state in which the intermediate transfer belt  125   c  presses against the circumferential surface of each of the photosensitive drums  121  due to the transfer roller  126  that is provided corresponding to each of the photosensitive drums  121 . 
     Accordingly, due to the circling of the intermediate transfer belt  125   c , transfer of a toner image of black toner is carried out by the photosensitive drum  121  of the image forming section  12 K onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt, after which transfer of a toner image of yellow toner is carried out in a layered manner by the photosensitive drum  121  of the image forming section  12 Y to the same position on the intermediate transfer belt  125   c , after which transfer of a toner image of cyan toner is carried out in a layered manner by the photosensitive drum  121  of the image forming section  12 C to the same position on the intermediate transfer belt  125   c , and finally transfer of a toner image of magenta toner is carried out by the photosensitive drum  121  of the image forming section  12 M. Due to this, a color toner image in which black toner, yellow toner, cyan toner, and magenta toner are layered is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt  125   c.    
     The paper transport path  111  is formed extending in a vertical direction at a rightward position of the image forming section  12  in  FIG. 1 . The transport roller pairs  112  are provided in appropriate locations on the paper transport path  111 , and the recording papers P that are drawn out from the paper storage section  14  are transported by the drive of the transport roller pairs  112  toward the intermediate transfer belt  125   c  being rotated by the drive roller  125   a.    
     The second transfer roller  113  is provided on the paper transport path  111  in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt  125   c  at a position facing the drive roller  125   a , and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt  125   c  is transferred to the recording paper P due to the recording paper P being pressed and sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt  125   c  and the second transfer roller  113  while being transported on the paper transport path  111 . 
     The fixing section  13  executes a fixing process on the toner image on the paper transferred by the image forming section  12 , and is provided with a hot roller  30 , internally installed in which is an electric heating member such as a halogen lamp, and a pressure roller  40  that is disposed facing the circumferential surface of the hot roller  30 . The recording paper P, which has been supplied to the fixing section  13  and on which is transferred the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt  125   c , undergoes the fixing process, in which heat is obtained from the hot roller  30 , by passing through a nip area between the hot roller  30  and the pressure roller  40 , which are rotating. 
     The recording paper P on which the fixing process has been completed is discharged to a paper discharge tray  161  of the paper discharge section  16  arranged on a top portion of the apparatus main unit  11  by way of a paper discharge transport path  114 , which is provided extending from an upper portion of the fixing section  13 . 
     The toner supply section  15  is configured provided with a black cartridge  151 K, a yellow cartridge  151 Y, a cyan cartridge  151 C, and a magenta cartridge  151 M (hereinafter collectively referred to as “cartridge(s)  151 ”), which correspond to the development device  123  of the image forming section  12 . One of the color toners is contained in each of the cartridges  151 , which are detachably configured with respect to the apparatus main unit  11 . When the toner amount in the cartridge  151  becomes low, toner is again replenished into the apparatus main unit  11  by replacing the cartridge with a new cartridge  151 . 
     Furthermore, RFID tags  152 K,  152 Y,  152 C, and  152 M (hereinafter collectively referred to as “RFID tag(s)  152 ”) are attached to the cartridges  151 . Each of the RFID tags  152  is configured provided with a memory, which stores classification information of the cartridge  151  such as a product number and destination information of the cartridge  151 , and a communication circuit, which transmits the information stored in the memory as a signal. The signals transmitted from the communication circuits are received by corresponding RFID communication sections  211 K,  211 Y,  211 C, and  211 M (hereinafter collectively referred to as “RFID communication section(s)  211 ”) on an RFID board  21  installed in the apparatus main unit  11 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a diagram showing one example of a board configuration of the RFID tag  152  and  FIG. 2B  is a diagram showing one example of a board configuration of the RFID board  21 . Arranged on the board of the RFID tag  152  are a communication circuit  27 , which includes a memory that stores classification information, and an antenna  28  and a magnet  29 . The antenna  28  transmits signals to the RFID communication section  211  and receives signals that are outputted from the RFID communication section  211 . When the antenna  28  receives a signal instructing a readout of classification information, the communication circuit  27  reads out the classification information stored in the memory and transmits the classification information as a signal from the antenna  28 . 
     The magnet  29  is a permanent magnet and is arranged such that the arrangement location of the magnet  29  is different for each destination of the cartridge  151 . Detailed description is given later regarding the arrangement of the magnets corresponding to destination. 
     Arranged on the RFID communication section  21  are Hall element circuits  30 K,  30 Y,  30 C, and  30 M (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Hall element circuit(s)  30 ”), antennas  31 K,  31 Y,  31 C, and  31 M (hereinafter collectively referred to as “antenna(s)  31 ”), RFID communication sections  211 , and a control section  32 . 
     The Hall element circuits  30  have a Hall element as a magnetoelectric transducer, and detect magnetic flux of the magnet  29  to output a detection signal to the control section  32 .  FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a configuration of the Hall element circuit  30 . The Hall element circuit  30  is configured having a Hall element  301 , a Hall element drive circuit  302 , and a Hall voltage detection circuit  303 . The Hall element  301  generates electromotive force in response to change in magnetic flux. The Hall element drive circuit  302  is a constant voltage or constant current circuit for driving the Hall element  301 . The Hall voltage detection circuit  303  converts the electromotive force generated in the Hall element  301  to an electrical signal and outputs this to the control section  32 . 
     The RFID communication section  211  carries out wireless communication with the RFID tag  152  in response to an instruction signal outputted from the control section  32 , and is configured provided with components such as a carrier wave oscillator circuit, a modulation circuit, and a demodulation circuit. The antenna  31  is controlled by the RFID communication section  211  and carries out exchanges of signals between itself and the RFID tag  152 . 
     The control section  32  is configured using a CPU (central processing unit) or the like, and is configured with components such as a certified product identifying section  321  and a certified product information storage section  322 . The certified product information storage section  322  stores classification information (for example, information such as the product number and destination information on a certified cartridge), which is stored only on the RFID tag  152  attached to the certified cartridge. The certified product identifying section  321  compares the classification information that is read out from the RFID tag  152  and the information stored in the certified product information storage section  322 , then further identifies whether or not the mounted cartridge  152  is a certified product depending on a presence/absence of a detection signal from the Hall element circuit  30 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams showing a case where the destination of the cartridge  151  is a country A, with  FIG. 2A  showing a board configuration of the RFID tag  152  and  FIG. 2B  showing a board configuration of the RFID board  21 . In a case where the destination is the country A, for example, the magnet  29  is arranged at an upper right area of the board of the RFID tag  152 . The Hall element circuit  30  is arranged on the RFID board  21  at a position intersecting the magnetic flux of the magnet  29 . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are diagrams showing a case where the destination of the cartridge  151  is a country B, with  FIG. 3A  showing a board configuration of the RFID tag  152  and  FIG. 3B  showing a board configuration of the RFID board  21 . In a case where the destination is the country B, for example, the magnet  29  is arranged at a lower right area of the board of the RFID tag  152 . The Hall element circuit  30  is arranged on the RFID board  21  at a position intersecting the magnetic flux of this magnet  29 . 
     That is, when a certified cartridge is mounted in the printer  1  (the destination of the printer  1  and the cartridge are the same), the positions of the Hall element circuit  30  and the magnet  29  correspond, and therefore the Hall element circuit  30  detects the magnetic flux of the magnet  29  on the RFID tag  152  attached to the cartridge and outputs a detection signal to the control section  32 . However, when a non-certified cartridge is mounted in the printer  1  (the destination of the printer  1  and the cartridge are different), the positions of the Hall element circuit  30  and the magnet  29  do not correspond and the Hall element circuit  30  cannot detect the magnetic flux of the magnet  29  and no detection signal is outputted. The certified product identifying section  321  carries out identification of cartridges that are mounted using whether or not a detection signal is outputted from the Hall element circuit  30 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of identifying whether or not a cartridge that is mounted is a certified product. After a cartridge is mounted in the printer  1 , the control section  32  examines whether or not wireless communication can be achieved normally with the RFID tag  152  attached to the cartridge (step S 11 ). Specifically, the control section  32  cause the RFID communication section  211  to transmits a signal instructing a readout of classification information stored in the RFID tag  152 , and if a signal of some kind is returned from the RFID tag  152  in response to this signal, then the control section  32  determines that wireless communication can be achieved normally. However, in a case where wireless communication cannot be carried out normally (step S 11 ; NO) for a reason such as an RFID tag  152  not being attached to the cartridge that is mounted (that is, the cartridge is a non-certified product) or it is a cartridge designed for a printer of another company and the attachment position of the RFID tag is different, then the certified product identifying section  321  determines that the mounted cartridge is a non-certified product and displays a warning message on the display panel or the like that indicates a non-certified cartridge is mounted (step S 15 ). 
     In a case where wireless communication can be carried out normally between the RFID tag  152  and the RFID communication section  211  (step S 11 ; YES), the certified product identifying section  321  reads out the classification information from the signals returned from the RFID tag  152  and compares this with the information stored in the certified product information storage section  322  (step S 12 ). In a case where the classification information of the RFID tag  152  and the information stored in the certified product information storage section  322  are in agreement (step S 12 ; YES), the certified product identifying section  321  determines whether or not a detection signal is being outputted from the Hall element circuit  30  (step S 13 ). In a case where a detection signal is being outputted from the Hall element circuit  30  (step S 13 ; YES), the certified product identifying section  321  determines that the cartridge that is mounted is a certified product (step S 14 ). 
     On the other hand, in a case where the classification information of the RFID tag  152  and the information stored in the certified product information storage section  322  are not in agreement (step S 12 ; NO) and a detection signal is not being outputted from the Hall element circuit  30  (step S 13 ; NO), then the certified product identifying section  321  determines that the mounted cartridge is a non-certified product and displays a warning message on the display panel or the like that indicates a non-certified cartridge is mounted (step S 15 ). 
     As described above, identification of certified products can be carried out simply and reliably by using a magnet  29  and a Hall element  301  in addition to a method using an RFID tag  152  as a method of identifying whether or not a cartridge that is mounted is a certified product. In a case where identification of certified products is carried out using only classification information stored in the RFID tag  152  as occurs conventionally, when a forged RFID tag is attached to a non-certified cartridge for example, it has not been possible to circumvent the non-certified product (fake product). However, by using the Hall element  301  in addition to the RFID tag  152 , if no magnet  29  is attached to the cartridge, the cartridge can be identified as a non-certified product. 
     Further still, by varying the arrangement positions of the magnet  29  and the Hall element circuit  30  according to the type of cartridge (mainly its destination information), it is possible to prevent a cartridge for a different destination being mounted. 
     It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment and that various modifications are possible. For example, in the present embodiment the magnet  29  is arranged on the board of the RFID tag  152 , but in order to prevent forgery of cartridges based on reapplication of the RFID tag  152 , it is also possible to embed the magnet  29  into the casing (into the resin) of the cartridge  151  or attach it to an inner wall of the casing. That is, in a form in which the magnet  29  is installed inside the casing of the cartridge  151 , it is provided in positions such that the arrangement position of the magnet  29  is varied in response to the type (mainly the destination information) of the cartridge. 
     Further still, in the present embodiment, when wireless communication cannot be carried out normally between the RFID tag  152  and the RFID communication section  211  (step S 11 ; NO), or the classification information of the RFID tag  152  and the information stored in the certified product information storage section  322  are not in agreement (step S 12 ; NO), or a detection signal is not being outputted from the Hall element circuit  30  (step S 13 ; NO), the control section  32  displays a warning message on the display panel, but it is also possible that, in addition to the warning message, control is carried out such that printing is forcibly prohibited. 
     In sum, an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus provided with: an apparatus main unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data; and a cartridge that contains a developing agent and is detachably mountable with respect to the apparatus main unit, wherein the cartridge is provided with: a wireless tag that is stored classification information of the cartridge; and a magnet that is attached in a different position according to a type of the cartridge, and wherein the apparatus main unit is provided with: a communication section that read the classification information of the cartridge stored in the wireless tag by using wireless communication; a magnetoelectric transducer that is arranged in a position that intersects a magnetic flux of the magnet attached to the cartridge when a cartridge that is certified in advance is mounted to the apparatus main unit, and detects the magnetic flux of the magnet to output a detection signal; a storage section that stores classification information of the apparatus main unit; and an identifying section that identifies the mounted cartridge as a certified product when the classification information of the cartridge read by the communication section and the classification information of the apparatus main unit stored in the storage section are in agreement and the detection signal has been outputted from the magnetoelectric transducer. 
     In a case where identification of certified products is carried out using only tag information stored in a wireless tag as occurs conventionally, when a wireless tag, on which is recorded information indicating that it is a certified product, is attached to a non-certified cartridge for example, it has not been possible to circumvent the non-certified product (fake product). And although methods are conceivable of performing identification using a mechanical switch or the like, the effect of enabling circumvention of non-certified products is low compared to the cost of attaching a mechanical switch since this is easily imitated. However, with the present invention, in addition to a wireless tag, identification of non-certified products is carried out using a magnet and a magnetoelectric transducer, and therefore even if a forged wireless tag is attached to the non-certified product, identification of a cartridge as a non-certified product can be performed simply and reliably if a magnet is not attached. 
     Further still, by varying the arrangement positions of the magnet and the magnetoelectric transducer according to the type of cartridge (for example, its destination information), it is possible to prevent intentional or inadvertent mounting of a cartridge that is for a different destination. 
     Furthermore, an aspect of the present invention is the magnet attached to the cartridge is installed inside a casing of the cartridge. 
     Furthermore, an aspect of the present invention is a cartridge, which is detachably mountable with respect to an apparatus main unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data, and which contains a developing agent, the cartridge comprising: a wireless tag on which is stored classification information of the cartridge so that wireless communication with a communication section of the apparatus main unit is enabled when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main unit, and a magnet that is attached in the position at which magnetic flux detection is possible by a magnetoelectric transducer on the apparatus main unit side when the cartridge is mounted at the apparatus main unit. 
     Furthermore, an aspect of the present invention is the magnet that is attached in a different position according to a type of the cartridge, the position being a position at which magnetic flux detection is possible by a magnetoelectric transducer on the apparatus main unit side when the cartridge is mounted at the apparatus main unit. 
     Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention involves the magnet attached to the cartridge is installed inside a casing of the cartridge. 
     With this invention, the magnet is installed inside the casing (inside the resin) of the cartridge or is attached at an inner wall of the casing such that the magnet is not visible from outside, thereby making reapplication of the magnet difficult when the wireless tag is reapplied in order to forge a non-certified product, and this prevents forgery of cartridges. 
     Furthermore, an aspect of the present invention is an apparatus main unit of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data, the apparatus main unit being provided with: a communication section read from a wireless tag provided on a cartridge classification information on the cartridge stored in the wireless tag by using wireless communication when a cartridge dedicated for mounting at the apparatus main unit is attached to the apparatus main unit, a magnetoelectric transducer that is arranged in a position that intersects a magnetic flux of the magnet attached to the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main unit, and detects the magnetic flux of the magnet to output a detection signal, a storage section that stores classification information of the apparatus main unit, and an identifying section that identifies the mounted cartridge as a certified product when the classification information of the cartridge read by the communication section and the classification information of the apparatus main unit stored in the storage section are in agreement and the detection signal has been outputted from the magnetoelectric transducer. 
     This application is based on Japanese Patent Application Serial No. 2009-019106, filed in Japan Patent Office on Jan. 30, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Although the present invention has been fully described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention hereinafter defined, they should be construed as being included therein.