阅读说明：本技术 用于在墨粉再填充过程中的错误处理的方法 (Method for error handling during toner refill ) 是由 任苜花 李炫勝 金奘根 金镇喆 郑苪魯 安圣哲 于 2019-05-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供一种图像形成设备。该图像形成设备包括：打印引擎,通过使用在墨粉盒中填充的墨粉来执行打印作业；通信设备,与附接到在墨粉盒中再填充墨粉的墨粉再填充设备的存储器芯片通信；以及处理器,基于在通过使用墨粉再填充设备对墨粉盒的墨粉注入过程中发现的错误来将与错误有关的信息存储在墨粉盒中。(An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: a print engine that performs a print job by using toner filled in a toner cartridge; a communication device that communicates with a memory chip attached to a toner refilling device that refills toner in a toner cartridge; and a processor that stores information relating to the error in the toner cartridge based on the error found during toner injection into the toner cartridge by using the toner refilling device.)

1. An image forming apparatus includes:

a print engine that performs a print job using toner in the toner cartridge;

a communication device in communication with a memory chip attached to the toner refill device; and

a processor to store information relating to the error in the toner cartridge based on the error found during toner injection of the toner cartridge using the toner refill apparatus.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a locking device that fixes the toner refill device to the image forming device during a toner injection process,

wherein the processor controls the locking device to detach the toner refill device from the image forming device based on the information about the error stored in the toner cartridge.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the error is at least one of: flag information indicating an error occurred during toner injection or identification information of the toner refill apparatus.

4. The image forming device of claim 1, wherein the processor updates the number of docks stored in the memory chip based on the error identified during the toner injection process of the toner cartridge by way of the toner refill device.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an input device including a button for receiving a user selection,

wherein the processor:

identifying the error occurrence based on the button being selected during the toner injection to the toner cartridge.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the button includes a power button, a cancel button, or a print button.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor:

the error occurrence is identified based on an incomplete toner injection into the toner cartridge within a predetermined time.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor:

identifying whether the toner cartridge can be refilled based on the error information stored in the toner cartridge.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the processor:

identifying whether refilling can be performed based on a predetermined first reference value and the amount of toner detected in the toner cartridge, based on the error information not being stored in the toner cartridge; and is

Identifying whether the refilling can be performed based on a second reference value smaller than the first reference value and the amount of toner detected in the toner cartridge based on the error information being stored in the toner cartridge.

10. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor identifies the availability of the toner refill device based on information stored in a memory chip of the toner refill device.

11. The image forming device of claim 10 wherein the processor identifies the availability of the toner refill device based on the number of docks stored in the memory chip.

12. The image forming apparatus of claim 10 wherein the processor identifies that the toner refill is available based on the error information stored in the toner cartridge including identification information of the toner refill.

13. A method for error handling of an image forming apparatus, the method comprising:

injecting toner into the toner cartridge by using a toner refilling device;

identifying whether an error occurred in the injection; and

storing information relating to the error in the toner cartridge based on the error occurrence.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

fixing the toner refilling device to the image forming device during the toner injection; and

releasing the fixing of the toner refill apparatus and the image forming apparatus based on the information about the error stored in the toner cartridge.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

updating the number of docks stored in the memory chip based on identifying the error during a toner injection process of the toner cartridge by way of the toner refill device.

Background

An image forming apparatus generally operates to print out print data generated at a terminal such as a computer onto a printing paper. Examples of the image forming apparatus may include a copying machine, a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP) in which the above functions are combined and implemented by one apparatus.

An image forming apparatus in the laser printing method prints an image using toner. The toner is used every time an image forming operation is performed, and is exhausted when used for a predetermined period of time or longer.

Drawings

Certain examples of the disclosure will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an example;

fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a brief example of the image forming apparatus of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a more detailed example of the image forming apparatus of fig. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print engine of FIG. 2;

fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a memory chip of the toner refill apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a Customer Replaceable Unit Monitoring (CRUM) device of a toner cartridge in the case where an error has occurred and information of a toner refill device is stored in the toner cartridge;

fig. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing examples of information stored in the memories of the toner cartridge and the image forming apparatus in the case where an error has occurred and the information of the toner refill apparatus is stored in the memory; and

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for error handling according to an example.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numerals are used to refer to the same or similar elements, features, components, assemblies or structures.

Detailed Description

One or more examples will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples described below may be modified and may be implemented in a variety of different forms. In order to more clearly describe the features of the examples, detailed descriptions of items known to those skilled in the art will be omitted.

In the present disclosure, the case where any one feature is connected to another feature includes a case where the features are directly connected to each other and a case where the features are indirectly connected to each other (e.g., electrically connected to each other) with other features interposed therebetween. Furthermore, when a feature is stated as "comprising" another feature, unless stated otherwise, it means that the feature may comprise the further feature, rather than excluding the further feature.

The term "image forming job" as used herein may refer to various jobs (e.g., copying, printing, scanning, or faxing) related to an image, such as forming an image or creating/storing/transmitting an image file. Further, the term "job" may refer not only to an image forming operation but also to a series of processes required to perform the image forming operation.

An image forming apparatus generally operates to print out print data generated at a terminal such as a computer onto a printing medium such as printing paper. Examples of the image forming apparatus may include a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that provides a combined function of at least two of the individual apparatuses. The image forming apparatus may refer to any apparatus capable of performing an image forming operation, such as a copying machine, a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, an MFP, a display apparatus, and the like.

The term "print data" may refer to data that is converted into a format printable in a printer. If the printer supports indirect printing, the file itself may be print data.

The term "user" may refer to a person who performs an operation related to an image forming operation using an image forming apparatus or an apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus via a wire or wirelessly. Further, the term "administrator" may refer to a person who has authority to access all functions and systems of the image forming apparatus. The terms "administrator" and "user" may refer to the same person.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an example.

Referring to fig. 1, an image forming system 1000 may include an image forming apparatus 100 and a toner refill apparatus 400.

The image forming apparatus 100 may perform a print job by using toner stored in a toner cartridge.

When toner refill apparatus 400 is connected, image forming apparatus 100 may recognize whether it is possible to refill the toner cartridge and whether toner refill apparatus 400 is available.

In a case where a toner refilling operation may be performed, image forming apparatus 100 may refill toner in the toner cartridge by using toner refilling apparatus 400. To this end, the image forming apparatus 100 may include a sealing cover 171 for attachment to the toner refill apparatus 400. At a lower portion of the sealing cover 171, a pipe may be provided that connects the sealing cover 171 to a toner cartridge (e.g., a toner storage container of the toner cartridge). For example, toner from toner refill apparatus 400 may be supplied to the toner cartridge via a tube.

A door member (not shown) for electrically opening and closing the opening (e.g., hole) or the tube may be provided with respect to a specific position of the opening or the tube. The door member (not shown) is a device that opens and closes an opening according to an electric signal, and may be driven by a device such as a solenoid or the like.

The image forming apparatus 100 can recognize whether an error has occurred during the toner injection process by means of the toner refilling apparatus 400. If an error has occurred, image forming apparatus 100 may store information relating to the error in the toner cartridge. An example of the composition and operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described below by referring to fig. 2 and 3.

The image forming apparatus 100 may include a button 161, and may receive an input of a user control command through the button 161. The button 161 may be a power button, a cancel button, a print button, or the like. The buttons 161 may be used for the purpose of receiving input of the following facts: an error has occurred in toner refill apparatus 400.

Toner refill apparatus 400 is an apparatus that supplies toner to image forming apparatus 100. Toner refill device 400 may have the shape of a bottle capable of containing toner and may have an outlet capable of injecting toner contained in the bottle into an opening (e.g., an aperture) of a toner cartridge. In the case where the toner refill apparatus 400 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the outlet may be inserted into the sealing cover 171 described above.

In various examples, toner refill device 400 may be implemented in the form of an injector. Toner refill apparatus 400 may be referred to as a refill bottle, a toner injector, and the like.

Toner refill device 400 may include a memory chip 410 that stores information for toner refill device 400. The memory chip 410 may be referred to as a refill bottle memory, refill bottle chip, refill seal memory, refill seal chip, or the like.

Memory chip 410 may be disposed on one side of toner refill device 400. For example, when the inlet of the toner refill apparatus 400 is inserted into the sealing cover 171 of the image forming apparatus 100, the memory chip 410 may be provided at a position where communication with a wired terminal of the image forming apparatus 100 is possible or a position where communication with a wireless communication apparatus (for example, using Near Field Communication (NFC)) is possible.

The memory chip 410 may store information of the toner refill apparatus 400. For example, memory chip 410 may store information relating to identification information of toner refill device 400, the manufacturer, the date of manufacture, information of the toner, and the like.

The memory chip 410 may store historical information relating to toner refills. For example, the memory chip 410 may store refill start information, refill end time, refill time information, cartridge information of the image forming apparatus 100, error information, and the like. In this context, the error information may be information indicating whether an error has occurred during the refill process (e.g., a 1-bit flag), or may be the number of docking (docking). Herein, the number of docks may include information indicating how many times toner refill device 400 has been connected to image forming device 100 (or toner cartridge), which may, for example, store a value of 0 when a connection has never been made before, store a value of 1 when a connection is established once and refilling is complete, and store a value of 1 or greater when an error has occurred in the toner during refilling.

Therefore, if the number of docks is a value greater than 2, or the number of docks is a value 1 but the refill end information does not have completion information, it can be understood that an error has previously occurred. In various examples, only the counter value at which the error has occurred may be stored.

Information stored in the memory chip 410 may be encrypted and stored. In an example, the memory chip 410 may be a non-volatile memory, such as an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) or the like.

As described above, the image forming system 1000 according to the example can refill toner in the image forming apparatus 100 by using the toner refilling apparatus 400. Further, in a case where an error has occurred during refilling, the image forming system 1000 may recognize the occurrence of the error, and thus, may appropriately respond to the occurrence of the error.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a brief example of the image forming apparatus of fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 may include a communication apparatus 110, a print engine 120, and a processor 130. Print engine 120 may include toner cartridge 200.

The communication device 110 may be connected to a print control terminal device (not shown), and may receive print data from the print control terminal device. The print control terminal device may be an electronic device that provides print data, and may be, for example, a Personal Computer (PC), a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a smart phone, a server, or the like.

The communication device 110 may be formed to be connected to an external device such as a management server (not shown), and may be connected not only via a Local Area Network (LAN) or the internet, but also via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port or a wireless connection (e.g., Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Near Field Communication (NFC), or bluetooth) port. The communication device 110 may be referred to as a "transceiver".

Communication device 110 may communicate with a memory chip 410 attached to toner refill device 400 of FIG. 1. For example, communication device 110 may communicate with memory chip 410 of toner refill device 400 when toner refill device 400 is attached to sealing cap 171 of FIG. 1.

Communication device 110 may be electrically connected to toner refill device 400 through a plurality of terminals mounted on the main body of image forming device 100, or may communicate with memory chip 410 of toner refill device 400 using a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) method.

When the amount of toner in toner cartridge 200 is less than or equal to the predetermined amount and it is determined that toner cartridge 200 needs to be replaced or toner cartridge 200 needs to be refilled, communication device 110 may notify a management server (not shown) or an administrator (e.g., an administrator's terminal device) of the information.

The print engine 120 may form an image. The print engine 120 can form an image on an image forming medium such as a photosensitive drum, an intermediate transfer belt, a paper conveyance belt, or the like.

The print engine 120 may include various consumable devices directly or indirectly involved in an image forming job. For example, in the case of a laser image forming apparatus, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transcribing device, a settling device, various rollers, a belt, an Organic Photoconductor (OPC) drum, and the like may be consumable devices. In addition to these, various types of devices (e.g., developers) that must be replaced after use in the image forming apparatus may also be defined as consumable devices. An example of a consumable device is a toner cartridge that can perform the functions of the developer as described above. An example of the configuration and operation of the print engine 120 will be described later with reference to fig. 4.

The processor 130 may control each unit within the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the processor 130 may control the print engine 120 to execute a print job with respect to the received print data when the print data is received from a print control terminal device (not shown).

The processor 130 may be implemented as one device (e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU)) and may also be implemented as multiple devices (e.g., a clock generation circuit, a CPU, a graphics processor, etc.).

Processor 130 may identify whether toner refill apparatus 400 is connected to image forming apparatus 100. For example, processor 130 may identify that toner refill device 400 is connected when an electrical connection or an NFC communication connection with memory chip 410 of toner refill device 400 is identified.

When toner refill device 400 is connected, processor 130 may identify whether toner refill device 400 is available and whether it is possible to refill toner cartridge 200.

An example operation of identifying whether refilling the toner cartridge 200 is possible will be described below.

Toner refilling is only possible when toner cartridge 200 includes sufficient free space to receive a toner injection. Generally, in toner refilling, it is expected that all toner in toner refilling device 400 is injected into toner cartridge 200, and therefore toner cartridge 200 must have an empty space larger than the amount of toner included in toner refilling device 400.

Thus, if the amount of toner in toner cartridge 200 is greater than or equal to the predetermined first toner amount, processor 130 may identify that refilling of toner cartridge 200 is not available, and if the amount of toner in toner cartridge 200 is less than (or equal to) the predetermined first toner amount, processor 130 may identify that refilling of toner cartridge 200 is available.

It may be difficult to calculate the exact amount of toner in toner cartridge 200. Thus, in the event that an error has occurred, the amount of toner of the toner cartridge 200 identified by the processor 130 and the amount of toner of the actual toner cartridge 200 may be different from each other. That is, the amount of toner cartridge 200 identified by processor 130 may indicate that toner refilling is possible, but in practice, toner cartridge 200 may include more toner than identified by processor 130.

Thus, in the event that an error has occurred during a toner refill process, processor 130 may identify whether it is possible to refill toner cartridge 200 based on a second amount of toner that is less than the predetermined first amount of toner described above.

That is, when the error information of the toner cartridge 200 is not stored, the processor 130 may identify whether refilling is possible based on a first reference value (e.g., 60%), and when the error information of the toner cartridge 200 is stored, the processor 130 may identify whether refilling is possible based on a second reference value (e.g., 20%) smaller than the first reference value. Therefore, it is possible to prevent toner overflow that may occur when refilling is performed again by means of a new toner refilling device after an error occurs.

However, in the case where the toner refilling apparatus used at the time of occurrence of an error is connected again, the operation of identifying whether refilling of the above-described toner cartridge 200 is possible or not may be omitted. That is, in the case where the corresponding toner refill apparatus 400 is connected again, it has been recognized that there is no problem of toner overflow even if the entire amount of toner in the toner refill apparatus 400 is injected into the toner cartridge 200.

An example operation of identifying the availability of the toner refill apparatus will be described below.

Processor 130 may identify whether toner refill device 400 is available based on information stored in memory chip 410 of toner refill device 400. As an example, processor 130 may read information stored in memory chip 410 and may perform an authentication process to identify whether the connected toner refill device 400 is an authorized device based on the information stored in memory chip 410.

This authentication process may be the same as or similar to an authentication method for the CRUM device 300, which will be described later with reference to fig. 3. Alternatively, the authentication of the toner refill apparatus 400 may use a method different from the authentication method for the CRUM apparatus 300. For example, the authentication process for the toner refill device 400 may vary as compared to the authentication method for the CRUM device 300 by using an encryption algorithm with a relatively low level of security or by using a relatively simple authentication process. For example, processor 130 may perform an authentication process to decode a digital signature stored in memory chip 410 of toner refill device 400.

If toner refill device 400 is an authenticated device, processor 130 may identify whether toner refill device 400 is available. For example, based on information stored in the currently connected toner refill device 400, processor 130 may recognize that a toner refill may be performed. In one example, the processor 130 may determine whether information related to another image forming apparatus is stored in the memory chip 410. If the processor 130 determines that information about another image forming apparatus is not stored in the memory chip 410, the processor 130 may recognize that the toner refill may be performed.

Here, the information relating to the image forming apparatus 100 may be use history information indicating whether the toner refill apparatus 400 has been connected to the image forming apparatus 100. In an example, the usage history information may be identification information (e.g., serial number information of the image forming apparatus 100 or serial number information of the toner cartridge). In other examples, inherent information (e.g., Media Access Control (MAC) information, etc.) about the image forming apparatus 100 and identification information may be used, or inherent information specifying the toner cartridge may be used.

Thus, if usage history information is not stored in memory chip 410, processor 130 may identify that the corresponding toner refill device 400 does not have a usage history and that toner refill device 400 is available.

When an error has occurred in the toner refilling process, for example, in the case where the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned off during the refilling process, only some toner is refilled by an error of the user, or a temporary abnormality has occurred at the inlet or the duct, a method for reusing the toner refilling apparatus 400 may be required.

Therefore, even if information about the image forming apparatus 100 is stored, the processor 130 may recognize that the corresponding toner refill apparatus 400 is available in the case where the stored information matches the information of the image forming apparatus 100, that is, in the case where the identification information stored in the memory chip 410 matches the serial code of the image forming apparatus 100.

For this operation, when information about another image forming apparatus is not stored in memory chip 410 (e.g., toner refill apparatus 400 is connected for the first time), processor 130 may store identification information of image forming apparatus 100 (e.g., a serial number of image forming apparatus 100, a serial number of a toner cartridge, etc.) in memory chip 410.

In an example, toner refill device 400 may be connected and used only a predetermined number of times. Thus, processor 130 may recognize that a corresponding toner refill apparatus 400 is available only when the number of docks stored in toner refill apparatus 400 is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

To this end, processor 130 may update the number of docks (or error counter values) of toner refill device 400.

When toner refill apparatus 400 is identified as being available, processor 130 may control a door member to open an aperture to provide access to toner cartridge 200.

When a predetermined event occurs during the toner refill process, the processor 130 may recognize that an error has occurred during toner injection. For example, if the toner injection into the toner cartridge 200 is not completed within a predetermined time, the processor 130 may recognize that an error has occurred. That is, when the toner injection completion event does not occur within the predetermined time, the processor 130 may recognize that an error has occurred.

When a button notifying that a toner error has occurred during toner injection is selected, the processor 130 may recognize that an error has occurred. In an example, the button may be located near the sealing cover 171 and be dedicated to receiving an input of the occurrence of a toner error. In another example, the button may be a multi-function button that may receive input of a toner error occurrence and receive input for performing one or more different functions.

In an example, processor 130 may activate a button provided on the main body of image forming apparatus 100 during toner refilling for a function of receiving an erroneous input instead of the inherent function. Therefore, the user can notify the processor 130 of an error by selecting an operation of a button provided on the main body during toner refilling. The above-mentioned button may be a power button, a cancel button, a print button, or the like.

When an error occurs during the toner refill process, processor 130 may store information about the error in toner cartridge 200. For example, processor 130 may store information for toner refill device 400 in toner cartridge 200. For example, processor 130 may store identification information for toner refill device 400 in toner cartridge 200. Alternatively, the processor 130 may set only flag information indicating that an error has previously occurred in the toner cartridge 200 and store the identification information of the toner cartridge 200 in the additional storage.

When the toner refill is completed, the processor 130 may store information relating to the completion of the toner refill in the memory chip 410.

Although the image forming apparatus 100 is shown and described above in consideration of only basic elements, it is to be understood that the respective configurations may be additionally provided during implementation. An example of such a configuration will be described below with reference to fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a more detailed example of the image forming apparatus of fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 3, the image forming apparatus 100 may include a communication apparatus 110, a print engine 120, a processor 130, a memory 140, a display 150, an input apparatus 160, and a locking apparatus 170.

The communication device 110 is explained in fig. 2 and will therefore not be explained further below for the sake of brevity. Further, processor 130 and print engine 120 are explained in FIG. 2, and therefore will not be further explained below for the sake of brevity. Only the added elements of fig. 3 will be explained below.

The processor 130 may be in communication with the CRUM device 300. As an example, the processor 130 may perform communication for authentication of the CRUM device 300 and communication for management of data stored in the CRUM device 300.

In this case, the processor 130 may communicate with the CRUM device 300 in a built-in integrated circuit (I2C) approach or in an enhanced built-in integrated circuit (eI2C) approach. The I2C method may be a standard serial communication method using a data (SDA) signal and a clock signal. The eI2C method changes the I2C method so that the clock signal also has periodicity in the idle period. The eI2C method may be referred to by various names (e.g., 3-contact point I2C method, encoding I2C method, etc.).

The CRUM device 300 may be a device that stores information of a consumable device (e.g., the toner cartridge 200) and the like, and may be referred to as a memory, a memory chip, a chip device, a toner cartridge memory, and the like.

Processor 130 may communicate with memory chip 410 of toner refill device 400. In the case where toner cartridge 200 includes a terminal for connecting with toner refill device 400, processor 130 may communicate with memory chip 410 of toner refill device 400 using the I2C method or the el 2C method in the same manner as described above for CRUM device 300.

The processor 130 may perform encryption and communication of data transmitted to the memory chip 410 of the CRUM device 300 or toner refill device 400. For the encryption algorithm, various encoding algorithms may be used, for example, RSA, ECC asymmetric algorithm, ARIA, TDES, SEED, AES symmetric key algorithm, and the like.

In the case where the processor 130 communicates with the memory chip 410 of the connected CRUM device 300 or the connected toner refill device 400 by using the I2C method or the eI2C method, the processor 130 may generate a clock signal, generate and transmit a data signal, or receive a data signal in order to perform communication with the CRUM device 300 or the memory chip 410.

The processor 130 may perform an authentication process to identify whether the installed CRUM device is an authenticated device based on information provided from the CRUM device 300. Further, the processor 130 may identify whether it is necessary to perform toner refilling based on information (e.g., information about the remaining amount of the consumable) provided from the CRUM device 300.

If toner refill is necessary, processor 130 may control display 150 to display a message indicating the necessity of toner refill.

The cartridge information of the image forming apparatus 100 described above may be stored in the CRUM apparatus 300 attached to the toner cartridge 200 or may be stored in the memory 140 of the image forming apparatus 100. If the cartridge information is stored in the CRUM device 300, the processor 130 may read the cartridge information stored in the CRUM device 300.

The processor 130 may store information of the toner refill apparatus 400 in the CRUM apparatus 300. The information stored in CRUM device 300 may be information inherent to toner refill device 400 (e.g., a serial number of toner refill device 400).

As described above, processor 130 may store information of toner refill device 400 (e.g., identification information of the toner refill device) in CRUM device 300. Accordingly, whether the toner refill apparatus 400 is usable or not can be identified by using the information of the toner refill apparatus stored in the CRUM apparatus 300.

As an example, in the case where identification information of toner refill device 400 is stored in CRUM device 300, processor 130 may compare the identification information of toner refill device 400 stored in CRUM device 300 and information of toner refill device 400 (e.g., a serial number of the toner refill device) with each other and identify whether toner refill device 400 is available.

When it is recognized that toner refill apparatus 400 is available, locking apparatus 170 may be controlled to secure toner refill apparatus 400 and image forming apparatus 100 during the toner refill process. In an example, the locking device 170 is a device that fixes the toner refill device 400 to the image forming device 100, which may be driven by a device such as a solenoid or the like.

When it is identified that toner refill device 400 is not available, processor 130 may control display 150 to display a message indicating that toner refill device 400 is not available. The message may include not only the difficulty of using toner refill device 400, but also the reason for it. For example, the message may include information about: whether an unreliable toner refill device 400 is connected, whether it is a product for which toner refilling has been performed, whether the number of connections has been exceeded, etc.

As toner refills are processed, processor 130 may continuously identify whether toner refills are complete. As an example, when the amount of toner detected in the toner cartridge 200 changes to be greater than a predetermined value, the processor 130 may recognize that the toner injection is completed. A sensor (not shown) for sensing the amount of toner in toner cartridge 200 may be provided.

When the toner refilling is completed, the processor 130 may control the locking device 170 so that the toner refilling device 400 and the image forming apparatus 100 are separated from each other. Processor 130 may also control display 150 to display a message requesting detachment of toner refill device 400.

If an error has occurred during the toner refill process, processor 130 may store a flag that informs of the following fact: an error has occurred in memory 140 or in toner cartridge 200. Accordingly, the processor 130 may recognize that an error has occurred during toner filling by means of a flag stored during initial booting of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, when information (e.g., a flag) related to an error is stored in toner cartridge 200, processor 130 may control locking device 170 such that toner refill device 400 and image forming device 100 are separated from each other.

When the toner refill is complete, processor 130 may renew the toner amount of toner cartridge 200. As an example, processor 130 may change the amount of toner re-sensed using a sensor provided in toner cartridge 200 to the amount of toner cartridge 200.

The processor 130 may store the re-changed toner amount in the CRUM device 200 of the toner cartridge 200. Further, the processor 130 may store information of the connected toner refill apparatus 400 in the CRUM apparatus 300, and may store information such as the number of toner refills, etc. in the CRUM apparatus.

The memory 140 may store print data received through the communication device 110. The memory 140 may store history information of print jobs executed in the image forming apparatus 100.

Memory 140 may store information related to the toner refill history of toner cartridge 200. When toner refilling is in progress, the memory 140 may store information indicating that refilling is in progress. This information may be deleted once the toner refill is complete.

When an error has occurred during the refilling process, memory 140 may store information (e.g., identification information) about toner refill apparatus 400 in which the error has occurred.

The memory 140 may be implemented by a storage medium in the image forming apparatus 100 or an external storage medium (e.g., a removable disk including a USB memory or a web server through a network).

In an embodiment, memory 140 may include a plurality of memory elements. For example, the memory 140 may include a first memory storing data required to perform the operation of the image forming apparatus and a second memory storing information related to the CRUM apparatus 300 or the toner refill apparatus 400. The second memory may be a non-volatile memory (e.g., an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)) such as the memory chip 410.

The display 150 may display various information provided from the image forming apparatus 100. As an example, the display 150 may display a user interface window to select various functions provided by the image forming apparatus 100.

The display 150 may display a control menu for executing functions of the image forming apparatus 100.

The display 150 may display information related to the consumable. For example, when it is recognized that replacement of the consumable is necessary, the display 150 may display replacement information and display an expected replacement time. Further, when the toner of the toner cartridge 200 among the consumables is less than or equal to a preset amount, the display 150 may display that toner refilling is necessary.

During the toner refilling process, the display 150 may display a message indicating the fact that an error has occurred, which may be input through a button provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

Display 150 may display manual information on how to use toner refill apparatus 400. When it is recognized that the connected toner refill apparatus 400 is not available, the display 150 may display a message indicating that refilling cannot be performed.

The input device 160 may receive an input of a function selection of a user and a control command of a corresponding function. The functions may include printing, copying, scanning, facsimile transmission, and the like. Such function control commands may be received through a control menu displayed in the display 150.

The input device 160 may include a button provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The above-mentioned button may be a power button, a cancel button, a print button, or the like. The button may receive the above-mentioned control command and may receive the fact that an error has occurred during the refilling process. For example, the power button may generally perform a function of receiving an input of a command to convert the power of the image forming apparatus 100, and may perform a function of receiving an input of the following fact: errors have occurred during toner refilling.

The print engine 120 may form an image. For example, print engine 120 may perform a print job with toner filling toner cartridge 200.

Toner cartridge 200 is a device that provides toner to the developer, and the toner may be refilled by toner refill device 400. In addition, the CRUM device 300 storing information about the toner cartridge 200 may be mounted on the toner cartridge 200. The CRUM device 300 may be attached to the toner cartridge 200 or may be additionally mounted on the image forming device 200.

Toner cartridge 200 may receive toner from toner refill apparatus 400 and receive toner refills via a conduit or similar mechanism connecting sealing cap 171 and toner cartridge 200.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 can be refilled with toner and use toner without replacing the toner cartridge 200. Further, toner refill apparatus 400 may be reused a predetermined number of times even in the event that an error has occurred during the refilling process.

In fig. 2 and 3, it is shown and described that the image forming apparatus 100 includes a toner cartridge 200. However, this is merely an example. In an embodiment, image forming apparatus 100 may include a plurality of toner cartridges 200. Accordingly, a plurality of CRUM devices 300 may be mounted on the image forming device 100.

In fig. 2 and 3, the processor 130 is depicted as communicating directly with the CRUM device and toner refill device 400. In an embodiment, however, the processor 130 may communicate with the memory chips 410 of the CRUM device and the toner refill device 400 via the communication device 110.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print engine of fig. 2.

Referring to fig. 4, the print engine may include a photosensitive drum 121, a charger 122, an exposure device 123, a developer 200, a transfer device 125, and a fixing device 128.

An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 121. According to the form, the photosensitive drum 121 may be referred to as a photosensitive drum, a photosensitive belt, or the like.

The charger 122 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 to a uniform potential. The charger 122 may be implemented as a corona charger, a charging roller, a charging brush, or the like.

The exposure device 123 may change the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 121 based on information of an image to be printed to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121.

The developer 200 may contain a developer therein and develop the electrostatic latent image into a visible image by supplying the developer onto the electrostatic latent image. The developer 200 may include a developing roller 127 for supplying a developer (e.g., toner) to the electrostatic latent image. The developer 200 may be referred to as a toner cartridge.

The visible image formed on the photosensitive drum 121 may be irradiated to the recording medium (P) through the transfer device 125 or an intermediate transfer belt (not shown).

The fixing device 128 may fix the visible image on the recording medium P by applying heat and/or pressure to the visible image on the recording medium P. The printing operation can be completed by this series of processes.

The above-described developer can be used each time an image forming operation is performed, and is exhausted when used a predetermined number of times or more. In an example where the developer is toner, the toner may be refilled without replacing the developer 200 by means of a toner refilling device.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a memory chip of the toner refill apparatus.

Referring to fig. 5, a memory chip (e.g., memory chip 410) may include a number of docks and completion information.

In this case, the number of docks is information stored in image forming apparatus 100 about the number of times toner refill apparatus 400 is connected to image forming apparatus 100 (or toner cartridge 200), which may indicate whether toner refill apparatus 400 is connected to image forming apparatus 100.

The completion information may be information indicating whether toner injection using the toner refill apparatus 400 has been completed, and may be a 1-bit code.

In the above example, two pieces of information stored in the memory chip 410 are shown and described. However, in the embodiment, various information other than the above information may be stored in the memory chip 410. For example, the memory chip 410 may also store the type of toner (e.g., toner information) included in the toner refill apparatus 400, manufacturer information, expiration date information, authenticity identification code, refill time information, inherent information of the toner refill apparatus 400, inherent information of the image forming apparatus 100 or toner cartridge 200 that has been connected, and the like. Further, in embodiments, some of the above information may be omitted.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a Customer Replaceable Unit Monitoring (CRUM) device of a toner cartridge in a case where an error has occurred and information of a toner refill device is stored in the toner cartridge.

Referring to fig. 6, toner cartridge 200 may store inherent information (i.e., identification information) of toner refill device 400 connected when an error has occurred during toner refilling.

Thus, when the availability of toner refill device 400 is identified, processor 130 may read the identification information stored in toner cartridge 200 and may identify the availability of toner refill device 400.

In an embodiment, the toner cartridge 200 may store information that is typically stored in the toner cartridge 200 in addition to the information described above.

Fig. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing examples of information stored in the memories of the toner cartridge and the image forming apparatus in the case where an error has occurred and the information of the toner refill apparatus is stored in the toner cartridge.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the toner cartridge 200 may store flag information indicating that an error has previously occurred. Memory 140 of image forming apparatus 100 may store inherent information (e.g., identification information) of toner refill apparatus 400 connected when an error has occurred during toner refill.

Thus, as refilling of toner cartridge 200 continues, processor 130 may identify whether an error has occurred based on the flag information stored in toner cartridge 200 and identify whether toner refilling can be performed by toner refilling device 400 by comparing the stored inherent information with the inherent information of toner cartridge 200.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for error handling according to an example.

Referring to fig. 9, in operation S910, toner refilling of the toner cartridge is performed using a toner refilling device. The toner refill apparatus may be fixed to the image forming apparatus as part of a toner refill process.

In operation S920, whether an error has occurred in the toner refill apparatus may be identified as described above. For example, the occurrence of an error may be input by a button provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, when the toner refilling is not completed within the predetermined time, it may be recognized that an error has occurred.

In operation S930, when it is recognized that an error has occurred during the toner refilling process, information about the error may be stored in the toner cartridge. The fixing of the toner refilling device and the image forming apparatus can be released.

When the toner injection is completed without an error, information indicating that the toner refill apparatus is used may be stored in a memory chip of the toner refill apparatus, and the fixing of the toner refill apparatus and the image forming apparatus may be released.

According to the error handling method, when an error has occurred, the fact that the error has occurred is stored in the toner cartridge, so that the refilling operation of a new toner refilling apparatus for the toner cartridge in which the error has previously occurred can be restricted.

The communication method in the image forming apparatus described above may be implemented as a program and provided to the image forming apparatus. As an example, a program including a communication method in the image forming apparatus may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and provided therein. Non-transitory computer-readable media refers to media (e.g., registers, caches, memory, etc.) that store data semi-permanently, rather than for a very short period of time, and that are readable by a device.

The above examples and advantages should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Furthermore, the description of the examples of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.