Toner cartridge with memory for image forming apparatus

• US 10,175,606 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2018
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toshiba America Business Solutions Incorporated (Toshiba Corporation), Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba America Business Solutions Incorporated (Toshiba Corporation), Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Homma, Toru, Hashidume, Hiroshi, Ajima, Hisanobu, Tohata, Nobuo, Nakajima, Takahiro, Hatano, Takumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Hyder, G. M. A
• Application Number:
  US15/912,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20180196371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 308 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0849 Detection or control means for the developer concentration
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0863 provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. an electronic memory
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0868 Toner cartridges fulfilling a continuous function within the electrographic apparatus during the use of the supplied developer material, e.g. toner discharge on demand, storing residual toner, acting as an active closure for the developer replenishing opening
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1878 Electronically readable memory
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1889 for auto-setting of process parameters, lifetime, usage
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0697 being an electronically readable memory

Abstract

A toner cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus includes a memory storing identification data of the toner cartridge and parameter information including image formation process parameters dependent on toner characteristic or ambient conditions. A transceiver unit communicates with the image forming apparatus to send the process parameter information stored in the memory to the image forming apparatus when the identification data is authentic.

Claims

1. A toner cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus having an acquiring unit configured to acquire inquiry data from the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, and a reading unit configured to read parameter information including an image formation parameter, from the toner cartridge when the acquired inquiry data matches inquiry data previously stored in the image forming apparatus, the toner cartridge comprising:

a memory storing the inquiry data of the toner cartridge and the parameter information including the image formation parameter dependent on toner characteristic or ambient conditions, the memory being configured to communicate with the acquiring unit or the reading unit.

2. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the image formation parameter is one of set values for operations of a photoconductive drum, a developing device, a cleaner, a charger, and a fixing device.

3. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the image formation parameter is charging voltage values of a charger.

4. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the image formation parameter is bias voltages of a charger depending on humidity ranges.

5. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the image formation parameter is associated with a humidity value.

6. A toner cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus having an acquiring unit configured to acquire inquiry data from the toner cartridge;

and a reading unit configured to read parameter information including an image formation parameter from the toner cartridge, the toner cartridge comprising;

a memory storing the inquiry data and the parameter information including the image formation parameter, and a table in which at least a value of one of the image formation parameter is associated with a temperature value, the memory being configured to communicate with the acquiring unit or the reading unit.

7. The toner cartridge of claim 6, wherein the image formation parameter is one of set values for operations of a photoconductive drum, a developing device, a cleaner, a charger, and a fixing device.

8. The toner cartridge of claim 6, wherein the image formation parameter is charging voltage values of a charger.

9. A toner cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus having an acquiring unit configured to acquire inquiry data from the toner cartridge;

and a reading unit configured to read parameter information including an image formation parameter dependent on toner characteristic or ambient conditions, from the toner cartridge, the toner cartridge comprising;

a memory storing the inquiry data and the parameter information including the image formation parameter, and a table in which at least a value of one of the image formation parameter is associated with a humidity value, the memory being configured to communicate with the acquiring unit or the reading unit.

10. The toner cartridge of claim 9, wherein the image formation parameter is one of set values for operations of a photoconductive drum, a developing device, a cleaner, a charger, and a fixing device.

11. The toner cartridge of claim 9, wherein the image formation parameter is charging voltage values of a charger.

12. The toner cartridge of claim 9, wherein the image formation parameter is bias voltages of a charger depending on humidity ranges.