TONER CARTRIDGE WITH MEMORY FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

• US 20190033748A1
• Filed: 09/28/2018
• Published: 01/31/2019
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 10,444,662 B2
• Time in Patent Office: 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 identification data from the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus;

a reading unit configured to read color information from the toner cartridge when the acquired identification data matches identifying data previously stored in the image forming apparatus, and not read the color information from the toner cartridge when the acquired identification data does not match the identifying data; and

a control unit configured to change an image formation process parameter based on the color information when the identification data matches the identifying data, and not change the image formation process parameter based on the color information when the acquired identification data does not match the identifying data, the toner cartridge comprising;

a memory storing the identification data of the toner cartridge and the color information that depends on optically measured color coordinates of toner in the toner cartridge.

2. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes an image sensor configured to sense a toner concentration of an electrostatic latent image formed using the toner from the toner cartridge.

3. The toner cartridge of claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus adjusts a development contrast in a developing device based on the toner concentration.

4. The toner cartridge of claim 3, wherein the development contrast in the developing device is changed prior to the image forming apparatus becomes printable.

5. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the color information includes a lightness value, L*, of the toner.

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 color information from the toner cartridge, the toner cartridge comprising;

a memory storing the inquiry data and the color information that depends on optically measured color coordinates of toner in the toner cartridge and the memory is configured to communicate with the acquiring unit or the reading unit.

7. The toner cartridge of claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus changes an image formation process parameter based on the color information.

8. The toner cartridge of claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus includes an image sensor configured to sense a toner concentration of an electrostatic latent image formed using the toner from the toner cartridge.

9. The toner cartridge of claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus adjusts a development contrast in a developing device based on the toner concentration.

10. The toner cartridge of claim 9, wherein the development contrast in the developing device is changed prior to the image forming apparatus becomes printable.

11. The toner cartridge of claim 7, wherein the color information includes a lightness value, L*, of the toner.