Electrophotography – Diagnostics – Unit or part identification
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-03
2001-01-30
Moses, Richard (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Diagnostics
Unit or part identification
C399S013000, C399S119000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181885
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a printer or copier device having modularly constructed, interchangeable sub-units and an identification arrangement allocated to the sub-units for storing function-relevant operating data allocated to operating conditions, and is also directed to a method for the operation of such a device.
PCT/DE95/00635 discloses an electrophotographic printer means for both-sided printing of a web-shaped, narrow recording medium and for single-sided printing of one broad recording medium or a plurality of parallel, narrow recording media. Given the known printer unit, the various units are designed as interchangeable modules. It is thus possible, for example, to adapt the printer unit to the greatest variety of operating conditions by merely replacing the electrophotographic printer module.
A multi-color simplex or duplex mode is possible with the printer unit by inserting a developer station with a plurality of developer chambers arranged side-by-side that is disclosed by DE-C1-195 40 138.
When the printer unit is employed only in single-color mode, a developer station is utilized as disclosed by PCT/DE95/00635.
Both publications are incorporated into the disclosure of this application.
High-performance printers of that type are frequently employed for printing out data in computer centers. These data can, for example, be invoices, control decisions or other individualized printouts, for example individualized advertising. When a plurality of these devices are utilized in shifts in the computer center, then the majority of print jobs are print jobs in single-color simplex or duplex mode. A smaller part of the print jobs require multi-color printing mode. With modularly constructed printers, it is therefore possible to keep one or more developer stations suitable for the multi-color printing mode ready as disclosed, for example, by DE-C1-4126465, and to insert this as needed into the corresponding printer given the presence of a multi-color printing job and to interchange it with the single-color developer station. A uniform, performance-adapted usage of the printer thus derives.
The various, modularly constructed units of the printer unit, however, are subject to wear. They require maintenance dependent on the duration of utilization. This is particularly true of the developer stations with the single-color or multi-color toner contained therein. Dependent on the quantity printed, the toner mix composed of carrier and toner particles changes and fresh toner must be supplied.
When, thus, the greatest variety of developer stations or, respectively, the greatest variety of unit modules are to be employed in the greatest variety of printer units, it is necessary that the operator be given information about the operating conditions of the interchanged module after the replacement. These operating conditions can, for example, be the toner filling condition in the case of developer stations and, thus, the information about the quantity of printing still available or, respectively, the information about the quantity of printing already printed with the developer station and, thus, the history of the developer station. Given fixing stations, it is of interest to obtain information about the wear condition and, thus, the operating duration of the fixing station, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a printer or copier device having one or more modularly constructed, interchangeable sub-units such that, given simultaneous operation of a plurality of printers, an operator is in the position to replace the modules performance-adapted and to monitor their operating conditions.
In a printer or copier device of the tye initially cited, this object is achieved.
According to the invention whereby a printer or copier device has one or more modularly constructed, interchangeable sub-units. At least one of the sub-units which is to be identified has an identification unit having a non-volatile memory for storing operating data of the sub-unit allocated to function-relevant operating conditions. A communication interface is provided for coupling the identification unit to a process control unit of the device, the communication interface effecting an at least partially wireless data transmission between the sub-unit and the process control unit.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus is provided for operation of a printer or copier device wherein a toner container is provided. An identification unit is provided having a non-volatile memory for storing operating data as well as a communication interface for coupling of the identification unit to a process control unit of the printer or copier device. The toner container is inserted into the printer or copier device and then a read station is checked to determine whether an electronic data memory is present on the toner container. When a data memory is present, stored data are read from the data store by the read station and are supplied to the process control unit.
In another aspect of the invention, a toner container is provided for employment in a printer or copier device having a process control unit. An identification unit is provided with a non-volatile memory for storing operating data as well as a communication interface for transmission of at least one of data and energy between the identification unit and the process control unit.
The goal is also achieved with the invention of providing the modules such that information about the operating condition of the modules can be called at any time.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.
According to the invention, each of the sub-units is provided with an identification arrangement that contains electronic components such as a flat module and that is in the position of autonomously undertaking both identification as well as storing in a non-volatile memory. An automatic balancing of the function parameters of the overall system set in a higher-ranking unit is thus possible, incorrect operations being thereby prevented.
All function-relevant operating conditions of the sub-unit are thereby stored.
This enables an exact tracking of operating conditions and malfunctions for each sub-unit individually and unambiguously. This is a considerable advantage in case of service or in the analysis of returns.
When the sub-unit is a matter of a developer station, then the mechanism of this developer station is implemented such that the technically adept lay person can implement the interchange of this sub-unit himself and without monitoring by specifically trained personnel. According to the invention, a flat module equipped with a micro-controller is integrated in this developer station, this flat module being in communication via a communication interface, for example a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus, with the higher-ranking process controller (device controller) that controls this sub-unit.
Dependent on the operating conditions acquired by this higher-ranking controller, the assembly integrated on the sub-unit, for example the assembly integrated on the developer station, deposits the operating data in a suitable, non-volatile memory, for example, an EEPROM. As a result thereof, the data allocated to the operating conditions are not lost when the developer station is removed from the printer and thus loses power. When the developer station is re-introduced into a printer, whereby it is of no significance whether it is the same printer or a structurally identical, different printer, the corresponding settings are read out upon demand by the higher-ranking process controller, being read out from the non-volatile memory and being made available via the communication interface and, for example, being displayed on an operating display. The input of, for example, the serial number in the toner type, etc., is only required upon initial installation of a developer station equipped in this way.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a sub-unit co
Best Arno
Lay Heinrich
Rademacher Volker
Scheidig Karola
Schmidt-Hoenow Christian
Moses Richard
Oc{acute over (e)} Printing Systems GmbH
Schiff & Hardin & Waite
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