JP2010204498A - Recycling system and recycling box - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recycling system, etc. for recovering a toner cartridge of a printer and refilling the toner cartridge with toner. <P>SOLUTION: Information of a vender who has filled the toner is stored in the toner cartridge 35. The printer 3 obtains the information of the vender from the toner cartridge 35, determines whether or not the toner cartridge 35 is a genuine product and outputs the result. In a recycling box 4, the toner cartridge 35 is accumulated and a number of the toner cartridges 35 is counted. In a recycling factory 5, the information of the vender stored in the toner cartridge 35 recovered from the recycling box 4 is updated on the basis of the number of the toner cartridges 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recycling system that collects a toner cartridge of a printer and refills the toner cartridge with toner, and a recycling box in which the toner cartridge is integrated.

  Toner cartridges are made up of precision parts. To make the most of used resources as much as possible, the used toner cartridges used in printers, etc. are collected and refilled with toner. A recycling model is known. In these recycling models, a third-party toner may be refilled into the toner cartridge. Even for the third-party toner, there is a device that detects the remaining amount of the toner cartridge and exhibits the performance and reliability of the printer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, depending on the quality of the third-party toner, it may be difficult to fully exhibit the performance and reliability of the printer.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a recycling that is suitable for exhibiting the performance and reliability of a printer by collecting the toner cartridge of the printer and refilling the toner cartridge with the toner. The purpose is to provide a system and a recycling box.

In order to achieve the above object, a recycling system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes:
A recycling system comprising: a toner cartridge filled with toner; a printer in which the toner cartridge is mounted; a recycle box in which the toner cartridge is integrated; and a toner filling device that fills the toner cartridge with toner. ,
The toner cartridge is
An IC (Integrated Circuit) tag portion for storing information on a supplier filled with the toner,
The printer is
An IC tag reader unit that obtains vendor information stored in the IC tag unit;
A determination unit for determining whether the toner cartridge is a genuine product based on the supplier information;
An output unit that outputs warning information based on the determination result of the determination unit;
The recycling box is
A quantity measuring unit for measuring quantity information based on the number or weight of the accumulated toner cartridges;
A transmission unit that transmits the quantity information measured by the quantity measurement unit to the toner filling device via a computer communication network,
The toner filling device includes:
A receiving unit for receiving the quantity information;
Based on the quantity information, an instruction unit for instructing the collection of the toner cartridges collected in the recycling box;
The IC tag unit includes an IC tag writer unit that records the vendor information.

The recycling box is
An information identifying unit for identifying the merchant information stored in the IC tag unit;
A lid for closing the opening for collecting the toner cartridge;
It is also possible to further include an open / close control unit that controls opening / closing of the lid based on the identification result identified by the information identification unit.

The recycling box is
It is also possible to further include a plurality of stacking units that classify the toner cartridges based on the identification result identified by the information identifying unit and stack the classified toner cartridges.

The printer is
A toner remaining amount measuring unit for measuring the remaining amount of toner;
It is also possible to further include a display unit that urges the toner cartridge to be collected in the recycle box when the remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold amount.

The printer is
It is also possible to further include a communication unit that transmits the determination result determined by the determination unit to the toner filling device.

  The IC tag unit can further store the model number of the toner cartridge, the date and time when the toner was filled, and the number of times the toner was filled.

In order to achieve the above object, a recycling box according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
An information identification unit for identifying vendor information stored in an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag unit included in the toner cartridge;
A lid for closing the opening for collecting the toner cartridge;
Based on the identification result identified by the information identification unit, an opening / closing control unit for controlling the opening / closing of the lid unit,
A plurality of stacking units that classify the toner cartridges based on the identification result identified by the information identifying unit, and stack the classified toner cartridges;
A quantity measuring unit that measures quantity information based on the number or weight of toner cartridges accumulated in the accumulating unit;
A transmission unit configured to transmit the quantity information measured by the quantity measurement unit to a toner filling device via a computer communication network.

  According to the present invention, the performance and reliability of the printer can be exhibited by collecting the toner cartridge of the printer and refilling the toner cartridge with the toner.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network system containing a printer. It is a figure which shows an example of a printer. It is a figure showing composition of a recycling system concerning an embodiment of the invention. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the recycle box which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an authentication process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating collection | recovery processing. It is a figure which shows the modification of a recycle box.

  Hereinafter, one embodiment of the recycling system and the recycling box of the present invention will be described. However, the embodiment is for facilitating understanding of the principle of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is as follows. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and other embodiments in which a person skilled in the art appropriately substitutes the configurations of the following embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  First, a network system including a printer and the like will be described. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a network system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the network system includes a server 1, a computer 2, a printer 3, and the like. The server 1, the computer 2, and the printer 3 are each connected to a network, and data is transmitted / received between the devices.

  The network is a communication network such as the Internet, LAN (Local Area Network), and WAN (Wide Area Network) based on a predetermined communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The server 1 is for performing various processes related to the network system. For example, the server 1 includes a predetermined communication device such as a router, and transmits and receives various data (information) between the computer 2 and the printer 3 connected to the network. The server 1 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes various processes by executing an operation program. Further, the server 1 is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk recording device, and the like, and records various information and programs.

The computer 2 is for performing various processes relating to data input / output and display. The computer 2 is composed of predetermined devices such as a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, a monitor, and a keyboard, for example. Printing is performed when the user transmits predetermined data to the printer 3 through the computer 2.
The computer 2 can also have the same configuration as the server 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 3 includes a housing 30, an operation unit 31, a paper feed tray 32, a paper discharge tray 33, a cover 34, a toner cartridge 35, and the like. Further, the printer 3 receives a request from the operation unit 31, the server 1, or the computer 2, and performs a printing (not shown) and a communication unit (not shown) for connecting to a network communication network. ) And a display unit (not shown) for notifying the user that the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 35 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. . By this notification, the user can recognize that the toner cartridge 35 is to be taken to a predetermined recycling box.

  The housing 30 is molded of plastic, for example, and includes a paper feed tray 32, a paper discharge tray 33, and a cover 34. The casing 30 includes a predetermined circuit that accepts a request from the server 1 and the like, a memory, and the like.

  Further, the housing 30 includes an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag reader for performing wireless communication with the toner cartridge 35. Information is transmitted and received between the IC tag and the IC tag reader by RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) using an electromagnetic field or a radio wave.

  The operation unit 31 includes, for example, an online / offline switching button and a paper discharge button. The user can also perform printing by operating the operation unit 31.

  The paper feed tray 32 is a tray for setting unprinted print paper, and regulates the direction and position of the print paper when paper is fed.

  The paper discharge tray 33 is a tray that receives the printed printing paper that has been discharged, and has sufficient strength and area to stack a plurality of sheets.

  The cover 34 is a cover for protecting the toner cartridge 35 and is made of plastic or the like.

  The toner cartridge 35 is a cartridge that stores toner of a predetermined color, and is used by being set at a predetermined position in the housing 30. The toner cartridge 35 includes toner such as black, cyan, magenta, and yellow in the cartridge, for example. Printing is performed by transferring toner onto paper using static electricity and fixing the toner with heat.

  In addition, the toner cartridge 35 includes an IC tag for transmitting and receiving information to and from an IC tag reader provided in the housing 30. In an IC tag, a very small amount of power is generated in the circuit by radio waves emitted from an IC tag reader. Predetermined processing is executed by the power and information is transmitted to the IC tag reader.

  The IC tag includes, for example, the model number of the toner cartridge 35, the date of manufacture, the expiration date of the toner, information indicating whether the toner is a recycled product, the number of times of refilling, the name of the factory where the refilling is performed, Arbitrary information such as information indicating a usage period from use start to end is recorded.

  Next, the recycling system of the present invention will be described. The recycling system is an efficient operation system using IT technology, and collects and resells toner cartridges at the same time. As shown in FIG. 3, the recycling system includes a printer 3, a recycling box 4, a recycling factory 5, a sales office 6, and the like. For example, the toner cartridge 35 is transported from the recycling box 4 to the recycling factory 5 by the transporter, and is transported from the recycling factory 5 to the sales office 6.

  The computers, etc., provided in the printer 3, the recycling box 4, the recycling factory 5, and the cash registers or computers provided in the sales office 6 are each connected to a network communication network such as the Internet, and data is transmitted and received between the devices. . Information on the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 35, information on the recycle box 4, information on the recycle factory 5, and the like are linked to enable efficient and efficient processing and operation.

  The recycle box 4 is a box for collecting used toner cartridges 35, and is connected to a communication network such as the Internet. The recycle box 4 includes an IC tag reader and the like, and reads the IC tag of the toner cartridge 35 to determine whether or not the toner cut ridge 35 performs collection and collection. In the case of the toner cartridge 35 which does not correspond, the notification is made by a display or sound indicating that it is not applicable.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the recycle box 4 includes an opening 41 for collecting the toner cartridge 35 and a lid 42 that closes the opening 41. The recycle box 4 includes, for example, an IC tag reader for reading information recorded on an IC tag included in the toner cartridge 35 around the opening 41. The recycle box 4 controls the opening and closing of the lid 42 based on information read from the IC tag.

  When the toner cartridge 35 is a toner cartridge to be collected, the recycle box 4 opens the lid 42 so that the toner cartridge 35 can be collected, as shown in FIG. Then, after a predetermined time, the recycle box 4 closes the lid 42 so that no other toner cartridge 35 is inserted.

  On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 35 is a toner cartridge that should not be collected, the recycle box 4 displays that the toner cartridge 35 cannot be collected without opening the lid 42.

  The recycle box 4 differs depending on, for example, the manufacturer that manufactured the toner cartridge 35 or the refiller that refills the toner. Therefore, a plurality of recycle boxes 4 are installed so as to correspond to the toner cartridge 35.

The recycle box 4 can also count the number of collected toner cut ridges 35 by reading the IC tag. If the counted quantity is equal to or larger than the predetermined quantity, the recycle box 4 transmits information indicating that the toner cut ridge 35 is to be collected to the recycle factory 5 via a communication network such as the Internet.
Note that the recycle box 4 can also determine when to transmit the information, for example, by measuring the weight inside the box.

  The recycling factory 5 is a facility for refilling the used toner cartridge 35 collected from the recycling box 4 with toner. Based on the weight or quantity in the box transmitted from the recycle box 4, an operation or process for collecting the toner cartridge 35 in the recycle box 4 is performed.

  In the recycling factory 5, information in the IC tag of the refilled toner cartridge 35 is rewritten. The IC tag of the toner cartridge 35 that has been refilled records the date and time of refilling, the factory name, the number of refills, and the like.

  The sales office 6 is a facility for selling the refilled toner cartridge 35. The toner cartridge 35 is displayed at the sales office 6 with an indication that it has been refilled.

  Next, processing for authenticating the toner cartridge 35 in the printer 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Authentication process)
When the toner cartridge 35 is attached to the printer 3, the IC tag reader acquires information recorded on the IC tag of the toner cartridge 35 (step S11). The IC tag stores, for example, the model number of the toner cartridge 35, the date of manufacture, information indicating whether it is a recycled product, the number of refills, and the name of the factory where the refill was performed.

  Next, the control unit that controls the printer 3 determines whether the attached toner cartridge 35 is a model number corresponding to the printer 3 (step S12). The control unit compares the model number stored in the IC tag of the toner cartridge 35 with the model number of the printer 3 to determine whether it corresponds.

  When it is determined that it does not correspond (step S12; No), the control unit displays on the display unit that the toner cartridge 35 is not compatible with the printer 3, and generates a warning sound or the like (step S15). This flow ends. Further, when the toner cartridge 35 is not compatible with the printer 3, the control unit can perform the printing process even if a printing command is received.

  On the other hand, when it determines with corresponding (step S12; Yes), a control part determines whether the toner cartridge 35 is a new article (step S13). A control part determines whether it is a new article from the record information which shows the frequency | count of refilling memorize | stored in the IC tag, or a recycled product.

  When it is determined that the toner cartridge 35 is a new product (step S13; Yes), the toner cartridge 35 is a genuine new product, and thus this flow ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the toner cartridge 35 is not new (step S13; No), the control unit determines whether or not the toner cartridge 35 is properly refilled (step S14). The control unit determines whether or not the product is a genuine product (genuine product) from the name of the factory where refilling is performed and stored in the IC tag.

  When it is determined that the refilling has been performed properly (step S14; Yes), this flow ends. The toner cartridge 35 is determined to be a genuine recycled product that has been normally refilled.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not refilled properly (step S14; No), the control unit displays on the display unit that it is not a genuine recycled product, and generates a warning sound or the like (step S15). This flow ends. In addition, when the toner cartridge 35 is not a genuine product, the control unit can not perform the printing process even if the printing command is received. Further, the control unit and the communication unit can transmit information indicating that the non-genuine product has been used to the computer provided in the recycling factory 5.

  Next, processing for collecting the toner cartridge 35 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Recovery processing)
When the used toner cartridge 35 is brought into the recycle box 4, the IC tag reader provided in the recycle box 4 acquires information recorded on the IC tag of the toner cartridge 35 (step S21). The IC tag stores, for example, the model number and manufacturer of the toner cartridge 35.

  Next, the control unit that controls the recycle box 4 determines whether or not the toner cartridge 35 is a collection target (step S22). The control unit determines whether the toner cartridge 35 is a collection target based on the model number stored in the IC tag of the toner cartridge 35. In other words, the toner cartridge 35 to be collected is collected in the recycle box 4 installed by the manufacturer that manufactured the toner cartridge 35 and corresponding to the manufacturer.

  When it is determined that the toner cartridge 35 is not a collection target (Step S22; No), the control unit displays on the display unit that the toner cartridge 35 cannot be collected by the recycle box 4 and generates a warning sound or the like (Step S22). S27), this flow ends.

  On the other hand, when it determines with it being collection | recovery objects (step S22; Yes), a control part opens the cover part 42 of the recycle box 4, as shown in FIG.4 (b). The toner cartridge 35 inserted through the opening 41 is collected in the recycle box 4 (step S23).

  Next, the control unit determines whether or not the number of toner cartridges 35 accumulated in the recycle box 4 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (step S24). By this processing, it is determined whether or not the toner cartridge 35 can be further accumulated in the recycle box 4.

  If the predetermined quantity is not reached (step S24; No), the recycle box 4 continues to collect the toner cartridge 35 (step S21).

  On the other hand, if the number is greater than or equal to the predetermined quantity (step S24; Yes), the control unit sends information indicating that the toner cut ridge 35 is to be collected to the recycling factory 5 or the toner cartridge 35 via a communication network such as the Internet. (Step S25).

  The recycling factory 5 or the like that has received the information collects the toner cartridges 35 collected in the recycling box 4 (step S26), and refills the toner cartridges 35 with toner. In the recycle box 4, since the toner cartridge 35 is already classified by model number and manufacturer, the recycle factory 5 or the like can easily refill the toner cartridge 35 with toner.

  By collecting the toner cartridge of the printer by the above processing and refilling the toner cartridge with the toner, a genuine toner cartridge is used, so that the performance and reliability of the printer can be exhibited. Also, by reusing most of the toner cartridge parts excluding the consumable member, the running cost of the printer can be reduced. Further, the toner cartridge can be collected efficiently and quickly.

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and application are possible. Hereinafter, other embodiments applicable to the present invention will be described.

  In the above embodiment, the recycling system of the present invention has been described by taking the case of a toner cartridge as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the toner cartridge, and various types may be used.

  The server 1 can be realized using a normal computer system without depending on a dedicated system. For example, by installing the program from a recording medium (flexible disk, CD-ROM, etc.) storing a program for executing the above-described processing in a general-purpose computer, the server 1 that executes the above-described processing is configured. Can do.

  The printer 3 is not limited to network support, and includes a printer that can be connected only to a computer. In this case, predetermined information is transmitted from the computer to which the printer 3 is connected.

  The means for supplying these programs is arbitrary. In addition to being able to be supplied via a predetermined recording medium as described above, for example, it may be supplied via a communication line, a communication network, a communication system, or the like. In this case, for example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS) of a communication network and provided by superimposing it on a carrier wave via the network. Then, the above-described processing can be executed by starting the program thus provided and executing it in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the recycle box 4 can automatically classify the toner cartridges 35 inside. For example, when the toner cartridge 35 is placed in the opening 41, the recycle box 4 reads information recorded on the IC tag by an IC tag reader in the periphery of the opening 41, and by which manufacturer the toner cartridge 35 is Determine if it was manufactured.

The recycle box 4 opens the lid portion 42 corresponding to the toner cartridge 35 based on the determination result. Then, for example, the toner cartridge 35a is sorted into the recycle box 4a, the toner cartridge 35b is sorted into the recycle box 4b, and the toner cartridge 35c is sorted into the recycle box 4c and collected.
A method for classifying the toner cartridges 35 is arbitrary.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the performance and reliability of the printer can be exhibited by collecting the toner cartridge of the printer and refilling the toner cartridge with the toner.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Server 2 Computer 3 Printer 30 Case 31 Operation part 32 Paper feed tray 33 Paper discharge tray 34 Cover 35 Toner cartridge 4 Recycle box 41 Opening part 42 Cover part 5 Recycle factory 6 Sales office

JP 2003-91218 A

Claims (7)

A recycling system comprising: a toner cartridge filled with toner; a printer in which the toner cartridge is mounted; a recycling box in which the toner cartridge is integrated; and a toner filling device that fills the toner cartridge with toner. ,
The toner cartridge is
An IC (Integrated Circuit) tag portion for storing information on a supplier filled with the toner,
The printer is
An IC tag reader unit that obtains vendor information stored in the IC tag unit;
A determination unit for determining whether the toner cartridge is a genuine product based on the supplier information;
An output unit that outputs warning information based on the determination result of the determination unit;
The recycling box is
A quantity measuring unit that measures quantity information based on the number or weight of the accumulated toner cartridges;
A transmission unit that transmits the quantity information measured by the quantity measurement unit to the toner filling device via a computer communication network,
The toner filling device includes:
A receiving unit for receiving the quantity information;
Based on the quantity information, an instruction unit for instructing collection of the toner cartridges collected in the recycling box;
An IC tag writer unit for recording the vendor information in the IC tag unit;
A recycling system characterized by that. The recycling box is
An information identifying unit for identifying the merchant information stored in the IC tag unit;
A lid for closing the opening for collecting the toner cartridge;
An opening / closing control unit for controlling the opening / closing of the lid based on the identification result identified by the information identifying unit;
The recycling system according to claim 1. The recycling box is
A plurality of stacking units for classifying the toner cartridges based on the identification result identified by the information identifying unit and stacking the classified toner cartridges;
The recycling system according to claim 2. The printer is
A toner remaining amount measuring unit for measuring the remaining amount of toner;
A display unit that prompts the user to stack the toner cartridge in the recycle box when the remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold amount;
The recycling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The printer is
A communication unit that transmits the determination result determined by the determination unit to the toner filling device;
The recycling system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The IC tag unit further stores a model number of the toner cartridge, a date and time when the toner is filled, and a number of times the toner is filled.
The recycling system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: An information identification unit for identifying vendor information stored in an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag unit included in the toner cartridge;
A lid for closing the opening for collecting the toner cartridge;
Based on the identification result identified by the information identification unit, an opening / closing control unit for controlling the opening / closing of the lid unit,
A plurality of stacking units that classify the toner cartridges based on the identification result identified by the information identifying unit, and stack the classified toner cartridges;
A quantity measuring unit that measures quantity information based on the number or weight of toner cartridges accumulated in the accumulating unit;
A transmission unit that transmits the quantity information measured by the quantity measurement unit to a toner filling device via a computer communication network,
A recycling box characterized by that.

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