JP4406794B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine that forms an image on a sheet by conveying the sheet, and in particular, an image that activates an option routine using a storage device such as a USB memory. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus, convenience is improved by adding a new function to an existing application. In a normal computer, this purpose can be achieved by installing an upgraded application from a CD-ROM.

  However, in the image forming apparatus, since the service personnel do this, the cost increases.

Therefore, in Patent Document 1 below, an optional routine is also installed in the hard disk in advance, its use is invalidated, and an SD card key in which ID data and encrypted data are written is inserted in the image forming apparatus. Discloses a method of determining whether or not these data are appropriate and enabling the option routine when the data is determined to be appropriate.
JP 2003-58486 A

  However, for the user, if the option routine is not actually tried, the user cannot be sure whether the convenience will be improved in relation to the user's business, hesitate to purchase the SD card key, There are cases where the option routines are rarely used even when purchased. In order to avoid such a problem, it is necessary to check the optional function by visiting an image forming apparatus sales company or a new product exhibition.

  The present inventor has devised a method for activating an option routine by limiting the trial period to a time desired by the user, and has solved this problem.

However, if the trial period is unreasonably extended, the economic merit of installing the option routine in advance in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus disappears for the manufacturer or dealer of the image forming apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that allows a user to try an optional function by limiting a trial period and prevents the trial period from being unduly extended .

In a first aspect of the present invention, a processor, coupled to the processor, the program storage means the application is stored, including an optional routines, and clock means for outputting a time the current instruction input coupled to the processor And a removable storage device interface coupled between the coupling means and the processor, the trial use of the optional routine is a trial In the image forming apparatus that executes the option routine in response to an instruction input from the instruction input unit when it is within the time limit and is valid,
The application
In response to an instruction input from the instruction input means, the setting of the current time for the clock means is changed, and if the setting of the current time is changed when the trial is valid, the trial is invalidated. Let

According to a second aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect further includes a non-volatile trial information storage unit coupled to the processor and storing information for determining the trial period and trial state information. The trial status information includes first information indicating whether or not “trial use” and second information indicating whether or not “trial use”,
The application
If the first information indicates "Trial in progress" and the second information does not indicate "Tried", the option routine is enabled, otherwise the option routine is disabled. ,
When the setting of the current time is changed when the trial is valid, the trial is invalidated by making the second information indicate “trial finished”.

In a third aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the second aspect, the application further provides to the processor.
(A) reading out the key type information and the authenticated information from the storage key coupled to the coupling means;
The key type information indicates a trial key, the first information does not indicate “trial”, the second information does not indicate “trial”, and the information input from the instruction input means is If it corresponds to the information to be authenticated, the first information indicates “in trial”,
(B) If the first information indicates “trial use”, it is determined whether or not the current time is within the trial time limit based on the trial time limit and the current time, and a negative determination is made In such a case, the second information is made to indicate “Trial completed”.

In a fourth aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the third aspect, the trial status information further includes third information indicating presence / absence of a license,
The application further provides the processor with
If the key type information indicates that it is a license key, the second information is made to indicate “Trial completed”, and the information input from the instruction input means may correspond to the authentication target information. For example, the third information is set to indicate “licenseed”.

According to a fifth aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the image forming apparatus further comprises a display unit,
The application further provides the processor with
If the first information indicates “Trial in progress”, the second information does not indicate “Trial finished”, and the third information does not indicate “Licenseed”, the trial period is displayed. Display on the means.

According to the configuration of the first aspect, it is impossible to change the current time after the trial period has expired and try to use it again, and there is an economic merit of installing an optional routine in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus in advance. There is an effect that it can be prevented from disappearing.

According to the configuration of the second aspect, information for determining the trial period and trial status information are stored in the nonvolatile trial information storage means in the image forming apparatus, and when the current time setting is changed, The second information is set to indicate “Trial finished”, and even if another new trial key is used, the trial of the option routine is invalidated, so that the above effect is enhanced.

According to the configuration of the third aspect, the trial period management is performed based on the trial state information stored in the non-volatile trial information storage means, and therefore the trial key is attached to the image forming apparatus after authentication with the trial key. There is an effect that it is not necessary.

  According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to appropriately display the trial time limit on the display means even when the information of “trial use”, “trial finished”, and “licensed” is used.

  Other objects, configurations and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In this image forming apparatus 10, the MPU 11, ROM 12R, DRAM 12D, nonvolatile memory 13, NIC 15, modem 20, interfaces 14I, 16I to 19I, USB memory interface 21I and timer 22 are coupled by a bus 23, and interfaces 14I and 16I. To 19I are coupled to the HDD 14, the auto sheet feeder 16, the scanner 17, the printer 18, and the operation panel 19, respectively.

The ROM 12R stores an operating system (OS), applications that run on the OS, and various device drivers that run on the OS. The DRAM 12D is used as a main memory. The nonvolatile memory 13 is a flash memory, for example, and can be electrically rewritten. The non-volatile memory 13 stores bootstrap and trial state information (described in this specification and claims, “information” includes a code ) US, trial period, and trial permission period as shown in FIG. The The HDD 14 is used for data storage. This application is for causing the image forming apparatus 10 to function as a multifunction peripheral. The functions of the multifunction device include copy, scan, print, and fax.

The NIC 15 is connected to an external host computer on the network and used for a print job. The scanner 17 inputs an image in conjunction with the auto sheet feeder 16 and is used for copying and fax transmission jobs. The printer 18 includes a print engine, a fixing device, a paper feed unit, a conveyance unit, and a paper discharge unit, and forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum of the print engine based on bitmap data supplied as print data. Then, this is developed with toner, transferred onto paper, fixed, and discharged. The operation panel 19 includes, for example, a touch panel and hardware keys, and is used for inputting setting information or instructions to display a selection screen, a setting screen, or the like. The modem 20 is for fax transmission / reception. The USB memory interface 21I includes at least two ports for detachably inserting a trial key 21A or license key 21B as storage key means or a USB memory 21C as file storage means. The timer 22 is for a clock indicating the current time .

  The above-mentioned application includes an option routine in advance in the main body program other than the option. As shown in FIG. 2 (B), in step Sa, the option function valid flag (in the trial status information US shown in FIG. Hereinafter, if the “effective flag” is “1”, that is, if the optional function is valid, the process proceeds to step Sb to execute this optional routine, and if invalid, this routine is not executed.

For example, FIG. 6B shows a main menu when the option routine is not executed. When the option routine is executed, a PDF PRINT button is further displayed as shown in FIG. 6E. When this button is pressed, the corresponding process is started by an event driven method. In this embodiment, when the USB memory 21C is inserted into the port of the USB memory interface 21I in FIG. 7, the PDF file in the USB memory 21C is read into the nonvolatile memory 13 by this optional routine, and the bitmap is developed. Then, it is supplied to the printer 18 and its contents are printed on paper.

  This optional function is activated by inserting the trial key 21A or the license key 21B into the port of the USB memory interface 21I and setting the valid flag to “1” as will be described later. In other words, the option routine can be executed in the sense that the process proceeds from step Sa to Sb in FIG.

Each of the trial key 21A and the license key 21B is a USB memory, and includes a non-volatile memory , for example, a flash memory chip. As shown in FIG. and key type information K indicating whether there, are stored and the authenticated information X encrypted.

The key type information K is preferably a code with a low probability of matching with normal data. The authenticated information X is stored in a copy protection area. When data in this area is read out, the stored data is read out encrypted and copied to a person who does not know the secret key. Even if it becomes meaningless data. In contrast, the key type information K, because there is no point or change copy, stored in the normal area.

  In FIG. 3A, the first bit (least significant bit) of the trial status information US is a flag indicating that the trial is being performed when it is “1” and not being trial when it is “0” (hereinafter abbreviated as “in-trial flag”). The second bit is a flag indicating trial use when it is “1” and non-trial use when it is “0” (hereinafter abbreviated as “trial use flag”), and the third bit is “1”. Is a flag indicating that there is a license and “0” indicates that there is no license (hereinafter abbreviated as “license flag”). The trial state information US is zero-cleared at the time of factory shipment.

  FIG. 1 is a flowchart that starts when the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on.

  A normal image forming apparatus that does not use the trial key 21A and the license key 21B includes only steps S0 and S18, whereas in this embodiment, steps S1 to S4, S10 to S17, and S19 are included between steps S0 and S18. And S20 to S25 are added.

  Whether the optional function needs to be tried or not changes according to the change in the user's business contents. Since the trial permission period of the optional function is limited to 10 days, for example, when the user wants to try it, the trial key 21A is inserted into the USB memory interface 21I, and then the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on. . In this case, steps S0 to S3, S10, S20 to S25, and steps S14 to S18 are performed as follows. In the following, the step identification codes in the figure are shown in parentheses.

  (S0) Bootstrap, OS, and application are started in this order, and processing up to the main menu display is performed.

  (S1 to S3) If a USB memory is inserted in any port of the USB memory interface 21I, the data of the address where the key type information K and the authentication target information X are stored is read from the USB memory. If the key type information K indicates a trial key, the process proceeds to step S10.

  (S10) Initially, it is assumed that the trial status flag of the trial status information US is “0”, and the key type information K indicates a trial key, so the process proceeds to step S22.

  (S22) As shown in FIG. 6A, a screen showing an inquiry as to whether or not to use the trial function and the content of the trial function is displayed on the operation panel 19. In FIG. 6, the highlighted button indicates that it is selected. In the initial state, the trial function is not used (No) is selected.

  When the Enter key is pressed in this state, the process proceeds to step S19 through steps S23, S14 and S15, the valid flag of the trial state information US is set to “0”, and then the process proceeds to step S18, as shown in FIG. The main menu is displayed.

When the Yes key is pressed in the state of FIG. 6A, the state shown in FIG. 6C is entered , and when the Enter key is subsequently pressed , the ID and password input screen is displayed on the operation panel 19 as shown in FIG. 6D. Is displayed. When the ID and password described in the instruction of the trial key 21A are input, the process proceeds to step S24 through step S23.

  (S24) The trial flag in the trial status information US is set to “1”.

(S25) The current time is read from the timer 22, and the trial permission period stored in the nonvolatile memory 13 is added to the current time to determine the trial time limit, which is stored in a predetermined address of the nonvolatile memory 13. To do.

  (S14 to S16) Although there is no license yet, the trial is being performed in step S24, and the trial has not been completed. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S17.

  (S17) The valid flag (most significant bit) of the trial status information US is set to “1”.

(S18) This step includes the processing of FIG. 2B, and step Sb is executed as described above, so that the PDF Print button of the optional function is displayed as shown in FIG. 6E. Step Sb includes the processing shown in FIG. 2C, and since the trial flag of the trial status information US is “0”, the trial time limit is displayed in step Sb2 as shown in FIG. 6E. The

In the state of FIG. 6E, when one of the job keys is pressed to highlight the key and the key is pressed again, the process of step S30 shown in FIG. runs, then the license flag is set to '0' in step S 31, the flow returns to step S1 of FIG.

Next, the process proceeds to step S10 through steps S2 and S3, and it is determined that the trial flag in the trial state information US is “1”. Then, in step S11, the current time is read from the timer 22, and in step S12, this is compared with the trial time limit in the nonvolatile memory 13, and determined to be within the time limit. Through steps S14 to S17, the process proceeds to step S18. The screen shown in (E) is displayed on the operation panel 19.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the USB memory is not inserted into the port of the USB memory interface 21I, the process proceeds to step S10. After the trial function is selected in step S22, the trial key 21A is inserted into the USB memory interface 21I. There is no need to insert it into the port.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the trial period has expired, the trial flag in the trial status information US is set to “1” in step S13, and then the process proceeds to step S14.

  Since the image forming apparatus 10 has a fax reception function, the power is kept on unless there is a special circumstance such as a power failure. However, since the process returns to step S1 in FIG. 1 every time the job is completed, the trial completion flag of the trial state information US is set to “1” in step S13 when the trial time limit has elapsed. Then, the process proceeds to steps S14 to S16 and step S19, the valid flag of the trial status information US is set to “0”, and the process proceeds to step S18. The main menu without the trial function shown in FIG. Is displayed.

Before job selection has become a display of possible trial, if it is determined that has passed the trial period after the job selection, along with the job execution is guaranteed by the process as described above, next time Cannot use the trial function.

  When the power of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned off and then turned on again, when the trial flag in the trial status information US is “1”, step S10 in FIG. 1 is performed regardless of whether or not the USB memory is inserted. When the process of S12 is performed and it is determined in step S12 that the trial period has passed, the trial flag in the trial status information US is set to '1' in step S13, so that it is within the trial permission period before job selection. Appropriate processing is performed depending on whether or not.

Figure 4 shows the Thailand-time change processing. This process is started by operating the operation panel 19 and pressing a time change button (not shown). Conventionally, only step S50 was used, but in the present embodiment, the processes of steps S51 to S53 are added thereto.

  (S50) A normal time change process is performed.

  (S51) If the time is changed in step S50, the process proceeds to step S52, and if not, the process in FIG. 4 is terminated.

  (S52) If the trial flag in the trial status information US is “1”, the process proceeds to step S53, and if not, the process of FIG. 4 is terminated.

  (S53) The trial flag is set to “1”.

  Such a process not only makes it impossible to change the time to extend the trial permission period, but also shortens the trial permission period. Therefore, this extension operation is prevented beforehand.

  If it is determined in step S52 that it is not “trial”, that is, if the trial key 21A is not yet used, step S53 is not passed, so the time change process does not affect subsequent trials.

  Such processing can be performed by distinguishing between the “in trial” and “trial finished” flags. Also, by this distinction, if it is not “Trial finished” but “In trial”, the process proceeds from Step S10 to Step S11. Therefore, after selecting the trial function in Step S22, the trial key 21A is connected to the USB memory interface. There is no need to insert it into the 21I port.

Further, since the trial status information US is stored not in the trial key 21A but in the non-volatile memory 13, even if another trial key 21A is used after the expiration of the trial period, the process passes from step S20 through step S21 to step S22. Cannot proceed to, and can not extend the trial period illegally.

  Furthermore, since the trial key 21A is used when the user desires to try the optional function, the convenience for the user is improved and the probability of purchasing the license key 21B after using the trial key 21A is increased. Vendor profits will also improve.

  Next, processing when the license key 21B is inserted into the port of the USB memory interface 21I will be described.

  In this case, when the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on, the processes in steps S0 to S3 are performed as described above. If the key type information K indicates a license key, the process proceeds to step S4.

  FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of the process in step S4.

(S40) The “trial finished” flag of the trial state information US is set to “1”. Accordingly, different from the case of the trial in that trial period display is not performed in step Sb2 in FIG. 2 (C) in the case of license Yes.

(S41) The authenticated information X in the USB key 21B is decrypted.

(S42) Since the license information LC and the device identification information DID are combined with the decrypted information , they are separated. This coupling may be a simple series coupling. The initial value of the device identification information DID is irrelevant to the device-specific ID and is determined as described later.

(S43) The license information LC is substituted into a predetermined function f to obtain a = f (LC).

(S44) If the value a matches the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S45, and if not, the process of FIG. 5 is terminated. In other words, the license information LC and the function f are determined so that the value a is equal to a predetermined value when the license information LC is genuine. This predetermined value is encrypted and stored in the non-volatile memory 13, and is decrypted before this match determination.

(S45) The device identification information DID is substituted into a predetermined function g to obtain b = g (DID).

(S46) If the value b matches a predetermined value, it is determined that the value is the first time, and the process proceeds to step S47. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S49. In other words, the device identification information DID and the function g match the predetermined value b if the device identification information DID is an initial value; otherwise, the actual device identification information DID is the function g. Even if it is substituted, it does not match a predetermined value (for example, a code that is not used in actual device identification information DID is used as an initial value of device identification information , or the number of bits is different from actual device identification information DID. Use value). This predetermined value is encrypted and stored in the non-volatile memory 13, and is decrypted before this match determination.

(S47) A unique ID of a predetermined device, for example, the CPU ID or printer manufacturing number is read and used as new device identification information DID, and the device identification information DID and license information LC are combined (separated in step S42). Are coupled) and stored as authentication information X in the USB key 21B .

  (S48) The license flag of the trial state information US is set to “1”, and the processing of FIG.

(S49) When the predetermined apparatus identification information is read and matches the apparatus identification information DID separated in step S42, it can be determined that the license key 21B is not used by another image forming apparatus. In step S44, it is determined that the license information LC is legitimate, and it can be estimated that the license key 21B is legitimate. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S48. Otherwise, the process in FIG. 5 is terminated.

  Such processing can prevent unauthorized use of the license key 21B. Further, regardless of whether the image forming apparatus is powered on or off, the license flag is set to “0” in step S31 every time the job is completed, license authentication is performed in steps S4 through steps S1 to S3, and the license key 21B is assigned. If it is not inserted into the port of the USB memory interface 21I, the process proceeds from step S1 to step S10, proceeds to step S14 or S15 through the step S20 side or step S11 side, and passes through or without passing through step S16. Since the process proceeds to S19 and the valid flag is set to “0”, the optional function cannot be executed, and unauthorized use of the license key 21B can be more reliably prevented.

  In addition, the trial key 21A is configured by a USB memory like the license key 21B, and any of the optional functions can be used simply by inserting the key into the port.

  Note that the present invention includes various other modifications.

For example, using other removable storage devices such as a but ,, hard card and SD card described the case of using the USB memory as removable storage device in the above embodiments, Ru using the interface according to the removable storage device configuration It may be.

  The trial period may include not only the date but also the time.

Further, a configuration may be adopted in which part or all of the information shown in FIG. 3A, in particular, trial state information is encrypted and stored in the nonvolatile memory 13 and decrypted when used.

  Furthermore, although the case where the image forming apparatus is a multifunction peripheral has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention is naturally applicable to a single-function image forming apparatus.

4 is a flowchart illustrating processing started by turning on the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a flowchart showing a process started by pressing the job start key after the process of FIG. 1, (B) is a flowchart explaining whether or not the option routine is executed, and (C) is a part of the process in the option routine. It is a flowchart which shows. (A) is explanatory drawing of the information stored in the non-volatile memory of FIG. 7, (B) is explanatory drawing of the information stored in the non-volatile memory of the trial key or license key of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a time change process. It is a detailed flowchart of the process of step S4 of FIG. 1 or step S62 of FIG. (A)-(E) are figures which show the operation panel display screen for demonstrating the process of step S22 and S18 of FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image forming apparatus 11 MPU
12R ROM
12D DRAM
13 Nonvolatile memory 14 HDD
14I, 15I, 16I, 17I, 18I, 19I, 20I Interface 15 NIC
16 Auto Sheet Feeder 17 Scanner 18 Printer 19 Operation Panel 20 Modem 21I USB Memory Interface 21A Trial Key 21B License Key 21C USB Memory 22 Timer 23 Bus US Trial Status Information K Key Type Information X Authentication Information LC License Information DID Device Identification Information

Claims (5)

A processor, coupled to the processor, configure the program storage means the application is stored, including an optional routines, and clock means for outputting a time of current, the instruction input means coupled to the processor, the storage key And a removable storage device interface coupled between the coupling device and the processor, wherein the option routine is valid within a trial period. In the image forming apparatus that executes the option routine in response to an instruction input from the instruction input unit,
The application
In response to an instruction input from the instruction input means, the setting of the current time for the clock means is changed, and if the setting of the current time is changed when the trial is valid, the trial is invalidated. Let
An image forming apparatus. A non-volatile trial information storage unit coupled to the processor and storing trial period information and trial state information is stored, and the trial state information indicates whether the trial state is “being trial”. 1 information and 2nd information which shows whether it is "Trial finished",
The application
If the first information indicates "Trial in progress" and the second information does not indicate "Tried", the option routine is enabled, otherwise the option routine is disabled. ,
If the current time setting is changed when the trial is valid, the trial is invalidated by causing the second information to indicate “Trial completed”.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The application further provides the processor with
(A) reading out the key type information and the authenticated information from the storage key coupled to the coupling means;
The key type information indicates a trial key, the first information does not indicate “trial”, the second information does not indicate “trial”, and the information input from the instruction input means is If it corresponds to the information to be authenticated, the first information indicates “in trial”,
(B) If the first information indicates “trial use”, it is determined whether or not the current time is within the trial time limit based on the trial time limit and the current time, and a negative determination is made If so, the second information indicates “trial finished”.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The trial status information further includes third information indicating the presence or absence of a license,
The application further provides the processor with
If the key type information indicates that it is a license key, the second information is made to indicate “Trial completed”, and the information input from the instruction input means may correspond to the authentication target information. For example, the third information indicates “licensed”.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. A display means;
The application further provides the processor with
If the first information indicates “Trial in progress”, the second information does not indicate “Trial finished”, and the third information does not indicate “Licenseed”, the trial period is displayed. Display on the means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.