JP4632778B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In addition to the copying function, a multi-function machine equipped with a FAX function, a scanner function, and a printer function has already been developed. As this type of multi-function peripheral, there are some which are sold as options for the FAX function, the scanner function, and the printer function. For optional functions required by the user, settings are made so that the optional functions can be used. For optional functions not required by the user, settings are made so that the optional functions cannot be used. It is installed in.

  By the way, it is difficult to determine which optional functions are required and which optional functions are unnecessary among users who want to purchase a multifunction device, and many users want to determine after using the optional functions. It is assumed. For such users, it is convenient if there is a fixed trial period for optional functions.

  Also, it is assumed that some users may want to use optional functions for a limited time.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system that can be used only during a period set in advance for optional functions.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having at least one optional function, and a key device that is detachably connected to the image forming apparatus and holds information for controlling the availability of the optional function. The key device stores a battery for supplying power to the key device, and an optional function code and data indicating an expiration date for an optional function that the user can use by limiting the time limit. Based on the option function information storage means and the expiration date of each option function stored in the option function information storage means, it is monitored whether or not each option function has expired. Of the optional function codes stored in the optional function information storage means, the expiration date has expired An expiration date monitoring means for erasing an optional function code corresponding to an optional function is provided, and the image forming apparatus reads a code for reading an optional function code stored in an optional function information storage means in the key device when the power is turned on. And an optional function availability control means for setting only the optional function corresponding to the optional function code read by the code reading means among the optional functions provided in the image forming apparatus. Features.

  The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, information in the option function information storage means in the key device can be set by a dedicated jig.

  According to the present invention, the optional function can be used only within a preset period.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the image forming system.

  The image forming system includes a multifunction machine 1 having a plurality of optional functions in addition to a copying function, and a key that is detachably connected to the multifunction machine 1 and holds information for controlling the availability of the optional functions. Device 2. The multifunction device 1 has a FAX function, a scanner function, and a printer function as optional functions. Each time the power is turned on, the CPU 11 in the multi-function device 1 determines whether each option function included in the multi-function device 1 can be used or not based on the information in the key device 22, and the determination is made. Set according to the result.

  The key device 2 includes a CPU 21, an RTC (Real Time Clock) 22, a lithium battery 23, and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Aray) 24.

  The RTC 22 is used for timing and is connected to the CPU 21. The lithium battery 23 is a battery for supplying power to the CPU 21 and the RTC 22. The FPGA (optional function information storage means) 24 supports an optional function that can be used for a limited period of time among each optional function (FAX function, scanner function, printer function) by using a dedicated jig (maintenance jig) in advance. Data indicating an optional function code to be performed and an expiration date (for example, date) of the optional function are stored.

  The CPU 21 has a function of recognizing the current date based on the RTC 22. The CPU 21 monitors whether the validity period has expired for each option function based on the validity period of each option function stored in the FPGA 24. If the validity period has expired, the CPU 21 stores information stored in the FPGA 24. Among them, information (optional function code and expiration date) corresponding to the optional function whose expiration date has expired is deleted.

  When the power is turned on, the CPU 11 in the multifunction device 1 reads an optional function code stored in the FPGA 24 in the key device 2. Then, the optional function corresponding to the optional function code read from the FPGA 24 is set to a usable state, and the other optional functions are set to a disabled state.

  When the multifunction device 1 is turned on, the optional function code corresponding to the function whose expiration date has not expired is stored in the FPGA 24, so that it is set to be usable by the CPU 11 in the multifunction device 1. The For this reason, the user can use an optional function whose expiration date has not expired.

  On the other hand, for an optional function whose expiration date has expired when the multifunction device 1 is turned on, the option function code corresponding to the function has already been deleted from the FPGA 24 and is therefore prohibited from being used by the CPU 11 in the multifunction device 1. Set to state. For this reason, the user cannot use the optional function whose expiration date has expired. Note that an optional function for which an optional function code is not stored in the FPGA 24 from the beginning is also in a small prohibition state and cannot be used by the user.

  Therefore, in this image forming system, it becomes possible to use only an optional function within a preset period. Therefore, it is possible to set a fixed trial period for optional functions of the multifunction peripheral. In addition, the optional function can be used by the user for a limited time.

  If you want to change or extend the expiration date of an optional function, you can have the dealer reset the information in the FPGA 24 by bringing the key device 2 to the dealer. is there. In this case, the store side resets the information in the FPGA 24 with a dedicated jig (maintenance jig).

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP 2 Key device 11 CPU
21 CPU
22 RTC
23 Lithium battery 24 FPGA

Claims (2)

An image forming apparatus having at least one optional function, and a key device that is detachably connected to the image forming apparatus and holds information for controlling the availability of the optional function,
The key device is
Batteries for supplying power to key devices,
Of the optional functions, the optional functions to be used by the user with a limited time limit are stored in the optional function information storage means storing the optional function code and data indicating the expiration date, and in each option function information storage means. Based on the expiry date of the optional function, it is monitored whether the expiry date has expired for each optional function, and if the expiry date has expired, the optional function code stored in the optional function information storage means, It has an expiration date monitoring means for erasing the option function code corresponding to the option function that has expired,
The image forming apparatus
Code reading means for reading the option function code stored in the option function information storage means in the key device when the power is turned on, and the option function code read by the code reading means among the optional functions provided in the image forming apparatus An image forming system comprising: an option function availability control unit that sets only an option function corresponding to the item to an available state. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the information in the option function information storage means in the key device can be set by a dedicated jig.

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