KR100667286B1 - Network system comprising image forming device for printing by using of component unit comprising CRUM chip, and service supporting method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A network system including an image forming apparatus is disclosed. This network system is connected to an image forming apparatus for performing a print job using a component unit in which a CRUM chip (Customer Replaceable Unit Monitor Chip) is embedded, and connected to the image forming apparatus, and uses the information stored in the CRUM chip, A terminal device for determining whether to replace or not, and a predetermined user account is assigned to a user of the image forming apparatus by being connected to the terminal device through a predetermined network, and when the genuine device replacement fact is notified from the terminal device, the user account status It includes a web server to upgrade. Accordingly, it is possible to induce the use of the genuine unit, it is possible to solve problems such as deterioration of image quality, device damage due to non-genuine use.

CRUM chip, image forming apparatus, web server, website, user account, genuine

Description

A network system including an image forming apparatus for performing a print job using a component unit having a CRMB chip, and a method of supporting the service {Network system comprising image forming device for printing by using of component unit comprising CRUM chip, and service supporting method

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a user management method of an image forming apparatus in a network system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawing

100: web server 200: Internet network

300: terminal device 310: communication module

320: control unit 330: interface

400: image forming apparatus 410: controller part

420: engine part 430: construction unit

431 CRUM chip

The present invention relates to a network system including a terminal device connected to an image forming apparatus and a service supporting method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a network system including a terminal device connected to an image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a network system and a service supporting method for improving a service support state according to the determination result after determining whether a unit is genuinely replaced.

Thanks to the development of electronic technology, not only computers, but also image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers and multifunction devices have been gradually developed and distributed at high functions and at low prices. Accordingly, manufacturers of image forming apparatuses provide various services to users of image forming apparatuses to facilitate purchase of their products. One of them is to open a homepage so that users who purchase their products can access and apply for a user account. Accordingly, by accessing the homepage through a user account that has been granted, the user can receive various services such as an e-mail service, a news receiving service, an information search service, and a web hard service.

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus uses consumables such as ink and toner because the image is actually printed on the paper. These consumables are depleted after being used for a certain period of time and are no longer able to perform image forming operations. In this case, the user must replenish only the consumables or replace the cartridge itself to store the consumables.

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus uses various constituent units such as a developing unit, a transfer unit, a charging unit, etc. to output an image on a sheet of paper. Such a unit also has a constant replacement life due to friction with the paper and material properties change due to repeated use. If the constituent unit of which the replacement life has been exceeded is used, the image quality may be degraded and the image forming apparatus itself may be damaged. Therefore, when the user determines that the replacement time has come, it is preferable to replace each component unit. On the other hand, in recent years, in consideration of the user's convenience, a cartridge for storing consumables such as ink and toner and another component unit may be integrated into one unit and manufactured. In this case, by adjusting the exhaustion time of the consumables and the replacement time of the component unit, the user can extend the service life of the image forming apparatus by one replacement operation.

On the other hand, in the case of such a consumable storage cartridge or a component unit, a genuine product separately manufactured and supplied by a manufacturing company of an image forming apparatus has a disadvantage that the price is quite expensive. Therefore, users who are used in general homes often use non-genuine products manufactured and supplied by other manufacturers. These non-genuine products are supplied at a relatively cheaper price than genuine products, but are of lower quality than the original genuine products. Therefore, there is a problem that may cause a failure of the image forming apparatus itself or a deterioration of image quality.

In addition, from the standpoint of the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus, the sales volume of such consumables and replacement units is reduced, resulting in relatively large losses. Therefore, there is a need for a method for recommending genuine use.

The present invention has been made to meet the above-described needs, an object of the present invention, when the configuration unit in the image forming apparatus is replaced with a genuine product, a network system to upgrade the service state supported by the user to recommend the genuine use And it provides a method.

The network system according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the image forming apparatus for performing a print job using a configuration unit with a CRUM chip (Customer Replaceable Unit Monitor Chip), the image forming apparatus And a terminal device for determining whether to replace genuine parts of the component unit using information stored in the CRUM chip, and a predetermined user to a user of the image forming apparatus connected to the terminal device through a predetermined network. And a web server for assigning an account and upgrading the user account status when the terminal device is notified of the genuine replacement of the component unit.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a terminal device connected to an image forming apparatus for performing a print job using a component unit having a CRUM chip (Customer Replaceable Unit Monitor Chip), communicates with the image forming apparatus. An interface, a communication module for connecting to a predetermined web server for assigning a predetermined user account to a user of the image forming apparatus through a predetermined network, and checking the information stored in the CRUM chip through the interface. And determining whether or not to replace the genuine unit of the unit, and notifying the web server to upgrade the state of the user account if the component unit is replaced with a genuine unit.

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller part for converting the predetermined print data into the predetermined bitmap image data, and a predetermined number of each embedded with a CRUM chip (Customer Replaceable Unit Monitor Chip) And an engine part for printing the bitmap image data on a sheet using a configuration unit. In this case, the controller part checks the storage information of the CRUM chip to determine whether to replace the genuine component of each component unit, and if it is determined that a predetermined component unit is replaced with a genuine product, the controller part notifies the terminal device, The image forming apparatus connects to a web server supporting a predetermined service and requests an upgrade for the service supporting state.

On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a service support method for a user of an image forming apparatus using a configuration unit having a CRUM chip (Customer Replaceable Unit Monitor Chip), by checking the information stored in the CRUM chip, Determining whether the component unit is genuinely replaced; if it is determined that the component unit is replaced with a genuine product, notifying a genuine terminal replacement fact of the component unit to a predetermined terminal device connected to the image forming apparatus; Automatically connecting to a web server granting a predetermined user account to the user of the image forming apparatus, the terminal device notifying the web server of the genuine replacement of the component unit, and the user at the web server Upgrading the status of the account.

Preferably, the upgrading of the state of the user account may include supplying at least one of a service life extension service of the user account and a data storage expansion service provided to the user account.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail with respect to the present invention.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 1, the network system includes a web server 100, an internet network 200, a terminal device 300, and an image forming apparatus 400.

The web server 100 refers to a terminal device connected to the internet network 200 and operating a predetermined web site on the internet network 200. The web server 100 provides information requested through a website or stores information uploaded by a user who accesses the website. On the other hand, as described above, the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 400 provides a web server 100 for operating a website that provides a special service for the user of the image forming apparatus 400 to use.

The terminal device 300 is connected to the Internet network 200 through a local area network (LAN), an infrastructure network, an ad hoc network, or the like. After the user of the terminal device 300 executes a predetermined web browser program, the user of the terminal device 300 accesses a website operated by the web server 100 by inputting the domain name of the web server 100 into the address bar. Meanwhile, in order to use a website, a user of the terminal device 300 needs to open a user account by inputting information that can prove a normal purchase product, such as a product serial number of the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, various services can be used through the user account. In this case, it is desirable to support not only an e-mail service or an information search service provided by a general portal site but also a data storage function capable of storing image files such as photographs. Accordingly, the user can upload and store a photo or the like printed on the website using the image forming apparatus 400. In this case, if the user account is registered for the first time, the subsequent connection may be made automatically.

The image forming apparatus 400 is connected to the terminal device 300 to receive print data for a predetermined document created on the terminal device 300 and to print it on a sheet of paper. In this case, the image forming apparatus 400 performs a print job by using various kinds of configuration units 430. Each component unit 430 incorporates a CRUM chip (Customer Replaceable Unit Monitor Chip) 431 for storing information indicative of manufacturing characteristics of the unit. In this case, the CRUM chip 431 may be a nonvolatile memory, a bar code, an RF-ID tag, or the like. When using a barcode or an RF-ID tag, a reader unit for recognizing this should be further provided inside the image forming apparatus 400.

Meanwhile, the terminal device 300 may determine the replacement fact of the configuration unit 430 by checking the information stored in the CRUM chip 431 provided in the configuration unit 430 of the image forming apparatus 400. If it is determined that the configuration unit 430 is replaced with a genuine product, the terminal device 300 is automatically connected to a website operated by the web server 100 provided by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 400. Accordingly, the website is notified of the replacement of the component unit. The web server 100 upgrades the state of the user account to which the user accesses when the genuine replacement is recognized. That is, an additional capacity may be provided to the existing data storage capacity or the user account may be extended for a certain period of time.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 2, the terminal device 300 includes a communication module 310, a controller 320, and an interface 330.

The communication module 310 is a component that performs wired or wireless communication through the Internet network 200. When the user enters the domain name of the web server 100 in the address bar, or when the automatic link is taken due to the replacement of the configuration unit, the communication module 310 connects to a website operated by the web server 100. Accordingly, the predetermined data is downloaded or uploaded from the web server 100 through the website.

The interface 330 connects the terminal device 300 and the image forming apparatus 400. Specifically, the interface 330 may be implemented as a serial interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a parallel interface, a network interface, or the like.

The controller 320 communicates with the image forming apparatus 400 through the interface 330. Accordingly, by checking the storage information of the CRUM chip 431 built into the component unit 430 used in the image forming apparatus 400, it is determined whether or not genuine replacement of the component unit 430. If it is determined that the configuration unit 430 is replaced with a genuine product, the controller 320 controls the communication module 310 to automatically connect to the website. Accordingly, the web server 100 is connected to the web server 100 to notify the user of the genuine use and to upgrade the user account.

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus includes a controller part 410 and an engine part 420.

The controller part 410 analyzes the print data transmitted from the terminal device 300, converts the print data into bitmap image data, and then controls the engine part 420 to print an image on paper according to the bitmap image data. Do this.

The engine part 420 means a combination of mechanical configuration units 430a to 430n for printing an image on a real paper. Each of the component units 430a to 430n provided in the engine part 420 means a unit that can be replaced independently at a predetermined time. CRUM chips 431a to 431n are built into each of the configuration units 430a to 430n. As described above, the CRUM chips 431a to 431n may be not only a nonvolatile memory but also a barcode or an RF-ID tag. In such a case, the image forming apparatus 400 may be recorded in the barcode or the RF-ID tag. It should further include a reader unit (not shown) that can recognize the information.

On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 400 is a laser printer, the configuration units 430a to 430n may be a developing unit, a charging unit, a transfer unit, a supply unit, and the like. If the liquid laser printer, the catalyst unit for removing the carrier vapor (carrier vapor) generated during the liquid toner fixing process may also correspond to this.

The controller part 410 may read the stored information of the CRUM chips 431a to 431n included in each of the component units 430a to 430n at a predetermined time point, and determine whether or not the replacement is performed. That is, it can be determined that the replacement is inconsistent with the product serial number of the previously used unit. In this case, the manufacturer information stored in the CRUM chips 431a to 431n may be checked to determine whether the product is genuine. This determination may be made from time to time, such as when the image forming apparatus 400 is turned on or reset, or when a print job is started, or may be made immediately when the unit replacement is completed.

When the controller part 410 determines that the unit is replaced with a genuine product, the controller part 410 communicates with the control unit 320 in the terminal device 300 to notify it. Accordingly, the user account status can be upgraded.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a service supporting method for an image forming apparatus user in a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 4, the controller part 410 in the image forming apparatus 400 checks the storage information of the CRUM chips 431a to 431n embedded in the predetermined configuration units 430a to 430n (S410).

Accordingly, if it is determined that the unit replacement is made (S420), it is checked whether the newly replaced unit is genuine (S430).

If it is a genuine unit, the image forming apparatus 400 notifies the terminal apparatus 300 of this, and the terminal apparatus 300 automatically connects to a website operated by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 400 (S440). Accordingly, the web server 100 operating the website upgrades the state of the user account registered by the user of the image forming apparatus 400 (S450). In other words, you can add data storage capacity or extend user account usage time.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the user of the image forming apparatus replaces the configuration unit with a genuine product, the state of the service supported by the user is upgraded. Accordingly, users can be encouraged to use genuine products, which can solve problems such as device damage and deterioration of image quality due to non-genuine use. Also, the image forming apparatus manufacturer promotes purchase of parts of its products. Can be commercially beneficial.

In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus for performing a print job using a component unit in which a CRUM chip (Customer Replaceable Unit Monitor Chip) is embedded; A terminal device connected to the image forming apparatus and determining whether genuine replacement of the component unit is performed using information stored in the CRUM chip; And, The web is connected to the terminal device through a predetermined network to grant a predetermined user account to the user of the image forming apparatus, and upgrades the user account status when the terminal device is notified of the genuine replacement of the component unit. A network system comprising a; server. A terminal device connected to an image forming apparatus for performing a print job using a component unit having a CRUM chip (Customer Replaceable Unit Monitor Chip), An interface for communicating with the image forming apparatus; A communication module for connecting to a predetermined web server for assigning a predetermined user account to the user of the image forming apparatus through a predetermined network; And, The information stored in the CRUM chip is checked through the interface to determine whether the component unit is genuinely replaced, and when it is determined that the component unit is replaced with a genuine product, the web server is notified to upgrade the state of the user account. And a control unit for controlling the communication module. An image forming apparatus for receiving and printing print data from a predetermined terminal device, A controller part for converting the print data into predetermined bitmap image data; And, And an engine part for printing the bitmap image data on paper using a predetermined number of configuration units each having a CRUM chip (Customer Replaceable Unit Monitor Chip) embedded therein. The controller part checks the storage information of the CRUM chip to determine whether to replace genuine components of each component unit, and notifies the terminal apparatus when it is determined that a predetermined component unit is replaced with genuine product, and the terminal apparatus forms the image. And requesting an upgrade of the service support state by accessing a web server supporting a predetermined service. In a service support method for a user of an image forming apparatus using a configuration unit having a CRUM chip (Customer Replaceable Unit Monitor Chip), Checking information stored in the CRUM chip, and determining whether to genuinely replace the component unit; If it is determined that the component unit is replaced with a genuine product, notifying a genuine terminal replacement fact of the component unit to a predetermined terminal device connected to the image forming apparatus; Automatically connecting, by the terminal device, to a web server for granting a predetermined user account to the user of the image forming apparatus; The terminal device notifying the web server of the genuine replacement of the component unit; And, Upgrading the status of the user account in the web server; service support method comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein Upgrading the status of the user account, And providing at least one of a service life extension service of the user account and a data storage space extension service granted to the user account.

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