CN111845089A

CN111845089A - Printing device, server device, and consumable

Info

Publication number: CN111845089A
Application number: CN202010303772.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 伏见隆弘
Original assignee: Riso Kagaku Corp
Current assignee: Riso Kagaku Corp
Priority date: 2019-04-25
Filing date: 2020-04-17
Publication date: 2020-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-17
Also published as: JP2020179586A; JP7299056B2; CN111845089B

Abstract

The invention provides a printing apparatus, a server apparatus and a consumable. The printing device is provided with: a first collating unit that collates first collation information generated by the printing apparatus based on the consumable storage information stored in the memory of the consumable and second collation information generated based on the consumable storage information and stored in the memory; a second comparison unit which compares third comparison information generated by the printing device based on the acquired information of the printing device with fourth comparison information which is generated based on the acquired information of the consumable and is stored in the memory; a determination unit that determines whether or not the consumable is first installed in the printing apparatus based on the number of times of installation corresponding to the printing apparatus acquired from the server; and an authentication unit that authenticates the consumable part as a license when the first and second collation units determine that the first and second collation information match and the third and fourth collation information match and the determination unit determines that the consumable part is first installed.

Description

Printing device, server device, and consumable

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a server apparatus, and a consumable part, which prevent a decrease in print quality and an apparatus failure by authenticating only an appropriate consumable part as a license.

Background

In the printing apparatus, various consumables such as an ink cartridge (ink cartridge) and stencil sheet are detachably provided according to a printing system of the printing apparatus.

For example, an ink jet printing apparatus is provided with an ink cartridge that stores ink for each color as a consumable, supplies ink from the ink cartridge to an ink jet head, and ejects ink from a nozzle of the ink jet head toward printing paper to print images, characters, and the like.

In this case, when an inappropriate ink cartridge is mounted on an ink jet printing apparatus and used, for example, the ink aggregates, and the aggregated ink blocks the nozzles to cause ejection failure, or the ink landed on the paper spreads to cause edge failure of the image. These problems cause a reduction in the quality of a printed image. In addition, there are also cases where: when the ink aggregates, an excessive load is applied to each device in the apparatus, which causes a failure of the apparatus.

Therefore, patent document 1 discloses a technique relating to an image recording apparatus in which information is transmitted between a mounted consumable and a main apparatus, and characteristics are compared based on consumable information (for example, suitable type information, setting information of matching parameters, manufacturing date and year) provided in the consumable.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2001-18507

Disclosure of Invention

In the image recording apparatus described in patent document 1, the characteristics are collated based on the transmitted consumable information, and therefore the collation accuracy is low.

If the accuracy of the matching is low, an inappropriate consumable may be attached, which may cause a reduction in the quality of the printed image or a malfunction of the printing apparatus.

The invention aims to provide a printing device, a server device and a consumable part, which can prevent the reduction of printing quality and the device failure by only authenticating the proper consumable part as the permission.

The printing apparatus according to the present invention mounts a consumable part having a memory, and performs printing using the mounted consumable part. The printing device includes: a first collation unit that collates first collation information, which is static information generated by the printing apparatus based on the consumable part storage information stored in the memory, with second collation information, which is information generated based on the consumable part storage information and stored in the memory; a second collation unit that collates third collation information, which is information generated by the printing apparatus based on the acquisition information of the printing apparatus, with fourth collation information, which is information generated based on the acquisition information of the consumable part and stored in the memory; a determination unit that determines whether or not the consumable part is initially mounted to the printing apparatus based on the number of times of mounting corresponding to the printing apparatus acquired from a server having use status information including the number of times of mounting of the consumable part in use in each printing apparatus; and an authentication unit that authenticates the consumable as being permitted when the first comparison unit determines that the first comparison information matches the second comparison information, the second comparison unit determines that the third comparison information matches the fourth comparison information, and the determination unit determines that the consumable is first installed.

Here, the consumable storage information is information stored in the consumable, and for example, it refers to position information, an ID, or a combination of the position information and the ID.

The acquisition information of the printer is information that is input to the printer from the outside or information that is acquired by being generated inside the printer, and may be acquired at the time of manufacture, during distribution, or at the start of use, and the acquisition timing is not limited. For example, the acquired information of the printer corresponds to an ID, destination information (position information), remaining ink amount information, time information, or a combination thereof input from the outside of a connected consumable, clock, other input device, or the like, time information acquired inside the printer by a clock or the like built in the printer, position information acquired inside the printer by a GPS (Global Positioning System) function or the like built in the printer, or the like.

The acquisition information of the consumable part is information input to the consumable part from the outside or information acquired by being generated inside the consumable part, and may be acquired at the time of manufacture, during distribution, or at the start of use, and the acquisition timing is not limited. For example, the acquisition information corresponds to an ID, destination information (position information), remaining ink amount information, time information, or a combination thereof input from the outside of the connected printing apparatus, clock, other input apparatus, or the like, time information acquired inside the consumable by a clock or the like built in the consumable, position information acquired inside the consumable by a GPS (global positioning System) function or the like built in the consumable, or the like.

According to the printing apparatus, the server apparatus, and the consumable part according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a decrease in print quality and an apparatus failure by authenticating only an appropriate consumable part as a license.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining functions of a printing apparatus and an ink cartridge provided in an image forming apparatus according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of usage status code issuance processing in the mobile terminal and the server according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of authentication processing in the image forming apparatus according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of authentication processing in the image forming apparatus according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent parts and components are denoted by the same or equivalent reference numerals. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings are schematic and differ from actual ones. It is needless to say that the drawings also include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios.

The embodiments described below are illustrative of apparatuses and the like for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention is not to specify the material, shape, structure, arrangement, and the like of each component as the material, shape, structure, arrangement, and the like described below. The technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified in the claims.

An embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

< overall configuration of printing System according to example 1 >

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system 100 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 1, the printing system 100 includes a mobile terminal 5, a server 4 connected to the mobile terminal 5 via a network 6, a printing apparatus 2, and

ink cartridges

150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y for each color, which are consumables detachably attached to the printing apparatus 2. QR codes (registered trademark) are printed on the

ink cartridges

150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y. The

ink cartridges

150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y and the printing apparatus 2 are referred to as an image forming apparatus 1.

The mobile terminal 5 is a mobile phone such as a smartphone on which a camera 53 is mounted, and includes a reading unit 51 mounted on a CPU or the like and an input/output interface 52.

The reading unit 51 intercepts the QR code image Q1 captured by the camera 53, and extracts the serial numbers (S/N) of the

cartridges

150K, 150C, 150M, 150Y and the address of the site of the server 4 as the connection target by analyzing the intercepted QR code image Q1.

The input and output interface 52 includes, for example, a touch panel and a liquid crystal display panel (both not shown) disposed on the back surface of the touch panel for displaying various display screens. A user can perform various operations on the display screen of the liquid crystal display panel by performing a touch operation with a finger or the like on the surface of the touch panel while viewing the display screen.

In addition, the input and output interface 52 has a communication function. For example, the input and output interface 52 transmits an operation signal based on a touch operation performed by the user, such as an operation for requesting the issuance of the use status code, to the server 4. The input/output interface 52 is connected to the address extracted by the reading unit 51, displays a screen of a site indicated by the address, transmits the serial number (S/N) extracted by the reading unit 51 to the server 4, or receives the usage status code from the server 4.

The server 4 provides various services in accordance with a request from the portable terminal 5 based on the HTTP protocol. The server 4 includes a communication interface 41, a storage unit 42, and a usage state code generation unit 43 mounted on a CPU or the like.

The communication interface 41 supplies various data such as display screen data and usage status codes to the mobile terminal 5 via the network 6.

The storage unit 42 stores the use state information and the code generation algorithm. The use status information includes information used when the use status code is generated by the use status code generating unit 43. In addition, when the usage state code is generated by the usage state code generating unit 43, the usage state information used for generating the generated usage state code is stored. The usage status information includes serial numbers of the

ink cartridges

150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y (hereinafter referred to as cartridge S/N), mechanical information (printing apparatus identification information) that is information for identifying the printing apparatus 2 owned by the user (for example, the serial number of the printing apparatus), and number-of-times information indicating the number of times the ink cartridge 150 has been attached. The machine information is not limited to the serial number of the printing apparatus, and may be any number added to enable the user to recognize the printing apparatus 2 owned by the user. The cartridge S/N and the mechanical information are transmitted from the portable terminal 5.

The code generation algorithm is a program used when the use status code generation unit 43 generates the use status code.

When receiving a request signal for requesting the issuance of the use status code from the mobile terminal 5, the use status code generation unit 43 generates the use status code using a code generation algorithm based on the use status information stored in the storage unit 42. Specifically, the use status code generation unit 43 performs arithmetic processing on the number-of-times information indicating the number of times the use status code is issued by the combination of the cartridge S/N and the machine information included in the request signal, that is, the number of times the ink cartridge 150 has been mounted, and the machine information using the code generation algorithm, and generates the use status code.

For example, when the combination of the cartridge S/N and the machine information included in the request signal is not stored in the use state information of the storage unit 42, the use state code is generated by performing arithmetic processing on the number-of-times information indicating that the cartridge S/N is first issued and the machine information included in the request signal using a code generation algorithm.

That is, the use condition code is a code generated by performing arithmetic processing using a code generation algorithm based on the number information and the machine information.

As described above, according to the server 4 included in the printing system 100 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention, when receiving a request signal for requesting the issuance of the use status code from the mobile terminal 5, the use status code is generated using the code generation algorithm based on the use status information stored in the storage unit 42, and therefore, it is possible to issue the use status code indicating that the request has been made several times for the issuance of the use status code corresponding to the printing apparatus 2 (in the case of a plurality of printing apparatuses 2) owned by the user.

< construction of image Forming apparatus >

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

An image forming apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention includes an ink cartridge and a printing apparatus having a configuration other than the ink cartridge, and is described with reference to fig. 2, taking the image forming apparatus 1 in a state in which the ink cartridge is mounted in the printing apparatus.

As shown in fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes inkjet heads 110C, 110M, 110Y, and 110K corresponding to inks of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), and the printing paper is conveyed by an endless conveyor belt (not shown) provided on the facing surfaces of the inkjet heads 110C, 110M, 110Y, and 110K at a speed determined according to the printing conditions and is printed with the inks ejected from the inkjet heads 110C, 110M, 110Y, and 110K in units of lines.

Each ink is supplied from an ink bottle provided in a detachable ink cartridge, and includes an ink bottle 151C for supplying C (cyan) ink, an ink bottle 151M for supplying M (magenta) ink, an ink bottle 151Y for supplying Y (yellow) ink, and an ink bottle 151K for supplying K (black) ink. Note that, in the following, the description will be given by taking the ink bottle 151 as a representative example without limiting the ink color. The same applies to other functional units.

The ink supplied from the ink bottle 151 is temporarily stored in a downstream tank provided on the downstream side of the inkjet head 110 via an ink circulation path formed of a tube of resin, metal, or the like. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a downstream tank 120C storing C (cyan) ink, a downstream tank 120M storing M (magenta) ink, a downstream tank 120Y storing Y (yellow) ink, and a downstream tank 120K storing K (black) ink.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a pump 170C, a pump 170M, a pump 170Y, a pump 170K, an upstream tank 130C, an upstream tank 130M, an upstream tank 130Y, and an upstream tank 130K. The ink stored in the downstream tank 120 is delivered to an upstream tank provided on the upstream side of the inkjet head 110 by a pump. The ink delivered to the upstream tank 130 is delivered to the inkjet head 110 provided with many nozzles that eject the ink.

The upstream tank 130 is connected to a common air chamber 172. The common air chamber 172 is provided with a pump 173 and an atmosphere opening valve, not shown, and the pressure of air in the upstream tank 130 is adjusted by completely closing the atmosphere opening valve and sending air to the upstream tank 130 by the pump 173 or by completely opening the atmosphere opening valve to reach the atmospheric pressure.

The ink not ejected by the inkjet head 110 returns to the downstream tank 120. The return of ink from the upstream tank 130 to the downstream tank 120 via the inkjet head 110 utilizes the head difference between the upstream tank 130 and the downstream tank 120.

The ink has been determined to be in a temperature range capable of ensuring printing quality, and when the ambient temperature is low and the ink temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature capable of printing, the ink needs to be heated. On the other hand, the actuator and the piezoelectric element provided in the inkjet head 110 generate heat by their operation, and the influence of the rise in the ink temperature at high temperatures needs to be suppressed by the joule heat generated by the heat and ink vibration. Therefore, a temperature regulator 161 is provided on the ink circulation path, and the ink is heated or cooled by the temperature regulator 161.

When an inappropriate ink cartridge is mounted to the ink jet printing apparatus having such a configuration, for example, the ink aggregates, the aggregated ink blocks the nozzles of the ink jet head 110, and ejection failure occurs, or the ink that has landed on the printing paper being transported spreads, and edge failure of the image occurs. Further, there are also cases where: if the ink aggregates in the ink circulation path, an excessive load is applied to the ink feeding unit such as the pump 170, which causes a failure of the apparatus.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention performs authentication as to whether or not the mounted ink cartridge can be used, thereby preventing deterioration in print quality and malfunction of the printing apparatus.

Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining functions of the printing apparatus 2 and the

ink cartridges

150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y included in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 3, an image forming apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a printing apparatus 2 and

ink cartridges

150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y attached to the printing apparatus 2, and performs authentication as to whether or not the

respective ink cartridges

150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y are usable. Here, the ink cartridge 150K is taken as an example for explanation, and the

ink cartridges

150C, 150M, and 150Y have the same configuration.

The ink cartridges 150K corresponding to K (black) ink are provided with ink bottles 151K and non-contact ICs (reference numeral 152K), respectively.

The non-contact IC (reference numeral 152K) includes a memory 153K and a CPU 154K, and performs data communication with the printing apparatus 2 by a wireless method.

The memory 153K stores an ID for uniquely identifying the ink cartridge 150K, a first password generated and stored using a first algorithm based on the ID, attribute data of ink stored in the ink bottle 151K, a second password generated and stored using a second algorithm based on destination information indicating a region where the ink cartridge 150K is used, and a use condition code when authenticated as permitted by an authentication unit 16 described later. Further, the usage status code is not necessarily stored. The attribute data of the ink includes ink color information, ink solvent type information, and ink remaining amount information.

The CPU 154K has an arithmetic processing function of calculating the remaining amounts of ink in the

ink bottles

151C, 151M, 151Y, and 151K for each ink color based on the ejection amounts of the ink ejected from the inkjet heads 110C, 110M, 110Y, and 110K, for example, and storing the calculated remaining amounts of ink in the memory 153K as remaining amount information of ink. The CPU 154K may be provided with a first registration unit 12, a second registration unit 13, a password generation unit 14, a position information acquisition unit 15, an authentication unit 16, and a determination unit 19, which will be described later.

Similarly, the

ink cartridges

150C, 150M, and 150Y corresponding to C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) inks are provided with

ink bottles

151C, 151M, and 151Y, respectively, and a non-contact IC (not shown), and wirelessly communicate data with the printing apparatus 2.

The printing apparatus 2 includes a wireless communication unit 11, a memory 18, an operation panel 30, and a CPU having an arithmetic processing function. The CPU of the printing apparatus 2 mounts a first registration unit 12, a second registration unit 13, a password generation unit 14, a position information acquisition unit 15, an authentication unit 16, and a determination unit 19. These units 12 to 16, 19 are hereinafter referred to as units of the printing apparatus 2.

The wireless communication unit 11 establishes wireless communication with the non-contact IC (reference numeral 152), reads various information from the non-contact IC (reference numeral 152), and supplies the read information to the first and

second registration units

12 and 13, the password generation unit 14, and the like. When the wireless communication unit 11 performs wireless communication with a non-contact IC (reference numeral 152), the transmitting side adds a random number to transmit, and the receiving side deletes the added random number to extract information. This can prevent interception of information to be communicated.

The first collating unit 12 collates the password (first collation information) of the static information generated by the password generating unit 14 of the printing apparatus 2 based on the ID (consumable storage information) stored in the ink cartridge 150K as the consumable and the first password (second collation information) generated based on the ID (consumable storage information) and stored in the memory 153K. Here, the static information is fixed information that does not change every time the comparison and authentication are performed.

The second collating unit 13 collates the password (third collation information) generated by the password generating unit 14 of the printing apparatus 2 based on the position information (acquisition information) of the printing apparatus 2 with the second password (fourth collation information) generated based on the position information (acquisition information) of the ink cartridge 150 and stored in the memory 153K.

The password generation unit 14 generates a password (first registration information) using a first algorithm stored in the memory 18 based on the ID read by the wireless communication unit 11. Further, the password generation unit 14 generates a password (third collation information) based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 15 using the second algorithm stored in the memory 18.

The position information acquiring unit 15 reads the destination information stored in the memory 18 as the position information of the printing apparatus 2.

When the user inputs the use status code received through the portable terminal 5 from the operation panel 30, the determination unit 19 analyzes the use status code using the third algorithm to extract the number-of-times information indicating the number of times the ink cartridge 150K has been mounted and the mechanical information of the printing apparatus 2 owned by the user. Further, the determination unit 19 determines whether the ink cartridge 150K is first mounted based on the number information and the mechanical information.

The authentication unit 16 authenticates the ink cartridge 150K as being permitted in a case where the results of the collation by the first and

second collation units

12 and 13 are both coincident and the determination unit 19 determines that the ink cartridge 150K is mounted for the first time.

The authentication unit 16 authenticates the ink cartridge 150K as not permitted if the results of the collation by the first and

second collation units

12 and 13 are both identical and the determination unit 19 determines that the ink cartridge 150K is initially used but the present apparatus is not included in the mechanical information.

The authentication unit 16 displays a message prompting the operation panel 30 to issue the use status code so that the machine information includes the device itself.

The memory 18 stores destination information indicating an area where the image forming apparatus 1 is used, a first algorithm as a program for generating a password (first collation information), a second algorithm as a program for generating a password (third collation information), and a third algorithm as a program for analyzing the use status code and extracting the number information and the machine information.

The operation panel 30 includes, for example, a touch panel and a liquid crystal display panel (both not shown) disposed on the back surface of the touch panel for displaying various display screens. A user can perform various operations on the display screen of the liquid crystal display panel by performing a touch operation with a finger or the like on the surface of the touch panel while viewing the display screen.

Further, the operation panel 30 displays a usage status code input screen, and when a usage status code is input by a touch operation of the user, the input usage status code is transmitted to the determination unit 19.

The operation panel 30 displays, for example, "please read the QR code of the ink cartridge and reissue the use status code" in response to an instruction from the authentication unit 16. "or the like urges the release of the use status code so that the machine information includes the message of the present apparatus.

< action of printing System >

Next, an operation of the printing system 100 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. The printing system 100 executes the usage status code issuing process and the authentication process, and therefore, the description will be given separately.

< usage status code issuing processing >

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of usage status code issuance processing in the mobile terminal 5 and the server 4 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 4, the camera 53 of the portable terminal 5 captures a QR code (registered trademark) printed on the

ink cartridges

150K, 150C, 150M, 150Y, and the reading unit 51 reads information from the QR code image Q1 captured by the camera 53 (step S401). Specifically, the reading unit 51 extracts the addresses of the boxes S/N and the stations of the connection targets by analyzing the captured QR code image Q1.

Then, the input and output interface 52 of the portable terminal 5 connects to the site indicated by the address of the connection destination, and transmits the box S/N to the server 4 (step S403).

Then, the input and output interface 52 opens the input screen (mechanical information input screen) of the site based on the HTML data transmitted from the server 4 (step S405).

When the user inputs the mechanical information of all the printing apparatuses 2 owned by the user from the input/output interface 52 of the mobile terminal 5 (step S407; yes), the input/output interface 52 transmits a request signal requesting the issuance of the use status code to the server 4 via the network 6 (step S409). The request signal includes machine information input from a machine information input screen.

Next, the use status code generation means 43 of the server 4 determines whether or not the box S/N included in the request signal is stored in the use status information of the storage unit 42 (step S411).

If it is determined that the cartridge S/N is not stored in the use status information of the storage unit 42 (step S411; no), the request for issuing the use status code is made for the first time for the cartridge S/N.

Therefore, the use status code generation unit 43 generates the use status code for the first time (step S413). Specifically, the use status code generation unit 43 generates the use status code by performing arithmetic processing using a code generation algorithm on the number-of-times information indicating that the use status code is first issued and the machine information included in the request signal, and stores the use status information in which the cartridge S/N and the machine information used to generate the use status code are associated with the number-of-times information indicating that the use status code is first issued, in the storage unit 42.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the cartridge S/N is already stored in the use state information of the storage unit 42 (step S411; yes), it is determined whether or not a combination including the same machine information as the machine information included in the request signal exists in the use state information including the same cartridge S/N (step S417).

If it is determined that there is a combination including the same machine information as the machine information included in the request signal (step S417; yes), it can be estimated that the user may add the printing apparatus 2. For example, the user owns three printing apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C, and then newly adds the printing apparatus 2D, and mounts the ink cartridge 150K mounted in the printing apparatus 2A to the printing apparatus 2D.

When the ink cartridge 150K is first attached to the printing apparatus 2A (when three printing apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C are owned), the first use status code is issued. At this time, information including a combination of the cartridge S/N of the ink cartridge 150K and the mechanical information of the printing apparatuses 2A, 2B, 2C is stored as the use condition information.

Then, when the use status code is requested to be issued based on the cartridge S/N of the ink cartridge 150K mounted in the printing apparatus 2A and the machine information of the printing apparatuses 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, since information including a combination of the cartridge S/N of the ink cartridge 150K and the machine information of the printing apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C is already stored as the use status information, the use status code generating unit 43 determines that there is a combination including the same machine information as the machine information included in the request signal.

In this case, since only the printing apparatus 2D is added, it is considered that the appropriate ink cartridge 150 is mounted to the appropriate printing apparatus 2.

Therefore, the use status code generation unit 43 newly generates the first use status code (step S419). Specifically, the use status code generating means 43 performs arithmetic processing on the first order count information and the machine information included in the request signal using a code generation algorithm to generate a use status code, and stores information including the combination of the cartridge S/N of the ink cartridge 150K and the machine information of the printing apparatuses 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D and the count information in the storage unit 42 as use status information.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no combination including the same machine information as the machine information included in the request signal (step S417; no), it can be estimated that the printing apparatus 2 is to be used in an environment where the printing apparatus is disposed that is different from the environment where the first-time usage status code is issued. In this case, the ink cartridge 150K may be refilled with improper ink to be used in a different usage environment.

Therefore, the use status code generation unit 43 generates a use status code indicating the second use (step S421). Specifically, the use status code generation unit 43 generates the use status code by performing arithmetic processing using a code generation algorithm on the number-of-times information indicating the second time and the machine information included in the request signal.

Then, the communication interface 41 transmits the generated usage state code to the portable terminal 5 via the network 6 (step S423).

< authentication Process >

Fig. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the procedure of authentication processing in the image forming apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 5, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention, when the printing apparatus 2 detects that the ink cartridge 150 is mounted on the printing apparatus 2 (step S101; yes), the wireless communication unit 11 of the printing apparatus 2 establishes wireless communication with the non-contact IC (reference numeral 152K) and reads the ID and the first password from the non-contact IC (reference numeral 152K) (step S103), when the power is turned on, the recovery from the power saving mode is performed, or the detection result of the sensor (not shown) detects that the ink cartridge 150 is mounted on the printing apparatus 2.

Next, the password generation unit 14 generates a password (first registration information) using the first algorithm stored in the memory 18 based on the ID read by the wireless communication unit 11 (step S105).

Then, the first collating means 12 collates whether or not the first password (second collation information) read by the wireless communication unit 11 matches the password (first collation information) generated in step S105 (step S107). Here, the first password is generated and stored in advance using the first algorithm based on the ID, and therefore, in the case where the ink cartridge 150K is a product suitable for the image forming apparatus 1, the first password coincides with the password generated in step S105.

If the first password does not match the password generated in step S105 (step S107; no), the ink cartridge 150K is not a product suitable for the image forming apparatus 1, and therefore the authentication unit 16 causes the operation panel 30 to display a warning message to the effect that the attached ink cartridge cannot be used (step S109).

On the other hand, in the case where the first password coincides with the password generated in step S105 (step S107; YES), the mounted ink cartridge may be appropriate.

Therefore, the wireless communication unit 11 of the printing apparatus 2 establishes wireless communication with the non-contact IC (reference numeral 152K), and reads the second password from the non-contact IC (reference numeral 152K) (step S111).

Then, the position information acquiring unit 15 acquires the destination information stored in the memory 18 as the position information of the printing apparatus 2 (step S113).

The password generation unit 14 generates a password (third collation information) using the second algorithm stored in the memory 18 based on the ID read in step S103 and the position information acquired in step S113 (step S115).

Then, the second collating means 13 collates whether or not the second password (fourth collation information) read by the wireless communication unit 11 matches the password (third collation information) generated in step S115 (step S117). Here, the second password is generated and stored using a second algorithm based on the destination information of the ink cartridge. Since it is a precondition that the ink cartridge 150K is used in the same region as the image forming apparatus 1, in the case where the ink cartridge 150K is a product suitable for the image forming apparatus 1, the second password coincides with the password generated in step S115.

If the second password does not match the password generated in step S115 (step S117; no), the ink cartridge 150K is not a product suitable for the image forming apparatus 1, and therefore the authentication unit 16 causes the operation panel 30 to display a warning message to the effect that the mounted ink cartridge cannot be used (step S109).

On the other hand, in the case where the second password coincides with the password generated in step S115 (step S117; YES), the mounted ink cartridge may be appropriate.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 6, the printing apparatus 2 displays the use status code input screen on the operation panel 30 (step S119).

When the user performs an input operation of the use status code from the use status code input screen (step S121; yes), the determination unit 19 determines whether the input use status code is the first time (step S123). Specifically, the determination unit 19 analyzes the input usage state code by using the third algorithm, extracts the number-of-times information that the ink cartridge 150K has been used and the mechanical information of the printing apparatus 2 owned by the user, and determines whether the ink cartridge 150K has been used for the first time based on the number-of-times information.

If it is determined that the input usage status code is not the first time (step S123; no), the ink cartridge 150K is not a product suitable for the image forming apparatus 1, and therefore the authentication unit 16 causes the operation panel 30 to display a warning message indicating that the attached ink cartridge cannot be used (step S109).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the input usage status code is the first time (step S123; YES), there is a possibility that the ink cartridge 150K is initially used.

Therefore, the determination unit 19 determines whether or not the extracted machine information includes the machine information of the own apparatus (step S125).

If it is determined that the extracted mechanical information includes the mechanical information of the apparatus (step S125; yes), the authentication unit 16 determines that the mounted ink cartridge is an appropriate ink cartridge and authenticates the use of the mounted ink cartridge as a permission (step S127).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the extracted machine information does not include the machine information of the own device (step S125; no), it can be estimated that the own device is newly added and is not registered in the use state information of the server 4.

Therefore, the authentication unit 16 displays, for example, "please update the mechanical information" or "please read the QR code of the ink cartridge and reissues the use status code on the operation panel 30 without authenticating as a permission. "or the like urges the issuance of the use status code so that the message of the present apparatus is included in the machine information, and a selection button for selecting either" continue "or" enter again "is displayed (step S129).

If the user selects the "continue" button (step S131; continue), the authentication unit 16 displays a warning message on the operation panel 30 to the effect that the mounted ink cartridge cannot be used (step S109).

On the other hand, when the user selects the "re-input" button (step S131; re-input), the user operates the mobile terminal 5 to perform an operation of re-issuing the use status code in accordance with the flowchart shown in fig. 4 (step S141).

As described above, according to the printing system 100 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention, when the results of the collation by the first collation unit 12 and the second collation unit 13 are both matched and it is determined by the determination unit 19 that the ink cartridge 150 is first used, the use of the ink cartridge 150 is authenticated as permitted.

In this way, if neither the multi-stage collation by the first collation section 12 or the second collation section 13 nor the judgment by the judgment section 19 is established, the authentication is not permitted, and therefore the accuracy of the authentication can be improved.

In addition, when it is determined that the ink cartridge 150 is not an ink cartridge that has been used for the first time, the authentication is not permitted, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink cartridge 150 from being used by refilling with inappropriate ink.

This can improve the accuracy of authentication, and therefore, it is possible to reliably recognize the ink cartridge and avoid the use of an inappropriate ink cartridge, and thus it is possible to prevent the degradation of printing quality and the malfunction of the apparatus.

Further, in embodiment 1 of the present invention, in step S115, the password generation unit 14 generates the password (third collation information) using the second algorithm stored in the memory 18 based on the ID read in step S103 and the position information acquired in step S113, but is not limited thereto. For example, a password (third collation information) may be generated using the second algorithm stored in the memory 18 based only on the position information acquired in step S113. At this time, as a matter of course, the second password (fourth collation information) is generated based on only the position information and is stored in the memory 153K in advance.

Further, the password generation unit 14 may generate a password (third collation information) based on the ID read in step S103 and using the second algorithm stored in the memory 18. At this time, as a matter of course, the second password (fourth collation information) is generated based on the ID and is stored in the memory 153K in advance.

Specifically, the first collating unit 12 collates the password (first collation information) of the static information generated by the password generating unit 14 of the printing apparatus 2 based on the ID stored in the ink cartridge 150K as the consumable part and using the first algorithm, with the first password (second collation information) generated based on the ID and using the first algorithm and stored in the memory 153K. Then, the second collating unit 13 collates the password (third collation information) generated by the password generating unit 14 of the printing apparatus 2 based on the ID stored in the ink cartridge 150K as the consumable part and using the second algorithm, with the second password (fourth collation information) generated based on the ID and using the second algorithm and stored in the memory 153K.

In step S111, the wireless communication unit 11 may read the second password and the remaining ink amount information of the attribute data from the non-contact IC (reference numeral 152K), and the password generation unit 14 may generate the password (third matching information) using the second algorithm stored in the memory 18 based on the ID read in step S103 and the remaining ink amount information read in step S111. At this time, as a matter of course, the second password (fourth collation information) is generated based on the ID and the remaining ink amount information and stored in the memory 153K.

The printing apparatus 2 may include a clock therein, and the password generation unit 14 may generate the password (third collation information) using the second algorithm stored in the memory 18 based on the time counted by the clock. At this time, the time counted by the clock provided in the printing apparatus 2 is transmitted to the ink cartridge 150 via the wireless communication unit 11, and the CPU 154K generates the second password (fourth matching information) based on the transmitted time and stores the second password in the memory 153K.

In embodiment 1 of the present invention, the first collating means 12 collates the password (first collation information) of the static information generated by the password generating means 14 of the printing apparatus 2 based on the ID stored in the ink cartridge 150K as the consumable part with the first password (second collation information) generated based on the ID and stored in the memory 153K, and when they match, the second collating means 13 collates the password (third collation information) generated by the password generating means 14 of the printing apparatus 2 based on the position information of the printing apparatus 2 with the second password (fourth collation information) generated based on the position information and stored in the memory 153K, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the second collating means 13 may collate them, and when they match, the first collating means 12 collates them. That is, which of the collation by the first collation unit 12 and the collation by the second collation unit 13 is preceded may be performed.

The first collating means 12 may collate the password (first collation information) of the static information generated by the password generating means 14 of the printing apparatus 2 based on the ID stored in the ink cartridge 150K as the consumable part and the positional information of the printing apparatus 2 with the first password (second collation information) generated based on the ID and the positional information of the printing apparatus 2 and stored in the memory 153K, and the second collating means 13 may collate the password (third collation information) generated by the password generating means 14 of the printing apparatus 2 based on the ID stored in the ink cartridge 150K as the consumable part and the remaining ink amount information with the second password (fourth collation information) generated based on the ID and the remaining ink amount information and stored in the memory 153K.

The first collating means 12 may collate the password (first collation information) of the static information generated by the password generating means 14 of the printing apparatus 2 based on the ID stored in the cartridge 150K as the consumable part and the positional information of the printing apparatus 2 with the first password (second collation information) generated based on the ID and the positional information of the printing apparatus 2 and stored in the memory 153K, and the second collating means 13 may collate the password (third collation information) generated by the password generating means 14 of the printing apparatus 2 based on the ID stored in the cartridge 150K as the consumable part and the time counted by the clock with the second password (fourth collation information) generated based on the ID and the time counted and stored in the memory 153K.

In embodiment 1 of the present invention, the CPU of the printing apparatus 2 is provided with the first and

second registration units

12 and 13, the password generation unit 14, the position information acquisition unit 15, the authentication unit 16, and the determination unit 19, and the printing apparatus 2 executes each process, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be mounted on the CPU 154 and execute each process.

For example, the printing apparatus 2 may include the wireless communication unit 11, the CPU of the printing apparatus 2 may include the first registration unit 12, the password generation unit 14, the position information acquisition unit 15, and the authentication unit 16, and the CPU 154 may include the second registration unit 13 and the determination unit 19.

The first collating unit 12 of the printing apparatus 2 collates the password (first collation information) of the static information generated by the password generating unit 14 based on the ID stored in the ink cartridge 150K as the consumable and the first password (second collation information) generated based on the ID and stored in the memory 153K.

The second collating unit 13 of the CPU 154 collates the password (third collation information) generated by the password generating unit 14 based on the position information of the printing apparatus 2 with the second password (fourth collation information) generated based on the position information and stored in the memory 153K, and transmits the collation result to the authenticating unit 16 of the printing apparatus 2.

When the user inputs the usage state code received via the portable terminal 5 from the operation panel 30, the determination unit 19 of the CPU154 analyzes the usage state code using the third algorithm to extract the number-of-times information of the ink cartridge 150K and the mechanical information of the printing apparatus 2 owned by the user. Then, the determination unit 19 determines whether the ink cartridge 150K is initially used based on the number information and the mechanical information, and transmits the determination result to the authentication unit 16 of the printing apparatus 2.

In this way, when the CPU154 performs the collation and determination, the memory 153K includes an area where information can be read from the outside of the ink cartridge 150K, that is, an area where information can be read, and an area where information cannot be read from the outside of the ink cartridge 150K, that is, an area where information cannot be read, and by storing information (here, the second password) used for the collation in the area where information cannot be read, the collation accuracy can be further improved.

For example, the second collating unit 13 of the CPU154 collates the password (third collating information) acquired from the printing apparatus 2 and generated by the password generating unit 14 based on the acquired position information of the printing apparatus 2 with the second password (fourth collating information) generated based on the position information of the ink cartridge and stored in the unreadable area of the memory 153K, and transmits the collation result to the authentication unit 16 of the printing apparatus 2.

Thus, when the verification results of the first verification unit 12 and the second verification unit 13 are both determined to match each other, the authentication unit 16 can authenticate the ink cartridge 150 as being permitted, and the second password (fourth verification information) stored in the unreadable area of the memory 153K cannot be read from the outside of the ink cartridge, so that the unusable ink cartridge can be more reliably identified. This can prevent a reduction in print quality and device failure.

The first collating means 12 may collate the password of the static information (first collation information) generated by the password generating means 14 of the printing apparatus 2 using the first algorithm based on the ID stored in the cartridge 150K as the consumable part and the positional information of the printing apparatus 2 with the first password (second collation information) generated by the password generating means 14 of the printing apparatus 2 using the first algorithm based on the ID and the positional information and stored in the memory 153K, and the second collating means 13 may collate the password of the static information (third collation information) generated by the password generating means 14 of the printing apparatus 2 using the second algorithm based on the ID stored in the cartridge 150K as the consumable part and the positional information of the printing apparatus 2 with the second password (fourth collation information) generated by the password generating means 14 of the printing apparatus 2 using the second algorithm based on the ID and the positional information and stored in the memory 153K.

Further, in embodiment 1 of the present invention, the location information acquiring unit 15 acquires the destination information stored in the memory 18 as the location information, but is not limited thereto. For example, the position information acquiring unit 15 may have a GPS (Global Positioning System) function and acquire, as the destination information, a region including the position coordinates acquired by the GPS function.

In embodiment 1 of the present invention, when it is determined in step S411 that the cartridge S/N is already stored in the use status information of the storage unit 42 (yes), the use status code generation unit 43 determines whether or not there is a combination including the same machine information as the machine information included in the request signal in the use status information including the same cartridge S/N (step S417).

For example, when the serial numbers of the printing apparatuses are different and the manufacturers and the types are the same, the usage state code generating unit 43 may generate the first usage state code newly assuming that the same machine information is included. Thus, for example, companies are grouped by department, and the same type is arranged for the group, whereby the ink cartridges 150 can be shared among the groups.

In embodiment 1 of the present invention, the first collating means 12 collates the password (first collation information) generated by the password generating means 14 of the printing apparatus 2 based on the ID (consumable storage information) stored in the ink cartridge 150K with the first password (second collation information) generated based on the ID (consumable storage information) and stored in the memory 153K, but the first password used for the collation may be used only once. For example, when the first collation unit 12 determines that the collation matches, the first password used for the collation is stored in the memory 18, and the first password stored in the memory 18 is set as unusable. This can prevent, for example, a reduction in print quality and device failure due to the use of an ink cartridge in which a low-quality ink is refilled into a used ink cartridge.

In addition, for the collation performed by each of the first and

second collation units

12 and 13, a limit can be set on the time and the number of times until the collation is completed. Specifically, the first and

second collation units

12 and 13 store the number of times collation has been performed and the elapsed time from the first collation in the memory 18. The authentication unit 16 may authenticate the license when the number of times of collation performed in any of the first and

second collation units

12 and 13 exceeds the upper limit number of times or when the elapsed time from the first collation exceeds the upper limit time. This prevents each collation from being performed improperly by repeatedly inputting a password.

As described above, when the authentication unit 16 authenticates as the license, the usage state code at the time of authentication as the license may be stored in the memory 153K. In this case, when the use status code is stored in the memory 153K, the determination unit 19 may determine whether or not the ink cartridge 150K is used for the first time based on the number-of-times information of the ink cartridge 150K included in the stored use status code. Thus, the user can perform the authorization authentication of the ink cartridge 150K without inputting the use status code from the operation panel 30.

In embodiment 1 of the present invention, the authentication unit 16 authenticates the ink cartridge 150 as being permitted when it is determined that the results of the collation by the first and

second collation units

12 and 13 are both identical and it is determined by the determination unit 19 that the ink cartridge 150 is first mounted, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the ink cartridge 150 is authenticated as permitted a predetermined number of times in succession, the authentication unit 16 may omit both or either of the results of the comparison by the first and

second comparison units

12 and 13 for the specific user who requests the authentication.

In example 1 of the present invention, an inkjet printing apparatus including an ink cartridge as a consumable part is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any printing apparatus including a consumable part, such as a stencil printing apparatus including a stencil ink cartridge and a stencil master as a consumable part, or an electrophotographic apparatus including a toner bottle as a consumable part, may be applied to the printing apparatus of any printing system.

The present invention has, for example, the following structure.

(attached note 1)

The printing apparatus mounts a consumable having a memory, and performs printing using the mounted consumable. The printing device includes: a first collation unit that collates first collation information, which is static information generated by the printing apparatus based on the consumable part storage information stored in the memory, with second collation information, which is information generated based on the consumable part storage information and stored in the memory; a second collation unit that collates third collation information, which is information generated by the printing apparatus based on the acquisition information of the printing apparatus, with fourth collation information, which is information generated based on the acquisition information of the consumable part and stored in the memory; a determination unit that determines whether or not the consumable part is initially mounted to the printing apparatus based on the number of times of mounting corresponding to the printing apparatus acquired from a server having use status information including the number of times of mounting of the consumable part in use in each printing apparatus; and an authentication unit that authenticates the consumable as a license when it is determined by the first comparison unit that the first comparison information matches the second comparison information, it is determined by the second comparison unit that the third comparison information matches the fourth comparison information, and it is determined by the determination unit that the consumable is first installed.

Accordingly, if neither the multi-stage collation by the first collation section 12 or the second collation section 13 nor the judgment by the judgment section 19 is established, the authentication is not permitted, and therefore the accuracy of the authentication can be improved.

In addition, when it is determined that the consumable part is not first mounted, it can be presumed that the consumable part of inappropriate quality (the ink cartridge refilled with ink of inappropriate quality after the ink cartridge has been used up) is mounted again after the consumable part is mounted and used up (for example, after the ink cartridge has been used up) at one time, and since the authentication is not permitted, the consumable part can be prevented from being improperly reused.

This can improve the accuracy of authentication, and therefore, it is possible to reliably recognize the print medium without using an inappropriate consumable, and thus it is possible to prevent a reduction in print quality and a device failure.

(attached note 2)

A server device is provided with: a storage unit that stores usage state information in which printing apparatus identification information for identifying each printing apparatus, consumable item identification information for identifying a consumable item attached to each printing apparatus, and the number of times of attachment indicating the number of times the consumable item is attached to each printing apparatus are associated with each other; a usage information registration unit that, when predetermined consumable identification information and predetermined printing apparatus identification information are input and the predetermined consumable identification information is not stored in the storage unit, causes the storage unit to store usage information in which the predetermined consumable identification information and the predetermined printing apparatus identification information are associated with a first number of times of installation; and a transmission unit that transmits, in response to a request for the usage information, the requested usage information among the usage information stored in the storage unit.

Therefore, when the consumable supply information is not stored in the storage unit of the server device, it can be said that the consumable supply is first installed, and therefore the number of times of installation indicating the first time is stored. Thus, in the case of initial mounting, since it is determined that the consumable part is appropriate, an inappropriate consumable part is not used, and thus print quality and the like can be ensured.

(attached note 3)

In the server device described in supplementary note 2, when predetermined consumable part identification information and predetermined printing device identification information are input to the server device and the predetermined consumable part identification information is stored in the storage unit, the use state information registration means determines the number of times of installation corresponding to the predetermined consumable part identification information and the predetermined printing device identification information as the use state information to be stored in the storage unit, based on the printing device identification information corresponding to the predetermined consumable part identification information in the storage unit and the input predetermined printing device identification information.

(attached note 4)

The consumable is attached to the printing apparatus and has a memory. The consumable includes: a first collation unit that collates first collation information, which is static information generated by the printing apparatus based on the consumable part storage information stored in the memory, with second collation information, which is information generated based on the consumable part storage information and stored in the memory; a second collation unit that collates third collation information, which is information generated by the printing apparatus based on the acquisition information of the printing apparatus, with fourth collation information, which is information generated based on the acquisition information of the consumable part and stored in the memory; a determination unit that determines whether or not the consumable part is initially mounted to the printing apparatus based on the number of times of mounting corresponding to the printing apparatus acquired from a server having use status information including the number of times of mounting of the consumable part in use in each printing apparatus; and an authentication unit that authenticates the consumable as being permitted when the first comparison unit determines that the first comparison information matches the second comparison information, the second comparison unit determines that the third comparison information matches the fourth comparison information, and the determination unit determines that the consumable is first installed. The memory stores the second collation information for use in collation by the first collation unit, the fourth collation information for use in collation by the second collation unit, and the use condition information when authenticated as permission by the authentication unit. In a case where the usage information is stored in the memory, the determination unit determines whether the consumable is initially installed based on the number of times of installation included in the stored usage information.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus that mounts a consumable having a memory and performs printing using the mounted consumable, the printing apparatus comprising:

a first collation unit that collates first collation information that is static information generated by the printing apparatus based on the consumable part storage information stored in the memory with second collation information that is information generated based on the consumable part storage information and stored in the memory;

a second collation unit that collates third collation information, which is information generated by the printing apparatus based on acquisition information of the printing apparatus, with fourth collation information, which is information generated based on acquisition information of the consumable and stored in the memory;

a determination unit that determines whether or not the consumable is initially installed in the printing apparatus based on the number of times of installation corresponding to the printing apparatus acquired from a server that includes usage status information including the number of times of installation of the consumable in use in each printing apparatus; and

An authentication unit that authenticates the consumable as a license when the first comparison unit determines that the first comparison information matches the second comparison information, the second comparison unit determines that the third comparison information matches the fourth comparison information, and the determination unit determines that the consumable is first installed.

2. A server device is provided with:

a storage unit that stores usage state information in which printing apparatus identification information for identifying each printing apparatus, consumable item identification information for identifying a consumable item attached to each printing apparatus, and the number of times of attachment indicating the number of times the consumable item is attached to each printing apparatus are associated with each other;

a usage information registration unit that, when predetermined consumable identification information and predetermined printing apparatus identification information are input and the predetermined consumable identification information is not stored in the storage unit, causes the storage unit to store usage information in which the predetermined consumable identification information and the predetermined printing apparatus identification information are associated with a first number of times of installation; and

And a transmission unit that transmits the requested use state information among the use state information stored in the storage unit, in response to the request for use state information.

3. The server apparatus according to claim 2,

when predetermined consumable identification information and predetermined printing apparatus identification information are input to the server apparatus and the predetermined consumable identification information is stored in the storage unit, the use status information registration means determines the number of times of installation corresponding to the predetermined consumable identification information and the predetermined printing apparatus identification information as the use status information to be stored in the storage unit, based on the printing apparatus identification information corresponding to the predetermined consumable identification information in the storage unit and the input predetermined printing apparatus identification information.

4. A consumable mounted on a printing apparatus and having a memory, the consumable comprising:

an authentication unit that authenticates the consumable as being permitted if the first comparison unit determines that the first comparison information matches the second comparison information, the second comparison unit determines that the third comparison information matches the fourth comparison information, and the determination unit determines that the consumable is first installed,

wherein the memory stores the second collation information for use in collation by the first collation unit, the fourth collation information for use in collation by the second collation unit, and the use condition information when authenticated as permission by the authentication unit,

In a case where the usage information is stored in the memory, the determination unit determines whether the consumable is initially installed based on the number of times of installation included in the stored usage information.