JP2001215779A - Toner cartridge and image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To identify a toner cartridge being illicitly recycled to inhibit the use of the toner cartridge. SOLUTION: In this invention, it is judged whether a toner cartridge 107 is normally produced or re-charged by determining the residual toner quantity, by referring to the use history information on a toner cartridge 107 including the toner residual quantity information stored in a storing means 113 being detachably held by the toner cartridge 107 and comparing it with the actual toner quantity detected by a toner detecting means 112.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a replaceable toner cartridge and an image recording apparatus for recording an image using the toner cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a toner cartridge (including a process cartridge) replaceable for an image recording apparatus.
Conventionally, when the toner in the toner cartridge runs out, the toner cartridge has been removed from the image recording apparatus and discarded. Then, a new toner cartridge is mounted on the image recording apparatus, and the image recording apparatus has been used.

However, in recent years, importance has been placed on effective use of resources and reduction of running costs for users. Therefore, by refilling the toner cartridge with the toner, the toner cartridge is recycled.

Further, when recycling a toner cartridge, maintenance such as checking various parts and replacing deteriorated parts is performed. As a result, the quality of the toner cartridge is maintained.

[0005]

However, in recent years,
A recycler other than an authorized recycler or a general user refills the toner in the toner cartridge. As a result, a cartridge other than a cartridge recycled by an authorized recycler is distributed, which is disadvantageous for the authorized recycler.

[0006] Although authorized recycling companies are familiar with the structure of toner cartridges, general users and the like do not understand the structure of toner cartridges. Therefore, when an authorized recycler recycles the toner cartridge, the maintenance of the toner cartridge can be performed accurately, but a general user or the like cannot perform accurate maintenance of the toner cartridge. Use of a toner cartridge for which accurate maintenance has not been performed causes various problems such as an inability to accurately record an image. This not only causes a disadvantage to the user, but also causes a disadvantage that the reliability of the manufacturer of the image recording apparatus decreases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus which can identify an illegally recycled toner cartridge and cannot use an illegally recycled toner cartridge. .

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge having a toner remaining amount obtained by referring to toner cartridge usage history information including toner remaining amount information stored in a storage unit detachably held in the toner cartridge. By comparing the amount and the actual amount of toner detected by the toner detection unit,
It is now determined whether the toner cartridge has been properly manufactured or refilled.

Thus, it can be easily determined that the toner in the toner cartridge has been illegally refilled.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A toner cartridge according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a toner storage unit for storing toner, a toner supply unit for sending out the toner stored in the toner storage unit to the outside, Storage means for storing usage history information including remaining amount information and an identification number;
Before mounting on the image recording apparatus, the storage unit is held so as to cover the storage unit, and after mounting on the image recording apparatus, the storage unit is held in an exposed state.

According to this configuration, the usage history information of the toner cartridge can be stored in the toner cartridge. Further, since the storage means can be removed from the toner cartridge only when the toner cartridge is removed from the image recording apparatus, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the use history information from being rewritten.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the toner cartridge according to the first aspect, the identification number is encrypted.

In this manner, by encrypting the identification number of the toner cartridge, it is possible to prevent the use history information from being illegally rewritten.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus, comprising: a toner storage unit for storing toner; a toner supply unit for sending out the toner stored in the toner storage unit to the outside; , Storage means for storing use history information and an identification number, and recording means for recording various kinds of information on recording paper using toner supplied from the toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge A storage member that retains the storage unit readable from the storage unit, a toner detection unit that detects an amount of toner stored in the toner storage unit, and the storage unit that is removed from the storage unit. Comparing the toner remaining amount information stored in the read storage unit with the toner amount detected by the toner detection unit; , Equipped with a, a determination unit, wherein the toner cartridge to determine whether illegal.

As described above, by comparing the toner remaining amount information obtained by referring to the toner use history information stored in the storage means with the actual toner amount detected by the toner detection means, the illegal toner can be obtained. The cartridge can be easily recognized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus comprising: a toner storage unit for storing toner; a toner supply unit for sending out the toner stored in the toner storage unit to the outside; And a storage unit for storing use history information and a personalized identification number, and a recording unit for recording various types of information on recording paper using toner supplied from the toner cartridge. A holding member for holding the storage contents of the storage unit in a readable manner, a decryption information storage unit storing decryption information of the encrypted identification number of the toner cartridge, and the storage unit reading the storage unit. By judging whether or not the identification number of the toner cartridge can be decrypted using the decryption information, the toner cartridge is Determining means for determining whether or not, equipped with a.

With this configuration, an unauthorized toner cartridge can be recognized also by the identification number of the toner cartridge stored in the storage means. In addition, by encrypting the identification number of the toner cartridge, it is possible to reliably recognize the storage unit that has been illegally rewritten.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus according to any one of the third and fourth aspects,
When the determination unit determines that the toner cartridge is invalid, information indicating that the toner cartridge is invalid is recorded in the storage unit.

As described above, by storing the illegal toner cartridge information, when the same illegal toner cartridge is mounted next time, it is possible to easily identify that the toner cartridge is illegal.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, the toner use history information of the toner cartridge is stored every time the recording means is used. Update.

With this configuration, new data is constantly stored in the toner cartridge. Thus, even if the toner cartridge is illegally extracted from the image recording apparatus, the toner use history at the time when the toner cartridge is extracted can be recorded. Therefore, the toner remaining amount information stored in the storage means,
The actual remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge always matches. In this way, it is possible to reliably determine whether the toner cartridge is an illegally recycled toner cartridge.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image recording apparatus according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, wherein usage history information including remaining toner amount information of the installed toner cartridge and identification information are provided. A toner cartridge information storage unit for storing a number, wherein the determination unit refers to the toner cartridge information storage unit when the toner cartridge is newly installed, and reads the storage read through the holding unit. Determining whether the identification number of the newly mounted toner cartridge stored in the means is stored in the toner cartridge information storage means, and determining the identification number of the newly mounted toner cartridge in the toner cartridge information storage means. If stored in the storage means, the toner cartridge information stored in the toner cartridge information storage means Reading the remaining amount of toner corresponding to another number, the toner cartridge newly mounted is compared with the stored amount of remaining toner is determined whether or not illegal in the storage means.

With this configuration, when the identification number of the newly mounted toner cartridge is stored in the toner cartridge information storage unit, the remaining amount of toner can be obtained by referring to the toner cartridge storage unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to detect the remaining amount of toner by using the toner detecting means, so that the process of identifying an unauthorized toner cartridge can be speeded up.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image recording apparatus according to any one of the third to seventh aspects, wherein the recording means is used only when the storage means of a proper toner cartridge is held. Make it work.

With this configuration, even when the user mistakenly mounts the unauthorized toner cartridge in the image recording apparatus, the image recording apparatus does not start the recording operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent a recording operation from being performed by mistake using an unauthorized toner cartridge.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to any one of the third to eighth aspects, the toner cartridge is held so as to cover the storage means before being mounted. On the other hand, after being mounted, the storage means is held in an exposed state.

With this configuration, before the toner cartridge is mounted, the storage unit is covered. This prevents the storage means from being removed in this state.
That is, it is possible to prevent the contents of the storage unit from being rewritten.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting / receiving means for communicating with another facsimile apparatus, an image reading means for reading an image to be transmitted via the transmitting / receiving means, and an image transmitted through the transmitting / receiving means. And a facsimile apparatus which is the image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 9.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the use history information including the remaining amount information of the toner stored in the toner cartridge stored in the storage means detachably held in the toner cartridge is referred to. Comparing the obtained remaining amount of toner with the actual amount of toner detected by toner detection means to determine whether the toner cartridge has been properly manufactured or refilled; Is the way.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the configuration of the facsimile apparatus according to the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

The facsimile apparatus 100 has a main control unit 1
01 is provided. The main control unit 101 is, for example, a CP
U (central processing unit) or the like, and executes a target process according to a program stored in the storage means.

The facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with a FROM 102 and a RAM 103 as storage means.

The FROM 102 is composed of a flash memory which is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory which can be erased and rewritten. The FROM 102 stores a basic program such as a startup program. The FAX 102 stores a FAX serial number 125 for recognizing the facsimile apparatus 100.

The FAX serial number 125 is a unique identification number assigned to each facsimile machine 100. F
The AX serial number 125 is given at the stage of manufacturing the facsimile machine 100. FAX serial number 12
5 is non-rewritable.

The information stored in the FROM 102 is sent to the main controller 101 via the system bus 120. Further, since the FROM 102 is a non-volatile memory, it also functions as a backup memory when the power is shut off.

The RAM 103 is composed of a volatile semiconductor memory which is erasable and rewritable and operates at a higher speed than the FROM 102. The RAM 103 is a main control unit 1
A work memory 01 stores various data such as programs stored in the FROM 102 via the system bus 120. The main control unit 101 reads information stored in the RAM 103 as necessary and executes various processes.

The facsimile apparatus 100 includes a network control unit 122 and a facsimile communication modem 12 as transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information to / from another facsimile apparatus.
3 (hereinafter referred to as a modem).

The network control unit 122 is a public line network (hereinafter referred to as P
STN). A communication unit such as a handset (not shown) is connected to the network control unit 122. Thereby, the facsimile machine 100 also has a function as a telephone device.

The modem 123 performs data communication and facsimile communication via the PSTN. Also, the modem 12
Step 3 also digitizes the audio signal. The main control unit 101 receives information from another facsimile machine via the system bus 120. Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with an interface unit 105 for transmitting and receiving information to and from the PC 104.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with an image reading section 124 which is an image reading means for transmitting the image to another facsimile apparatus and the PC 104. The image read by the image reading unit 124 is
The data is sent to the main control unit 101 via the system bus 120. The main control unit 101 transmits the image transmitted via the transmission / reception unit and the interface unit 105 to another facsimile apparatus or the PC 104.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with an image recording unit 106 which is a recording means for recording various data such as images and texts transmitted from another facsimile apparatus or the PC 104 on recording paper. Data sent from another facsimile apparatus or PC 104 is input to facsimile apparatus 100 via interface section 105. This data is sent to the image recording unit 106 via the system bus 120. The image recording unit 106 records the transmitted data on recording paper in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 101 transmitted via the system bus 120.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with a cartridge storage section 108 for detachably storing a toner cartridge 107 storing toner used in the image recording section 106.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with a cartridge detecting section 109 for detecting that the toner cartridge 107 is stored in the cartridge storing section 108. The cartridge detection unit 109 is provided with an A point sensor 110 and a B point sensor 111. A
The point sensor 110 is provided near the insertion opening of the cartridge storage unit 108, and detects that the insertion of the toner cartridge 107 has been started. On the other hand, the B point sensor 11
Reference numeral 1 is provided at the back of the cartridge storage unit 108 and detects that the toner cartridge 107 is completely stored in the cartridge storage unit 108. Information detected by the cartridge detection unit 109 is sent to the main control unit 101 via the system bus 120.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with a toner detecting unit 112 for detecting the amount of toner stored in the cartridge storing unit 108. Then, the toner amount information detected by the toner detection unit 112 is sent to the main control unit 101 via the system bus 120.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with an opening / closing door 121 which can be opened and closed with respect to the facsimile apparatus 100 so that maintenance inside the facsimile apparatus 100 such as the toner cartridge 107 stored therein can be easily performed. Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with a door open / close detector 119 for detecting the open / close state of the open / close door 121. The result detected by the door opening / closing detection unit 119 is sent to the main control unit 101 via the system bus 120.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with an IC card slot 114 for storing an IC card 113 in which various information can be read and written. I
The C card slot 114 has a card writing unit 115
And a card reading unit 116 are provided.

The IC card 113 is also stored in the toner cartridge 107 as described later. The IC card 113 includes the toner cartridge 1
A toner cartridge serial number 126 which is information for recognizing 07 is stored.

Toner cartridge serial number 126
Is provided for each toner cartridge 107. The toner cartridge serial number 126 is given when the toner cartridge 107 is manufactured. Further, the toner cartridge serial number 126 can be rewritten only by an authorized dealer. Further, the toner cartridge serial number 126 is stored in the IC card 113 in an encrypted state based on a predetermined rule. This encrypted cartridge serial number 12
6 is stored in the FROM 102.

[0049] The card writing unit 115 includes the main control unit 10.
The information about the toner cartridge 107, such as toner amount information, transmitted from the PC 1 through the system bus 120 is written to the IC card 113. On the other hand, the card reading unit 116 reads various information such as information of the toner cartridge 107 stored in the IC card 113, and transmits the read information to the main control unit 1 via the system bus 120.
Send to 01.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with an operation unit 117 for performing various inputs. Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with a display section 118 for visually displaying various kinds of information such as the contents of operations performed by the operation section 117 and the processing contents of the facsimile apparatus 100. Thus, the operator can easily perform a predetermined operation while viewing the information displayed on the display unit 118.

Next, the configuration of the toner cartridge 107 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment.

The toner cartridge 107 has an IC card slot 201 into which the IC card 113 is inserted. A slide shutter 203 is provided near the insertion slot of the IC card slot 201. The slide shutter 203 has a structure that can be opened and closed with respect to the IC card 113 inserted into the IC card slot 201. Also, slide shutter 2
Reference numeral 03 denotes a state in which the toner cartridge 107 is completely removed from the facsimile apparatus 100 and completely covers the IC card 113. That is, in this state, the structure is such that the IC card 113 cannot be removed from the toner cartridge 107.

Further, the toner cartridge 107 is provided with a slide shutter drive unit 202 which drives the slide shutter 203 to open and close. The slide shutter drive unit 202 has a mechanical structure,
When the toner cartridge 107 is mounted on the facsimile apparatus 100, a part of the slide shutter driving unit 202 is cut off by a cutout 214 provided on the facsimile apparatus 100.
The slide shutter 203 is mechanically opened and closed by moving while engaging with. The slide shutter driving unit 202 is provided with a shutter lock member 215. The shutter lock member 215 regulates the movement of the slide shutter 203 before the toner cartridge 107 is mounted on the facsimile apparatus 100. That is, the shutter lock member 215 locks with the slide shutter 203 closed. Then, the toner cartridge 107 is moved to the facsimile machine 10.
0, the shutter lock member 21
The shutter lock member 215 unlocks the slide shutter 203 when a part of the shutter 5 contacts a part of the facsimile apparatus 100.

The toner cartridge 107 has an I
An IC card detection member driving unit 205 that drives the IC card detection member 204 in conjunction with the operation of removing the IC card 113 from the C card slot 201 is provided.
The IC card detection member driving unit 205 drives the IC card detection member 204 so as to protrude from the toner cartridge 107.

On the other hand, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with an IC card detecting section 206 for detecting the movement of the IC card detecting member 204. The IC card detection unit 206 detects the movement of the IC card detection member 204,
It is detected whether or not the IC card 113 has been removed from the IC card slot 201.

The toner cartridge 107 has an I
As the C card 113 is pulled out of the IC card slot 201, an apparatus lock member driving unit 208 that drives the apparatus lock member 207 to protrude from the toner cartridge 107 is provided. The device lock member driving unit 208 has a mechanical structure and drives the device lock member 207.

At a position facing the device lock member 207 of the facsimile device 100, there is provided a cartridge lock member 209 with which the device lock member 207 protruding from the toner cartridge 107 is engaged. As a result, the IC card 113 is
With the removal from the position 1, the device lock member 207 is engaged with the cartridge lock member 209, and the toner cartridge 107 is locked with respect to the facsimile device 100.

The toner cartridge 107 is provided with a toner hopper 210 for storing toner. On the other hand, the facsimile apparatus 100 is provided with a toner detection unit 112 for detecting the amount of toner in the toner hopper 210 of the stored toner cartridge 107.

The toner cartridge 107 is provided with a developing roller 212 which has a magnetic force and to which the charged toner stored in the toner hopper 210 adheres.
The developing roller 212 has a function of forming a toner layer on the surface with the toner stored in the toner hopper 210 and sending out the toner to the outside of the toner cartridge 107 by rotating.

On the other hand, the facsimile apparatus 100 forms a latent image by charging the surface by a charging unit (not shown) and exposing a light image from an optical unit (not shown). Photoconductor roller 213 for forming a toner image on the surface according to the latent image
Is provided. When the toner cartridge 107 is completely stored in the facsimile apparatus 100, the developing roller 212 and the photosensitive roller 213 are in contact with each other. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing this state.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 only allows the image recording section 106 to be inserted when the IC card 113 is inserted and the stored toner cartridge 107 can be determined to be valid from the stored contents of the IC card 113. To perform a recording operation. As a result, the facsimile apparatus 100 cannot be used except for the regular toner cartridge 107.
Therefore, the user mistakenly makes the wrong toner cartridge 10
Even when the facsimile machine 7 is mounted on the facsimile apparatus 100, the facsimile apparatus 100 does not start the recording operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the recording operation from being performed by mistake using the unauthorized toner cartridge 107.

Next, the slide shutter 203 and the slide shutter drive section 202 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c).

The slide shutter 203 is formed by a pair of fan-shaped side portions 305 provided on both side surfaces of the toner cartridge 107 and a curved portion 304 connecting the arc portions of the side portions 305. The slide shutter 203 is moved by the curved surface portion 304 by the IC card 113.
Is to be covered. Also, slide shutter 2
03, a slide shutter 203 is provided for the IC card 11;
A biasing means (not shown) for biasing in a direction to cover 3 is connected. Thus, when no force is applied to the slide shutter 203, the slide shutter 203
The card 113 is covered.

A rotating shaft 300 is provided near the end of the side surface 305 opposite to the curved surface 304. The slide shutter 203 is configured to rotate around a rotation shaft 300.

On the other hand, the slide shutter driving section 202
An arm portion 301 having one end connected near the rotation shaft 300 of the slide shutter 203;
And a substantially circular protruding portion 302 provided at the other end.

The projection 3 of the facsimile machine 100
A cutout 214 is provided in a portion facing 02. The width of the cutout 214 is larger than the diameter of the protrusion 302.

Next, the slide shutter driving section 202
However, the operation of opening and closing the slide shutter 203 will be described.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a state of the toner cartridge 107 before being mounted on the facsimile apparatus 100. In this state, the slide shutter 203
The IC card 113 is covered. Also, the protrusion 302
Is in a state where a person does not touch it. Specifically, the cutout 214 is formed of a thin flat plate, the protrusion 302 is covered with a cover (not shown), and only the cutout 214 contacts the protrusion 302. Gaps are formed to prevent human contact. In this state, the shutter lock member 215 shown in FIG.

From this state, the toner cartridge 107
Is further inserted into the facsimile apparatus 100, the protrusion 302 comes into contact with the inner side of the cutout 214. Then, with the protrusion 302 in contact with the cutout 214,
When the toner cartridge 107 is in the cartridge storage unit 108
Of the slide shutter 203 through the arm 301,
A force is applied in a direction to open the slide shutter 203, that is, in a direction to expose the IC card 113. As a result, the slide shutter 203 rotates about the rotation axis 300 and gradually opens with respect to the IC card 113. FIG.
FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a state of the toner cartridge 107 in this state.

When the toner cartridge 107 further advances inside the facsimile apparatus 100, the slide shutter 203
2, it opens further. When the toner cartridge 107 is completely stored in the cartridge storage unit 108, the slide shutter 203 is completely opened by the slide shutter driving unit 202.
Then, the IC card 113 is exposed inside the cutout 214. Thus, the operator can easily remove the IC card 113. FIG. 3C shows the state of the facsimile apparatus 1 of the toner cartridge 107 in this state.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state of the toner cartridge after being mounted on the toner cartridge.

As described above, before the toner cartridge 107 is mounted on the facsimile apparatus 100,
C card 113 is not removed. That is, the toner cartridge 107 can be extracted from the facsimile apparatus 100 only in a state where the toner cartridge 107 is integrated with the IC card 113.

Although the slide shutter 203 is locked by the shutter lock member 215 in this embodiment, the slide shutter 203 may not be provided. Even if the slide shutter 203 is not locked, the slide shutter 203 can prevent the IC card 113 from being pulled out just by covering the IC card 113.

Next, information on the toner cartridge 107 actually recorded on the IC card 113 will be described with reference to FIG.

The IC card 113 has a header section 400 storing usage history information of the toner cartridge 107 itself.
And a data unit 401 in which usage history information of the toner cartridge 107 related to the facsimile apparatus 100 is stored.

The header section 400 includes the IC card 11
Stored is usability information 402 indicating whether the toner cartridge 107 into which the cartridge 3 is inserted can be used in the facsimile apparatus 100, that is, whether or not the toner cartridge 107 is a legitimate product. The facsimile apparatus 100 can determine whether the toner cartridge 107 storing the IC card 113 is a legitimate product by referring to the availability information 402.

The header section 400 stores the reason information 403. The reason for refusal stored in the refusal reason information 403 is that there is no toner, the remaining amount of toner stored in the IC card 113 described later is different from the remaining amount of toner detected by the toner detection unit 112, and the toner cartridge serial number 126 is incorrect. , The IC card 113 is defective, the toner cartridge 107 is defective, and the facsimile apparatus 100 has some abnormality.

The header section 400 contains the IC card 1
13 is the last date when toner was loaded into the toner cartridge 107 in which the toner cartridge 13 was inserted.
4 is stored. By referring to the toner loading date information 404, it is possible to know the degree of deterioration of the toner stored in the toner cartridge 107. Thereby, it is possible to determine the toner replacement time.

The header section 400 includes toner recycle count information 405 indicating the number of recycles of the toner cartridge 107, toner total use amount information 406 indicating the total amount of toner used so far in the toner cartridge 107, and the toner cartridge Total used number information 407 indicating the total number of recording sheets printed in 107
And are stored. The facsimile apparatus 100 can know the consumables of the toner cartridge 107, for example, the degree of deterioration of the developing roller 212, by referring to the toner recycle count information 405, the total toner use amount information 406, and the total use number information 407. Thus, it is possible to know when to replace the consumables of the toner cartridge 107.

The header section 400 contains toner usage information 41 indicating the toner usage since the toner was filled.
5 and used number information 416 indicating the used number. The facsimile apparatus 100 can know the toner refill time and the recycle time of the toner cartridge 107 by referring to the toner use amount information 415 and the use number information 416.

On the other hand, in the data section 401, the facsimile apparatus 100 in which the toner cartridge 107 has been stored.
FAX serial number information 408, which is the history of the FAX serial number 125, is stored. Data section 4
01, start date information 409, which is the date information when the toner cartridge 107 started using the facsimile apparatus 100 corresponding to the FAX serial number information 408, and end date, which is the date information when the use of the facsimile apparatus 100 ended. Information 410 is stored. By referring to the start date information 409 and the end date information 410, the facsimile apparatus 100 can understand the usage status such as which toner cartridge 107 has been used for what period.

The data section 401 contains start date information 4
The start toner remaining amount information 411 and the end toner remaining amount information 412 corresponding to 09 and the end date information 410 are stored. Further, the data section 401 stores toner usage information 413 indicating the toner usage used in the facsimile machine 100. Further, the data section 401 stores used number information 414 indicating the number of recording sheets used for recording in the facsimile apparatus 100. Also, 255 sets of sets of FAX serial number information 408, start date information 409, end date information 410, start toner remaining amount information 411, end toner remaining amount information 412, toner used amount information 413, and used number information 414 are stored. I can do it.

The information on the toner cartridge recorded on the IC card 113 is stored in the facsimile apparatus 10.
0 is updated each time the recording operation is performed. Thereby, IC
New data is constantly stored in the card 113.
Thereby, even if the toner cartridge 107 is illegally extracted from the facsimile apparatus 100, the usage history of the toner cartridge at the time when the toner cartridge 107 is extracted can be recorded. As a result, the unauthorized toner cartridge 107 can be reliably identified.

Further, the FAX serial number 125 already stored in the data unit 401 is stored in the toner cartridge 107.
When used in the facsimile apparatus 100 having the same FAX serial number 125 as
The latest usage status is overwritten on the corresponding part of the AX serial number information 408. Thus, the storage area of the IC card 113 can be used effectively.

The facsimile apparatus 100 has FAX serial number information 408, start date information 409, and end date information 41.
By referring to 0, the toner remaining amount information 411 at the start, the toner remaining amount information 412 at the end, the toner usage amount information 413, and the used number information 414, the usage status of the toner cartridge 107 can be grasped.

In particular, the facsimile apparatus 100 can refer to the current toner remaining amount of the toner cartridge 107 by referring to the ending toner amount information 412 corresponding to the ending date information 410 indicating the last ending date. it can.

The information stored in the data section 401 is deleted when the toner in the toner cartridge 107 is refilled. Thus, the remaining toner amount of the toner cartridge 107 can be accurately determined.

Next, the FROM of the facsimile apparatus 100
This facsimile machine 10 stored in the
The toner cartridge information 500 which is the information of the toner cartridge 107 used at 0 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the toner cartridge information 500, cartridge serial number information 501 indicating the serial number of the toner cartridge 107 used so far is stored. The cartridge serial number information 501 is the toner cartridge serial number 126 after decryption. Further, the toner cartridge information 500 includes start date information 502 which is the date information when the use of the toner cartridge 107 corresponding to the cartridge serial number information 501 is started, and end date information which is the date information when the use of the toner cartridge 107 is ended. 503 are stored.

The toner cartridge information 500 includes start toner amount information 504 and end toner amount information 505 corresponding to the start date information 502 and the end date information 503.
Is stored. Further, toner cartridge information 5
00 stores toner usage information 506 indicating the toner usage of the toner cartridge 107. Further, in the toner cartridge information 500, used number information 507 indicating the number of recording sheets used when recording with the toner cartridge 107 is stored.
Also, cartridge serial number information 501, start date information 502, end date information 503, start toner remaining amount information 5
04, 255 sets of the end-of-time toner remaining amount information 505, the used toner amount information 506, and the used number information 507 can be stored.

The toner cartridge information 500 includes:
It is updated each time the facsimile apparatus 100 performs a recording operation. Accordingly, the toner cartridge information 500 includes
New data is constantly stored. As a result, even if the toner cartridge 107 is illegally extracted from the facsimile apparatus 100, the usage history of the toner cartridge at the time of the extraction can be recorded. As a result, an unauthorized toner cartridge can be reliably identified.

Further, the toner cartridge information 50
Toner cartridge serial number 126 stored in 0
When the toner cartridge 107 having the same toner cartridge serial number 126 is used, the latest use status is overwritten on the portion corresponding to the already stored cartridge serial number information 501. Thereby, F
The storage area of the ROM 102 can be used effectively.

Hereinafter, the toner cartridge 107 is inserted into the facsimile
The operation of determining whether 07 is legitimate or not and removing the toner cartridge 107 from the facsimile apparatus 100 will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts of FIGS.

First, a process from insertion of the toner cartridge 107 into the facsimile apparatus 100 to insertion of the IC card 113 into the facsimile apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the main control unit 101 displays an instruction to insert the toner cartridge 107 into the cartridge storage unit 108 on the display unit 118 (ST101). next,
The main controller 101 monitors the point A sensor 110 and determines whether the toner cartridge 107 has passed the point A (S
T102). Since point A is near the entrance of the cartridge storage unit 108, it is possible to determine whether or not the insertion of the toner cartridge 107 into the cartridge storage unit has been started in the process of ST102. Then, the main control unit 101
Repeats the process of ST102 until it determines that the toner cartridge 107 has passed the point A.

Further, as described above, when the toner cartridge 107 is detached from the facsimile apparatus 100, the IC card 113
Completely covered. Thereby, in this state, the IC
The card 113 is prevented from being removed from the toner cartridge 107. That is, in this state, it is possible to prevent the stored contents of the IC card 113 from being rewritten.

Then, in ST102, the main control unit 1
01 determines that the toner cartridge 107 has passed the point A, the main control unit 101
Is displayed on the display unit 118 (ST103). At substantially the same time as the processing in ST103, the protrusion 302 of the slide shutter drive unit 202 of the toner cartridge 107 comes into contact with the cutout 214 of the facsimile apparatus 100. Then, the cutout 214 is formed by the protrusion 21 of the slide shutter drive unit 202.
4, a force is applied in a direction to open the slide shutter 203, that is, in a direction to expose the IC card 113.
As a result, the slide shutter 203 is
It starts to rotate around 0 and gradually opens to the IC card 113 (ST104).

Next, the main control unit 101 needs to determine whether the slide shutter 203 is completely opened. Therefore, main controller 101 monitors point B sensor 111 to determine whether toner cartridge 107 has passed point B (ST105). This is because the storage of the toner cartridge 107 ends when the toner cartridge 107 reaches the point B, and the slide shutter drive unit 202 fully opens the slide shutter 203 in accordance with the end of the storage of the toner cartridge 107. Because there is. Then, main controller 101 repeats the process of ST 105 until toner cartridge 107 passes point B.

Then, in ST105, the main control unit 1
Almost at the same time when 01 determines that the toner cartridge 107 has passed the point B, the slide shutter drive unit 202 ends the drive of the slide shutter 203 (ST10).
6).

Next, since the facsimile apparatus 100 does not start the recording operation unless the IC card 113 is inserted into the facsimile apparatus 100, the IC card 113 is removed from the toner cartridge 107, and the facsimile apparatus 100
Must be inserted into

For this reason, the main control unit 101 takes out the IC card 113 from the IC card slot 201 of the toner cartridge 107 and outputs the IC card 113 of the facsimile apparatus 100.
The display unit 118 displays that the card is to be inserted into the card slot 114 (ST107). Then, the main control unit 101
It is determined whether the C card 113 has been removed from the IC card slot 201 of the toner cartridge 107 (ST1).
08). Specifically, when the IC card 113 is removed from the IC card slot 201 of the toner cartridge 107, the IC card detection member driving unit 205 drives the IC card detection member 204 so as to protrude from the toner cartridge 107. The detection is performed by the IC card detection unit 206 of the facsimile apparatus 100 detecting the projecting IC card detection member 204.

Then, the main controller 101 controls the IC card 1
ST1 until 13 is inserted into the facsimile machine 100
Step 08 is repeated.

Then, in ST108, main control unit 1
At approximately the same time when the 01 determines that the IC card 113 has been removed from the toner cartridge 107, the device lock member drive unit 208 drives the device lock member 207 to protrude from the toner cartridge 107. Then, the device lock member 207 engages with the cartridge lock member 209 of the facsimile device 100. Thus, the toner cartridge 107 is fixed to the facsimile machine 100 (ST109). That is, the IC card 113
When the toner cartridge 107 is removed from the card slot 201, the toner cartridge 107 cannot be removed from the facsimile apparatus 100. Therefore, the IC card 113 can be removed from the toner cartridge 107 only when the toner cartridge 107 is stored in the facsimile apparatus 100. This prevents the toner cartridge 107 from falling out of the facsimile apparatus 100 when the IC card 113 is pulled out of the IC card slot 201.

Next, the main controller 101 controls the IC card 11
3 is an IC card slot 11 of the facsimile apparatus 100
4 is determined (ST110). Then, main controller 101 repeats the process of ST 110 until IC card 113 is inserted into IC card slot 114. Thus, the mounting of the toner cartridge 107 and the IC card 113 is completed (ST11).
1).

As described above, the reason why the IC card 113 can be removed from the toner cartridge 107 is as follows.
This is only when the toner cartridge 107 is stored in the facsimile apparatus 100. That is, only in this state, the stored contents of the IC card 113 can be rewritten. Therefore, in the recycling stage of the toner cartridge 107, the stored contents of the IC card 113 cannot be rewritten unless the toner cartridge 107 is disassembled. In other words, in the recycling stage of the toner cartridge 107, the contents of the IC card 113 cannot be rewritten unless a proper recycling company is used.

Here, information such as the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge 107 is stored in the IC card 113, and the facsimile apparatus 100 updates this information for each recording operation. The stored remaining toner amount information always matches the actual remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 107.

However, the toner cartridge 107
The toner remaining amount information stored in the IC card 113 does not match the actual remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 107. In this way, the facsimile apparatus 100 is used to store the stored toner cartridge 10
7 can be easily determined to be illegally recycled toner.

Hereinafter, processing for comparing the data stored in the IC card 113 with the data stored in the facsimile apparatus 100 and distinguishing the unauthorized toner cartridge 107 from the legitimate toner cartridge 107 will be described with reference to FIG. This will be described in detail.

First, the main controller 101 controls the IC card 11
It is determined whether or not the toner cartridge 107 can be used with reference to the availability information 402 stored in No. 3 (ST2).
01).

Then, in ST201, the main control unit 1
01 determines that the toner cartridge 107 cannot be used, the reason why the toner cartridge 107 cannot be used is whether the toner cartridge 107 is an invalid cartridge 107 or simply the toner cartridge 1.
It is necessary to judge whether or not it can be used due to a defect of 07. For this reason, next, the main control unit 101 refers to the non-permission reason information 403 stored in the IC card 113 and determines whether the non-usable reason is a mechanical reason (ST202). In particular,
Unusable reasons are that the IC card 113 is defective, the toner cartridge 107 is defective, there is no remaining toner,
Then, it is determined whether the facsimile apparatus 100 has any abnormality or the like.

Then, in ST202, main control unit 1
When 01 determines that the unusable information is a mechanical reason, the main control unit 101 displays on the display unit 118 what the unusable reason is (ST203). Then, it is determined that the toner cartridge 107 cannot be used, and the process ends (ST204).

On the other hand, in ST202, main control unit 10
1 determines that the reason why the toner cartridge 107 cannot be used is not a mechanical reason,
07 recognizes an unauthorized toner cartridge and displays on the display unit 118 that the toner cartridge 107 is unauthorized (ST205). Then, the process proceeds to ST204.

By displaying the information indicating that the toner cartridge 107 is unusable, the user can easily determine whether the toner cartridge 107 is unauthorized.

On the other hand, in ST201, main control unit 10
If 1 determines that the toner cartridge 107 is usable, the main control unit 101 determines whether the toner cartridge serial number 126 stored in the IC card 113 is valid (ST206).

More specifically, the toner cartridge serial number 126 is encrypted by a public key method.
On the other hand, the FROM 102 of the facsimile apparatus 100
Stores information for decrypting an encrypted one called a secret key. The main control unit 101 decrypts the encrypted toner cartridge serial number 126 using the secret key. Then, the main control unit 101 determines whether the decrypted toner cartridge serial number 126 is the same as the serial number format of the facsimile apparatus 100. Then, if the decrypted toner cartridge serial number 126 is the same as the serial number format of the facsimile apparatus 100, the main control unit 101
It is determined that the toner cartridge serial number 126 is appropriate.

On the other hand, if the toner cartridge serial number 126 of the IC card 113 has been illegally rewritten, the secret key stored in the facsimile apparatus 100 cannot be decrypted, and a decryption error occurs. Therefore, the IC card 113 in which the toner cartridge serial number 126 has been illegally rewritten can be determined by a decoding error.
Therefore, the IC card 113 cannot be improperly improved.

As described above, by ensuring consistency between the IC card 113 and the facsimile apparatus 100,
It can be determined that the card 113 has been illegally rewritten. Thus, it can be determined that the toner cartridge 107 is also illegal.

Then, in ST206, main control unit 1
01 determines that the toner cartridge serial number 126 of the IC card 113 is not valid, the main control unit 101
Recognizes that the toner cartridge 107 is unauthorized. Then, the main control unit 101 controls the IC card 113
Is written into the use permission information 402 of "."
Then, the main control unit 101 further sets the reason information 403
Is written to the effect that the toner cartridge serial number 126 is invalid (ST207). As described above, the illegal toner cartridge information is stored in the toner cartridge 107, and when the same illegal toner cartridge 107 is used next time, the toner cartridge 107 can be easily identified as illegal.

Then, the information of the unauthorized toner cartridge 107 is also written in the toner cartridge information 500 of the facsimile apparatus 100 (ST208). As a result, even in the facsimile apparatus 100, the illegal toner cartridge information is stored, and when the same illegal toner cartridge is used next time, this toner cartridge 10
7 can be quickly identified as fraudulent.

Then, the main control unit 101 displays on the display unit 118 that the toner cartridge 107 is invalid.
(ST209), and proceeds to the process of ST204.

On the other hand, in ST206, main control unit 10
1 determines that the toner cartridge serial number 126 stored in the IC card 113 is valid, the IC card 1
It is necessary to check whether or not the toner cartridge 107 has been subjected to an illegal process instead of the process 13. Specifically, this means whether or not the toner in the toner cartridge 107 has been refilled. Therefore, a process is performed to determine whether the remaining toner amount of the toner cartridge 107 is the same as the remaining toner amount stored in the IC card 113. The facsimile machine 100 performs this processing efficiently. Hereinafter, this processing will be specifically described.

Main controller 101 determines whether toner cartridge serial number 126 is in the history of cartridge serial number information 501 stored in facsimile apparatus 100 (ST210). And ST21
0, the main control unit 101 determines that the toner cartridge serial number 126 is the cartridge serial number information 501.
When the main control unit 101 determines that the last use date exists, the main control unit 101 refers to the end date information 410 in the IC card 113 to detect the last use date. Then, the FAX serial number information 408 for the last use date is referred to. Then, the referenced F
It is determined whether the AX serial number is the same as the facsimile serial number of the facsimile apparatus 100 in which the toner cartridge 107 is currently stored (ST211). Referenced FAX
If the serial number is the same as the facsimile serial number of the facsimile apparatus 100 in which the toner cartridge 107 is currently stored, the end toner remaining amount for the last use date stored in the IC card 113 and the currently used toner amount are used. This is because the end toner remaining amount corresponding to the toner cartridge serial number information stored in the facsimile apparatus 100 should match.

Then, in ST208, main controller 1
01 is the facsimile machine 10 in which the referenced FAX serial number is currently stored in the toner cartridge 107.
If it is determined that it is the same as the FAX serial number of 0,
The remaining toner amount at the end of the last use date stored in the C card 113 and the currently used facsimile machine 1
The end remaining toner amount corresponding to the toner cartridge serial number information stored in 00 is compared. And
It is determined whether the comparison result is within a predetermined error range (ST
212). As described above, when the facsimile apparatus 100 has the usage history of the toner cartridge 107, it is not necessary to use the toner detection unit 112 to detect the remaining amount of toner. Therefore, the process of identifying an unauthorized toner cartridge can be sped up.

Then, in ST212, the main control unit 1
When 01 determines that the comparison result is within the error range, the toner cartridge 107 is recognized as a regular toner cartridge. Then, facsimile apparatus 100 is in a recording enabled state (ST213). Thus, even when the user mistakenly attaches the unauthorized toner cartridge 107 to the facsimile apparatus 100, the facsimile apparatus 100 automatically identifies the unauthorized cartridge,
Do not start the recording operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the recording operation from being performed by mistake using the unauthorized toner cartridge 107.

On the other hand, in ST212, main control unit 10
1 determines that the comparison result exceeds the predetermined error range, the main control unit 101 determines in ST207 to ST209 and S
The process of T204 is performed.

In ST210, main control unit 10
When the main control unit 101 determines that the toner cartridge serial number 126 is not in the history of the cartridge serial number information 501, the main control unit 101
07 is used in the facsimile apparatus 100 to speed up the comparison of the remaining amount of toner when the facsimile apparatus 100 is used.
The information of the toner cartridge 107 is added to the toner cartridge information 500 of 00 (ST214).

Then, in this case, the facsimile machine 10
Since there is no history regarding the toner cartridge 107 in the toner cartridge information 500 of 0, the main control unit 101
Is the toner remaining amount actually stored in the toner hopper 210 detected by the toner detecting unit 112 and the IC card 113
At the end of last use stored toner information 412 stored in
See Then, the actual toner remaining amount is compared with the end toner amount information 412 stored in the IC card 113. Then, it is determined whether or not the comparison result is within a predetermined error range (ST215).

If the main control unit 101 determines in ST215 that the comparison result is within the predetermined error range, the toner cartridge 107 is determined to be legitimate, and the process of ST210 is performed. On the other hand, in ST212, main control unit 10
If No. 1 determines that the comparison result is out of the predetermined error range, it is determined that the toner cartridge 107 is invalid, and ST2
The processing from 07 to ST209 and ST204 is performed.

In ST 211, main control unit 10
1 is a facsimile apparatus 100 in which the referenced FAX serial number is currently stored in the toner cartridge 107.
If it is not the same as the FAX serial number, the main control unit 101 proceeds to the process of ST 215 because the history of the toner cartridge 107 does not exist in the toner cartridge information 500 of the facsimile apparatus 100. Actually toner hopper 21
The remaining toner amount information 412 stored in the IC card 113 and the end-time toner remaining amount information 412 stored in the IC card 113 are referred to.

As described above, the IC card 113
The unauthorized toner cartridge 107 is recognized by comparing the toner remaining amount information obtained by referring to the toner use history stored in the printer with the actual toner remaining amount detected by the toner detecting unit 112. Further, in this embodiment, not only the comparison of the remaining toner amount but also the recognition of the unauthorized toner cartridge by the toner cartridge serial number 126 stored in the IC card 113. Thereby, the unauthorized toner cartridge can be reliably recognized. Also, by encrypting the toner cartridge serial number 126, the IC card 113
Can also be reliably recognized.

Next, the processing from the end of the recording operation until the toner cartridge 107 can be removed from the facsimile apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the main controller 101 refers to the detection result of the door open / close detector 119 to determine whether the open / close door 121 is open (ST301). Thereby, the user can transfer the toner cartridge 107 to the facsimile machine 1
It is possible to determine whether the opening / closing door 121 has been opened to take it out from 00. That is, it can be determined whether or not the operation of taking out the toner cartridge 107 from the facsimile apparatus 100 has been started. Then, the main control unit 101 controls the opening / closing door 1
The process of ST121 is repeated until 21 is opened.

Next, the main control unit 101 takes out the IC card 113 on the display unit 118, and
07 is displayed (ST302). Then, main controller 101 determines whether or not IC card 113 has been inserted into the toner cartridge body (ST30).
3). More specifically, the main control unit 101 refers to the IC card detection unit 206 to perform the operation. The main control unit 101 determines that the IC card 113
7 The processing of ST303 is performed until it is determined that the main body is inserted into the main body. This is because the toner cartridge 107 cannot be removed from the facsimile apparatus 100 unless the IC card 113 is inserted into the toner cartridge 107.

At substantially the same time that the IC card 113 is determined to have been removed in ST303, the device lock member drive unit 208 drives the device lock member 207, and removes the device lock member 207 from the cartridge lock member 209. Thereby, the lock of the toner cartridge 107 is released, and the toner cartridge 107 can be removed from the facsimile machine 100 (ST304).

Then, when the toner cartridge 107 is pulled out by the user, the toner cartridge 107 passes through the point B and further reaches the point A (ST3).
05). As a result, the toner cartridge 107 has been removed from the facsimile machine 100. At substantially the same time as ST305, the slide shutter drive unit 202 drives the slide shutter 203, and the slide shutter 203 completely covers the IC card 113. As a result, the IC card 113 cannot be removed from the toner cartridge 107 (ST30).
6).

Thus, the toner cartridge 10
7 is removed from the facsimile apparatus 100, the stored contents of the IC card 113 cannot be rewritten.

As described above, since the toner cartridge 107 includes the IC card 113 storing the serial number and usage history of the toner cartridge 107, the toner cartridge 107 can be easily identified.

Further, by comparing the toner remaining amount information obtained by referring to the toner use history stored in the IC card 113 with the actual toner remaining amount detected by the toner detecting unit 112, the illegal toner cartridge 107 can be easily recognized. Further, in the present embodiment, an unauthorized toner cartridge is recognized not only by comparing the remaining toner amount but also by the toner cartridge serial number 126 stored in the IC card 113. Thereby, the unauthorized toner cartridge can be reliably recognized. Also, by encrypting the toner cartridge serial number 126,
The illegally rewritten IC card 113 can also be reliably recognized.

Further, since the serial number of the toner cartridge 107 is encrypted, the IC card 113 whose serial number has been illegally rewritten can be easily identified.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 has a structure in which a recording operation is not performed unless an IC card 113 in which information of the stored toner cartridge 107 is stored is inserted. Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 performs a recording operation only when it is determined from the inserted IC card 113 that the toner cartridge 107 is valid. As a result, it is possible to prevent the unauthorized cartridge from being used by mistake.

The IC card 1 is stored only when the toner cartridge 107 is stored in the facsimile machine 100.
Reference numeral 13 denotes a structure that cannot be removed from the toner cartridge 107. As a result, the stored contents of the IC card 113 can be prevented from being illegally rewritten. On the other hand, when the IC card 113 is detached from the toner cartridge 107, the toner cartridge 107 cannot be detached from the facsimile apparatus 100. Thus, the facsimile apparatus 100, the IC card 113, and the toner cartridge 107 can be integrated. As a result, since each device can be managed integrally, it is possible to prevent individual devices from being illegally used separately.

The facsimile apparatus 100 stores information on the remaining amount of toner, which is the usage history of the toner cartridge 107, in the IC card 113, and stores the remaining amount of toner stored in this usage history and the actually detected remaining amount of toner. Compare. As a result, the facsimile apparatus 100 can reliably identify the unauthorized cartridge.

In the above embodiment, the IC card 1
13 stores information on the toner cartridge 107, but the storage device can be removed from the toner cartridge 107 even if it is other than the IC card 113. For example, a magnetic disk or a small hard disk may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the image recording apparatus is described as being applied to the facsimile apparatus 100. However, the image recording apparatus may be applied to an apparatus other than the facsimile apparatus 100.
A configuration in which only the image recording device is used may be used.

In the above embodiment, the slide shutter 203 and the device locking member 207 are driven mechanically, but may be driven electrically. Further, a sensor is provided on the toner cartridge 107 side, and the sensor monitors the IC card, and the monitoring result is transmitted as an electric signal to the facsimile
It may be a form to send to 0.

In the above embodiment, the IC card 1
Although the slide shutter 203 is used as a structure that cannot be removed from the toner cartridge 107, a structure that simply locks with a projection member or the like may be used.

[0146]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By referring to the toner usage history of the toner cartridge, an illegally recycled toner cartridge can be identified, and an image recording apparatus in which an illegally recycled toner cartridge cannot be used can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating a first relationship among a toner cartridge, an IC card, and a facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment; and FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating the toner cartridge according to the embodiment.
Schematic diagram showing a second relationship between the C card and the facsimile machine. (C) The toner cartridge and the I according to the above embodiment.
Schematic diagram showing a third relationship between a C card and a facsimile machine

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing toner cartridge information stored in the IC card according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing toner cartridge information stored in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart for storing the toner cartridge according to the embodiment in a facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart for identifying the toner cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart for removing the toner cartridge according to the embodiment from the facsimile apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 facsimile apparatus 101 main control unit 102 FROM 106 image recording unit 107 toner cartridge 108 cartridge storage unit 109 cartridge detection unit 112 toner detection unit 113 IC card 114 IC card slot 118 display unit 125 FAX serial number 126 toner cartridge serial number 201 IC card Slot 202 Slide shutter drive unit 203 Slide shutter 206 IC card detection unit 207 Device lock member 402 Usability information 403 Failure reason information 408 FAX serial number information 412 End toner remaining amount information 501 Cartridge serial number information 505 End toner remaining information

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A toner storage unit for storing toner, a toner supply unit for sending out the toner stored in the toner storage unit, use history information including remaining amount information of the toner, and an identification number. Storage means, before being mounted on the image recording apparatus, holding the storage means so as to cover the storage means, and after mounting on the image recording apparatus, holding the storage means in an exposed state. Characteristic toner cartridge. 2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the identification number is encrypted. 3. A toner storage unit for storing toner, a toner supply unit for sending out the toner stored in the toner storage unit, use history information including remaining toner amount information, and an identification number. A storage unit that stores various information on recording paper using toner supplied from the toner cartridge; and a storage unit that is removed from the toner cartridge. A storage member that readablely stores the stored content of the toner, a toner detection unit that detects an amount of toner stored in the toner storage unit, and a toner storage unit that is stored in the storage unit and read through the storage member. The remaining amount information is compared with the toner amount detected by the toner detecting unit to determine whether the toner cartridge is unauthorized. An image recording apparatus, comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the image recording apparatus determines whether or not the image is recorded. 4. A toner storage unit for storing toner, a toner supply unit for sending out the toner stored in the toner storage unit, use history information including remaining amount information of the toner, and encrypted identification. A toner cartridge having a storage unit for storing a number, a recording unit for recording various information on a recording sheet using toner supplied from the toner cartridge, and a storage content of the storage unit being readable. A holding member, a decryption information storage unit that stores the encrypted decryption information of the identification number of the toner cartridge, and the identification number of the toner cartridge read through the holding unit, and the decryption information. Determining whether or not the toner cartridge can be used to determine whether the toner cartridge is an unauthorized one. An image recording apparatus, comprising: 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the determination unit determines that the toner cartridge is invalid, information indicating that the toner cartridge is invalid is recorded in the storage unit. The image recording device according to claim 4. 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the use history information of the toner in the toner cartridge is updated every time the recording unit is used. 7. A toner cartridge information storage means for storing use history information including toner remaining amount information of an installed toner cartridge and an identification number, wherein said determination means is provided with a newly installed toner cartridge. In this case, referring to the toner cartridge information storage means, the identification number of the newly mounted toner cartridge stored in the storage means read via the holding means is stored in the toner cartridge information storage means. It is determined whether or not the identification number of the newly mounted toner cartridge is stored in the toner cartridge information storage means, and the identification number corresponding to the identification number stored in the toner cartridge information storage means is determined. The toner remaining amount is read and compared with the toner remaining amount stored in the storage unit. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein it is determined whether or not the newly mounted toner cartridge is unauthorized. 8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording unit is operated only when the storage unit of a proper toner cartridge is held. 9. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein the toner cartridge is held so as to cover the storage unit before the toner cartridge is mounted, and the storage unit is held in an exposed state after the toner cartridge is mounted. An image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. A transmitting / receiving means for communicating with another facsimile apparatus, an image reading means for reading an image to be transmitted via the transmitting / receiving means, and an image recording for recording an image transmitted via the transmitting / receiving means. And a facsimile apparatus, wherein the image recording means is the image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 9. 11. The remaining amount of toner obtained by referring to usage history information including remaining amount information of the toner stored in the toner cartridge stored in a storage unit detachably held in the toner cartridge. And comparing the actual toner amount detected by the toner detection means with the toner cartridge to determine whether the toner cartridge has been properly manufactured or refilled.