JP2003195705A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of determining whether a toner cartridge is genuine one or not, without requiring much cost. <P>SOLUTION: When the device determines whether a fresh toner cartridge is loaded or not, (ST1), and the determination is YES, it displays 'Input a use permission code.', (ST2). Consequently, the use permission code of the toner cartridge is input, (ST4). The device further determines whether the input code is a correct use permission code format or not, (ST5). In the case of YES, it is further determined whether or not the input code is a use permission code that has been used in the past, (ST6). In the case the determination is NO, the fuse of the toner cartridge is melted down, (ST7), and the use of a printer is allowed, (ST8). In the case the determination in ST5 is NO and the determination in ST6 is YES, the device displays 'The toner cartridge is incorrect. Replace it with genuine one.', (ST9), and then inhibits the operation of the printer, (ST10). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus used in a copying machine, a facsimile machine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus, a process unit such as a toner cartridge or a drum unit is generally detachable, and is replaced with a new one at the end of its service life. For example, in a process unit as a toner cartridge, when the toner or the like is consumed, the old process unit is removed and a new process unit is attached.

[0003]

However, in recent years, non-genuine products (so-called pirated products) supplied by third parties are available at low prices, and users may use pirated process units. In such a pirated process unit, the physical properties such as toner are different from those of the genuine product, so the image quality is deteriorated, and if such a pirated process unit is used for a long period of time, it will be related to the image forming process in the apparatus. It also leads to accelerated deterioration of parts.

Therefore, conventionally, a bar code is attached to the process unit and the apparatus body reads the bar code to judge whether it is a genuine product, or a memory is provided in the process unit, and the apparatus body reads information from the memory. The method of judging whether the product is genuine or not is adopted.

However, in either case, the apparatus body must be provided with parts, circuits, software, etc. for reading the bar code and the memory, and there is a problem that the cost increases accordingly.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of discriminating whether or not a genuine product without increasing the cost.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises an image forming section to which a process unit is detachable, and an input section for manually inputting a code attached to the process unit. A determination unit that determines whether or not the process unit is a genuine product based on the code input by the input unit, and a control unit that controls the image forming operation of the image forming unit based on the determination result of the determination unit. It is characterized by that.

In this image forming apparatus, the code is manually input through the input unit, but the code is not directly provided on the process unit itself by pasting or the like. For example, a paper with the code is packed together with the process unit. , When mounting the process unit on the device,
The code is input by the input unit. The determining unit determines whether the process unit associated with the input code is a genuine product based on the input code. Then, the control unit controls the image forming operation of the image forming unit based on the determination result. Specifically, when the control unit determines that the process unit related to the input code is a non-genuine product, it prohibits or limits the image forming operation in that process unit, and when it determines that it is a genuine product, Allow the forming operation.

As described above, according to this image forming apparatus,
Since the process unit itself does not have a bar code or memory, the process unit can be provided at low cost and
Since it is not necessary to provide components, circuits, software, etc. for reading the barcode and the memory in the device body, the cost of the device can be reduced.

However, the code attached to the process unit is set uniquely to each process unit. By doing so, the code and the process unit have a one-to-one correspondence, which makes it easy to discriminate between genuine products and non-genuine products, and eliminates the possibility that a used process unit will be reused as a pirated copy.

Further, a storage unit for storing the history of the code of the process unit determined as the genuine product by the determination unit is provided, and the code input by the input unit matches one of the codes stored in the storage unit. In this case, the determination unit determines that the process unit associated with the input code is a non-genuine product. In this case, even if the code obtained by the pirated trader is attached to the pirated process unit and sold, if the code is already stored in the storage unit of the device, the process unit related to the code is pirated. Since it can be determined, the use of pirated process units can be prohibited or restricted.

In the present invention, the process unit means a toner cartridge, a drum unit, or a process unit in which a drum and a toner cartridge are integrated.

The code is, for example, an n-digit number,
Enter this code using the numeric keypad of the input unit. The code defines a format such as the number of digits and an absolutely impossible value. First, it is determined whether the code format conforms to the specified format. If the format is compatible, it is determined by referring to the storage unit whether or not the code has been used in the past, and when it is used in the past, that is, the history of the input code stored in the storage unit. If it matches one of the codes, the process unit associated with the input code is determined as a pirated version.

When a code is attached to the process unit, it is necessary for the process unit to identify whether or not the process unit is new. For this purpose, for example, when the process unit is a toner cartridge, the built-in fuse is blown during use, so the presence or absence of blowout is checked. Alternatively, a code for identifying whether the product is new or not is set in a built-in EEPROM or the like, and it is determined whether or not the product is new by checking the code.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. Here, as an image forming apparatus, a composite apparatus having both a copy function and a facsimile function is taken as an example.

In FIG. 1, an MPU (central processing unit) 1
In addition to the function of controlling the entire multifunctional device, the function as a discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the process unit is a genuine product based on the code input by the operation unit (input unit) 4, and the discrimination of this discriminating unit Printer (image forming unit) 11 based on the result
It has a function as a control unit for controlling the printer operation.

This MPU 1 has an NCU (Network Cont
rol Unit) 2 and MODEM 3 are connected. NCU
Controlled by the MPU 1, 2 has a function of controlling the connection between the line L and this composite device, and a function of transmitting a dial pulse according to the telephone number of the communication partner and a function of detecting an incoming call. The line L is connected to a general public telephone line (not shown). The MODEM 3 modulates / demodulates the transmission / reception data, specifically, modulates the transmission data, which is originally a digital signal, into an analog voice signal and sends the analog voice signal to the line L via the NCU 2, and conversely receives from the line L via the NCU 2. The analog voice signal is demodulated into a digital signal.

Further, the MPU 1 includes an operation unit 4, a display unit 5, a CODEC (encoder / decoder: Coder and Decoder).
) 6, ROM 7, RAM 8, image memory 9, scanner 10, and printer 11 are connected.

The operation unit 4 has a numeric keypad for inputting numbers such as a telephone number and a FAX number, operation keys for instructing various operations, and the like. The display unit 5 outputs various information such as a telephone number, a FAX number, the remaining toner amount of the printer, etc., which are input by the operation of the operation unit 4, by softcopy output and displays them. As the display unit 5, a CRT display or LC
D (liquid crystal display device) is used. The CODEC 6 encodes the image data to be transmitted stored in the image memory 9, decodes the received image data, and stores it in the image memory 9.

The ROM 7 stores in advance a program and the like for controlling the operation of the entire composite apparatus. RAM
Reference numeral 8 has an identification number / history area 8a for storing the format defined for the code attached to the process unit and for storing the history of codes that have already been input and accepted (codes for genuine products). Also, RA
The M8 stores data necessary for control by the MPU 1 and data that needs to be temporarily stored during control operation. The image memory 9 stores image data read by the scanner 10,
It also stores image data received from the outside via the line L and MODEM 3. The scanner 10 reads a document image using, for example, a CCD image sensor.

The printer 11 prints the received image data, the image data read by the scanner 10, or the image data stored in the image memory 9 on a paper to record the data and perform hard copy output. In this embodiment, the process unit is the toner cartridge 12, and the toner cartridge 12 is removable from the printer 11. The toner cartridge 12 is provided with a fuse 12a. The fuse 12a is not blown before the toner cartridge 12 is used, but is blown when the toner cartridge 12 is used, so that the printer 11 can be used. Further, the toner cartridge 12 is packed together with the paper on which the use permission code (for example, an n-digit number) is printed at the time of factory shipment.

Next, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 2, the operation of the composite apparatus when replacing the toner cartridge 12 (process unit) will be described. First, in step ST1, it is determined whether or not a new toner cartridge is attached to the apparatus. This decision is
Here, the fuse 12a provided in the toner cartridge 12 is used, and whether or not the fuse 12a is blown is detected. When the fuse 12a is blown, it is determined that it is not a new product, and when it is not blown, it is determined that it is a new product. To do. If the result of this determination is NO, then in step ST2 normal printing processing is performed with the toner cartridge currently installed.

When a new toner cartridge is attached, for example, "Please input the use permission code." Is displayed on the display section 5 in step ST3. In response to this, in step ST4, the user inputs the use permission code written on the paper included in the new toner cartridge by using the ten keys of the operation unit 4 or the like. Next, in step ST5, it is determined whether or not the input code has a correct use permission code format. This determination is made by comparing the specified format stored in the identification number / history area 8a of the RAM 8 with the format of the input code.

If the determination is YES, it is further determined in step ST6 whether or not the input code is a use permission code used in the past. This judgment is performed by searching the history of the code stored in the identification number / history area 8a of the RAM 8 to check whether or not the input code is in the history code. As a result, when the input code is not in the history code (in the case of NO), it is determined that the mounted toner cartridge is a genuine product, and in step ST7,
The fuse of the toner cartridge is blown, the use of the printer 11 is permitted in step ST8, and the process ends. That is, the printing operation (image forming operation) with the attached toner cartridge is permitted.

On the other hand, when the determination in step ST5 is NO (when the input code format is not the prescribed format) or when the determination in step ST6 is YES (when the input code is in the history code), it is mounted. It is determined that the toner cartridge is a non-genuine product, and in step ST9, for example, “Incorrect toner cartridge. Replace with genuine product.” Is displayed on the display unit 5.
To display. Then, in step ST10, the operation of the printer 11 is prohibited, and the process ends.

In this flow chart, if the attached toner cartridge is judged to be a pirated copy, the printing operation is prohibited. However, as described above, the printing is permitted but the process condition is changed. The image quality may be degraded, or printing may be permitted up to a predetermined number.

[0028]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, since the process unit itself is not provided with the bar code or the memory, the process unit can be provided at a low cost and the apparatus main body can be provided. Also, since it is not necessary to provide components, circuits, software, etc. for reading the barcode and the memory, the cost of the device can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, even if the code obtained by the pirated trader is attached to the pirated process unit and sold, the code is already stored in the storage unit of the apparatus. Since the process unit related to the code can be determined to be a pirated version, the use of the pirated process unit can be prohibited or restricted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation process when replacing a toner cartridge (process unit) in the image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 MPU (control unit, discrimination unit) 4 Operation part (input part) 8 RAM 8a Identification number / history area 11 Printer (image forming section) 12 Toner cartridge (process unit) 12a fuse

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/00 106 G03G 15/00 556 F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ06 HJ10 HK11 HN04 HN15 2H027 DE07 EJ01 EJ04 EJ08 EJ09 HB05 HB13 HB15 2H071 BA32 DA08 DA15 DA31 2H077 AA02 AA33 DA24 GA04 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB00 AB20 AB22 AC58 BA01

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming section to which a process unit is detachable, an input section for manually inputting a code attached to the process unit, and whether or not the process unit is a genuine product based on the code input at this input section. An image forming apparatus comprising: a discriminating section for discriminating and a control section for controlling an image forming operation of the image forming section based on a discrimination result of the discriminating section. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the code is set uniquely to each process unit. 3. A storage unit for storing a history of codes of a process unit determined to be a genuine product by the determination unit, wherein the code input by the input unit is one of the codes stored in the storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when they match, the determination unit determines that the process unit associated with the input code is a non-genuine product.