JP2005140885A - Image forming apparatus, replacement part, and method for managing use of the replacement part - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, replacement parts and a method for managing the use of the replacement parts which can appropriately manage the use of the replacement parts, when using the replacement parts in maintenance states different for each part. <P>SOLUTION: When forming an image, a state change due to the use of the mounted replacement part is detected, and information on the specification of an apparatus is stored in a storage means for replacement parts. When the apparatus is in a standby state and does not operate image formation, the information on the specification written in the storage means for replacement parts is enciphered by a control part 13 of the apparatus body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile, a replacement part, and a usage management method for the replacement part. More specifically, the maintenance part that is detachable from the apparatus main body has a different maintenance for each part. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a replacement part, and a replacement part usage management method capable of appropriately managing the use of replacement parts.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer connected to a network such as a LAN as a plurality of terminal apparatuses, a means for encrypting is known as a method for protecting confidentially designated data to be printed out.

  In an apparatus such as a copying machine that forms an image by an electrophotographic process, parts such as a photoconductor and toner used in the image forming process are prepared as replacement parts in the form of a process cartridge. This process cartridge is equipped with a memory and stores information necessary for an image forming operation. This includes data such as personal data that requires security.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a printer connected to a network such as a LAN, a means for encrypting is known as a method for protecting confidentially designated data to be printed out.

  Patent Document 1 discloses means for printing data by encrypting and decrypting data as required based on ID information received together with data sent from a host PC.

  However, performing data encryption / decryption processing during data communication has a problem that processing steps increase correspondingly and processing time becomes long as a result.

  In addition, there are HDDs and process cartridges that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus by the user, and the storage information portion of such parts may include data that requires security such as user personal information. There is a risk that the data stored in such replacement parts may be illegally copied or tampered with by a third party when the data is removed from the apparatus main body.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228867 discloses a means for providing ink remaining amount measuring means and ink remaining amount data encrypting means to an ink cartridge of a printer device so that ink remaining amount data is decrypted at the time of initialization processing of the apparatus. However, the information relating to the specifications of the image forming apparatus such as a printer is not limited to the remaining amount of ink, but includes a wide range of information such as the number of printed sheets and process control information. The data security level is insufficient.

In Patent Document 3, as a method for managing replacement parts, a storage means that can be read out to the replacement parts is provided, and a maintenance ID indicating the type of maintenance mode is stored. The maintenance ID is attached to the apparatus main body. And a means for comparing with a maintenance ID indicating a usable type stored in the main body. However, no means for security protection of replacement parts is disclosed.
JP 2002-236571 A JP 2001-341322 A JP 2002-169428 A

  In view of the problems of the prior art, the present invention improves the security of data stored in a replacement part when using a replacement part that is detachable from the image forming apparatus, and is attached to the main body of the apparatus. Is to provide an image forming apparatus, a replacement part, and a use management method for the replacement part that can realize that the image forming processing speed is not affected as much as possible.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the invention according to claim 1, an image forming means using at least a part of a removable replacement part, a means for detecting a change in the state of the replacement part accompanying use, and the replacement part Is provided with a readable / writable storage means, and the maintenance ID of the replacement part is stored in the storage means, and the controller of the apparatus main body reads the maintenance ID from the storage means of the replacement part when mounted on the apparatus main body. And a control unit of the apparatus main body, the encryption means for encrypting the content of the storage means of the replacement part, the decryption means for decrypting the encrypted content of the storage means, and the read An image forming apparatus having a means for identifying whether or not the decoding process can be executed by the decoding means based on the ID information, and the detection means detects a change in state associated with the use of a mounted replacement part during image formation. And information related to the specifications of the apparatus is stored in the replacement part storage unit from the detection result, and the control unit of the apparatus main body stores the replacement part storage unit in a standby state where the apparatus does not perform an image forming operation. It is possible to encrypt information related to the specification written in.

  As an effect of the invention according to claim 1, the maintenance ID is stored in the storage means built in the replacement part, and when the replacement part is mounted on the apparatus main body, the CPU on the main body side determines whether or not the maintenance ID and data are encrypted. By reading and checking the consistency of the replacement part as a part that can be used in the apparatus based on the information, it is possible to prevent the misuse of the replacement part and to perform proper management. In addition, the information related to the specification of the replacement part is updated by the image forming operation, and the information can be protected by encrypting the information at the time of standby.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, before the image forming operation is started, the data is written in the encrypted replacement part storage unit based on the maintenance ID information of the replacement part. The encrypted content is decrypted.

  As an effect of the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the conventional encryption is performed by executing the decryption processing of the data stored in the replacement part and encrypted before the start of the image forming operation. Also, the processing steps required for decoding can be shortened, and an image forming operation can be performed in a shorter time than in the past.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the control unit of the apparatus main body performs decoding by means for identifying whether or not the decoding process can be executed based on the maintenance ID information of the replacement part. When it is determined that it is not processed, a means for notifying erroneous mounting of a replacement part is provided.

  As an effect of the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1, when the maintenance ID does not match and the data of the replacement part is not encrypted, the user is notified of the erroneous mounting of the replacement part. Thus, since it is possible to recognize that the mounted replacement part cannot be used, it is possible to prevent the reliability of the apparatus from being impaired.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the method for encrypting the content written in the storage means of the replacement part differs depending on the maintenance ID of the replacement part. It is characterized by.

  As an effect of the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the method of encrypting the data stored in the replacement part differs depending on the maintenance ID of the replacement part. Appropriate management becomes possible. In addition, it becomes difficult for a third party other than the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus to copy or tamper with illegal data, and the security level of information can be improved.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the method for decoding the contents written in the storage part of the replacement part differs depending on the maintenance ID of the replacement part. It is characterized by.

  As an effect of the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the effects of claims 1 and 4, the method of decoding the data stored in the replacement part when the replacement part is mounted on the apparatus is the maintenance ID of the replacement part. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately manage replacement parts.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the content written in the replacement part storage means based on the maintenance ID of the replacement part every time the replacement part is mounted on the apparatus. It is characterized by changing the encryption and decryption method.

  As an effect of the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the effects of claims 1, 4, and 5, the encryption / decryption method of the data stored in the replacement part is changed each time the replacement part is mounted on the apparatus. By making it possible, the security level of information can be further improved.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a replacement part that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and the storage part includes a storage unit that is readable / writable. The maintenance ID of the replacement part is stored, the information relating to the specification can be rewritten in a state where it is removed from the apparatus main body, and the rewritten information based on the maintenance ID can be encrypted. It is characterized by doing.

  As an effect of the invention according to claim 7, in addition to the effects of claims 1 to 6, it becomes possible to manage the presence or absence of data encryption and decryption with the maintenance ID stored in the storage means built in the replacement part, Maintenance and management of replacement parts can be realized more easily and at a lower cost than before. In addition, since the data can be decrypted / encrypted based on the maintenance ID in a state where it is removed from the apparatus main body, the security level of the replacement part can be improved.

  In the invention according to claim 8, the image forming means using at least a part of the removable replacement part, the means for detecting a change in the state of the replacement part accompanying use, and the memory that can be read / written to the replacement part A method for managing the use of replacement parts in an image forming apparatus provided with a means, wherein the storage means stores information related to the maintenance ID of the replacement part and the specifications of the apparatus, and the replacement part when mounted on the apparatus main body Means for reading out the contents of the storage means from the storage means, the control section of the apparatus main body encrypts the contents of the storage means of the replacement part, and encryption of the storage means Decrypting means for decrypting the read content and means for identifying whether or not the decryption processing can be performed by the decrypting means based on the read ID information, and the replacement part is mounted on the apparatus main body. The It is possible to decrypt the stored content when it is removed and to encrypt it when it is detached, and to rewrite the information related to the specification when it is removed from the device, and based on the maintenance ID. It is possible to encrypt the rewritten information.

  As the effect of the invention according to claim 8, the effects of claims 1 to 7 occur.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the detachable part replaceable with the image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge.

  As an effect of the invention according to the ninth aspect, in addition to the effects of the first to eighth aspects, the process cartridge has various process information by holding the maintenance ID and data that can be encrypted / decrypted in the storage unit. Proper management of the process cartridge becomes possible, and the confidentiality of information can be protected.

  When using replacement parts that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, it is possible to improve the security of data stored in the replacement parts and not to affect the image forming processing speed as much as possible even when attached to the main body of the apparatus. It can be realized.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 2 denotes a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 5 and includes a photoconductor 11, a charging roller 3, a cleaning unit and waste toner collecting unit 6, a developing unit and a toner storage unit 4, and the like. An optical system 1 includes a polygon motor, a polygon mirror, an Fθ lens, a laser diode, a mirror, and the like.

  The recording paper 9 stored in the paper feed cassette 8 by the paper feed roller 7 is conveyed to the photoconductor 11. The photosensitive member 11 is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction. At that time, the surface is charged by the charging roller 3, and the laser beam is irradiated from the optical system 1 based on the print data output from the control unit 13, so An electrostatic latent image is formed. This latent image is visualized by toner when passing through the developing means and the toner storage unit 4.

  This visible image is transferred to the recording paper 9 conveyed to the photoconductor 11 by the transfer roller 10, and then conveyed to the fixing roller 12, and the visible image on the recording paper 9 is fixed, and then to the outside of the image forming apparatus 5. The paper is ejected.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the control unit 13.

  The control unit 13 includes a controller unit 30, an engine unit 40, and an internal interface (I / F) 22.

  The control unit 13 receives the print data transferred from the host computer (hereinafter referred to as the host) 1 and develops it into bit map data in units of pages by the controller unit 30, converts it into video data as dot information, and converts the I / F 22. To the engine unit 40 through the control, and a visible image is formed.

  The controller unit 30 includes an MPU 31, a ROM 32 that stores programs, constant data, character fonts, and the like required by the MPU 31, a RAM 33 that stores general data and dot patterns, and a detachable unit that stores and stores large-capacity data. A hard disk drive (HDD) 36, an I / O 34 that controls data input / output, and an operation panel 35 that is connected to the MPU 31 via the I / O 34. The data bus, address bus, and controller Connected by bus etc. The host 1 and the I / F 22 are also connected to the MPU 31 via the I / O 34.

  The engine unit 40 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42 that stores programs and constant data required by the CPU 41, a RAM 43 that stores temporary data, and an I / O 44 that controls data input / output. They are connected by a bus, an address bus, a controller bus, and the like.

  The I / O 44 is connected to the I / F 22 and inputs video data from the controller unit 3 and states of various switches on the operation panel 35, and status signals such as an image clock (WCLK) and a paper end to the controller unit 3. Output.

  The I / O 44 is also connected to a writing unit 45, a sequence device group 46, and various sensors 47.

  The controller unit 30 receives a command such as a print command and print data such as character data / image data from the host 1, edits them, and if it is a character code, a dot necessary for image writing is stored by a character font stored in the ROM 32. The data is converted into a pattern, and the bitmap data of those characters and images (hereinafter collectively referred to as “images”) is expanded in the video RAM area in the RAM 33 in units of pages.

  When WCLK is input from the engine unit 40 together with the ready signal, the controller unit 30 outputs the bitmap data developed in the video RAM area in the RAM 33 to the engine unit 40 via the I / F 22 as video data synchronized with WCLK. . There are also switches and indicators (not shown) on the operation panel, which control data according to instructions from the operator, transmit the information to the engine unit 40, and display the status of the device on the indicator. ing.

  The engine unit 40 controls the writing unit 45, the sequence device group 46, and the like, and writes video data necessary for image writing by using the video data input after dot correction via the I / F 22 from the controller unit 30. The controller unit 47 outputs a signal indicating the state of each part of the engine from the sensors 47 and processes the status signal of necessary information and error status (for example, paper end) via the I / F 22. Output to 30. Here, reading and writing with respect to the process cartridge 48 are performed by the CPU 41 via the I / O 41. A process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge) is equipped with a readable / writable memory (not shown), and communication is performed between the CPU 41 and the memory mounted on the cartridge. Examples of information that is read and written from the CPU 41 to the cartridge 48 include data such as a remaining toner amount and a stop number counter, and image formation process control information.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  The flow shown in FIG. 3 is executed by the CPU 41 on the engine unit 40 of the image forming apparatus. This flow shows a state when a cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body and the power is turned on.

  When it is confirmed that the apparatus is turned on and a cartridge is mounted (S301), a maintenance ID stored in a memory (hereinafter referred to as cartridge memory) mounted on the cartridge is read (S302).

  The CPU 41 recognizes the read maintenance ID, compares it with the ID stored in the main body memory (S303), and determines that an image forming operation is possible when a match of the maintenance ID is determined. Move on. If it is determined that the maintenance ID does not match, it is recognized that a cartridge different from that for the apparatus is installed, an erroneous set display is made on the operation panel, this sequence is terminated, and the printing operation is prohibited (S304). .

  When the maintenance ID is recognized, the CPU 41 identifies whether the data stored in the cartridge memory is encrypted (S305). If the data is encrypted, the CPU 41 performs a decryption process (S307). Here, the decryption key required for performing the decryption process differs depending on the maintenance ID.

  If it is recognized that the data is not encrypted, it is first checked whether or not the cartridge is new (S306). If it is detected that the product is new, the process proceeds to the next step. If it is detected that the cartridge is not new, it is recognized that a cartridge different from that for the apparatus is installed, an erroneous set display is performed on the operation panel, and this sequence is terminated (S304).

  When the data is not encrypted and when the decryption process is finished, the CPU 41 starts optimization control of the image forming conditions. First, information related to specifications such as control data (fixing, toner remaining amount detection, etc.) is read from the main body memory (S308).

  Next, the data stored in the cartridge memory is read (S309), and it is determined whether or not it matches the control data read from the main body memory (S310). If the two match, each control is started (S311).

  The following possibilities can be cited as the case where they do not match. (1) When the cartridge is new and the data stored in the memory remains at the initial setting value, (2) When the data in the cartridge memory is not updated and is old data, (3) The data on the main unit side is In the case of old data that has not been updated (S313).

  In the case of (1), the data in the cartridge memory is updated (S312). In the cases of (2) and (3), the contents of the main body memory data and the cartridge memory data are CHECKed to check which is the old data. Update is performed (S313, S314). Thus, the control operation at the next stage is performed.

  The operation flow at the time of startup is as described above. Thereafter, the standby state is confirmed (S316), and when the image forming operation is performed, the CPU 41 updates the data described in the main body memory and the cartridge memory (S317). . When the CPU 41 enters the standby state without performing the image forming operation, the CPU 41 recognizes this and performs the cartridge data encryption process (S318). Here, the encryption key required for performing the encryption process differs depending on the maintenance ID.

  In this way, information related to the specifications of the device is stored and updated in the storage means of the replacement part, and security is maintained even when the replacement part is removed from the apparatus by encrypting the information during standby of the apparatus. Is possible. During the image forming operation of the apparatus, data such as the remaining amount of toner and the fixing process information are updated one by one. The updated information is stored in the storage means of the replacement part and can be encrypted. It becomes a feature.

  In this embodiment, the encryption / decryption key necessary for the encryption and decryption processing of the information stored in the storage means of the replacement part is made unique by the maintenance ID of the replacement part, but this is changed. It is also possible.

  If the encryption / decryption key is changed each time a replacement part is mounted on the apparatus, the security level of information becomes higher. However, even in this case, the CPU 41 on the apparatus main body side needs to identify the encryption / decryption key of each replacement part based on the maintenance ID of the replacement part.

  In this embodiment, the process cartridge is exemplified as the replacement part in the image forming apparatus. However, the same process can be applied to the HDD 36 shown in FIG. 2 as the replacement part. In addition, the image forming apparatus may be an apparatus using another method, for example, an ink jet image forming apparatus. In this case, the image forming apparatus can be applied to an ink cartridge or the like as a replacement part.

  Commercialization of copying machines, printers, facsimiles and the like equipped with the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be expected.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a flowchart of an operation example in which the maintenance ID of the replacement part and the presence / absence of data encryption are identified, and the data is decrypted, updated, and encrypted.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical system 2 Process cartridge 3 Charging roller 4 Developing means and toner storage part 5 Image forming apparatus 6 Cleaning means and waste toner collection part 7 Paper feed roller 8 Paper feed cassette 9 Recording paper 10 Transfer roller 11 Photoconductor 12 Fixing roller 13 Control Part 22 I / F
30 Controller 31 MPU
32 ROM
33 RAM
34 I / O
35 Operation Panel 36 Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
40 Engine part 41 CPU
42 ROM
43 RAM
44 I / O
45 Writing unit 46 Sequence device group 47 Sensors 48 Process cartridge

Claims (9)

  The image forming means using at least a part of the detachable replacement part, means for detecting a change in the state of the replacement part with use, and storage means for reading / writing to the replacement part, the storage means The maintenance ID of the replacement part is stored, and the control unit of the apparatus main body reads out the maintenance ID from the storage means of the replacement part when mounted on the apparatus main body, and the control unit of the apparatus main body stores the replacement part. Encryption means for encrypting the contents of the means, decryption means for decrypting the encrypted contents of the storage means, and whether or not decryption processing can be executed by the decryption means based on the read ID information An image forming apparatus having an identification means for detecting a change in state associated with the use of a mounted replacement part at the time of image formation, and detecting information related to the specifications of the apparatus from the detection result. It can be stored in the replacement part storage means, and the control unit of the apparatus main body can encrypt the information related to the specification written in the replacement part storage means in a standby state in which the image forming operation is not performed by the apparatus. An image forming apparatus.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the encrypted content written in the storage unit of the encrypted replacement part is stored on the basis of the maintenance ID information of the replacement part before starting the image forming operation. An image forming apparatus for decoding.   In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, when the control unit of the apparatus main body determines that the decoding process is not performed by means for identifying whether or not the decoding process can be performed based on the maintenance ID information of the replacement part. An image forming apparatus comprising means for notifying erroneous mounting of a replacement part.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a method for encrypting the content written in the storage unit of the replacement part differs depending on a maintenance ID of the replacement part.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a method for decoding the content written in the storage unit of the replacement part is different depending on a maintenance ID of the replacement part.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an encryption and decryption method of contents written in a storage means of a replacement part based on a maintenance ID of the replacement part every time the replacement part is mounted on the apparatus. An image forming apparatus that is changed.   7. A replacement part that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, and comprises a storage unit that can read / write to the replacement part, and a maintenance ID of the replacement part is stored in the storage part. The image formation is characterized in that, in a state where it is detached from the apparatus main body, it is possible to rewrite the information related to the specification and to encrypt the rewritten information based on the maintenance ID. Replacement parts for equipment.   In an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit using at least a part of a detachable replacement part, a unit for detecting a change in the state of the replacement part with use, and a storage unit capable of reading / writing to the replacement part A replacement part usage management method, wherein the storage means stores information related to the maintenance ID of the replacement part and the specification of the apparatus, and controls the apparatus main body from the replacement part storage means when mounted on the apparatus main body. When the unit reads out the contents of the storage means, the control unit of the apparatus main body encrypts the contents of the storage means of the replacement part, and decrypts the encrypted contents of the storage means And a means for identifying whether or not the decryption process can be executed by the decryption means based on the read ID information, and when the replacement part is mounted on the apparatus main body, the stored contents are Decryption In addition, when it is detached, it can be encrypted, and it is possible to rewrite the information related to the specification when it is removed from the device, and the rewritten information is encrypted based on the maintenance ID. A method for managing the use of replacement parts, characterized in that it can be performed.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detachable part replaceable with the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 includes a process cartridge.

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