JP2005186538A - Consumables workability judging device utilizing radio tag and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a consumables-workability judging device utilizing a radio tag which enables the compatibility-judgment for the consumables without unpacking and an image formation device using the same device. <P>SOLUTION: The judging device is equipped with a compatible-comsumables product code memory section 11 in which the product code of the consumables usable for self-equipment is stored, a radio-tag transceiver section 10 which transmits and receives information with the radio tag attached to the consumables, a product-code reading means by which the consumables product-code is read from the information received by the radio tag, a product-code coincidence-judging means capable of judging whether the product code read by the product-code reading means is coincident with the product code stored in the compatible-consumables product code memory section 11 or not and a judgment-result notice means by which the judgment result from the product-code coincidence-judging means is notified to users. According to the above, the consumables-compatibility judgment for the consumables usable for self-equipment is made. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a consumables usability determination device using a wireless tag capable of appropriately determining whether or not consumables such as ink and toner used in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copy, and a facsimile can be used. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using.

  Conventionally, a method has been devised for managing consumables such as ink and toner used in printers, copies, facsimiles and the like.

There exists patent document 1 as a prior art.
JP 2002-331686 A

  In Patent Document 1, it is determined whether the consumable is a genuine product or a recommended product. If the consumable product is not a genuine product or a recommended product, a warning is issued before printing.

  However, this conventional technique alone cannot solve the following problems. In other words, in an office where many types of printers, copiers, facsimiles, and multifunction devices are installed, it is cumbersome to manage consumables for each model. In many cases, it is difficult to determine which consumables are of which model.

  If all the consumables are genuine or recommended products and consumables of multiple models are mixed, the conventional technology only determines whether the product is a genuine product or a recommended product. Cannot be determined. In order to search for consumables, it is necessary for the user himself / herself to make a judgment by checking the model number of the corresponding consumable by looking at the user manual of the manufacturer. It is also conceivable that the user manual is not near the device for setting consumables.

  Also, since there were consumables near the corresponding model, it is quite possible that the consumables are of a different model when unpacked and set.

  In addition, I see a picture of a packing box to replace consumables, but it is difficult to understand unless I am used to it. In addition, although guidance information indicating a procedure for exchanging consumables with a moving image or the like is prepared as a function in the apparatus, the user may not know to operate the function.

  In such a case, it is required to be able to determine whether or not an unpacked consumable is a consumable suitable for the model by a simple operation of the corresponding model. If the consumables brought by relying on the model number can be determined before unpacking, they will not be unpacked by mistake. Since consumables dislike moisture, the unpacked and unpacked items have different storage periods. If unpacked and stored, the desired performance may not be achieved.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a consumable use availability determination device using a wireless tag that enables determination of conformity of a consumable without being unpacked and an image forming apparatus using the same. The purpose is to provide. In addition, if it is determined that the consumables conformity is determined, guidance information indicating the procedure for exchanging the consumables is displayed, and the consumables usability determination device that can smoothly replace the consumables is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus used.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a consumable consumable product code storage means for storing a consumable product code that can be used on its own device, and a consumable consumable in the consumable use availability determination device. A wireless tag attached thereto, a wireless tag transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving information, a product code reading unit for reading a product code of a consumable from information received from the wireless tag, and a product code read by the product code reading unit, The product code match determination means for determining whether or not the product codes stored in the compatible consumable product code storage means match, and the determination result notification means for notifying the user of the determination result by the product code match determination means And determining whether the consumables can be used in its own device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the operation unit is provided and the consumables conformity determination is started by an operation from the operation unit, and the consumables conformity determination start operation is performed, the wireless tag It is characterized by communicating with.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit, wherein the determination result notifying means displays the determination result on the display unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the consumable consumable product code and the product name / type are stored in a pair of the consumable product code and the product name / type name that can be used on the device itself. It also has a name storage means, and when the consumable supplies are compatible with the machine based on the judgment result based on the product code by the product code matching judgment means, the product name / model name paired with the consumable product code is also displayed. It is characterized by doing.

  The invention described in claim 5 is the product code of the consumable that is compatible with the self-equipment when the consumable is not compatible with the self-machine according to the determination result based on the product code by the product code matching judgment means. The product name / model name paired with is also displayed.

  The invention described in claim 6 is the consumable item replacement for storing the guidance information indicating the procedure for exchanging the consumable item in combination with the product code of the consumable item that can be used in the device itself. It has a procedure guidance information storage means, and when the determination result by the product code match determination means is conformity, after displaying the conformity result, the paired guidance information is displayed.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, wherein an already set consumable that stores a product code of a consumable that has already been set in the own device and a unique code for each product. Consumable product code and unique code acquisition means for acquiring product code and unique code for each product from consumable information received from the wireless tag, consumable product code and consumable product code And a determination means for determining the match between the product code acquired by the unique code acquisition means, the unique code for each product, and the stored product code and the unique code for each product. If it is determined that the consumable item with the wireless tag is already set, and if the determination unit determines that they do not match, the consumable item with the wireless tag is new. It determines that 耗品, and performs only consumables adapted determined for the new consumable.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising consumable attachment / detachment detecting means for detecting attachment / detachment of the consumable to / from an apparatus including the consumable use availability determination device. When the consumable attachment / detachment detection unit detects the set of consumables on the device, it communicates with the wireless tag of the consumables, acquires the product code of the consumables and the unique code for each product from the received information, The information is stored as a newly set consumable in the set consumable product code and the unique code storage means for each product.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the consumable item is an ink cartridge or a process cartridge.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, a multifunction peripheral, or a printing machine that includes the consumable use availability determination device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects. And

  In the consumable use availability determination device according to the present invention, means for storing a product code of a consumable that can be used by itself, means for receiving information transmitted from a wireless tag attached to the consumable, and received Means for acquiring the product code of the consumable from the information, means for determining whether the acquired product code matches the product code stored in the device, and means for notifying the user of the determination result Therefore, it is possible to determine the conformity of the consumables with the unpacked.

  A consumable item to be determined as to whether or not it is compatible with this apparatus (an apparatus provided with a consumable use availability determination apparatus) is placed in the vicinity of this apparatus. Next, the start of consumables suitability determination is input from the operation display unit. When the radio tag transmits / receives a radio signal to the wireless tag and the wireless tag responds, the memory data in the wireless tag is received. The wireless tag transmission / reception unit stores the received information in the RAM and reads the product code from a predetermined bit string. Next, the product code of the consumable that matches the device is read from the compatible consumable product code storage unit. The CPU compares the product codes and determines whether they match. The determination result is notified to the user. When they match, the operation display unit notifies the user that the consumable to be determined is compatible with the apparatus and can be used. Next, the product name / model name paired with the product code is read from the compatible consumable product code and the product name / model name storage unit. The read product name / model name is displayed on the display section of the operation display section together with the conformance result. If it matches, whether or not to display guidance information (such as a moving image) indicating the procedure for replacing the consumable item is displayed on the operation display unit. When the user inputs a display request for guidance information on the operation display unit, the guidance information is read from the consumable item replacement procedure guidance information storage unit. The guidance information is displayed on the display unit of the operation display unit. When the CPU compares the product codes with each other and does not match, the operation display unit notifies the user that the consumable to be determined is not compatible with the apparatus. Next, the compatible consumable product code and the product name / model name that can be used as the consumable product of the own device paired with the product code are read from the product name / model name storage unit. The read product name and model name are displayed as usable consumables, and the user can use the consumable product name and model name.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a consumable use availability determination device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the consumable use availability determination device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, an operation display unit 4, a consumable product 5 within the machine, a consumable attachment / detachment detection unit 6, and a wireless tag transmission / reception unit 10. , Compatible consumable product code storage unit 11, compatible consumable product code and product name / model name storage unit 12, consumable replacement procedure guidance information storage unit 13, already set consumable product code and unique code storage unit 14 for each product These are connected to each other by a system bus 9.

  The CPU 1 controls each part of the consumable use availability determination device and controls the entire device. The ROM 2 stores an operating system and the like, and the RAM 3 stores data and the like. The operation display unit 4 inputs an operation by the user and displays the current status of the apparatus. The in-machine consumable 5 indicates a consumable that has already been set in the own machine. For example, an ink cartridge or a process cartridge that is set and used in its own machine. The consumable item attachment / detachment detection unit 6 detects attachment / detachment of the consumable item to / from the apparatus. The operation display unit 4 includes an operation unit (not shown) and a display unit (not shown).

  The wireless tag transmission / reception unit 10 is a reader that communicates with a wireless tag attached to a consumable and reads information on the wireless tag. The compatible consumable product code storage unit 11 is a storage unit that stores the product codes of consumables that can be used as consumables of the device itself. As a configuration, it may be provided in the RAM 3. The compatible consumable product code and product name / model name storage unit 12 is a storage unit that stores a consumable product code and a product name / model name that can be used as consumables of the device itself. Similarly, it may be provided in the RAM 3 as a configuration.

  The consumable item replacement procedure guidance information storage unit 13 is a storage unit that stores guidance information indicating a procedure for replacing a consumable item. The set consumable product code and the unique code storage unit 14 for each product are storage units for storing the product code of the consumables already set in the own machine and the unique code (serial number or the like) for each product.

  Although not shown, if the consumable use availability determination device has an image processing unit and an image recording unit, it becomes a printer device, and if it has an image reading unit, it becomes a copying device. If a communication control unit such as a facsimile modem is provided, a facsimile apparatus is obtained. If these functions are combined, it becomes a multifunction device.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the wireless tag transmission / reception unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the radio tag transceiver 10 includes a modulation / demodulation control circuit 20, a modulation circuit 21 that modulates data received by the modulation / demodulation control circuit 20, and a demodulation circuit 23 that extracts received data from the received radio waves. Composed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the wireless tag attached to the consumable item in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless tag 30 includes an EEPROM 31 that is a memory that holds data even when power is not supplied, a modulation / demodulation circuit 32 that modulates and transmits data, or demodulates radio waves to extract data. The wireless tag 30 includes a rectifying / smoothing circuit 33 that generates a current from L from the magnetic field of the radio wave received and smoothes the current by C, and supplies the power Vdd to the circuits of the EEPROM 31 and the modem circuit 32.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the consumable use availability determination device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a consumable to be determined whether it can be used (applicable) in this apparatus is placed in the vicinity of this apparatus (step S1). Here, this apparatus is a consumable use availability determination device, and further means an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, a complex machine, a printing machine, etc., provided with a consumable use availability determination device. To do. That is, the wireless tag 30 attached to the consumables and the wireless tag transmission / reception unit 10 which is the wireless tag reader of the present apparatus are placed within a communicable range.

  Next, the operation display unit 4 waits for the input of the consumables conformity determination start (step S2). A dedicated button may be provided for consumables conformity determination, or may be realized by operating several buttons. It may be.

  When an input for starting consumables conformity determination is input from the operation display unit 4 (Yes in step S2), a radio wave signal (carrier wave) is transmitted from the wireless tag transmitting / receiving unit 10 to the wireless tag 30, and the wireless tag 30 If the response is received, the memory data in the EEPROM 31 in the wireless tag 30 is received (step S3).

  The wireless tag transmission / reception unit 10 stores the received information in the RAM 3 and reads a product code from a predetermined bit string (step S4). Next, the product code of the consumable that matches the device is read from the compatible consumable product code storage unit 11 (step S5).

  The CPU 1 compares the product codes and determines whether they match (step S6). The determination result is notified to the user. If they match (Yes in step S6), the user is notified that the consumable to be determined is compatible with the apparatus and can be used (step S7). The notification result is displayed on the display unit of the operation display unit 4.

  Next, the product name / model name paired with the product code is read from the compatible consumable product code and product name / model name storage unit 12 (step S8). The read product name / model name is displayed on the display unit of the operation display unit 4 together with the matching result (step S9).

  If it matches, whether or not to display guidance information (moving image or the like) indicating the procedure for replacing the consumable item is displayed on the operation display unit 4 (step S10). In this case, guidance information may be automatically read and displayed after a few seconds.

  When the user inputs a request to display guidance information on the operation display unit 4 (Yes in step S10), the guidance information is read from the consumable item replacement procedure guidance information storage unit 13 (step S11). The guidance information is displayed on the display unit of the operation display unit 4 (step S12). After the guidance information is displayed on the operation display unit 4, the consumable use availability determination is terminated.

  When the CPU 1 compares the product codes and does not match (No in step S6), the determination result is notified to the user. That is, the user is notified that the consumable to be determined is not compatible with the present apparatus (step S13). The notification result is displayed on the display unit of the operation display unit 4.

  Next, the compatible consumable product code and the product name / model name that can be used as the consumable product of the own device paired with the product code are read from the product name / model name storage unit 12 (step S14). The read product name and model name are displayed as usable consumables, and the user is notified of the consumable product name and model name (step S15). With this notification, the consumables availability determination is terminated.

  In step S10, when the user does not desire to display guidance information and inputs on the operation display unit 4 (No in step S10), the consumables availability determination is terminated.

  When the wireless tag transceiver unit 10 communicates with the wireless tag 30 and the wireless tag 30 of the consumables already set in its own device responds, the wireless tag transceiver unit 10 transmits the product code and the product Check the unique code (serial number, etc.). As a result of the investigation, if the set consumable product code and the information in the unique code storage unit 14 for each product coincide with each other, it is determined that the consumable item of the wireless tag 30 is a consumable item already set in its own device. If the unique code for each product does not match, it is determined that the product is a new consumable and is identified as an object for determining whether or not the consumable can be used.

  In addition, when a new compatible consumable is replaced with the currently set consumable, the consumable attachment / detachment detection unit 6 detects this attachment / detachment, communicates with the wireless tag 30, and receives the received information. To obtain a new consumable product code and a unique code for each product. The new information is exchanged with the consumable information before replacement which has already been set, and stored in the set consumable product code and the unique code storage unit 14 for each product. As a result, information on the newly replaced consumables is stored in the set consumable product code and the unique code storage unit 14 for each product. The communication with the wireless tag 30 may be triggered by an input from the operation display unit 4.

  As described above, the embodiment has been described in detail. In the consumable use availability determination device according to the present invention, a means for storing a product code of a consumable that can be used by the own device and a wireless tag attached to the consumable are transmitted. Means for receiving the received information, means for obtaining the product code of the consumable from the received information, means for determining the match between the acquired product code and the product code stored in the own device, and the determination result Therefore, it is possible to determine the suitability of the consumable item without unpacking it.

  Further, the consumable use availability determination device of the present invention includes an operation display unit, and includes a means for starting a consumable product suitability determination by an operation from the operation operation unit. Since communication is performed with the wireless tag attached to the consumable item, it is possible to determine the conformity of the consumable item without unpacking. Further, it is economical because it is not always necessary to communicate with the wireless tag.

  In addition, the consumables availability determination device according to the present invention includes an operation display unit and means for displaying the consumables conformity determination result on the operation display unit. It becomes possible. In addition, visibility is improved.

  Further, in the consumables usability determination device of the present invention, when the product code of the consumables that can be used on its own device and the product name / model name are stored as a pair and the result of the determination by the product code matches Has a means for displaying the paired product name and model name, so that it is possible to determine the conformity of consumables without unpacking. In addition, since the determined product name and model name can be confirmed, the user is given a sense of security.

  Further, in the consumable use availability determination device according to the present invention, when the product code of the consumables that can be used on its own device and the product name / model name are stored as a pair and the result of the determination does not match, Since the means for displaying the conforming product name / model name is also provided, the product name / model name of the conforming product can be notified to the user even if the conformity is not met.

  In addition, the consumable use availability determination device according to the present invention includes means for storing guidance information indicating a procedure for exchanging the consumable, paired with the product code of the consumable that can be used by the own device. In the case of conforming as a result of the above, since a means for displaying guidance information paired is displayed after displaying the conformity determination result, it is possible to smoothly exchange the consumables.

  Further, in the consumable use availability determination device according to the present invention, means for storing the product code of the consumables already set in the own device and the unique code for each product, the product code from the information received from the wireless tag, A wireless tag that includes means for acquiring a unique code for each product, and means for determining a match between the acquired product code, the unique code for each product, and the stored product code and the unique code for each product. Consumables with a tag that has not been matched are determined to be new consumables that are not in the device, and only the new consumables are checked for conformity judgment. Therefore, it is possible to make the consumables conformity determination only for consumables other than the consumables already set in the own device.

  Further, the consumable use availability determination device of the present invention includes means for detecting the attachment / detachment of the consumable, and when the attachment / detachment of the consumable is detected, communicates with the wireless tag and uses the received information to determine the product code and the product. Each unique code is acquired and information on the newly set consumables is stored as already-set consumable information, so that information on the automatically set consumables can be stored.

  Further, in the consumables availability determination device of the present invention, since the consumables are ink cartridges and process cartridges, it is possible to determine the suitability of the consumables in the ink cartridges and process cartridges without being unpacked.

  In addition, since the image forming apparatus including the consumables availability determination device according to the present invention includes the above-described consumables availability determination device, it is possible to determine the suitability of the consumables without unpacking them.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail as described above, the above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not limited thereto. Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the consumables availability determination apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the anti-radio tag transmission / reception part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the radio | wireless tag attached to the consumable goods in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the consumables availability determination apparatus in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 ROM
3 RAM
4 Operation display section 5 Consumables in the machine 6 Consumable attachment / detachment detection section 9 System bus 10 Wireless tag transceiver 11 Compatible consumable product code storage section 12 Consumable consumable product code and product name / model name storage section 13 Consumable replacement procedure Guidance information storage unit 14 Existing consumable product code and unique code storage unit for each product 20 Modulation / demodulation control circuit 21 Modulation circuit 23 Demodulation circuit 30 Wireless tag 31 EEPROM
32 modem circuit 33 rectifying and smoothing circuit

Claims (10)

Compatible consumable product code storage means for storing product codes of consumables that can be used on its own machine,
A wireless tag attached to the consumables, a wireless tag transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information,
Product code reading means for reading the product code of the consumable from the information received from the wireless tag;
Product code matching determination means for determining whether or not the product code read by the product code reading means matches the product code stored in the compatible consumable product code storage means;
Determination result notification means for notifying the user of the determination result by the product code match determination means,
A consumable use availability determination device that performs consumables suitability determination for consumables that can be used in its own machine. Comprising an operation unit, and starting the consumables suitability determination by an operation from the operation unit;
The consumable use availability determination device according to claim 1, wherein communication with the wireless tag is performed when a start operation of the consumable suitability determination is performed.   The consumable use availability determination device according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit, wherein the determination result notification unit displays the determination result on the display unit. It has a compatible consumable product code and product name / model name storage means for storing the consumable product code and product name / model name that can be used on its own machine.
When the consumable is compatible with the self-machine according to the determination result based on the product code by the product code matching determination means, the product name / model name paired with the product code of the consumable is also displayed. The consumable use availability determination device according to claim 1.   If the consumable is not compatible with the self-machine according to the determination result based on the product code by the product code matching judgment means, the product name / model name paired with the product code of the consumable suitable for the self-machine is displayed. The consumable use availability determination device according to claim 4, further displaying a message. Consumable item replacement procedure guidance information storage means for storing guidance information indicating a procedure for exchanging the consumable item in a pair with the product code of the consumable item that can be used on its own machine,
2. The consumable use availability determination device according to claim 1, wherein, when the determination result by the product code match determination means is compatible, the guidance information is displayed after displaying the compatibility result. . An already set consumable product code for storing the consumable product code already set in the own machine and a unique code for each product, and a unique code storing means for each product;
A consumable product code and a unique code acquisition means for acquiring a product code and a unique code for each product from the information of the consumable received from the wireless tag;
A determination means for determining a match between the product code acquired by the consumable product code and the unique code acquisition means, the unique code for each product, and the stored product code and the unique code for each product;
If it is determined by the determination means that they match, it is determined that the consumable item having the wireless tag is already set,
The consumable item having the wireless tag is determined to be a new consumable item when the determination unit determines that they do not match, and the consumable item conformity determination is performed only for the new consumable item. 7. The consumable use availability determination device according to any one of items 1 to 6. Consumable item attachment / detachment detecting means for detecting attachment / detachment of the consumable item to / from an apparatus provided with the consumable item availability determination device;
When the consumable item attachment / detachment detecting unit detects the setting of the consumable item on the device, the consumable item attachment / detachment detecting unit communicates with the wireless tag of the consumable item and obtains a product code of the consumable item and a unique code for each product from the received information. The acquired information is stored as a newly set consumable in the set consumable product code and the unique code storage means for each product, according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Consumables availability determination device.   9. The consumable use availability determining device according to claim 1, wherein the consumable is an ink cartridge or a process cartridge.   An image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, a multifunction peripheral, or a printing machine, comprising the consumable use availability determination device according to claim 1.

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