JP2006215441A - Consumption articles exchanging method for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a consumption articles exchanging method in which only genuine articles can be permitted to be exchanged whether or not consumption articles themselves have a recording medium on which an identification code is recorded without requiring labor and time. <P>SOLUTION: A card 33 with an IC tag 35 in which information whether or not a toner cartridge (consumption article) 32 is an adaptive article is written is packed together with the toner cartridge 32 in a packing case 31. In the case of exchanging the toner cartridge 32 which must be exchanged for a new toner cartridge 32, the information of the IC tag 35 is read by the RF-ID reader 19 of the image forming apparatus, and the information of the IC tag used at past which is stored in a RAM 5 is collated with the information of the IC tag read this time. When judging that the IC tag read this time is new, "exchange is normally finished" is displayed on a display part 7, and the use of the toner cartridge is permitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

    The present invention relates to a consumable replacement method for an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a copying machine.

In general, in an image forming apparatus, process units (consumables) such as a toner cartridge and a drum unit are detachable, and can be freely replaced with new ones when their lifetime is reached. When replacing this consumable part with a new one, only the genuine part is allowed to be replaced and the replacement with a non-genuine part is prohibited. The same identification number is also stored in the memory for genuine products, and both identification codes are compared at the time of replacement, and only those that are matched are allowed (see, for example, Patent Document 1), or when consumables are replaced An image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 2) that manually inputs an identification code of a new replacement product, compares it with an already permitted identification code, and permits use if a match is obtained is disclosed.
JP-A-7-205228 JP 2003-195705 A

  Non-genuine products can be eliminated in any of the above-described conventional checks when replacing consumables. However, since the technique described in Patent Document 1 is used for comparison with an identification code stored in a replacement product, there is a problem that even a genuine product that does not have a memory for storing an identification code cannot be checked. Moreover, since the technique described in Patent Document 2 is for manually inputting an identification code, there is a problem that it takes a little time for operation.

    The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and does not require labor, and only a genuine product is used regardless of whether or not the consumable product itself has a recording medium for recording an identification code. An object is to provide a consumable replacement method that can be permitted.

  According to the image forming apparatus consumable replacement method of the present invention, an article including an IC tag in which information indicating whether or not the consumable is compatible is included in the replacement consumable, and the consumable that needs to be replaced. When the IC is replaced with a new consumable, the information of the IC tag of the new consumable is read with an RF-ID reader provided in the image forming apparatus, and the new replacement Allow use of consumables. Note that the bundling includes not only putting in a case (box) containing consumables but also attaching an IC tag sheet to the outside of the case.

    In the present invention, the identification code of the consumable IC tag used in the image forming apparatus is stored in the image forming apparatus, collated with the identification code of the IC tag read this time, and the identification code of the current IC tag is new. In such a case, the use of the new replacement consumable may be permitted.

    In the present invention, the IC tag can store information on whether or not the consumable is a compatible product, as well as information on the model and standard of the consumable.

    Examples of the consumables in the present invention include a toner cartridge, a drum unit, and a process unit in which the toner cartridge and the drum unit are integrated.

    According to the present invention, if a consumable part for replacement can be authorized as a genuine part, the card with the IC tag written to that effect may be enclosed with the consumable part. It can also be used for products that do not have code storage media or recycled products. Since it is only necessary to bring the article provided with the IC tag close to the reader unit, no labor is required.

    Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus in which the present invention is implemented. In this embodiment, the facsimile device includes an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) 1, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 2, a MODEM (Modulator Demodulator) 3, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 4, and a RAM (Random Memory 5). , An image memory 6, a display unit 7, an operation unit 8, a scanner 9, a CODEC (Coder-Decoder) 10, a printer 11, a LAN-IF (Local Area Network-Inter Face) 12, and a clock circuit 13. And a bus 14.

  The MPU 1 has a function of controlling each unit constituting this apparatus in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 4. The NCU 2 controls the connection with the telephone line network (PSTN) 20 and transmits a selection (dial) signal corresponding to the telephone number (including the FAX number) of the other party, and for detecting the calling signal. It has a function. MODEM3 is an ITU (International Telecommunication Union) -T Recommendation 30 based on the facsimile transmission control procedure according to 17, V.R. 27ter, V.I. Modulates transmission data and demodulates received data according to 29 etc. Alternatively, in addition to these, V.P. 34, modulation of transmission data and demodulation of reception data are performed.

  The ROM 4 stores a program for controlling this device. The RAM 5 temporarily stores data processed by the MPU 1. The RAM 5 stores data read from an IC tag 35 described later. The image memory 6 stores received image data and image data read by the scanner 9. The display unit 7 displays information transmitted from the apparatus to the operator. The operation unit 8 includes operation switches such as a numeric keypad, a FAX key, a COPY key, a start key, and a one-touch key.

  The scanner 9 reads an image of a document when performing FAX transmission or copying. The scanner 9 includes a motor 15 for driving a reading optical system, a scanner mechanism driving circuit 16 for driving and controlling the motor 15, a CCD sensor 17 for reading a document, and a read image signal of the CCD sensor 17. In addition to an image processing circuit 18 for image processing, an RF-ID reader 19 for reading data of an IC tag is provided. The RF-ID reader 19 is disposed in the document conveyance path of the scanner 9 or other appropriate place. The RF-ID reader 19 may be an RF-ID reader / writer.

  In order to transmit the read image data, the CODEC 10 encodes (encodes) the MH, MR, MMR method, etc., and decodes the received image data. The printer 11 prints image data read by the scanner 9 at the time of copying, received image data received by facsimile, and print data transmitted from a PC as an external device. A replaceable toner cartridge 32 is set in the printer 11. The LAN-IF 12 is connected to an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) via a LAN (Local Area Network), and exchanges data with the external device from here. The clock circuit 13 outputs the current time (year / month / day / minute). Each component is connected by a bus 14.

  In the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, the toner cartridge 32 of the printer 11 can be exchanged, and the RAM 5 of this apparatus stores information relating to the toner cartridges that have been permitted so far. The information includes a manufacturer name, a model code, a serial number, and the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner cartridge prepared for replacement includes a toner cartridge 32 and an IC tag card 33 in a packing case 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the IC tag-attached card 33 has an IC tag 35 attached on a card 34. The IC tag 35 is in a seal shape with an adhesive applied on the surface.

  Information about the enclosed toner cartridge 32 is written in the IC tag 35 of the IC tag-equipped card 33. The information includes manufacturer name, model code, serial number, and the like. In some cases, a standard, for example, a toner filling amount may be stored. The IC tag 35 of the IC tag-equipped card 33 can be read electromagnetically by the RF-ID reader 19 provided in the facsimile apparatus. Information of the bundled toner cartridge 32 may be printed on the upper surface 34a of the card 34 of the IC tag-equipped card 33 excluding the mounting surface of the IC tag 35.

  In the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, when the toner cartridge is replaced, the IC tag-equipped card 33 enclosed with the toner cartridge 32 is brought close to the apparatus in the packing case 31 and the IC tag 35 is connected by the RF-ID reader 19. This information is read and compared with the information regarding the toner cartridge stored in the RAM 5, and if it is a conforming product, the replacement is permitted.

  Next, the processing operation when the toner cartridge 32 is replaced in the facsimile apparatus of the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the Fukushimari device, in step ST1, it is determined whether toner is present. If the toner in the toner cartridge 32 remains in the toner sensor attached to the printer 11, the process directly returns. On the other hand, if there is no toner, the process proceeds to step ST2.

  In step ST2, “Please replace the toner” is displayed on the display unit 7. Then, the process proceeds to step ST3. In step ST3, it is detected whether or not the toner cartridge 32 has been replaced. In view of the display in step ST2, since the user removes the toner cartridge 32 from the main body in order to replace it, the presence or absence of the toner cartridge is detected. Then, the process proceeds to step ST4, where it is determined whether there is a toner cartridge. If the toner cartridge 32 remains detached and there is no toner cartridge 32, the process returns to step ST2. On the other hand, if the toner cartridge 32 is mounted, the process proceeds to step ST5.

  In step ST5, “Please bring the IC tag card closer to the main body” is displayed on the display unit 7. Next, the process proceeds to step ST6. In step ST6, the RF-ID reader 19 reads the IC tag-attached card 33 and determines whether or not the IC tag 35 is detected. If the IC tag 35 cannot be detected, the process returns to step ST5 and continues to display “Please bring the IC tag card closer to the main body” on the display unit 7. On the other hand, if the IC tag 35 can be detected, the process proceeds to step ST7.

  In step ST7, the information of the IC tag 35 is read by the RF-ID reader 19 and stored in the RAM 5. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step ST8. In step ST8, it is determined whether or not the new replacement cartridge stored in the RAM 5 is a new IC tag that has not been permitted to be used so far. If the information stored in the device matches the information read from the IC tag 35 this time, that is, if it is not a new IC tag, the already used IC tag 35 for the cartridge is used for a cartridge that is not compatible this time. Therefore, it is determined that the product is a non-genuine product, and the process proceeds to step ST9. In step ST9, "This cartridge cannot be used" is displayed on the display unit 7, and the process is terminated. In this case, the replacement of the toner cartridge is not permitted.

  On the other hand, if the information does not match in step ST8, it is determined that the cartridge to be replaced this time is an authorized genuine product, and the process proceeds to step ST10. In step ST10, “exchange completed successfully” is displayed on the display unit 7. In this case, the replacement of the toner cartridge is permitted.

  In the above embodiment, if the IC tag 35 of the IC tag-equipped card 33 stores, for example, the number of printable sheets as the toner filling amount of the bundled toner cartridge, the number of printable sheets is stored in the main unit when the toner cartridge is replaced. It is possible to control the print counter of the main apparatus using the number of printable sheets.

  In the above embodiment, the IC tag-attached card 33 in which the IC tag 35 is attached to the card 34 is enclosed in the packing case 31. However, the IC tag 35 is attached to an article other than the card (for example, a small box). It may be attached. Moreover, although the card 33 with an IC tag is put in the packaging case 31, that is, bundled, it may be attached to the outside of the packaging case 31 to be bundled.

  In the above embodiment, the toner cartridge has been described as an example of a consumable item. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a drum unit, a process unit in which the toner cartridge and the drum unit are integrated, or the like is replaced.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the facsimile apparatus with which this invention is implemented. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation when the toner cartridge is replaced in the facsimile apparatus. It is the schematic of the toner cartridge for replacement | exchange used for the said facsimile apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a card with an IC tag bundled with a toner cartridge.

Explanation of symbols

1 MPU
2 NCU
3 MODEM
4 ROM
5 RAM
6 Image memory 7 Display unit 8 Operation unit 9 Scanner 10 CODEC
11 Printer 12 LAN-IF
13 Clock circuit 14 Bus 15 Motor 16 Scanner mechanism drive circuit 17 CCD sensor 18 Image processing circuit 19 RF-ID reader 31 Packing case 32 Toner cartridge body 33 IC tag card 34 Card 35 IC tag

Claims (3)

A consumable replacement method for an image forming apparatus having replaceable consumables, comprising:
When an item with an IC tag in which information about whether or not the consumable item is compatible is included in the replacement consumable item, image formation is performed when the consumable item requiring replacement is replaced with a new consumable item. When the information of the IC tag of the new consumable is read by an RF-ID reader provided in the apparatus and the read information indicates that it is a compatible product, the consumable of the image forming apparatus that permits the use of the new replacement consumable method of exchange. The identification code of the consumable IC tag used in the image forming apparatus is stored in the image forming apparatus, checked against the identification code of the IC tag read this time, and when the identification code of the current IC tag is new, 2. The consumable replacement method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein use of the new replacement consumable is permitted. 3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the IC tag stores information on a model and a standard of the consumables in addition to information on whether or not the consumables are compatible. Consumable replacement method for forming apparatus.

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