JP2006332886A - Communication terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication terminal device for preventing use of a pirate component without the need for applying any special processing to replacement components of the communication terminal. <P>SOLUTION: A center apparatus 40 includes a hard disk drive 108 for storing a customer information management table 108b that stores codes corresponding to replacement components of an image recording section 3 of a digital compound machine 20 being the communication terminal device provided with replacement components and component information of the replacement components, and transmits a verification OK signal to the digital compound machine 20 in response to a code notice signal received from the digital compound machine 20. When the digital compound machine 20 replaces its component with a replacement component, a main control section 1 displays a message of allowing a user to enter a code corresponding to the replacement component by using an operation section 5, and transmits the code notice signal including the entered code to the center apparatus 40. Upon the receipt of the verification OK signal from the center apparatus 40, the digital compound machine 20 can use an image recording section 3, and when receiving the verification OK signal, the digital compound machine 20 displays an error on a display section 4 for the user for information of the user to inhibit the use of the image recording section 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal apparatus such as a digital composite apparatus or a facsimile apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copier, a printer, or a complex machine of these often employs an electrophotographic system as a recording system for the recording paper. In such an image forming apparatus, generally, a process unit such as a toner cartridge containing toner and a drum cartridge containing a photosensitive drum is detachably provided to the apparatus main body, and when the toner runs out, These process units can be replaced with new ones when it is time to replace the photosensitive drums.

  In general, a manufacturer of such an image forming apparatus sells a process unit having quality and specifications suitable for the image forming apparatus as a genuine product for replacement. However, there are cases where so-called pirated process units other than genuine products manufactured by a third party are distributed at a lower price than genuine products. And since piracy process units are different from genuine products in chemical and electrical characteristics of photosensitive drums and toners, the quality is often inferior to genuine products. When the above process unit is used, there have been problems such as degradation of image quality, malfunction of operation, shortening of the life of the apparatus, and the like.

  For this reason, conventionally, a memory is provided in the process unit, and the model code, manufacturer code, etc. are stored in this memory, and when installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, these model codes are read from the memory, When the same code as the correct model code stored in the forming device is read, it is determined that a genuine process unit is installed. A technique for determining that a process unit was installed was used.

  However, with such a conventional technology, if a person who manufactures a pirated process unit obtains a genuine process unit and knows the correct model code etc., the pirated process unit has the same memory as the genuine product. By storing the correct model code and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a process unit having a stencil code similar to a genuine product. Further, such a pirated process unit has a problem that the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus can no longer determine whether it is a genuine product or a pirated product.

  In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus and a method for reliably determining whether a process unit mounted on an image forming apparatus is a genuine product or a pirated version.

  In Patent Document 1, “The image forming apparatus is detachable from the image forming apparatus, an order code generating unit that generates an order code, an order code storage unit that stores the order code, a communication unit that transmits the order code, and the image forming apparatus. The process unit attached to the process unit, the order code holding unit provided in the process unit, the order code read from the order code holding unit and the order code stored in the order code storage unit are compared, and the process And a determination unit that determines whether or not the unit 2 is a genuine product ”.

JP 2003-215989 A.

  However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide an order code holding unit in the process unit, and it is necessary to perform special processing on the replacement part, which increases the manufacturing cost. It was.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a communication terminal device that can prevent the use of unauthorized parts without the need for special processing on replacement parts of communication terminal devices such as facsimile machines. There is to do.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal device including a replacement part,
The communication terminal device includes a management table for storing a code corresponding to the replacement part and part information of the replacement part via a communication line, and responding to a code notification signal received, the code and the replacement part part Connected to a center device that transmits a verification OK signal when the information corresponds,
Input means for inputting a code corresponding to the replacement part;
When the replacement part is replaced, the user is notified to input a code corresponding to the replacement part using the input means, and the input code and a code including part information of the replaced replacement part A transmission means for transmitting a notification signal to the center device;
The communication terminal device can be used when the verification OK signal is received from the center device, and has a control means for notifying the user of an error when the verification OK signal is not received. To do.

  In the communication terminal device, when the verification OK signal is not received, the control means further controls to prohibit use of the communication terminal device.

A communication terminal device according to a second invention is a communication terminal device comprising a replacement part,
The communication terminal device includes a management table that stores, for each customer information, a management table that manages the usage status of the communication terminal device via a communication line, and the management table in response to a notification signal that includes the usage status Is connected to a center device that sends a warning notification signal when the use of replacement parts is not appropriate,
After transmitting a notification signal for notifying the usage status of the communication terminal device to the center device every time the communication terminal device is used, an error is notified to the user when a warning notification signal is received from the center device. Control means is provided.

  In the communication terminal device, when the warning notification signal is received, the control means further controls to prohibit use of the communication terminal device.

Further, in the communication terminal device, the usage status is a print sheet count value of the communication terminal device,
The management table includes the order status of replacement parts of the communication terminal device,
Based on the printed sheet count value, the management table is referred to determine whether or not a replacement part has been properly ordered according to the printed sheet count value of the communication terminal apparatus by the center device. When not ordered, the communication terminal device receives the warning notification signal from the center device.

  Therefore, according to the communication terminal device of the first invention, when the replacement part is replaced, the user is informed to input the code corresponding to the replacement part using the input means, and the input A code notification signal including part information of the replaced code and the replaced replacement part is transmitted to the center device, and when the verification OK signal is received from the center device, the communication terminal device can be used while When the verification OK signal is not received, an error is notified to the user, and further control is performed to prohibit the use of the communication terminal device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the use of unauthorized parts without requiring special processing on the replacement parts of a communication terminal device such as a facsimile machine, and the manufacturing cost of replacement parts is not increased.

  In addition, according to the communication terminal device according to the second aspect of the present invention, after transmitting a notification signal notifying the use status of the communication terminal device to the center device every time the communication terminal device is used, the center device When a warning notification signal is received from the user, an error is notified to the user, and control is further performed to prohibit use of the communication terminal device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the use of unauthorized parts without requiring special processing on the replacement parts of a communication terminal device such as a facsimile machine, and the manufacturing cost of replacement parts is not increased.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components. In the following embodiments, the first and second embodiments will be described. After describing a hardware configuration common to the two embodiments, the processing according to each embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 shows a local area network system (hereinafter referred to as a local area network) including a digital composite apparatus 20 which is a facsimile apparatus having a copy, printer, and scanner function according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote maintenance system in which a digital composite apparatus 20 is connected to a center apparatus 40 via the Internet 90. FIG.

  The LAN system according to this embodiment is connected to a public telephone network 80 via a plurality of N client personal computers 30-1 to 30-N (hereinafter collectively referred to as reference numeral 30) and a public telephone line L. The digital composite apparatus 20 and the router apparatus 60 connected to the Internet 90 are connected via a LAN 70. By connecting each client personal computer 30 to the Internet 90 via a router device 60 and a mail server device (not shown), it is possible to browse home pages and send and receive e-mails. Reference numeral 30 denotes a configuration in which the copy, printer, scanner, and facsimile functions of the apparatus 20 can be used in common by accessing the digital composite apparatus 20.

  The digital composite apparatus 20 which is a communication terminal apparatus according to this embodiment performs, for example, facsimile communication with another digital composite apparatus 20A via the public telephone network 80, and digital communication via the LAN 70, the router apparatus 60 and the Internet 90. It is connected to a center device 40 that remotely controls the composite device 20.

  The digital composite apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment includes an image recording unit 3 that is a laser printer including replacement parts such as toner and a photosensitive drum. As described above, the center device 40 connected to the digital composite apparatus 20 via the Internet 90 has a code corresponding to the replacement part (a code given to the replacement part (if the code is a genuinely purchased replacement part) And a special code that cannot estimate or understand the product number or replacement part, and a plurality of codes may be assigned to one product number. ) And a customer information management table 108b for storing part information such as the part name of the replacement part. The hard disk drive 108 is provided with a customer information management table 108b. When it corresponds to (part name etc.), a verification OK signal is transmitted. The main control unit 1 of the digital composite apparatus 20 notifies the user by inputting the code corresponding to the replacement part on the display unit 4 using the operation unit 5 when the replacement part is replaced. Then, a code notification signal including the input code and the part name of the replaced replacement part is transmitted to the center device 40. When the verification OK signal is received from the center device 40, the image recording unit 3 of the digital composite device 20 can be used. On the other hand, when the verification OK signal is not received, an error is displayed on the display unit 4 to the user. Thus, the control is performed so that the use of the image recording unit 3 of the digital composite apparatus 20 is prohibited.

  The client personal computer 30 in FIG. 1 is an external terminal device that is a known personal computer, and executes processing such as generation, recording, and storage of image data and character data. In this embodiment, as an example, the client personal computer 30 is an external terminal device that receives image data scanned by a scanner, or image data of a document image generated by the client personal computer 30 (for example, software of a word processor). It is used as an information processing apparatus that transmits the created document image data to the receiving communication terminal apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus or a digital composite apparatus via the digital composite apparatus 20.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital composite apparatus 20 of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the digital composite apparatus 20 has functions of a copy, a printer, and a scanner in addition to a conventional facsimile communication function such as the G3 system. The main control unit 1 is specifically composed of a CPU, and is connected to the following hardware units via the bus 13 to control them, and executes various software functions to be described later. The image reading unit 2 reads a document with a scanner using a CCD or the like, and outputs dot image data converted into monochrome binary. The image recording unit 3 is, for example, a printer apparatus such as an electrophotographic system, and prints out image data scanned and converted by the image reading unit 2 or image data received from another facsimile apparatus by facsimile communication as a hard copy. Record or record character data.

  The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD) or a CRT display, and displays the operation state of the digital composite device 20 and displays image data of a document to be transmitted and received image data. Do. The operation unit 5 includes character keys, dial keypads, speed dial keys, one-touch dial keys, various function keys, and the like necessary for operating the digital composite apparatus 20. Here, the operation unit 5 includes an input device such as an input operation key (not shown) for inputting a code corresponding to the replaced part. In addition, you may comprise so that a part or all of the various keys of this operation part 5 may be substituted by making the above-mentioned display part 4 into a touch panel system.

  The ROM 6 stores in advance various software programs that are necessary for the operation of the digital composite apparatus 20 and are executed by the main control unit 1. In this embodiment, at least the component replacement detection process (first step) shown in FIG. Of the image recording unit print detection process (second embodiment) of FIG. 5. The RAM 7 is composed of SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM or the like, and is used as a working area for the main control unit 1 to store temporary data generated when the program is executed. Here, the RAM 7 is a component replacement management table 7a that manages component information such as customer name, customer management number, for example, whether or not various replacement parts are mounted in the image recording unit 3, the model number of the mounted replacement part, and the part name. And the password input by the user is temporarily stored. When a flash memory is used as the RAM 7, the contents of the data are not lost even when the power is cut off due to a power failure, movement of the device, or the like.

  The image memory 8 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores image data to be transmitted, received image data, or image data that has been scanned and converted. Here, the image memory 8 includes a memory box area 8a divided into a plurality of memory boxes corresponding to a plurality of client personal computers 30 or their users. Each client personal computer 30 transfers image data transmitted / received by a facsimile function, image data scanned and converted by a scanner function or a copy function, and image data when using a printer function to a corresponding memory box. When the data is temporarily stored and read from the memory box, the data is read from the corresponding memory box and transferred by transmitting a transfer instruction request signal. Further, the hard disk drive 9 is a storage device having a built-in recording medium, and stores various data and programs.

  The fax modem 10 is a modem connected to the public telephone line L and having a function of a fax modem for normal facsimile communication. An NCU (Network Control Unit) 11 is a hardware circuit that performs an operation of closing and opening a DC loop of an analog public telephone line L and having an automatic dial function. Is connected to the public telephone line L. Here, the NCU 11 detects the ID receiving terminal activation signal and the normal telephone call signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service, and transmits the primary response signal and the secondary response signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service as necessary. can do. The NCU 11 may be connected to a baseband transmission type digital line (for example, an ISDN line) via a predetermined terminal adapter and DSU (Subscriber Line Termination Unit: Digital Service Unit).

  Further, the LAN interface 12 is connected to the LAN 70 and receives signals and data from the LAN 70, and transmits signals and data to the LAN 70 to execute interface processing related to LAN communication such as signal conversion and protocol conversion. . In this embodiment, the LAN interface 12 is connected to the center device 40 via the LAN 70, the router device 60, and the Internet 90, and the digital composite device 20 sends a code notification signal and print to the center device 40 as will be described in detail later. While the processing execution signal is transmitted, a verification OK signal for remote control from the center device 40, a warning notification signal, a facsimile signal of a warning notification report, and the like are received.

  In the facsimile communication function of the digital composite apparatus 20 configured as described above, the dot image data transferred from each client personal computer 30-1 to 30-N or the dot image data read by the image reading unit 2 is facsimile. After being encoded by software in accordance with an encoding method such as MH, MR, or MMR defined in the communication standard, it is transmitted to the other party's facsimile machine, for example, the digital composite apparatus 20A. The encoded data received from the digital composite apparatus 20A, which is a facsimile apparatus, is also decoded into image data by software, stored in the image memory 8, and printed by the image recording unit 3 as necessary.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the center device 40 of FIG. Here, the center device 40 is constituted by a personal computer, for example.

  In FIG. 3, the main control unit 101 is specifically composed of a CPU and is connected to the following hardware units via the bus 113 to control them and execute various software functions to be described later. To do. In the center device 40, an image reading unit and an image recording unit (not shown) are optionally provided. The display unit 104 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT display, and displays the operation state of the center device 40 and displays image data of a document to be transmitted and received image data. . The operation unit 105 is a keyboard, for example, for inputting character data and instruction commands.

The ROM 106 stores various software programs that are necessary for the operation of the center apparatus 40 and executed by the main control unit 101 in advance. The RAM 107 is composed of SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, etc., and is used as a working area for the main control unit 101 to store temporary data generated when the program is executed. Further, the hard disk drive 108 is a storage device containing a recording medium, and includes, for example, a program memory area 108 a for storing a software program for remote control of the digital composite apparatus 20 executed by the main control unit 101. . Here, the program memory area 108a includes at least a program of the printing process execution notification signal reception process (second embodiment) of FIG. In addition, the hard disk drive 108 includes, for example, a customer information table 108 b that stores the following item data for each customer of the digital composite apparatus 20.
(A) Customer name.
(B) Customer management number.
(C) Order status of replacement parts (for example, consumables such as toner and photosensitive drums) of the image recording unit 3 (name of each replacement part, model number, corresponding code, order date, etc.).
(D) Printed sheet count value.

  Further, the LAN interface 112 is connected to the router device 60 of FIG.

  The center device 40 configured as described above transmits various signals for remote control of the digital composite device 20 to the digital composite device 20 via the LAN interface 112, the LAN, the Internet 90, the router device 80, and the LAN 70. The digital composite apparatus 20 is remotely controlled by receiving various signals from the digital composite apparatus 20 through the same route.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a component replacement detection process according to the first embodiment, which is executed by the main control unit 1 of the digital multifunction device 20 of FIG.

  In FIG. 4, it is first determined whether or not the part has been replaced in step S1, and the process of step S1 is repeated until YES is determined, and when YES is determined, the process proceeds to step S2. Next, in step S2, the code of the replaced part (for example, the above-described special code given in advance to the part) is displayed on the display unit 4 and input to the user for a predetermined time (for example, It is determined whether or not a code corresponding to the part converted by the user is input within 5 minutes). If NO, the process proceeds to step S3. If YES, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S3, the image recording unit 3 notifies the display unit 4 of an error indicating that the use is prohibited, sets the image recording unit 3 to use prohibited, and ends the component replacement detection process. On the other hand, a code notification signal including the code input in step S4, part information such as a replacement part name, and a customer management number is transmitted to the center apparatus 40. In response to this, the center device 40 receives the code notification signal, refers to the customer information management table 108b, and checks whether or not the code included in the received code notification signal is a genuine code. If OK, a verification OK signal is transmitted to the digital composite apparatus 20. On the other hand, if it is not OK, the verification OK signal is not transmitted (instead of not transmitting the verification OK signal, a verification NG signal may be transmitted). In step S5, the digital composite apparatus 20 determines whether or not a verification OK signal has been received from the center apparatus 40 within a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes). If YES, the process proceeds to step S6 while NO. If so, go to Step S3. In step S6, the process ends normally, the image recording unit 3 is set to be usable, and the component replacement detection process ends.

  As described above, according to the component replacement detection process according to the first embodiment, when the user does not input the code corresponding to the component replacement (YES in step S2) or the input code is invalid. (That is, when the verification OK signal is not received; NO in step S5) Since the image recording unit 3 is disabled in step S3, special processing is applied to the replacement part of the communication terminal device such as a facsimile machine. Unnecessary parts can be prevented from being used without necessity, and the manufacturing cost of replacement parts is not increased.

  Next, processing according to the second embodiment will be described below.

  In the second embodiment, the center device 40 includes a customer information management table 108b in the hard disk drive 108 that stores the usage status (printed sheet count value) of the digital composite device 20 for each customer information. The digital composite apparatus 20 transmits a print processing notification signal including the print sheet count value of the digital composite apparatus 20 to the center apparatus 40 for each predetermined use (for example, every 100 to 500 sheets) (see FIG. 5 steps S11-S12). In response to this, the center device 40 refers to the customer information management table 108b on the basis of the print processing notification signal including the print number count value and the customer management number from the digital composite device 20, and responds to the print number. Thus, it can be estimated that the replacement of the replacement part is almost performed, and it is determined whether or not the replacement part is properly used. When the replacement part is not appropriate, a warning notification signal is transmitted to the digital composite apparatus 20 ( Steps S21 to S27 in FIG. When the digital composite apparatus 20 receives a warning notification signal from the center apparatus 40 (YES in step S13 in FIG. 5), the display unit 4 displays an error informing the use prohibition of the image recording unit 3 due to unauthorized use of replacement parts. It is characterized in that the control is performed so as to notify the user by displaying on the screen and to prohibit the use of the image recording unit 3 (step S14).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an image recording unit print detection process according to the second embodiment, which is executed by the main control unit 1 of the digital multifunction peripheral 20 of FIG.

  In step S11 of FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number (for example, 100 to 500) of printing processing has been executed by the image recording unit 3, and the processing of step S11 is executed until YES is obtained. In step S12, a print processing execution notification signal including the customer code and the number of printed sheets is transmitted to the center device 40. Next, in step S13, it is determined whether or not a warning notification signal has been received from the center device 40 within a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes). If YES, the process proceeds to step S14. If NO, the image recording unit The print detection process ends. In step S14, since the replacement part of the image recording unit 3 is illegally used, an error indicating that the image recording unit 3 is prohibited is displayed on the display unit 4, thereby notifying the image recording unit 3 to be used. Then, the image recording unit print detection process is completed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing print processing execution notification signal reception processing according to the second embodiment, which is executed by the main control unit 1 of the center device 40 of FIG.

  In FIG. 6, it is first determined in step S21 whether or not a print processing execution notification signal has been received from the digital multi-function apparatus 20, and the process in step S21 is repeated until the answer is YES. move on. Next, in step S22, data in the customer information management table 108b is searched based on the customer management number included in the print processing execution notification signal. In step S23, the number of printed sheets is a predetermined value (the maximum number of printable sheets with the current replacement part). Or a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value to it). If YES, the process proceeds to step S24. If NO, the print process execution notification signal reception process is terminated. In step S24, the status of occurrence of replacement parts in the customer information management table 108b is collated, and in step S25, it is determined whether or not a replacement part corresponding to the number of printed sheets has been ordered. While the reception process is terminated, the process proceeds to step S26 if NO. In step S26, it is determined whether or not the number of printed sheets is excessive with respect to the order for replacement parts (it is estimated that an illegal product is used). If YES, the process proceeds to step S27. If NO, Ends the printing process execution notification signal reception process. In step S27, an unauthorized use warning notification signal for warning the user is transmitted to the digital composite apparatus 20, and the printing process execution notification signal reception process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the digital composite apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment, the center apparatus 40 is based on the print processing notification signal including the print count value and the customer management number from the digital composite apparatus 20. By referring to the customer information management table 108b, it can be estimated that the replacement of the replacement part is roughly executed in accordance with the number of printed sheets, and it is determined whether or not the replacement part is properly used. If not, a warning notification signal is transmitted to the digital composite apparatus 20 (steps S21 to S27 in FIG. 6). When the digital composite apparatus 20 receives a warning notification signal from the center apparatus 40 (YES in step S13 in FIG. 5), the display unit 4 displays an error informing the use prohibition of the image recording unit 3 due to unauthorized use of replacement parts. In this case, the user is notified and the use of the image recording unit 3 is prohibited (step S14). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the use of unauthorized parts without requiring special processing on the replacement parts of a communication terminal device such as a facsimile machine, and the manufacturing cost of replacement parts is not increased.

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, an example of the digital composite apparatus 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to a facsimile apparatus or a facsimile server apparatus having a facsimile function.

  As described above in detail, according to the communication terminal device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the replacement part is replaced, the user is caused to input a code corresponding to the replacement part using the input means. The communication terminal device can be used when a notification signal is transmitted to the center device and a verification signal is received from the center device. On the other hand, when the verification OK signal is not received, an error is notified to the user, and control is further performed to prohibit the use of the communication terminal device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the use of unauthorized parts without requiring special processing on the replacement parts of a communication terminal device such as a facsimile machine, and the manufacturing cost of replacement parts is not increased.

  In addition, according to the communication terminal device according to the second aspect of the present invention, after transmitting a notification signal notifying the use status of the communication terminal device to the center device every time the communication terminal device is used, the center device When a warning notification signal is received from the user, an error is notified to the user, and control is further performed to prohibit use of the communication terminal device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the use of unauthorized parts without requiring special processing on the replacement parts of a communication terminal device such as a facsimile machine, and the manufacturing cost of replacement parts is not increased.

The LAN system including the digital composite apparatus 20 which is a facsimile apparatus having a copy, printer, and scanner function, and the digital composite apparatus 20 are connected to the center apparatus 40 via the Internet 90 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a remote maintenance system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital composite apparatus 20 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the center apparatus 40 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the components replacement | exchange detection process which concerns on 1st Embodiment performed by the main control part 1 of the digital composite device 20 of FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating image recording unit print detection processing according to a second embodiment, which is executed by the main control unit 1 of the digital multifunction peripheral 20 of FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process execution notification signal reception process according to a second embodiment, which is executed by the main control unit 1 of the center apparatus 40 of FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... main control part,
2. Image reading unit,
3 ... image recording unit,
4 ... display part,
5 ... operation part,
6 ... ROM,
7 ... RAM,
7a ... Parts replacement management table,
8 ... Image memory,
8a ... Memory box area,
9 ... Hard disk drive,
10. Fax modem,
11 ... NCU,
12 ... LAN interface,
13 ... Bus
20, 20A ... Digital composite device,
30, 30-1 thru | or 30-N ... client personal computer,
40. Center device,
60 ... Router device,
70: Local area network (LAN),
80 ... public telephone network,
90 ... Internet,
101 ... main control unit,
104 ... display section,
105 ... operation unit,
106 ... ROM,
107 ... RAM,
108: Hard disk drive,
108a ... Program memory area,
108b ... Customer information management table,
112 ... LAN interface,
113 ... Bus.

Claims (5)

In a communication terminal device with replacement parts,
The communication terminal device includes a management table for storing a code corresponding to the replacement part and part information of the replacement part via a communication line, and responding to a code notification signal received, the code and the replacement part part Connected to a center device that transmits a verification OK signal when the information corresponds,
Input means for inputting a code corresponding to the replacement part;
When the replacement part is replaced, the user is notified to input a code corresponding to the replacement part using the input means, and the input code and a code including part information of the replaced replacement part A transmission means for transmitting a notification signal to the center device;
The communication terminal device can be used when the verification OK signal is received from the center device, and has a control means for notifying the user of an error when the verification OK signal is not received. Communication terminal device.   2. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the verification OK signal is not received, the control means further controls to prohibit use of the communication terminal apparatus. In communication terminal devices with replacement parts,
The communication terminal device includes a management table that stores, for each customer information, a management table that manages the usage status of the communication terminal device via a communication line, and the management table in response to a notification signal that includes the usage status Is connected to a center device that sends a warning notification signal when the use of replacement parts is not appropriate,
After transmitting a notification signal for notifying the usage status of the communication terminal device to the center device every time the communication terminal device is used, an error is notified to the user when a warning notification signal is received from the center device. A communication terminal device comprising control means.   4. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when receiving the warning notification signal, the control means further controls to prohibit use of the communication terminal apparatus. The usage status is a printed sheet count value of the communication terminal device,
The management table includes the order status of replacement parts of the communication terminal device,
Based on the printed sheet count value, the management table is referred to determine whether or not a replacement part has been properly ordered according to the printed sheet count value of the communication terminal apparatus by the center device. 5. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the communication terminal apparatus receives the warning notification signal from the center apparatus when no order is placed.

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