JP2016206613A - Electronic apparatus and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus and an image forming device that can give permission to use a non-genuine product.SOLUTION: There is provided an electronic apparatus that comprises an operation part operating by using a consumable removably attached thereto, determines whether the consumable is a genuine product or a non-genuine product, and when determining that the consumable is a non-genuine product, stops the operation of the operation part, the electronic apparatus including: a reception part that receives an input of a use permission key issued to give permission to use a non-genuine product; an authentication part that authenticates the received use permission key; and an operation control part that, when the use permission key is authenticated, cancels the stoppage of the operation in association with the attachment of the non-genuine product.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can give a license for use of a non-genuine product.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a digital multifunction peripheral, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum based on the input image data, and toner is supplied from the developing device to supply the photosensitive drum. Visualize the electrostatic latent image on the surface. Then, the image forming apparatus transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum obtained by visualizing the electrostatic latent image onto the paper supplied from the paper supply unit, and fixes the toner image transferred onto the paper to the fixing device. The image formation on the paper is completed by heat fixing.

  Toner used at the time of image formation is supplied by a toner cartridge. The toner cartridge is detachably attached to the developing device, and appropriately supplies toner to the attached developing device. By executing image formation in the image forming apparatus, toner consumption progresses and the toner remaining in the toner cartridge decreases. When the toner in the toner cartridge runs out, it is replaced with a new toner cartridge.

  Such consumables such as toner cartridges are provided to users as a genuine product for a fee by the manufacturer or distributor of the image forming apparatus in order to guarantee printing quality.

  In recent years, there are increasing cases in which third parties other than manufacturers or distributors sell compatible products (non-genuine products) with genuine products. Although such non-genuine products are provided at low cost, the quality is not guaranteed by the manufacturer or the distributor. Since the image forming apparatus is not designed to support non-genuine products, when image formation is performed using non-genuine products, print quality degradation such as faint printing and changes in color tone may occur. , Often a problem.

  Therefore, for consumables such as toner cartridges, the image forming apparatus determines whether a genuine product or a non-genuine product is used, and if a non-genuine product is used, A technique for restricting the use of non-genuine products by stopping the image forming operation has been proposed.

  Restricting the use of non-genuine products for consumables is not limited to electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, but also inkjet printers that operate using ink cartridges, mobile phones that operate using rechargeable batteries, and tablet terminals It can be implemented in various electronic devices such as portable game machines and digital cameras.

JP 2009-3294 A

  Conventionally, when it is detected that a non-genuine product is mounted, the operation is uniformly stopped, so that it has not been possible to meet the user's request to use a cheaper non-genuine product.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an electronic device and an image forming apparatus that can give a user permission to use a non-genuine product.

  The electronic device of the present application includes an operation unit that operates using a detachable consumable, determines whether the consumable is a genuine product or a non-genuine product, and the consumable product is a non-genuine product. An electronic device that stops operation by the operation unit when it is determined to be a product, a reception unit that receives an input of a license key issued to give a license for a non-genuine product, and the reception unit An authentication unit that authenticates the use permission key, and an operation control unit that cancels the stop of the operation when the non-genuine product is attached when the authentication unit authenticates the use permission key. It is characterized by providing.

  The image forming apparatus of the present application includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet using a consumable that is detachably mounted, and determines whether the consumable is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. When the consumable is determined to be a non-genuine product, the image forming apparatus that stops the image forming operation by the image forming unit inputs a use permission key issued to give a license for use of the non-genuine product. An accepting unit for accepting, an authenticating unit for authenticating the license key accepted by the accepting unit, and the authentication unit authenticating the license key when the non-genuine product is attached. And an operation control unit that cancels the stop of the image forming operation.

  The image forming apparatus of the present application includes a history storage unit that individually stores a history of an image forming operation using the genuine product and a history of an image forming operation using the non-genuine product.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present application includes an adjustment value changing unit that receives a change of an adjustment value related to adjustment of an image to be formed on a sheet, and an adjustment value storage that stores the changed adjustment value received by the adjustment value changing unit. And a change prohibiting unit that prohibits acceptance of a change by the adjustment value changing unit when it is determined that the consumable is a non-genuine product.

  When the image forming apparatus of the present application determines that the consumable is a non-genuine product, the adjustment value set in advance is used regardless of whether or not the adjusted adjustment value is stored in the adjustment value storage unit. It is characterized in that the image is adjusted by using.

  According to the present application, the use of the use permission key can cancel the operation stop even when a non-genuine product is used.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a control system of the digital multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the provision procedure of a use permission. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure during image formation. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the log | history management table which memorize | stores the log | history of image formation operation | movement. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a mobile phone according to a fifth embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an electronic apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a digital multi-function peripheral will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. The digital multi-function peripheral according to the first embodiment is an image forming apparatus having, for example, a scanner function, a copy function, a printer function, and the like. A scanner unit 1 that optically reads an image of a document, and an electrophotographic method on paper. A printer unit 2 for forming an image and a paper feed unit 3 for supplying paper (sheet) to the printer unit 2 are provided.

  The scanner unit 1 has a plurality of originals to be read placed thereon, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 11 that feeds the placed originals one by one to a predetermined reading position, and one original to be read is placed. A document table 12, a light source 13 that emits light to be applied to the document, a mirror unit 14 that changes the optical path of light emitted from the light source 13 and reflected by the document, and a sensor unit that receives light from the mirror unit 14. 15 etc. The sensor unit 15 forms an image of reflected light from the original on an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and converts it into an analog electric signal, and converts the obtained analog electric signal into a digital signal and outputs it. The scanner unit 1 corrects the light distribution characteristics of the light source 13 at the time of reading a document and the sensitivity unevenness of the image sensor with respect to the digital signal output from the sensor unit 15, thereby performing an image corresponding to the read document image. Generate data.

  The printer unit 2 includes a photosensitive drum 21 for carrying a toner image, a charger 22 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, an exposure device 23 for writing a latent image on the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 21, and a toner cartridge 240. The developing device 24 that visualizes the latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 using the toner supplied from the toner, and the transfer that transfers the visualized toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 onto the sheet. The unit 25 includes a fixing device 26 for fixing the toner image (image) by applying heat and pressure to the paper on which the toner image is transferred, and forms an image on the paper by electrophotography.

  The toner cartridge 240 used in the printer unit 2 is detachably attached to the developing device 24, and is configured to appropriately replenish toner to the attached developing device 24. Further, when the cartridge is a genuine product, for example, a memory (not shown) that stores information indicating that the cartridge is a genuine product, such as manufacturer information, serial number, and a predetermined unique code. ).

  The paper feed unit 3 has a plurality of paper feed cassettes 31 to 34 that respectively accommodate a plurality of types of paper (sheets) having different sizes, a paper feed cassette 35 that accommodates a large amount of paper, and an arbitrary type of paper loaded by a user. A manual feed tray 36 is provided. Each of the paper feed cassettes 31 to 35 includes pickup rollers 31a to 35a for separating and taking out the stored paper one by one. In addition, the manual feed tray 36 includes a drawing roller 36a for taking the placed paper into the apparatus.

Hereinafter, an operation during image formation will be described.
When the digital multifunction peripheral receives a copy job through the operation unit 104 (see FIG. 2) or receives a print job from a computer device (not shown) that is communicably connected through the communication unit 106 (see FIG. 2). In such a case, an operation related to image formation is started. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between a copy job and a print job, they are also simply referred to as jobs.

  When the digital multifunction peripheral receives a job requesting execution of image formation, the digital multifunction peripheral selects a paper supply source from any of the paper feed cassettes 31 to 35 and the manual feed tray 36 and selects the selected paper feed cassette 31 (or the paper feed cassette 31). Paper is taken out one by one from the paper cassettes 32 to 35 or the manual feed tray 36). The paper supply source is selected by the job if specified by the job, and if not specified, the digital multifunction peripheral selects an appropriate supply source.

  The paper taken out from the paper feed cassette 31 by the pickup roller 31a is sent to a transport path P1 provided near the paper take-out port. The sheet sent to the transport path P1 is transported above the paper feed unit 3 by a plurality of transport rollers arranged along the transport path P1, and reaches a registration roller 20 provided at the upper end of the transport path P1. The control unit 101 (see FIG. 2) of the digital multi-function peripheral temporarily stops the paper that has reached the registration roller 20. The same applies to the paper taken out from the paper feed cassette 32 by the pickup roller 32a and the paper taken out from the paper feed cassette 33 by the pickup roller 33a.

  The paper taken out from the paper feed cassette 34 by the pickup roller 34a is provided in the vicinity of the paper take-out port, and is sent to the transport path P2 communicating with the transport path P1 on the downstream side in the paper transport direction. The sheet sent to the transport path P2 is transported by a plurality of transport rollers arranged along the transport paths P2 and P1, and reaches the registration roller 20 positioned at the upper end of the transport path P1. The control unit 101 of the digital multi-function peripheral temporarily stops the paper that has reached the registration roller 20. The same applies to the paper taken out from the paper feed cassette 35 by the pickup roller 35a and the paper taken from the manual feed tray 36 into the apparatus by the drawing roller 36a.

  The sheet stopped by the registration roller 20 is exposed at the timing indicated by the control unit 101 (for example, the timing at which the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 coincides with the leading edge of the image forming area on the sheet). It is sent to the nip formed by the body drum 21 and the transfer unit 25. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the one surface side of the sheet sent to the nip portion by the action of the transfer unit 25.

  The sheet on which the toner image is transferred to one side is sent to the fixing device 26. The fixing device 26 has unfixed toner on the sheet due to heat of the heating roller 261 at a pressure contact portion between a heating roller 261 including a heater (not shown) and a pressure roller 262 pressed against the heating roller 261. The toner image is melted and pressure is applied by the pressure roller 262 to fix the toner image on the paper.

  The sheet on which the toner image is fixed is transported along a transport path P3 provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 26, and reaches a paper discharge roller 27 located at the end of the transport path P3. When image formation is requested on one side of a sheet by the job, the control unit 101 causes the paper discharge roller 27 to rotate forward to discharge the paper on which the image is formed on the one side onto the paper discharge tray 28. At this time, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 28 with the image-formed surface facing downward (ie, face-down state).

  On the other hand, when image formation is requested on both sides of a sheet by a job, the control unit 101 reverses the sheet discharge roller 27 to convey the sheet reaching the sheet discharge roller 27 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction. The sheet is sent to the double-sided conveyance path P4 that communicates with the path P3 and communicates with the conveyance path P1 on the downstream side. At this time, the control unit 101 switches the double-sided conveyance path P4 from the closed state to the open state by driving the branch claw 29 that switches the double-sided conveyance path P4 to the closed state or the open state.

  Note that when the sheet is fed to the double-sided conveyance path P4, the control unit 101 rotates the paper discharge roller 27 until the rear end of the sheet passes downstream from the branching claw 29, and then drives the branching claw 29. Then, the double-sided conveyance path P4 may be switched to the open state, and the paper discharge roller 27 may be reversed to send the paper to the double-sided conveyance path P4.

  The sheet sent to the double-sided conveyance path P4 is conveyed downward by a plurality of conveyance rollers provided along the double-sided conveyance path P4, and is guided to the conveyance path P1 communicating with the downstream side in the conveyance direction. The light is guided again to the nip portion between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer unit 25 through the registration roller 20. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the other surface side of the paper guided to the nip portion by the action of the transfer unit 25.

  The sheet on which the toner image is transferred to the other side is sent to the fixing device 26. The fixing device 26 melts unfixed toner on the sheet by heat of the heating roller 261 at a pressure contact portion between the built-in heating roller 261 and the pressure roller 262, and applies pressure by the pressure roller 262. Fix the toner image on the paper. As described above, images are formed on both sides of the sheet.

  When the image formation on both sides of the paper is completed, the digital multifunction peripheral discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray 28 through the paper discharge roller 27. At this time, the control unit 101 drives the branch claw 29 to switch the double-sided conveyance path P4 from the open state to the closed state. The paper that has passed through the fixing device 26 is transported along the transport path P3 and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 28 by a paper discharge roller 27 positioned at the end of the transport path P3.

  As described above, the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment performs image formation on one or both sides of a sheet by controlling the conveyance path of the sheet supplied from the sheet feeding unit 3 with the control unit 101. Then, the paper after the image formation is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 28.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the control system of the digital multi-function peripheral according to the first embodiment. The digital multifunction peripheral includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an image processing unit 103, an operation unit 104, a display unit 105, a communication unit 106, a reading unit 110, and a remaining amount detection unit 111 as a control system configuration.

  The control unit 101 includes, for example, a CPU and a ROM. When the CPU executes a control program stored in advance in the ROM, the control unit 101 controls each part of the hardware and functions as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention as a whole. .

  The storage unit 102 is a storage unit such as an EEPROM or an HDD, and includes image data obtained by reading an original image by the scanner unit 1 described above, a print job received through the communication unit 106, image data developed from the print job, and the like. Adjustment values used when adjusting the image data, various setting contents input from the operation unit 104, and the like are stored.

  The image processing unit 103 performs image processing on the image data to be formed based on the adjustment values stored in the storage unit 102 and various settings.

  The operation unit 104 includes various switches, buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and accepts user operations such as selection operations for various functions provided in the digital multifunction peripheral and execution instructions for various operations.

  The display unit 105 includes a liquid crystal display panel device, for example, and displays information to be notified to the user, such as the operation status of the device and various setting contents received through the operation unit 104.

  The communication unit 106 includes an interface for connecting to a communication network such as a local area network or the Internet network, and transmits / receives various data to / from an external computer connected to the communication network.

  When the toner cartridge 240 attached to the developing device 24 includes a memory, the reading unit 110 reads information stored in the memory and notifies the control unit 101 of the read information. The control unit 101 determines whether the toner cartridge 240 mounted on the developing device 24 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product based on information notified from the reading unit 110. When it is determined that the mounted toner cartridge 240 is a non-genuine product, the control unit 101 performs operation control such as stopping an image forming operation, for example.

  The remaining amount detection unit 111 is a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge 240 and notifies the control unit 101 of the detected remaining amount of toner. When the control unit 101 determines that sufficient toner is not present in the toner cartridge 240 based on the remaining amount of toner notified from the remaining amount detection unit 111, the control unit 101 displays a message prompting the replacement of the toner cartridge 240 on the display unit 105. Let

  When a message prompting replacement of the toner cartridge 240 is displayed on the display unit 105, the toner cartridge 240 mounted on the developing device 24 is replaced by a user or a serviceman. That is, the user or the service person removes the toner cartridge 240 whose remaining amount of toner is low from the developing device 24, and installs a new toner cartridge 240 in which the toner is sufficiently stored in the developing device 24. Exchange.

In order to maintain the print quality above a certain level, it is preferable to install a genuine toner cartridge 240 provided by the manufacturer or distributor of the digital multi-function peripheral in the developing device 24. On the other hand, there is a demand from the user side that he wants to use a cheaper non-genuine product in order to reduce running costs. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to permit the user to use the non-genuine toner cartridge 240, the manufacturer or distributor of the digital multifunction peripheral issues a use permission key.
The manufacturer or distributor of the digital multi-function peripheral may issue a license key for a fee. In this case, in order to satisfy the demand of the user who desires to suppress the running cost, the price of the license key is set within the difference between the genuine product and the non-genuine product, for example.

  Here, the use permission key is data that can be input to the digital multi-function peripheral through the operation unit 104, and includes, for example, a combination of numbers, alphabets, symbols, and the like. The license key may be data individually determined for each non-genuine product, or may be data uniquely determined for each digital multi-function peripheral to permit use of any non-genuine product. Good. Further, an expiration date may be set for the use permission key, and use permission may be granted within the range of the expiration date.

  When a valid use permission key is input to the digital multi-function peripheral, the control unit 101 cancels the stop of the image forming operation when the non-genuine toner cartridge 240 is attached to the developing device 24.

Hereinafter, the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for granting a license. The control unit 101 determines whether or not an input of a use permission key has been accepted through the operation unit 104 (step S101). At this time, the control unit 101 may display an operation screen for accepting the input of the use permission key on the display unit 105 and accept the input of the use permission key through the displayed operation screen. In addition, when the control unit 101 detects that the non-genuine toner cartridge 240 is mounted, the control unit 101 displays an operation screen for prompting the input of the use permission key on the display unit 105, and the use permission key is displayed through the displayed operation screen. It is good also as a structure which accepts input.

  When the input of the use permission key is accepted (S101: YES), the control unit 101 authenticates the accepted use permission key (step S102). The control unit 101 can authenticate the use permission key using a known method. For example, authentication data is stored in the storage unit 102 in advance, and the use permission key is authenticated by determining whether or not the received use permission key matches the authentication data stored in the storage unit 102. It is good also as a structure. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a use permission key is transmitted to an external certificate authority (not shown) that is communicably connected via the communication unit 106 and an authentication result by the certificate authority is acquired by communication.

  The control unit 101 determines whether or not the use permission key has been successfully authenticated (step S103). When it is determined that the authorization key has been successfully authenticated (S103: YES), the control unit 101 grants a non-genuine product license (step S104), and the digital multifunction peripheral is permitted to use the non-genuine product. Is stored in the storage unit 102.

  When it is determined in step S101 that the input of the use permission key is not accepted (S101: NO), the control unit 101 determines whether or not the use permission key is instructed to be deleted through the operation unit 104 (step S105). At this time, the control unit 101 may be configured to display an operation screen for accepting an instruction to delete the use permission key on the display unit 105 and to receive the instruction to delete the use permission key through the displayed operation screen. When the erasure instruction is not accepted (S105: NO), the control unit 101 ends the process according to the flowchart.

  If it is determined that an instruction to delete the license key has been instructed (S105: YES), or if it is determined in step S103 that the authentication has not been successful (S103: NO), the control unit 101 issues a license for use of a non-genuine product. If the information indicating that the use of the non-genuine product is permitted is stored in the storage unit 102, the information is deleted from the storage unit 102.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure during image formation. The control unit 101 determines whether there is an image formation instruction (step S111). For example, when receiving a copy job through the operation unit 104 or receiving a print job through the communication unit 106, the control unit 101 determines that there is an image formation instruction. When there is no image formation instruction (S111: NO), the control unit 101 stands by until there is an image formation instruction.

  When there is an image formation instruction (S111: YES), the control unit 101 determines whether or not a genuine toner cartridge 240 is attached to the developing device 24 (step S112). The control unit 101 can use a known method to determine whether or not it is a genuine product. For example, information indicating that the cartridge is a genuine product, such as information on the manufacturer of the toner cartridge 240, a serial number, and a predetermined unique code, is stored in the storage unit 102, and the reading unit is read from the memory provided in the toner cartridge 240. By comparing the information read by 110 and the information stored in the storage unit 102, it can be determined whether or not a genuine product is mounted.

  When it is determined that the information read from the memory of the toner cartridge 240 does not match the information stored in the storage unit 102, or when the reading unit 110 cannot read the information, the control unit 101 It is determined that a non-genuine product is installed.

  If it is determined that a non-genuine product is installed (S112: NO), the control unit 101 determines whether information indicating that use of the non-genuine product is permitted is stored in the storage unit 102. By doing so, it is determined whether or not there is a license to use a non-genuine product (step S114).

  When it is determined that a genuine product is mounted (S112: YES), or when it is determined in step S114 that a non-genuine product is licensed (S114: YES), the control unit 101 starts image formation (S114: YES). Step S113).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S114 that the non-genuine product is not licensed (S114: NO), the control unit 101 stops image formation (step S115). At this time, the control unit 101 may cause the display unit 105 to display a message indicating that a genuine toner cartridge 240 should be attached to the developing device 24.

  As described above, in the first exemplary embodiment, even when the non-genuine toner cartridge 240 is mounted in the developing device 24, the use permission of the non-genuine product is given by the use permission key. The image forming operation can be performed using a non-genuine product.

  In the first embodiment, since the license key can be deleted, it is possible to return to a normal environment in which the use of non-genuine products is not permitted. Use or non-use can be set flexibly.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment, a description will be given of a configuration for separately storing a history of image forming operations using genuine products and a history of image forming operations using non-genuine products.
Note that the internal configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral and the configuration of the control system are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a history management table that stores a history of image forming operations. FIG. 5A shows an example of a history management table 102A for storing a history of image forming operations using genuine products. The history management table 102A for genuine products is created in the storage unit 102 of the digital multi-function peripheral.

  In the genuine product history management table 102A, for example, the job type, the user name, the number of pages, the number of copies, the status of whether or not the image formation is completed, etc. The information is memorized.

  FIG. 5B shows an example of a history management table 102B that stores a history of image forming operations using non-genuine products. The non-genuine product history management table 102B is created in the storage unit 102 of the digital multi-function peripheral, similar to the genuine product history management table 102A.

  In the non-genuine history management table 102B, as in the genuine product history management table 102A, information such as job type, user name, number of pages, number of copies, status of whether or not image formation has been completed, and the like. It is stored in association with the date and time when the formation is executed.

  In the present embodiment, the same items as those stored in the history management table 102A for genuine products are stored in the history management table 102B for non-genuine products. However, the history management table 102A for genuine products is used. Items not included in the non-genuine history management table 102B may be included. For example, when a non-genuine toner cartridge 240 that has not been used in a digital multifunction peripheral is mounted, the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining amount detection unit 111 or the remaining amount of toner each time image formation is performed The history management table 102B may store information such as the toner consumption that can be calculated from the information, and collect information on characteristics of non-genuine products.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. The control unit 101 determines whether there is an image formation instruction (step S201). For example, when receiving a copy job through the operation unit 104 or receiving a print job through the communication unit 106, the control unit 101 determines that there is an image formation instruction. When there is no image formation instruction (S201: NO), the control unit 101 stands by until an image formation instruction is issued.

  When there is an image formation instruction (S201: YES), the control unit 101 determines whether or not a genuine toner cartridge 240 is attached to the developing device 24 (step S202).

  If it is determined that a genuine product is mounted (S202: YES), the control unit 101 starts image formation (step S203), and information related to the executed image forming operation is stored in the genuine product history management table 102A. Store (step S204).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a genuine product is not installed (S202: NO), the control unit 101 determines whether or not information indicating that the use of a non-genuine product is permitted is stored in the storage unit 102. By determining, it is determined whether or not a non-genuine product is licensed (step S205).

  If it is determined that the non-genuine product is licensed (S205: YES), the control unit 101 starts image formation (step S206), and the information related to the executed image forming operation is stored in the history management table for the non-genuine product. 102B is stored (step S207).

  If it is determined that the non-genuine product is not licensed (S205: NO), the control unit 101 stops image formation (step S208). At this time, the control unit 101 may cause the display unit 105 to display a message indicating that a genuine toner cartridge 240 should be attached to the developing device 24.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the operation history is individually managed according to whether image formation is performed using a genuine product or image formation is performed using a non-genuine product. Can do. Therefore, when print quality declines such as fading or color change, this is an event that occurred regardless of the use of genuine or non-genuine products, or because non-genuine products were used. It is possible to easily identify whether the event has occurred.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, a configuration for prohibiting a change in adjustment value relating to image quality adjustment when a non-genuine product is mounted will be described.
Note that the internal configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral and the configuration of the control system are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the third embodiment. When the digital multifunction peripheral according to the third embodiment receives a predetermined operation from the operation unit 104, the digital multifunction peripheral displays a setting screen related to image quality adjustment such as a change in density or a change in color tone on the display unit 105. The change of the adjustment value related to the image quality adjustment is accepted through the setting screen.

  The control unit 101 determines whether or not a setting screen display request relating to image quality adjustment has been received by determining whether or not a predetermined operation has been received by the operation unit 104 (step S301). When the display request for the setting screen relating to the image quality adjustment is not received (S301: NO), the control unit 101 ends the process according to the flowchart.

  When a request for display of a setting screen relating to image quality adjustment is received by receiving a predetermined operation through the operation unit 104 (S301: YES), the control unit 101 mounts a genuine toner cartridge 240 on the developing device 24. It is determined whether or not (step S302).

  If it is determined that a genuine product is mounted (S302: YES), the control unit 101 displays a setting screen on the display unit 105, and accepts an adjustment value related to image quality adjustment through the displayed setting screen (step S303). ). Further, the control unit 101 stores the adjustment value received through the setting screen in the storage unit 102 (step S304). When an adjustment value changed from the default adjustment value is received on the setting screen, the control unit 101 preferably stores the changed adjustment value in the storage unit 102 separately from the default adjustment value.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the genuine product is not attached (S302: NO), the control unit 101 displays on the display unit 105 that the adjustment value change is prohibited (step S305), and the adjustment value change is performed. The process according to this flowchart is terminated without accepting.

As described above, in the third embodiment, when a non-genuine product is mounted and there is a possibility of operating under a condition that is not supported by the digital multifunction peripheral, it is prohibited to change an adjustment value related to image quality adjustment. can do.
In the third embodiment, when a non-genuine product is mounted, the adjustment value received through the operation unit 104 is prohibited from being changed. However, the adjustment value automatically performed by the digital multifunction peripheral (the control unit 101). It is good also as a structure which prohibits also the change of.

(Embodiment 4)
In the fourth embodiment, a configuration in which image quality adjustment is performed using default adjustment values when a non-genuine product is mounted will be described.
Note that the internal configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral and the configuration of the control system are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the fourth embodiment. The control unit 101 determines whether there is an image formation instruction (step S401). For example, when receiving a copy job through the operation unit 104 or receiving a print job through the communication unit 106, the control unit 101 determines that there is an image formation instruction. When there is no image formation instruction (S401: NO), the control unit 101 stands by until an image formation instruction is issued.

  When there is an image formation instruction (S401: YES), the control unit 101 determines whether or not a genuine toner cartridge 240 is attached to the developing device 24 (step S402).

  When it is determined that a genuine product is mounted (S402: YES), the control unit 101 reads out an adjustment value set by the user from the storage unit 102 as necessary (step S403), and the read adjustment value is displayed. Using this, image formation is executed (step S404).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a genuine product is not installed (S402: NO), the control unit 101 determines whether or not information indicating that use of a non-genuine product is permitted is stored in the storage unit 102. By determining, it is determined whether or not there is permission to use the non-genuine product (step S405).

  If it is determined that the non-genuine product is licensed (S405: YES), the control unit 101 reads the default adjustment value from the storage unit 102 (step S406), and causes the image formation to be executed using the read adjustment value. (Step S407).

  If it is determined that the non-genuine product is not licensed (S405: NO), the control unit 101 stops image formation (step S408). At this time, the control unit 101 may cause the display unit 105 to display a message indicating that a genuine toner cartridge 240 should be attached to the developing device 24.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, when a non-genuine product is mounted and there is a possibility of operating under a condition that the digital multifunction peripheral does not support, image formation is executed using the default adjustment value. Can be made.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the application example of the toner cartridge 240 is shown as a consumable that can be detachably attached to the digital multifunction peripheral. However, the consumables such as the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing device 24 may be used as other consumables. Of course, the above can also be applied.

(Embodiment 5)
In the first to fourth embodiments, the form in which the electronic device according to the present invention is applied to a digital multi-function peripheral has been described. However, the application example is not limited to the digital multi-function peripheral.
In Embodiment 5, as another application example, a mode applied to a mobile phone will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the mobile phone according to the fifth embodiment. The cellular phone according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, an operation unit 53, a display unit 54, a communication unit 55, a call unit 56, a power supply unit 57, a reading unit 58, and the like. By controlling the above, a call function for making a call with another telephone via a telephone network (not shown), a communication function for communicating with an external device via a communication network such as the Internet network, and the like are realized.

  A rechargeable battery 57A is detachably attached to the power supply unit 57. The power supply unit 57 supplies power from the attached rechargeable battery 57A to the above-described hardware units. When the rechargeable battery 57A is a genuine product provided by the manufacturer or distributor of the mobile phone, for example, the rechargeable battery 57A such as manufacturer information, serial number, predetermined unique code, etc. is a genuine product. It is assumed that a memory (not shown) storing information indicating the above is provided.

  When the rechargeable battery 57A attached to the power supply unit 57 includes a memory, the reading unit 58 reads information stored in the memory and notifies the control unit 51 of the read information. Based on the information notified from the reading unit 58, the control unit 51 determines whether the rechargeable battery 57A attached to the power supply unit 57 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. When it is determined that the attached rechargeable battery 57A is a non-genuine product, the control unit 51 performs operation control such as stopping communication operation and call operation, for example.

In the fifth embodiment, in order to permit the user to use the non-genuine rechargeable battery 57A, the manufacturer or distributor of the mobile phone issues a use permission key. When the use permission key is input at the operation unit 53 and the use of a non-genuine product is permitted, the control unit 51 performs the communication operation and the call operation even when the non-genuine rechargeable battery 57A is mounted. Release the stop.
Note that the manufacturer or distributor of the mobile phone may issue a license key for a fee. In this case, in order to satisfy the demand of the user who desires to suppress the running cost, the price of the license key is set within the difference between the genuine product and the non-genuine product, for example.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, even when the non-genuine rechargeable battery 57A is attached, if the use of the non-genuine product is permitted by the use permission key, the non-genuine product is The used communication operation and call operation can be permitted.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the meanings described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  For example, in Embodiments 1 to 4, an electrophotographic digital multifunction peripheral has been described. However, a digital multifunction peripheral having an image forming unit that performs image formation by an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, a sublimation method, or the like, or a printer function. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a printer apparatus that is provided alone.

  Further, the digital multifunction peripheral (Embodiments 1 to 4) and the mobile phone (Embodiment 5) have been described as examples of the electronic device. However, a tablet terminal or a portable type on which a consumable item such as a rechargeable battery is detachably attached Of course, it can be applied to various electronic devices such as electronic devices such as game machines and digital cameras, air conditioners to which consumables such as filters and charged particle generators are detachably mounted, and electronic devices such as air purifiers. It is.

  Regarding the above embodiment, the following additional notes are disclosed.

  The electronic device of the present application includes an operation unit (55, 56) that operates using a consumable part (57A) that is detachably mounted, and the consumable part (57A) is a genuine part or a non-genuine part. When it is determined that the consumable part (57A) is a non-genuine product, the electronic device that stops the operation by the operation unit (55, 56) is issued to give a license for the non-genuine product. A receiving unit (53) that receives an input of the license key to be used, an authentication unit (51) that authenticates the license key received by the receiving unit (53), and the authentication unit (51) that uses the license key And the operation control unit (51) for canceling the stop of the operation when the non-genuine product is mounted.

  In the present application, even when a non-genuine product is installed, an operation using the non-genuine product can be permitted if a license for use of the non-genuine product is granted by the use permission key. .

  The image forming apparatus of the present application includes an image forming unit (21) that forms an image on a sheet using a removably mounted consumable (240), and whether the consumable (240) is a genuine product. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether the consumable (240) is a non-genuine product and determines that the consumable (240) is a non-genuine product, A receiving unit (104) that receives an input of a license key issued to give a license, an authentication unit (101) that authenticates the license key received by the receiving unit (104), and the authentication unit ( 101), an operation control unit (101) for canceling the stop of the image forming operation when the non-genuine product is attached is obtained.

  In this application, even when a non-genuine product is installed, if the use permission key grants the license for the non-genuine product, the image forming operation using the non-genuine product is permitted. Can do.

  The image forming apparatus of the present application includes a history storage unit (102A, 102B) that individually stores a history of an image forming operation using the genuine product and a history of an image forming operation using the non-genuine product. Features.

  In the present application, the operation history can be individually managed depending on whether image formation is performed using a genuine product or image formation is performed using a non-genuine product. Therefore, if the print quality deteriorates due to faint printing, color change, etc., this is a problem that occurs regardless of whether it is a genuine product or a non-genuine product, or a problem that occurs only when a non-genuine product is used. Can be easily determined.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present application includes an adjustment value changing unit (S303) that receives a change in an adjustment value relating to adjustment of an image to be formed on a sheet, and an adjustment value after the change received by the adjustment value changing unit (S303). An adjustment value storage unit (S304) for storing the change value and a change prohibition unit (S305) for prohibiting acceptance of a change by the adjustment value change unit (S303) when it is determined that the consumable item (240) is a non-genuine product It is characterized by providing.

  In the present application, when a non-genuine product is mounted and there is a possibility of operating under a condition not supported by the image forming apparatus, it is possible to prohibit the change of the adjustment value related to the adjustment of the image quality.

  When the image forming apparatus of the present application determines that the consumable item (240) is a non-genuine item, the adjustment value storage unit (S304) determines whether or not the adjusted value after the change is stored in advance. The adjustment of the image is performed using a set adjustment value.

  In the present application, when a non-genuine product is mounted and there is a possibility of operating under a condition not supported by the image forming apparatus, image formation can be executed using a preset adjustment value.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Scanner part 2 Printer part 3 Paper feed part 21 Photoconductor drum 22 Charging device 23 Exposure apparatus 24 Developing apparatus 25 Transfer unit 26 Fixing apparatus 27 Paper discharge roller 101 Control part 102 Storage part 103 Image processing part 104 Operation part 105 Display part 106 Communication unit 110 Reading unit 111 Remaining amount detection unit 240 Toner cartridges P1 to P3 Conveying path P4 Double-sided conveying path

Claims (5)

It has an operation part that operates using consumables that are detachably attached, and determines whether the consumables are genuine or non-genuine, and determines that the consumables are non-genuine. In the electronic device that stops the operation by the operating unit,
A reception unit that accepts an input of a license key issued to grant a license for a non-genuine product;
An authentication unit for authenticating the license key received by the reception unit;
An electronic device comprising: an operation control unit that cancels the stop of the operation when the non-genuine product is mounted when the authentication unit authenticates the use permission key. An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet using a detachably mounted consumable, determines whether the consumable is a genuine product or a non-genuine product, and the consumable product is a non-genuine product In the image forming apparatus that stops the image forming operation by the image forming unit when it is determined that the product is a product,
A reception unit that accepts an input of a license key issued to grant a license for a non-genuine product;
An authentication unit for authenticating the license key received by the reception unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation control unit that cancels the stop of the image forming operation when the non-genuine product is attached when the authentication unit authenticates the use permission key. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a history storage unit that individually stores a history of an image forming operation using the genuine product and a history of an image forming operation using the non-genuine product. . An adjustment value changing unit that accepts changes in adjustment values related to adjustment of an image to be formed on the sheet;
An adjustment value storage unit that stores the adjustment value after the change received by the adjustment value change unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a change prohibiting unit that prohibits acceptance of a change by the adjustment value changing unit when the consumable is determined to be a non-genuine product.   When it is determined that the consumable is a non-genuine product, the image is adjusted using a preset adjustment value regardless of whether or not the adjustment value after the change is stored in the adjustment value storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided.

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