JP2017064959A - Authentication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent reduction in the printing quality and device failure by authenticating permission of only a proper consumable supply.SOLUTION: An authentication device includes: first collation means which collates the first collation information generated by a body device 2 on the basis of an ID (consumable supply storage information) stored in an ink cartridge 150 with the second collation information generated on the basis of the ID and stored in a memory 153 of the ink cartridge 150; authentication means 16 which authenticates the permission of the ink cartridge 150 on the basis of the collation result by the first collation means; and ID generation means 1541 which generates the ID on the basis of at least the time information and stores the ID in the ink cartridge 150.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an authentication apparatus that prevents a decrease in print quality and an apparatus failure by permitting and authenticating only appropriate consumables.

  In the printing apparatus, various consumables such as ink cartridges and stencil sheets are detachably provided depending on the printing method.

  For example, in an ink jet printing apparatus, an ink cartridge storing ink for each color as a consumable is detachably provided, ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the ink jet head, and the ink is printed from the nozzle of the ink jet head. Print images and characters by ejecting toward the screen.

  At this time, if an inappropriate ink cartridge is installed and used in an inkjet printing apparatus, for example, the ink aggregates, the aggregated ink closes the nozzles, causing a discharge failure, or the ink that has landed on the paper is blurred. Or defective edges of the image. These defects have caused the quality of printed images to deteriorate. Further, when the ink is aggregated, an excessive load is applied to each device in the apparatus, which may cause a malfunction of the apparatus.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, information is transmitted between the mounted consumables and the main unit, and consumables storage information (for example, compatible model information, matching parameter setting information, manufacturing year) installed in the consumables is disclosed. A technology related to an image recording apparatus that collates characteristics based on a date or the like is disclosed.

JP 2001-18507 A

  However, the image recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 described above has a problem that the accuracy of collation is low because the characteristics are collated based on the transmitted consumable storage information.

  Insufficient consumables may be mounted if the accuracy of collation is low, which may cause a decrease in print image quality and a failure of the printing apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an authentication apparatus that prevents a decrease in print quality and an apparatus failure by permitting and authenticating only appropriate consumables.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of an authentication apparatus according to the present invention is an authentication apparatus that has a memory therein and authenticates a consumable that is attached to a printing press, and is stored in the consumable. Based on the consumables storage information, the first collation information generated by the printing machine and the second collation information generated based on the consumables storage information and stored in the memory are collated. The consumables storage information is generated based on at least time information based on first verification means, authentication means for permitting and authenticating the consumables based on a verification result of the first verification means, and And a consumable item storage information generating unit for storing the item in the consumable item.

  Here, the consumables storage information is information stored in the consumables, for example, an ID or the like.

  A second feature of the authentication device according to the present invention is that the memory is generated based on third verification information generated by the printing press based on the acquisition information of the printing press and the acquisition information of the consumable. 2nd collation means which collates with the 4th collation information memorized in the above-mentioned, and the above-mentioned authentication means is judged that all the collation results of the above-mentioned 1st collation means and the above-mentioned 2nd collation means are in agreement. In such a case, the consumable is authorized and authenticated.

  Here, the acquisition information of the printing press is information input from the outside to the printing press or information acquired by being generated inside the printing press, and may be acquired at the time of manufacture or acquired in the distribution process. May be acquired at the start of use, and the time of acquisition is not limited. For example, the acquisition information of the printing press includes IDs input from the outside such as connected consumables, watches, and other input devices, destination information (position information), remaining ink information, time information, or combinations thereof, This corresponds to time information acquired inside the printing press using a built-in clock, position information acquired inside the printing press using a GPS (Global Positioning System) function built in the printing press, and the like.

  The acquisition information of consumables is information input from the outside to the consumables and information acquired by being generated inside the consumables, and may be acquired at the time of manufacture or acquired in the distribution process. Alternatively, it may be acquired at the start of use, and the timing of acquisition is not limited. For example, the acquired information may be an ID input from the outside such as a connected printing device, a clock or other input device, destination information (position information), remaining ink information, time information, or a combination thereof, or a clock built in a consumable item. For example, the time information acquired inside the consumable by the above, the position information acquired inside the consumable by the GPS (Global Positioning System) function incorporated in the consumable, and the like.

  A third feature of the authentication apparatus according to the present invention is that the time information indicates any time within a period from manufacture to use.

  A fourth feature of the authentication apparatus according to the present invention is that the consumable item storage information is generated based on position information in addition to the time information.

  A fifth feature of the authentication apparatus according to the present invention is that, when the consumable storage information is generated after the consumable is mounted on the printing machine, the time information is acquired from an external server. .

  According to the first feature of the authentication apparatus according to the present invention, the first verification unit includes the first verification information generated by the printing machine based on the consumable storage information stored in the consumable, and the consumable. The second verification information generated based on the stored information is compared with the second verification information stored in the memory, and the authentication unit permits and authenticates the consumable based on the authentication result of the first verification unit. The consumable item storage information generating unit generates consumable item storage information based on at least the time information, and stores the consumable item storage information in the consumable item.

  As described above, since the consumable item storage information is generated based on at least the time information, unique consumable item storage information is generated. That is, consumables storage information that is a generation source of the first to second verification information used for verification by the first verification unit is uniquely generated. Thereby, since the 1st-2nd collation information can also be produced | generated more uniquely, while improving the precision of the collation result of a 1st collation means and a 2nd collation means, the precision of authentication can also be raised. Furthermore, even if consumables storage information is not stored in the consumables, the authentication device can generate unique consumables storage information by itself.

  According to the second feature of the authentication device according to the present invention, the third verification information generated by the printing press based on the acquisition information of the printing press and the storage information generated based on the acquisition information of the consumables are stored in the memory. And a second collating unit that collates the fourth collating information, and the authenticating unit is consumed when it is determined that the collation results of the first collating unit and the second collating unit match. Authenticate the product.

  Therefore, the accuracy of authentication can be improved as compared to the case where the consumable is permitted and authenticated only based on the authentication result of the first verification unit. As a result, it is possible to reliably identify that an inappropriate ink cartridge is used, and thus it is possible to prevent a decrease in print quality and an apparatus failure.

  According to the third feature of the authentication apparatus of the present invention, the time information indicates any time within a period from manufacture to use. As a result, the consumable storage information is generated based on time information with a wide variation range indicating the time within the period from manufacture to use, and thus becomes more unique information. As a result, since the first collation information and the second collation information generated based on the consumables storage information can be uniquely generated, the accuracy of the collation result between the first collation unit and the second collation unit is improved, The accuracy of authentication can also be improved.

  According to the 4th characteristic of the authentication apparatus which concerns on this invention, consumables storage information is produced | generated based on position information in addition to time information. Thereby, the consumable item storage information is generated into more unique information. As a result, the first collation information and the second collation information generated based on the consumable storage information can be generated as more unique information, so that the accuracy of authentication can be improved.

  According to a fifth feature of the authentication apparatus according to the present invention, when the consumable storage information is generated after the consumable is mounted on the printing machine, the time information is acquired from an external server. Thereby, since it is not necessary to provide a clock in the authentication device, the configuration of the authentication device can be simplified. In addition, when the external server can measure an accurate time by using a function such as a radio clock, more accurate time information can be acquired.

It is the figure explaining the structure of the inkjet printing apparatus which is an authentication apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the function of the main body apparatus and ink cartridge with which the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention is provided. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence in the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence in the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the function of the main body apparatus and ink cartridge with which the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on the modification 2 of this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing explaining the function of the main body apparatus and ink cartridge with which the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on the modification 3 of this invention is provided.

  Hereinafter, an authentication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further, the embodiments shown below exemplify devices and the like for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention is to arrange the components and the like as follows. Not specific. The technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.

[Example 1]
In the first embodiment of the present invention, an authentication apparatus applied to an inkjet printing apparatus including a main body apparatus and an ink cartridge for each color as a consumable that is detachably attached to the main body apparatus is taken as an example. explain.

<Configuration of inkjet printing apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus 1 that is an authentication apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  The ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an ink cartridge and a main body apparatus having a configuration other than the ink cartridge. In FIG. 1, the ink cartridge is mounted on the main body apparatus (printing machine). The ink jet printing apparatus 1 in the state will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes inkjet heads 110C, 110M, 110Y, and 110K corresponding to C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) inks. The printing paper is conveyed at a speed determined by printing conditions by an annular conveyance belt (not shown) provided on the opposing surface of the inkjet heads 110C, 110M, 110Y, and 110K, and the inkjet heads 110C, 110M, 110Y, and 110K. Is printed line by line with ink ejected from the printer.

  Each ink is supplied from an ink bottle provided in a removable ink cartridge, and an ink bottle 151C that supplies C (cyan) ink, an ink bottle 151M that supplies M (magenta) ink, An ink bottle 151Y that supplies Y (yellow) ink and an ink bottle 151K that supplies K (black) ink are provided. In the following description, the ink bottle 151 will be used as a representative when the ink color is not particular. The same applies to other functional units.

  The ink supplied from the ink bottle 151 passes through an ink circulation path formed by a pipe made of resin, metal, etc., and is temporarily stored in a downstream tank provided on the downstream side of the inkjet head 110. Therefore, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes a downstream tank 120C for storing C (cyan) ink, a downstream tank 120M for storing M (magenta) ink, and a downstream tank 120Y for storing Y (yellow) ink, K (black). A downstream tank 120K is provided for storing the ink.

  The ink jet printing apparatus 1 includes a pump 170C, a pump 170M, a pump 170Y, a pump 170K, an upstream tank 130C, an upstream tank 130M, an upstream tank 130Y, and an upstream tank 130K. The ink stored in the downstream tank 120 is sent to an upstream tank provided on the upstream side of the inkjet head 110 by a pump. The ink sent to the upstream tank 130 is sent to the inkjet head 110 provided with a number of nozzles that eject ink.

  The upstream tank 130 is connected to the common air chamber 172. The common air chamber 172 is provided with a pump 173 and an atmospheric release valve (not shown). The atmospheric release valve is fully closed and air is sent to the upstream tank 130 by the pump 173, or the atmospheric release valve is fully opened and the atmospheric pressure is opened. By adjusting the pressure, the pressure of the air in the upstream tank 130 is adjusted.

  Ink that has not been ejected by the inkjet head 110 is returned to the downstream tank 120. Ink feedback from the upstream tank 130 to the downstream tank 120 via the inkjet head 110 utilizes the water head difference between the upstream tank 130 and the downstream tank 120.

  The temperature range in which the print quality is guaranteed is determined for the ink, and it is necessary to heat the ink when the environmental temperature is low and the ink temperature is below the lower limit temperature at which printing is possible. On the other hand, the driver and the piezo element provided in the ink jet head 110 generate heat by operating, and it is necessary to suppress the influence of the ink temperature rise at a high temperature due to these heat generation and Joule heat of ink vibration. Therefore, a temperature regulator 161 is provided on the ink circulation path, and the temperature regulator 161 heats or cools the ink.

  When an improper ink cartridge is installed in an inkjet printing apparatus having such a configuration, for example, the ink aggregates and the aggregated ink closes the nozzles of the inkjet head 110 to cause ejection failure or is conveyed. Ink that has landed on the printed paper bleeds, causing image edge defects and the like. Further, when the ink aggregates in the ink circulation path, an excessive load is applied to the ink feeding means such as the pump 170, which may cause a failure of the apparatus.

  Therefore, the ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention performs authentication to determine whether or not the mounted ink cartridge can be used in order to prevent a decrease in print quality and a failure of the printing apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating functions of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. The ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an ink cartridge 150 and a main body device 2. In addition, although the arrow shown in FIG. 2 has shown the transmission / reception relationship of main information, in the inkjet printing apparatus 1, the transmission / reception relationship of information is not limited to the arrow shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink jet printing apparatus 1 includes a main body device 2 and ink cartridges 150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y attached to the main body device 2, and the ink cartridges 150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y are provided. Each is authenticated whether it can be used. Here, since each of the ink cartridges 150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y has the same configuration, the configuration thereof will be described by focusing on the ink cartridge 150K. For simplification, each of the ink cartridges 150K, 150C, 150M, and 150Y is appropriately referred to as an ink cartridge 150.

  The ink cartridge 150 includes an ink bottle 151 and a non-contact IC 152.

  The non-contact IC 152 includes a memory 153 and a processing unit 154, and performs wireless data communication with the main body device 2.

  The memory 153 includes an ID (consumables storage information) that uniquely identifies the ink cartridge 150, attribute data of the ink stored in the ink bottle 151, destination information indicating an area where the ink cartridge 150 is used, and an ID The first password (second verification information) generated based on the first password, the second password (fourth verification information) generated based on the destination information indicating the area where the ink cartridge 150 is used, and the first A first algorithm that is a program for generating a password (second verification information) and a second algorithm that is a program for generating a second password (fourth verification information) are stored. The ink attribute data includes ink color information, ink solvent type information, and remaining ink information. Further, the destination information indicating the area where the ink cartridge 150 is used is stored in advance in the memory 153 as position information (consumables acquisition information) of the ink cartridge 150.

  ID (consumables storage information) is generated based on at least time information. The ID is generated by an ID generation unit 1541 described later and stored in the memory 153.

  The first password is generated by password generation means 1542 (described later) using the first algorithm based on the ID, and stored in the memory 153.

  The second password is generated by password generation means 1542 (described later) using the second algorithm based on the ID and the destination information as the position information (consumable acquisition information), and stored in the memory 153. The

  The processing unit 154 includes an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU and has an arithmetic processing function. The processing unit 154 includes an ID generation unit 1541 and a password generation unit 1542.

  The ID generation unit 1541 generates an ID (consumables storage information) based on at least the time information, and stores the generated ID in the memory 153. The ID generation unit 1541 generates an ID based on the two pieces of information, the first information and the second information.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the first information is a manufacturing equipment number and the second information is manufacturing time information will be described as an example.

  The manufacturing device number is a number that identifies the manufacturing device that manufactured the ink cartridge 150. The ID generation unit 1541 acquires the manufacturing equipment number from the manufacturing management server 200 that can communicate with the non-contact IC 152 of the ink cartridge 150.

  The manufacturing time information is time information indicating the time when the manufacturing is completed. The ID generation unit 1541 includes a clock inside, and acquires manufacturing time information by measuring the clock when the manufacturing is completed. In this embodiment, the time information is “year / month / day / hour / minute / second”, but the time information may be used in units of 1 second or less in accordance with the production speed.

  The ID generating unit 1541 generates an ID based on the manufacturing equipment number as the first information and the manufacturing time information as the second information acquired in this way. Then, the ID generation unit 1541 stores the generated ID in the memory 153. In this embodiment, the ID generation unit 1541 constitutes a consumable storage information generation unit.

  The password generation unit 1542 generates a first password (second verification information) using the first algorithm stored in the memory 153 based on the ID stored in the memory 153. The password generation unit 1542 generates a second password (fourth verification information) using the second algorithm stored in the memory 153 based on the ID and the destination information indicating the area where the ink cartridge 150 is used. To do.

  The main body device 2 includes a wireless communication unit 11, a first verification unit 12, a second verification unit 13, a password generation unit 14, a position information acquisition unit 15, an authentication unit 16, a display unit 17, and a memory 18. And.

  The wireless communication unit 11 establishes wireless communication with the non-contact IC 152, reads various information from the non-contact IC 152, and supplies the read information to various functions in the main device 2. When wireless communication is performed between the wireless communication unit 11 and the non-contact IC 152, the transmission side adds a random number and transmits, and the reception side extracts information by deleting the added random number. Thereby, interception of the information to communicate can be prevented.

  The first verification unit 12 uses a first password (first verification information) generated by the password generation unit 14 of the main unit 2 based on an ID (consumables storage information) stored in the ink cartridge 150 that is a consumable. ) And the first password (second verification information) generated based on the ID (consumables storage information) and stored in the memory 153.

  The second verification unit 13 includes the second password (third verification information) generated by the password generation unit 14 of the main unit 2 based on the position information (printing machine acquisition information) of the main unit 2 and the ink cartridge 150. The second password (fourth collation information) generated based on the position information (consumable acquisition information) and stored in the memory 153 is collated.

  The password generation unit 14 generates a first password and a second password in the same manner as the password generation unit 1542 provided in the processing unit 154 of the ink cartridge 150 described above.

  Specifically, the password generation unit 14 generates a first password (first verification information) using the first algorithm stored in the memory 18 based on the ID read by the wireless communication unit 11. In addition, the password generation unit 14 uses the second algorithm stored in the memory 18 based on the position information (printing machine acquisition information) acquired by the position information acquisition unit 15 and uses the second password (third verification). Information).

  The position information acquisition unit 15 reads the destination information stored in the memory 18 as position information.

  The authentication unit 16 authorizes and authenticates the use of the ink cartridge 150 that is a consumable item. Specifically, the authentication unit 16 authenticates and authenticates the ink cartridge 150 when it is determined that the collation results of the first collation unit 12 and the second collation unit 13 match. The ink cartridge 150 mounted with this authentication permission can be used.

  The display unit 17 displays a warning message that the mounted ink cartridge 150 cannot be used when the authentication unit 16 does not permit authentication.

  The memory 18 includes destination information indicating an area where the inkjet printing apparatus 1 is used, a first algorithm that is a program for generating a first password (first verification information), and a second password (third verification). 2nd algorithm which is a program for generating (information). In addition, destination information indicating a region where the inkjet printing apparatus 1 is used is stored in advance in the memory 18 as position information (printing machine acquisition information).

  The first algorithm stored in the memory 18 is the same as the first algorithm stored in the memory 153 of the ink cartridge 150. The second algorithm stored in the memory 18 is the same as the second algorithm stored in the memory 153 of the ink cartridge 150.

<Operation of printing system>
Next, the operation of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Specifically, an ID generation process in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and an authentication process in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, an ID generation process in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The ID generation process is mainly a process executed by the ink cartridge 150. In this embodiment, the case where the ID generation process is executed when the ink cartridge 150 is manufactured will be described as an example.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of ID generation processing in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the ink cartridge 150, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires a manufacturing device number that identifies the manufacturing device that manufactured the ink cartridge 150 as the first information (step S101). Specifically, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires a manufacturing equipment number from the manufacturing management server 200 connected to the ink cartridge 150.

  The ID generation unit 1541 and the manufacturing management server 200 may be connected by wireless communication or may be connected by wired communication. Note that the manufacturing equipment number may be stored in the memory 153 of the ink cartridge 150. In this case, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires the manufacturing equipment number from the memory 153.

  Next, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires time information as the second information (step S102). Specifically, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires the manufacturing time information by measuring the time when the ink cartridge 150 is manufactured using an internal clock. The manufacturing time information may be acquired from an external server such as the manufacturing management server 200.

  For example, the ID generation unit 1541 may acquire the manufacturing time information by measuring the time when receiving a notification indicating the completion of manufacturing from the manufacturing management server 200. At this time, the ID generation unit 1541 may acquire the manufacturing time information and the management number as the second information by acquiring the management number for identifying the manufacturing management server 200 from the manufacturing management server 200.

  Then, the ID generation unit 1541 generates an ID (consumables storage information) based on the manufacturing equipment number acquired as the first information and the time information acquired as the second information (step S103). A known technique can be applied to the generation method for generating the ID based on the manufacturing equipment number and the time information. For example, the ID generation unit 1541 may generate an ID by adding time information to the manufacturing equipment number, or generate an ID using a predetermined algorithm based on the manufacturing equipment number and the manufacturing time information. Also good.

  The ID generation unit 1541 stores the generated ID in the memory 153 of the ink cartridge 150 (step S104).

  Next, the password generation means 1542 generates a first password using the first algorithm stored in the memory 153 based on the ID stored in the memory 153, and stores the generated first password in the memory 153. (Step S105).

  Subsequently, the password generation unit 1542 uses the second algorithm stored in the memory 153 to generate the second password based on the ID stored in the memory 153 and the destination information indicating the area where the ink cartridge 150 is used. The generated second password is stored in the memory 153 (step S106).

  By executing the ID generation process described above, the memory 153 of the ink cartridge 150 stores the ID, the first password, and the second password.

  Next, an authentication process procedure in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of authentication processing in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The authentication process is executed after the ID generation process described above. Specifically, the authentication process is executed after the ink cartridge 150 is mounted on the main body device 2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the ink cartridge 150 attached to the main body device 2 based on the power-on, the return from the power saving mode, or the detection result of a sensor not shown. When it is detected (step S201; “YES”), the wireless communication means 11 of the main body device 2 establishes wireless communication with the non-contact IC 152, and the ID (consumables storage information) and the first information are received from the non-contact IC 152. One password (second verification information) is read (step S202).

  Next, the password generation unit 14 generates a first password (first verification information) using the first algorithm stored in the memory 18 based on the ID read by the wireless communication unit 11 (step S203). ).

  The first verification unit 12 then checks whether the first password (second verification information) read by the wireless communication unit 11 matches the first password (first verification information) generated in step S203. A collation of whether or not is performed (step S204). Here, when the ink cartridge 150 is a product that is compatible with the inkjet printing apparatus 1, the two first passwords are generated using a common first algorithm based on a common ID. Thus, the two first passwords match.

  If the two first passwords do not match (step S204; NO), the ink cartridge 150 is not a product compatible with the ink jet printing apparatus 1, and therefore the authentication unit 16 is mounted on the display unit 17. A warning message indicating that the ink cartridge cannot be used is displayed (step S209).

  On the other hand, if the two first passwords match (step S204; YES), there is a possibility that the installed ink cartridge is appropriate.

  Therefore, the wireless communication unit 11 of the main device 2 establishes wireless communication with the non-contact IC 152, and reads the second password (fourth verification information) from the memory 153 of the non-contact IC 152 (step S205).

  Further, the position information acquisition means 15 acquires the destination information stored in the memory 18 as position information (step S206).

  The password generation unit 14 uses the second algorithm stored in the memory 18 based on the ID read in step S202 and the destination information acquired in step S206 to generate the second password (third verification information). Is generated (step S207).

  Then, the second verification unit 13 determines whether the second password (fourth verification information) read by the wireless communication unit 11 matches the second password (third verification information) generated in step S207. It is collated (step S208). Here, the second password stored in the memory 153 of the ink cartridge 150 is generated and stored in advance using the second algorithm based on the ID and the destination information of the ink cartridge 150. Since it is assumed that the ink cartridge 150 and the ink jet printing apparatus 1 are used in the same region, if the ink cartridge 150 is a product compatible with the ink jet printing apparatus 1, it is stored in the memory 153 of the ink cartridge 150. The second password and the second password generated in step S207 match.

  If the two second passwords do not match (step S208; NO), the ink cartridge 150 is not a product compatible with the ink jet printing apparatus 1, and therefore the authentication means 16 is the ink cartridge attached to the display means 17. Displays a warning message that cannot be used (step S209).

  On the other hand, if the two second passwords match (step S208; YES), the authentication unit 16 determines that the installed ink cartridge 150 is appropriate and permits the use of the installed ink cartridge. Authentication is performed (step S210).

  As described above, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the ID generation unit 1541 that generates an ID based on at least the manufacturing time information and stores the generated ID in the ink cartridge 150. . That is, the ID that is the generation source of the first password and the second password is generated more uniquely because it is generated based on the time information that changes every time. Thereby, compared with the case where the ID is fixed information, the first password and the second password can be generated more uniquely. Therefore, the accuracy of the verification result between the first verification unit 12 and the second verification unit 13 is improved. As well as improving the accuracy of authentication.

  Further, even if no ID is stored in the ink cartridge 150, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 can generate a unique ID by itself. In particular, since IDs are usually recorded at the manufacturing stage of non-contact ICs, it is necessary to produce a large number of non-contact ICs after prescribing the ID numbering method in advance, resulting in a low manufacturing cost. It tends to be expensive. According to the ink jet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the ID can be generated after the non-contact IC 152 is manufactured and the generated ID can be stored, the non-contact having a general-purpose memory. IC can also be used. Thereby, it can also contribute to suppression of manufacturing cost.

  Further, according to the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the authentication unit 16 determines that the collation result between the first collation unit 12 and the second collation unit 13 is the same as the consumable item. Since the ink cartridge 150 is permitted and authenticated, the accuracy of authentication can be improved. As a result, since it is possible to reliably identify an inappropriate ink cartridge so that it is not used, it is possible to prevent a decrease in print quality and an apparatus failure.

  In the first embodiment described above, the authentication unit 16 removes the ink cartridge 150, which is a consumable, when it is determined that the two verification results of the first verification unit 12 and the second verification unit 13 match. Although the authorization authentication is performed, the authentication unit 16 does not necessarily perform the authorization authentication based on the two authentication results.

  That is, the authentication unit 16 permits and authenticates the ink cartridge 150, which is a consumable, based on at least one of the collation result of the first collation unit 12 and the collation result of the second collation unit 13. Good. For example, after step S204 shown in FIG. 4, steps S209 to S210 may be performed without performing steps S205 to S208. Or you may implement the process of step S205-S210, without implementing step S202-S204 after step S201 shown in FIG. As described above, the authentication unit 16 does not necessarily need two authentication results if the ink cartridge 150 can be authenticated based on the collation result of the first password (or the second password) generated using the ID.

[Modification 1]
In the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the ID generation unit 1541 executes the ID generation process when the ink cartridge 150 is manufactured.

  In the first modification, the ID generation unit 1541 executes an ID generation process when the ink cartridge 150 is distributed. Specifically, the ID generation unit 1541 executes an ID generation process at the time of arrival or shipment of the distribution base of the ink cartridge 150.

  Moreover, in the modification 1, the ID production | generation means 1541 produces | generates ID (consumables storage information) based on the base identification information as 1st information, and the base time information as 2nd information.

  The base identification information is information for identifying the physical distribution base of the ink cartridge 150. The ID generation unit 1541 acquires site identification information for identifying a site from a site management server (not shown) installed at the logistics site. The site identification information may be stored in advance in the memory 153 of the ink cartridge 150. In this case, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires the base identification information from the memory 153.

  The base time information is time information that indicates the time when the distribution base of the ink cartridge 150 is received or the time when the ink cartridge 150 is shipped. The ID generation unit 1541 acquires the base time information by measuring the time of arrival or shipment of the ink cartridge 150 at the physical distribution base.

  Next, the ID generation process in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first modification will be described with a focus on differences from the ID generation process according to the first embodiment with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S101, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires base identification information as first information from a base management server (not shown). In step S102, the ID generation unit 1541 measures the time based on the notification from the base management server (not shown), and acquires the base time information as the second information. Note that the ID generation unit 1541 may acquire other information as the second information in addition to the base time information. For example, the ID generation unit 1541 may acquire a management server number for identifying a base management server (not shown) and base time information as the second information.

  In step S103, the ID generation unit 1541 generates an ID based on the base identification information and the base time information.

  In step S <b> 104, the ID generation unit 1541 stores the generated ID in the memory 153 of the ink cartridge 150.

  Since the subsequent operations of steps S105 to S106 are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here. Note that the authentication process according to the first modification is also the same as the authentication process according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, according to the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first modification of the present invention, the ID that is the generation source of the first password and the second password is the base identification information whose information differs depending on the distribution route, Since the ID is generated based on time information that changes every time, a more unique ID can be generated. Accordingly, the first password and the second password can be generated more uniquely than when the ID that is the generation source of the first password and the second password is fixed information. Therefore, the accuracy of the collation result between the first collation unit 12 and the second collation unit 13 can be increased, and the accuracy of authentication can be increased.

[Modification 2]
Next, the structure of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 which concerns on the modification 2 of this invention is demonstrated.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the ID generation unit 1541 executes the ID generation process when the ink cartridge 150 is manufactured.

  In the second modification, the ID generation unit 1541 executes an ID generation process after the ink cartridge 150 is mounted on the main body device 2. The term “after the ink cartridge 150 is mounted on the main body device 2” includes the time when the ink cartridge 150 is mounted on the main body device 2 and the time when the ink cartridge 150 is used.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the functions of the main body device 2 and the ink cartridge 150 included in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the second modification of the present invention. The main differences between the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the second modification of the present invention and the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment are as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in Modification 2, the ID generation unit 1541 generates an ID (consumables storage information) based on the main body serial number as the first information and the mounting time information as the second information. To do.

  The main body serial number is an identification number for identifying the main body device 2. The ID generation unit 1541 acquires the main body serial number as the first information from the memory 18 of the main body device 2.

  The mounting time information is time information indicating the time when the ink cartridge 150 is mounted on the main body device 2. The ID generation unit 1541 acquires the mounting time information by measuring the time when the ink cartridge 150 is mounted on the main body device 2. The base time information may be acquired from the main device 2.

  Next, the ID generation process in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the modified example 2 will be described focusing on the difference from the ID generation process according to the first example with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 101, when the ink cartridge 150 is attached to the main body device 2, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires the main body serial number that is the identification number of the main body device 2 from the memory 18 as the first information.

  In step S102, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires the mounting time information as the second information. Specifically, when the ID generation unit 1541 detects that the ink cartridge 150 is mounted on the main body device 2 based on the detection result of a sensor (not shown), the ID generation unit 1541 counts the mounting time information by counting the internal clock. Get as.

  At this time, the ID generation unit 1541 may acquire the mounting time information from an external server (not shown) connected to the main device 2 via a network such as the Internet. As a result, it is not necessary to provide the ID generator 1541 with an internal clock, and the configuration of the ID generator 1541 can be simplified. In addition, when an external server (not shown) can measure an accurate time by a function such as a radio clock, time information with higher accuracy can be acquired.

  In step S103, the ID generation unit 1541 generates an ID (consumables storage information) based on the main body serial number as the first information and the mounting time information as the second information.

  In step S <b> 104, the ID generation unit 1541 stores the generated ID in the memory 153 of the ink cartridge 150.

  Since the subsequent operations of steps S105 to S106 are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here. Note that the authentication process according to the second modification is also the same as the authentication process according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, according to the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the second modification of the present invention, the ID that is the generation source of the first password and the second password is stored for each main body apparatus 2 in which the ink cartridge 150 is mounted. Since the ID is generated based on the different main body serial number and the time information that changes depending on the timing at which the ink cartridge 150 is mounted on the main body device 2, a more unique ID can be generated. Accordingly, the first password and the second password can be generated more uniquely than when the ID that is the generation source of the first password and the second password is fixed information. Therefore, the accuracy of the collation result between the first collation unit 12 and the second collation unit 13 can be increased, and the accuracy of authentication can be increased.

  Moreover, the time information used as the second information may be information indicating any time within a period from manufacture to use. Thereby, since ID is produced | generated based on the time information with a wide fluctuation | variation range which shows the time in the period from manufacture to use, it becomes more unique information. As a result, since the first password and the second password generated based on the ID can also generate unique information having a large fluctuation range, the accuracy of the verification result between the first verification unit 12 and the second verification unit 13 is improved. The accuracy of authentication can also be improved.

  Note that the ID generation unit 1541 may further obtain destination information indicating the area where the main device 2 is used, which is stored in the memory 18 of the main device 2, as the first information. Thus, the ID is generated based on the position information in addition to the main body serial information and the mounting time information, and thus is generated as more unique information. As a result, the first password and the second password generated based on the ID can also be generated as more unique information, so that the accuracy of authentication can be improved.

[Modification 3]
Next, the structure of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 which concerns on the modification 3 of this invention is demonstrated.

  In the third modification of the present invention, the ID generation unit 1541 executes the ID generation process after the ink cartridge 150 is mounted on the main body device 2. Although this point is common to the above-described modification example 2, in the modification example 3 of the present invention, the ID generation unit 1541 obtains the first information from the dongle 300 connected to the main device 2 as described above. This is different from Modification 2.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the functions of the main body device 2 and the ink cartridge 150 included in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the third modification of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to Modification 3, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires key information from the dongle 300 connected to the main body apparatus 2 as the first information.

  Here, the key information is information for approving permission of the printing operation to the main device 2, and the main device 2 can execute the printing operation by acquiring the key information from the dongle 300. .

  Further, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires time information as the second information, as in the second modification described above. Specifically, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires mounting time information, which is time information, by measuring time with an internal clock.

  Next, the ID generation process in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the modification 3 will be described by focusing on the difference from the ID generation process according to the first embodiment with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S101, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires key information from the dongle 300 as the first information.

  In step S102, the ID generation unit 1541 acquires the mounting time information as the second information. In addition, when the main body device 2 acquires validity confirmation information for confirming the validity of the dongle 300 via a network such as the Internet, the ID generation unit 1541 adds the dongle time information to the dongle time information. 300 validity confirmation information may also be acquired. That is, the ID generation unit 1541 may acquire the attachment time information and the validity confirmation information as the second information.

  In step S103, the ID generation unit 1541 generates an ID based on the key information as the first information and the mounting time information as the second information.

  In step S104, the ID generation unit 1541 stores the generated ID in the memory 153.

  Since the subsequent operations of steps S105 to S106 are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here. Note that the authentication process according to the third modification is also the same as the authentication process according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, according to the inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to the third modification of the present invention, the ID that is the generation source of the first password and the second password is different from the key information that is stored for each dongle 300. Since the ID is generated based on the time information that changes depending on the timing at which the ink cartridge 150 is mounted on the main body device 2, a more unique ID can be generated. Accordingly, the first password and the second password can be generated more uniquely than when the ID that is the generation source of the first password and the second password is fixed information. Therefore, the accuracy of the collation result between the first collation unit 12 and the second collation unit 13 can be increased, and the accuracy of authentication can be increased.

[Other embodiments of the present invention]
Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the authentication apparatus is the inkjet printing apparatus 1 has been described as an example. However, any authentication method may be used as long as the authentication apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus provided with consumables. It can also be applied to other printing apparatuses. For example, the authentication device may be a stencil printing device. In this case, the consumable is a stencil master, stencil ink, or other consumable.

  Further, the authentication device may be a toner printing device that performs printing by an electrophotographic method (so-called toner method). In this case, the consumable is a toner cartridge (toner bottle).

  Further, the ID generation unit 1541 may acquire other information (for example, destination information) stored in the memory 153 of the ink cartridge 150 as the first information, or is stored in the memory 18 of the main body device 2. Other information (for example, the Mac address of the main device 2) may be acquired.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the processing unit 154 of the ink cartridge 150 includes the ID generation unit 1541 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. An external device (not shown) of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 may include an ID generation unit 1541. For example, an external device such as the manufacturing management server 200 or a site management server (not shown) includes an ID generation unit 1541. The ID generation unit 1541 included in the external device generates an ID by executing an ID generation process. Also good. In this case, the system constituted by the inkjet printing apparatus 1 and the external apparatus constitutes an authentication system for authenticating the ink cartridge 150.

  As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet printing apparatus 2 ... Main body apparatus 11 ... Wireless communication means 12 ... 1st collation means 13 ... 2nd collation means 14 ... Password generation means 15 ... Location information acquisition means 16 ... Authentication means 17 ... Display means 18 ... Memory 110 ... Inkjet head 150 ... Ink cartridge 151 ... Ink bottle 152 ... Non-contact IC
153 ... Memory 154 ... Processing unit 200 ... Manufacturing management server 300 ... Dongle 1541 ... ID generation means 1542 ... Password generation means

Claims (5)

An authentication device that has an internal memory and authenticates consumables attached to a printing press,
Based on the consumables storage information stored in the consumables, the first verification information generated by the printer and the second verification information generated based on the consumables storage information and stored in the memory First verification means for verifying verification information;
Authentication means for permitting and authenticating the consumables based on the result of collation by the first collating means;
An authentication device comprising: consumables storage information generating means for generating the consumables storage information based on at least time information and storing the consumables storage information in the consumables. Collating third verification information generated by the printing machine based on the acquired information of the printing machine and fourth verification information generated based on the acquisition information of the consumables and stored in the memory A second verification means for
2. The authentication unit according to claim 1, wherein the authenticating unit authorizes and authenticates the consumable when it is determined that the collation results of the first collating unit and the second collating unit coincide with each other. Authentication device. The authentication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time information indicates any time within a period from manufacture to use. The authentication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable storage information is generated based on position information in addition to the time information. When the consumable storage information is generated after the consumable is mounted on the printing press,
The authentication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time information is acquired from an external server.

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