KR20090082723A - Apparatus and method for certification of water purifier filter by memory IC - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for authenticity certification of a water purifier filter using a memory IC(Integrated Circuit) are provided to prevent damages due to use of an adulterated water purifier filter, discriminate an authentic exclusive filter used in a water purifier more easily, and limit use of the adulterated water purifier filter. An apparatus for authenticity certification of a water purifier filter using a memory IC(Integrated Circuit) comprises: a filter(110) mounted on a water purifier; a filter information providing part(130) fixedly inserted into the filter to provide information on the concerned filter; a memory IC(140) adhered to the filter to store information including accumulated flux information capable of determining if the filter is recognized as an authentic good; and a control part(170) which communicates with the filter information providing part to detect filter information of the filter, detects filter information of the memory IC, determines if the filter is authentic using the detected filter information, and controls the memory IC to inform the filter replacement time using the accumulated flux information of the memory IC. The control part includes a filter information detection part(150). The apparatus further comprises a power supply part(190), a memory part(210), a warning generation part(230), a speaker(250), and a display part(270).

Description

Apparatus and method for certification of water purifier filter by memory IC}

The present invention relates to a water purifier, and in particular, by using a memory IC (Integrated Circuit (IC)) to prevent the non-genuine use of the water purifier filter to induce genuine use and to prevent the use of the counterfeit filter using a memory IC An apparatus and method for activating a water purifier filter are provided.

In general, filters used in water purifiers are manufactured in consideration of physical and chemical properties in the state most suitable for the environment of the device. That is, the filter used as a consumable in the water purifier is supplied with a dedicated filter for each model of the water purifier. Such a filter is designed to be suitable for the corresponding model, and can be produced and supplied only by the water purifier manufacturer or a related company. Therefore, the water purifier is generally developed together with the filter used therefrom, and even a water purifier of the same manufacturing company may use different filters depending on the type of the water purifier.

However, as mentioned above, despite the development of genuine filters with optimum conditions for water purifiers, non-genuine filters are on the market, and non-specialized users often buy and use non-genuine filters. . In the case of such a non-genuine filter, not only the quality of the filter is deteriorated but also many side effects such as the quality of the water purifier itself are generated.

In particular, unlike the intention with the water purifier manufacturers, there are companies that want to produce only filters and piggyback on the water purifier consumables market. Most of the inexpensive non-genuine filters produced by those who want to ride on the consumables market of such water purifiers are poor in quality, leading to the failure of expensive water purifiers, leading to consumer damage.

In addition, the mass distribution of abnormal product filters leads to a decrease in sales of genuine business operators, which in turn lowers the product development motivation and also leads to an increase in A / S of the product suppliers due to the frequent breakdown of water purifiers, resulting in a series of social losses. .

Therefore, there is a great demand for product activation for a dedicated filter used in a water purifier. In addition, even non-experts can easily identify non-genuine whose use is inappropriate, and a method of effectively limiting its use is urgently required.

Accordingly, the present invention has been proposed to solve the conventional problems as described above, and an object of the present invention is a water filter using a memory IC that can prevent the damage caused by non-genuine use of the water filter using the memory IC in advance An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for authenticating the product.

Another object of the present invention is to incorporate a memory IC to accumulate the flow rate of the filter to replace the filter when the flow rate integration is completed so that the new available flow rate can be recognized to operate, thereby preventing the use of counterfeit filters. The present invention provides an apparatus and method for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC that can more easily identify a genuine product for a dedicated filter used for a water purifier using a memory IC.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for authenticating a filter using a memory IC for limiting the use of a non-genuine filter that shortens the life of the water purifier using the memory IC.

Another object of the present invention is to use a memory IC to authenticate the authenticity of the filter used in the water purifier, in the case of non-genuine water limiter filter using a memory IC to limit the normal operation of the water purifier to expand the spread of genuine filters An apparatus and method for authentication are provided.

Still another object of the present invention is to identify a filter of a water purifier using a memory IC to identify a filter of an abnormal standard, and to cut off the power supply to authenticate a water purifier filter using a memory IC capable of limiting non-genuine use. And providing a method.

1 is a conceptual diagram of an apparatus for activating water purifier filters using a memory IC according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for authenticating water purifier filters using a memory IC according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is also.

As shown therein, the water purifier includes: a filter (110) mounted to the water purifier; A filter information providing unit 130 inserted into and fixed to the filter 110 to provide information of the corresponding filter 110; A memory IC (140) attached to the filter (110) for storing information for determining whether to recognize authenticity, including accumulated flow information suitable for the life of the filter (110); Communicate with the filter information providing unit 130 to detect filter information of the filter 110, detect filter information of the memory IC 140, and use the detected filter information to verify the authenticity of the filter 110. And a control unit 170 for determining whether or not to notify the filter replacement time by using the accumulated flow rate information of the memory IC 140.

The controller 170 may be configured to include a filter information detection unit 150 which communicates with the filter information providing unit 130 to detect filter information of the filter 110.

The controller 170 checks whether the filter 110 is genuine when an operation event occurs by at least one of filter replacement, power supply of the water purifier, a user request, a water purifier reset, and a filter check period.

The controller 170 may be any one of a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a microcomputer integrated circuit (MICOM IC).

The filter information providing unit 130 may provide filter information based on any one of the memory IC 140, a random number table, a barcode, and a tag.

The memory IC 140 may be inserted into and fixed to the filter 110 in a molding manner.

The filter information detector 150 may be any one of a random number detection sensor, a barcode reader, a tag reader, and a receiver of a short range communication module.

The apparatus for authenticating a water purifier filter using the memory IC may further include a power supply unit 190 configured to apply or block power supplied to the water purifier according to whether the filter 110 identified by the controller 170 is genuine. Characterized in that configured.

The device for authenticating a water purifier filter using the memory IC may further include a memory unit 210 configured to store at least one predetermined filter information.

The device for authenticating a water purifier filter using the memory IC may further include a warning generator 230 configured to process a predetermined warning signal output according to the non-genuine of the filter 110 under the control of the controller 170. It is characterized by.

The warning generator 230 outputs a warning sound signal and a voice guide signal through the speaker 250 and outputs warning information and a warning guide message through the display unit 270 under the control of the controller 170. It is characterized by controlling.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of detecting a water purifier filter in a method for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown therein, in the genuine product activation method of the water purifier filter 110, the memory IC 140 stores information for determining whether the product is genuine or not, including accumulated flow information suitable for the life of the filter 110. A first step (301, 302) of acquiring filter information of the filter (110) when the verification of the filter (110) is requested after is attached to the filter (110); A second step (303, 305) of determining whether the filter (110) is genuine using the filter information; If it is determined that the filter 110 is genuine, a third step (307) for controlling the normal operation of the water purifier;

In the first step, the verification request of the filter 110 is verification of the filter 110 when detecting an operation by at least one of filter replacement, power supply of the water purifier, user request, water purifier reset, and filter check period. Characterized by the request.

The second step may include determining whether the filter is genuine (303); And comparing the obtained filter information with pre-stored filter information and determining whether there is filter information that matches the obtained filter information (305).

The third step may be performed including checking the replacement time of the filter 110.

In the third step, when the replacement time of the filter 110 is checked, the replacement time is determined by integrating the filter use flow rate stored in the memory IC 140.

The third step may be performed by informing the replacement time of the filter through the warning generator 230 when the filter is replaced.

The genuine authentication method of the water purifier filter using the memory IC may further include a fourth step 309 of limiting the operation of the water purifier when the filter 110 is determined to be non-genuine.

The fourth step may be performed by generating a warning through the warning generator 230 when the filter 110 is determined to be non-genuine.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a water purifier control operation in a method for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, in the genuine product authentication method of the water purifier filter, the memory IC 140 stores information for determining whether to recognize authenticity, including the accumulated flow rate information suitable for the life of the filter 110, the filter. When the event for verification of the filter 110 occurs after being attached to the 110, the control unit 170 extracts the filter information of the filter 110 mounted on the water purifier in the eleventh step (401, 402, 403). Wow; The controller 170 may include a twelfth step (405, 407) for comparing the extracted filter information with previously stored filter information; The control unit 170 controls a normal operation of the water purifier when there is matching filter information; When there is no matched filter information, the controller 170 may perform a fourteenth step 411 for limiting the operation of the water purifier.

In the eleventh step, the event for verifying the filter may include an operation event by at least one of filter replacement, power supply of the water purifier, a user request, a water purifier reset, and a filter check period.

The filter information may be extracted from at least one of a memory IC 140 attached to the filter 110, a random number table, a barcode, and a tag.

The device and method for authenticating the water purifier filter using the memory IC according to the present invention can prevent the damage caused by the non-genuine use of the water purifier filter in advance, and to more easily identify the genuine product for the exclusive filter used in the water purifier. Has the advantage. It can also automatically limit the use of non-genuine filters that shorten the life of the water purifier.

In addition, in the case of non-genuine can limit the normal operation of the water purifier to increase the spread of the genuine filter, even if the user has the advantage that can be easily distinguished non-genuine is not suitable for use.

In addition, it is possible to prevent failure of the water purifier and quality deterioration due to the use of inexpensive non-genuine filters, which in turn has the advantage of reducing consumer damage caused by non-genuine use.

In addition, by activating the filter, it is possible to prevent the mass distribution of the abnormal product filter, which in turn increases the spread of the genuine filter and reduces the cost of the product supplier's A / S due to the frequent failure of the water purifier. Can bring

In addition, insert a memory IC, which is a program IC that can recognize a genuine product, on the top of the filter, connect the memory IC to the control unit, and check whether the filter is genuine when the product is started. By integrating the flow rate, when the flow integration is completed, the filter can be replaced so that a new usable flow rate can be recognized to operate, thereby preventing the counterfeit filter from being used.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the device and method for authenticating the water purifier filter using the memory IC according to the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail as follows. In the following description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that the detailed description of the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention. In addition, terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to intention or precedent of a user or an operator, and thus, the meaning of each term should be interpreted based on the contents throughout the present specification. will be.

First, the present invention is to prevent the damage caused by the non-genuine use of the water filter using the memory IC.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a filter mounted on the water purifier is attached to the filter information (filter information providing unit) indicating the information of the filter, the memory IC 140, the accumulated flow rate is input to the filter, mounted on the water purifier The information detector and the memory IC 140 may detect the filter information to more easily determine whether the filter of the water purifier is genuine.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter information may include a random number table, a barcode, a tag, etc. attached to the water purifier filter to provide information of the filter, and a transmitter of a short range communication module. The short range communication module may include a module capable of short range communication such as infrared communication, Bluetooth communication, and radio frequency identification (RFID). The filter information detector is a device for detecting the filter information attached to the filter, and may include a random number detection sensor, a barcode reader, a tag reader, a receiver of a short range communication module, and the like corresponding to the filter information.

That is, the embodiment of the present invention relates to a water purifier filter, and more particularly, to communicate with a filter information providing unit attached to each filter and providing information of the filter, by using filter information obtained through the filter information providing unit. The present invention relates to a filter authenticating device and a method for determining whether the filter is genuine.

For example, the filter information (filter information providing unit) records and stores the unique number and manufacturer number of the corresponding filter, and checks the filter information detecting unit to determine whether the filter installed in the water purifier is a genuine filter. At this time, if the filter is not genuine control the operation of the water purifier to prevent damage due to the use of non-genuine filter in advance, and if the filter of the genuine control the operation of the water purifier normally. In addition, if the filter is genuine, the cumulative use time of the filter is recorded / confirmed so as to inform the replacement time of the filter.

That is, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the water purifier may operate normally only when the filter of the product manufactured by the certified manufacturer is installed using the filter information and the filter information detector.

In addition, when using only the filter information providing unit 130 to operate the first product using a genuine product, but after separating the sensor from the filter 110 and plug it into the terminal and the filter 110 can use other products There is this. As a result, it causes mechanical problems and seriously adversely affects consumer's reliability, resulting in the loss of product image.

In order to prevent this, the memory IC 140, which is a program IC that can recognize a genuine product, is inserted at the top of the filter 110, and the memory IC 140 is connected to the control unit 170, which is a MAIN PCB, to operate the product. First, check whether the filter 110 is genuine, and also integrate the memory IC 140 to accumulate the use flow rate of the filter 110. When the flow accumulation is completed, the filter 110 is replaced to recognize a new usable flow rate. To be operational. This can prevent the use of counterfeit filters.

Therefore, when the memory IC 140 is attached to the filter 110 and the use flow rate is accumulated to obtain the proper use flow rate, the filter 110 must be replaced so that the new memory IC 140 can be recognized to operate normally.

Here, an example of flow rate integration input to the memory IC 140 is as follows.

First, the integrated flow rate suitable for the life of the filter 110 is input to the memory IC 140 in advance (for example, 3600 liters or 4000 liters), and the flow rate obtained when the product is operated is integrated to store the memory of the filter 110. It is used as a method of inputting to the IC 140 and subtracting from the life of the filter 110 that was initially input, and the control unit 170 retains (available) the capacity remaining in the memory IC 140 of the filter 110. After confirming, the remaining amount is displayed through the liquid crystal, and when the remaining capacity is used, the filter change is displayed. In addition, when the filter is exchanged, the product is checked for authenticity and the accumulated flow rate of the filter is used (automatic check) to display the remaining amount through the liquid crystal to enable normal operation.

1 is a conceptual diagram of an apparatus for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the water purifier filter detection system of the present invention includes a filter 110 largely mounted on a water purifier (not shown) and a filter attached to the filter 110 to provide information of the corresponding filter 110. A memory IC 140 attached to the information providing unit 130 and the filter 110 to store information for determining whether to recognize genuineness, including accumulated flow information suitable for the life of the filter 110, and And a filter information detection unit 150 for detecting filter information of the filter 110, and determining whether the filter 110 is genuine using the filter information detected by the filter information detection unit 150, and the filter A control unit 170 for controlling the operation of the water purifier according to the authenticity of the 110 and the power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the internal blocks of the water purifier as described above.

In FIG. 1, an example in which the filter information detector 150 is included in the controller 170 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the filter information detector 150 may be formed separately from the controller 170 to detect filter information from the filter information provider 130 and transmit the filter information to the controller 170. Hereinafter, the filter information detection unit 150 is included in the control unit 170 will be described as a representative example.

In addition, in FIG. 1, the controller 170 may use a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcomputer integrated circuit (MICOM IC), or the like. In addition, the controller 170 may include a software module that performs a function of the filter information detector 150.

As shown in FIG. 1, the filter information providing unit 130 and the memory IC 140 providing filter information of the filter 110 mounted in the water purifier are inserted into and fixed to the filter, and the controller 170 controls the filter. The filter information of the filter 110 may be detected / confirmed by the information providing unit 130 and the memory IC 140 to determine whether the corresponding filter 110 is genuine. In this case, the filter information detection may be detected from information transmitted from the memory IC 140, the random number table, the barcode, the tag, and the transmitter of the short range communication module. Accordingly, the filter information detector 150 may include a random number detection sensor, a barcode reader, a tag reader, and a receiver of a short range communication module for detecting the filter information. Each of these embodiments will be described later.

2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water purifier filter detection system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a filter information providing unit 130, a filter information detecting unit 150, and a controller 170 mounted on the filter 110. And a power supply unit 190 and a memory unit 210, and may further include an alarm generator 230, a speaker 250, a display unit 270, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 2, the filter information providing unit 130 may be inserted into the filter 110 and may be mounted to the filter 110 by a molding method so as not to contact with moisture or water. In addition, the filter information providing unit 130 may include a wired / wireless interface to allow the filter information detecting unit 150 to transmit and receive filter information by wired or wireless. The filter information providing unit 130 may include a random number table, a barcode, a tag, etc. attached to the filter 110 to provide information of the filter, and may include a transmitter of a short range communication module.

The filter information detector 150 communicates with the filter information provider 130 through a wired / wireless interface and obtains filter information about the filter 110 from the filter information provider 130 through the wired / wireless communication. do. The filter information detector 150 may include a random number detection sensor, a barcode reader, a tag reader, and a receiver of a short range communication module.

The controller 170 controls the overall operation of the water purifier and the signal flow between the internal blocks of the water purifier. The controller 170 may provide a signal between components such as the filter information providing unit 130, the filter information detecting unit 150, the power supply unit 190, the memory unit 210, the warning generation unit 230, and the display unit 270. To control the flow.

In particular, the controller 170 determines whether the corresponding filter 110 is genuine using the filter information acquired by the filter information detector 150. The controller 170 controls the operation of any one of the normal operation of the water purifier and the operation of the water purifier according to whether the filter 110 is genuine. The controller 170 may determine whether the corresponding filter 110 is genuine based on a comparison of the filter information acquired by the filter information detector 150 and the filter information preset and stored in the memory 210. .

The power supply unit 190 supplies power to the water purifier under the control of the control unit 170. In particular, the power supply unit 190 applies or blocks power supplied to the water purifier according to whether the filter 110 identified by the control unit 170 is genuine. The power supply unit 190 may be a power supply type including a relay to apply or cut off power according to a control signal of the control unit 170.

The memory unit 210 stores applications required for operating a function according to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one filter information set in advance. The filter information may be stored in at least one form of a random number table, a barcode, and a tag. The application may be an application for controlling the operation of the water purifier according to whether the filter 110 is genuine.

In particular, the application identifies whether the filter 110 is genuine based on the obtained filter information, and applies or blocks the power supplied from the power supply unit 190 to each block of the water purifier according to the genuineness of the filter 110. It may include an application to control to. The memory unit 210 may include one or more buffers that temporarily store data generated during the execution of the application. The data may be information (such as replacement time) related to the filter.

The warning generator 230 outputs a control signal for generating a warning set according to the non-genuine of the filter 110 under the control of the controller 170. The warning generator 230 outputs a warning sound signal and / or a voice guide signal through the speaker 250 or outputs warning information and / or warning guide message through the display unit 270 under the control of the controller 170. Output

The display unit 270 displays a screen indicating an operation state of the water purifier, and displays warning information and a warning guide message according to the control of the controller 170. The display unit 270 may be formed of a liquid crystal display (hereinafter, referred to as an LCD). The LCD may be formed as a touch screen. In this case, the display unit 270 may be included in the input means.

On the other hand, Figure 1 and Figure 2 shows a schematic configuration example of the water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention for the convenience of description. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Accordingly, the water purifier of the present invention may further include components not mentioned above, such as a key input unit, a flow sensor unit, a temperature sensor unit, an electrolyzer, a micro switch, and the like. In addition, the water purifier of the present invention may further include a wired and wireless interface unit for the interface between the means for providing the filter information and the filter information detection means for obtaining filter information. Also, of course, the water purifier of the present invention may be replaced with other blocks in the above configuration in accordance with the provision form thereof. This will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

In the above, the configuration for determining the genuineness of the water filter according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described. Next, the operation of controlling the water purifier according to the determination of the genuineness of the water filter and the result will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the contents described below, it should be noted that it can be applied to various embodiments based on the following examples.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of detecting a water purifier filter in a method for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, first, the integrated flow rate is input to the memory IC 140 in step 301 and then attached to the filter 110. Then, when filter information detection is requested in step 302, the filter is filtered in steps 303 and 305. Determine whether it is genuine.

In step 301 to step 305, the filter information may be obtained from the filter information providing unit mounted on the filter. Specifically, when the water purifier is turned off, the filter is turned on, the filter is replaced, an operation reset of the water purifier occurs, or a filter genuine certification is requested by a user request. Or, when a preset filter check period arrives, the controller detects the filter information from the filter information providing unit to determine whether the filter is genuine. At this time, the determination of whether the filter is genuine can be performed as follows.

First, when the filter information acquired by the filter information provider is filter information based on random numbers, the filter information detector may be a random number detection sensor. In this case, the random number detection sensor compares the random number table having at least one authenticated random number information pre-stored in the memory unit with the random number table obtained by the filter information providing unit, and determines that the filter is genuine when a matching random number table exists. Can be. Here, the random number table is represented by any number or symbol in succession that does not have a specific arrangement order or rule.

Next, when the filter information acquired by the filter information providing unit is filter information by a barcode, the filter information detection unit may be a barcode reader. In this case, the barcode reader may compare the at least one authenticated barcode information previously stored in the memory unit with the barcode information obtained from the filter information providing unit, and determine that the filter is genuine when matching barcode information exists. .

Next, when the filter information acquired by the filter information provider is filter information by a tag, the filter information detector may be a tag reader. In this case, the tag reader may compare at least one piece of authenticated tag information pre-stored in a memory unit with tag information read by the filter information providing unit, and determine that the filter is a genuine product when matching tag information exists. .

Next, when the filter information acquired by the filter information providing unit is filter information transmitted by short-range communication (infrared communication, Bluetooth communication, RFID communication, etc.), the filter information detector may be a receiving unit of the short-range communication module. In this case, the controller may compare the filter information received by the receiving unit of the short range communication module through the short range communication with at least one of the pre-stored authenticated filter information, and determine that the filter is genuine when there is matching filter information. .

If it is determined in step 305 that the filter is not genuine, the controller proceeds to step 309 and performs control to limit the operation of the water purifier. For example, the power supply unit may be controlled to cut off power supplied to each block of the water purifier. In contrast, if it is determined in step 305 that the filter is genuine, the controller proceeds to step 307 to control the normal operation of the water purifier.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a water purifier control operation in a method for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, first, the integrated flow rate is input to the memory IC 140 in step 401 and then attached to the filter 110. Then, in step 402, if the filter information is requested to be detected, the filter information detector Filter information of the filter is obtained. The filter information detection request may be recognized as the filter verification request when detecting an operation by at least one of filter replacement, power supply of the water purifier, a user request, a water purifier reset, and a filter check period.

In operation 405, the controller compares the obtained filter information with stored information previously stored in a memory unit for authentication of a filter. The procedure for acquiring the filter information and authenticating the filter is as described in the description with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Next, in step 407, the controller determines whether the filter installed in the water purifier is genuine or non-genuine based on the comparison of step 405. If it is determined in step 407 that the filter is genuine, the controller proceeds to step 409 to control normal operation of the water purifier. On the other hand, when it is determined in step 407 that the filter is non-genuine, the controller proceeds to step 411 to limit the operation of the water purifier.

Meanwhile, after controlling the operation of the water purifier according to whether the filter is genuine or non-genuine as described above, the following additional functions may be further performed according to the setting mode.

For example, after controlling the normal operation of the water purifier in step 409, the control unit determines the filter replacement time based on the information obtained from the filter information in step 421, and informs the user of the filter replacement time in step 423. Can be. In addition, when the water purifier further includes an internet access function such as wired or wireless, when the filter replacement result is determined and the filter is required to be replaced, the filter is automatically connected to the corresponding manufacturer server through the wired or wireless internet network to transmit the filter replacement information. It may be.

In addition, after limiting the operation of the water purifier in step 411, the controller may notify the user that the use of the water purifier is restricted according to the non-genuine filter in step 425. These warnings can be audibly informed, such as audio signal outputs such as beeps, voice prompts, etc. Also, if the water purifier is equipped with a display, it can visually alert as a text guided message output, and also has an auditory / visual effect. Of course, it can also be combined.

In the above, the apparatus and method for controlling the operation of the water purifier according to whether the water purifier filter is activated using the memory IC according to an embodiment of the present invention have been described. In addition, in the description, an operation in which a case of controlling according to a request for activation of a filter is a representative example has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this operation. For example, according to the present invention, even while the water purifier is in operation, the control unit may periodically determine whether the filter is genuine, and also periodically determine the replacement time of the filter and output the result accordingly.

In addition, while the operation according to the genuine certification of the water purifier filter using the memory IC has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention may be applied to any system for determining whether the consumable mounted on the main body is genuine.

Although the present invention has been described in more detail with reference to the examples, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention but to describe the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

1 is a conceptual diagram of an apparatus for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of detecting a water purifier filter in a method for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a water purifier control operation in a method for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

110: filter

130: filter information provider

140: memory IC

150 filter information detection unit

170: control unit

190: power supply

210: memory

230: warning unit

250 speakers

270 display unit

Claims (22)

In the water purifier, A filter (110) mounted to the water purifier; A filter information providing unit 130 inserted into and fixed to the filter 110 to provide information of the corresponding filter 110; A memory IC (140) attached to the filter (110) for storing information for determining whether to recognize authenticity, including accumulated flow information suitable for the life of the filter (110); Communicate with the filter information providing unit 130 to detect filter information of the filter 110, detect filter information of the memory IC 140, and use the detected filter information to verify the authenticity of the filter 110. A control unit 170 for determining whether or not to notify the filter replacement time using the accumulated flow rate information of the memory IC 140; Activation device of the water filter using the memory IC, characterized in that configured to include. The method according to claim 1, The controller 170, A filter information detector 150 which communicates with the filter information provider 130 and detects filter information of the filter 110; Activation device of the water filter using the memory IC, characterized in that configured to include. The method according to claim 1, The controller 170, Genuine water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that for checking the genuineness of the filter 110 when an operation event occurs by at least one of filter replacement, power supply of the water purifier, user request, water purifier reset, and filter check period. Authentication device. The method according to claim 1, The controller 170, A device for authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that any one of a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a microcomputer integrated circuit (MICOM IC). The method according to claim 1, The filter information provider 130, Apparatus for authenticating the water purifier filter using the memory IC, characterized in that to provide filter information based on any one of the memory IC (140), random number, bar code and tag. The method according to claim 1, The memory IC 140, Genuine authentication device for a water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that the inserting and fixing to the filter 110 in a molding method. The method according to claim 1, The filter information detector 150, And a random number detection sensor, a barcode reader, a tag reader, and a receiving unit of a near field communication module. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The genuine device of the water purifier filter using the memory IC, A power supply unit 190 for applying or blocking power supplied to the water purifier according to whether the filter 110 identified by the control unit 170 is genuine; Device for activating the water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that further comprises. The method according to claim 8, The genuine device of the water purifier filter using the memory IC, A memory unit 210 for storing at least one filter information set in advance; Device for activating the water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that further comprises. The method according to claim 8, The genuine device of the water purifier filter using the memory IC, An alarm generator 230 for processing a warning signal output according to the non-genuine of the filter 110 under the control of the controller 170; Device for activating the water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that further comprises. The method according to claim 10, The warning generator 230, Under the control of the controller 170, the alarm sound signal and the voice guide signal are output through the speaker 250, and the warning information and the warning guide message are output through the display unit 270. Activation device of water purifier filter. In the activation method of the water filter (110), The verification of the filter 110 is performed after the memory IC 140 having stored therein information for determining authenticity including the accumulated flow rate information suitable for the life of the filter 110 is attached to the filter 110. A first step (301, 302) of acquiring filter information of the filter (110) when requested; A second step (303, 305) of determining whether the filter (110) is genuine using the filter information; A third step 307 of controlling the normal operation of the water purifier when the filter 110 is determined to be genuine; Activation method of the water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that performed. The method according to claim 12, The verification request of the filter 110 in the first step, When the filter is detected, the power supply of the water purifier, the user's request, the water purifier reset, and the filter check period are detected as the verification request of the filter 110. Activation method. The method according to claim 12, The second step, Determining (303) whether the filter is genuine; Comparing the obtained filter information with pre-stored filter information and determining whether there is filter information that matches the obtained filter information (305); Activation method of the water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that performed. The method according to claim 12, The third step, The activation method of the water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that performed by including checking the replacement time of the filter (110). The method according to claim 12, The third step, When the replacement time of the filter 110 is checked, the activation time of the water purifier filter using the memory IC, characterized in that to determine the replacement time by integrating the filter use flow rate stored in the memory IC (140). The method according to claim 16, The third step, When the filter is a replacement time, the activation method of the water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that performed by including a notification of the replacement time via the warning generator 230. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, The activation method of the water filter using the memory IC, A fourth step (309) of limiting the operation of the water purifier when the filter 110 is determined to be non-genuine; The activation method of the water filter using the memory IC, characterized in that it further comprises. The method according to claim 18, The fourth step, When the filter 110 is determined to be non-genuine, the activation method of the water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that it comprises the step of generating a warning through the warning generator 230. In the activation method of the water purifier filter, The verification of the filter 110 is performed after the memory IC 140 having stored therein information for determining authenticity including the accumulated flow rate information suitable for the life of the filter 110 is attached to the filter 110. When the event occurs for the control unit 170 is an eleventh step (401, 402, 403) for extracting the filter information of the filter 110 mounted on the water purifier; The controller 170 may include a twelfth step (405, 407) for comparing the extracted filter information with previously stored filter information; The control unit 170 controls a normal operation of the water purifier when there is matching filter information; When there is no matching filter information, the controller 170 may include a fourteenth step 411 of limiting the operation of the water purifier; Activation method of the water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that performed. The method of claim 20, In the eleventh step, the event for verifying the filter is A method of activating a water purifier filter using a memory IC, comprising an operation event by at least one of filter replacement, power supply of the water purifier, a user request, a water purifier reset, and a filter check period. The method according to claim 20 or 21, The filter information, A method of authenticating a water purifier filter using a memory IC, characterized in that for extracting from at least one of a memory IC (140), a random number, a barcode, and a tag attached to the filter (110).

Images