WO2023063986A1 - Operation control according to compatibility of devices installed in image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Operation control according to compatibility of devices installed in image forming apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023063986A1
WO2023063986A1 PCT/US2022/020705 US2022020705W WO2023063986A1 WO 2023063986 A1 WO2023063986 A1 WO 2023063986A1 US 2022020705 W US2022020705 W US 2022020705W WO 2023063986 A1 WO2023063986 A1 WO 2023063986A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
image forming
forming apparatus
devices
model
combination model
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2022/020705
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kitae Kim
Hyunji Kim
Jihoon Kim
Original Assignee
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. filed Critical Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Publication of WO2023063986A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023063986A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/121—Facilitating exception or error detection and recovery, e.g. fault, media or consumables depleted
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/50—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control
    • G03G15/5016—User-machine interface; Display panels; Control console
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/55—Self-diagnostics; Malfunction or lifetime display
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1229—Printer resources management or printer maintenance, e.g. device status, power levels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F8/00—Arrangements for software engineering
    • G06F8/60—Software deployment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
    • G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
    • G06F9/44—Arrangements for executing specific programs
    • G06F9/4401—Bootstrapping

Definitions

  • a plurality of devices may be installed in an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus may be operated by the plurality of devices. However, if the plurality of devices are incompatible, the image forming apparatus may not operate normally. In that case, a lifespan of the image forming apparatus may be reduced due to a conflict between the incompatible devices.
  • FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of controlling an operation of an image forming apparatus based on a result of checking whether a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus, according to an example.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of controlling an operation of an image forming apparatus based on a result of checking whether a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of controlling an operation of an image forming apparatus based on a result of identifying whether devices installed in the image forming apparatus are supported by the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process of storing a reference model compatible in an image forming apparatus, according to an example.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating error information displayed in a case where a device installed in an image forming apparatus is not supported by the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating error information displayed in a case where a combination model according to devices installed in an image forming apparatus is not a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an operation method of an image forming apparatus according to a state of a function that identifies compatibility of devices installed in the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, according to an example.
  • An "image forming apparatus” may refer to any kind of device capable of performing an image forming operation, such as a printer, a copier, a scanner, a fax machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), a display device, etc.
  • the image forming apparatus may also be a two-dimensional (2D) image forming apparatus or a three-dimensional (3D) image forming apparatus.
  • An "image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus” may refer to an operation related to printing, copying, scanning, faxing, storage, transmission, coating, etc., or a combination of two or more of the operations described above.
  • "Booting” may refer to reading machine readable instructions stored in the image forming apparatus and providing a user with the image forming apparatus in a usable state.
  • a “combination model” may refer to a model based on devices installed in the image forming apparatus.
  • the combination model may refer to a model including devices installed in each module in the image forming apparatus.
  • a “reference model” may refer to a model including compatible devices installed in the image forming apparatus.
  • the reference model may refer to a model in which the devices installed in each module in the image forming apparatus are compatible.
  • a “module” may refer to a component designed to be independently installed, replaced, mounted, or used in the image forming apparatus to provide a predetermined function.
  • the module may include at least one of a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a non-volatile memory express (NVMe), an embedded multimedia card (eMMC), a control panel, a flatbed, an automatic document feeder (ADF), or the like.
  • HDD hard disk drive
  • SSD solid state drive
  • NVMe non-volatile memory express
  • eMMC embedded multimedia card
  • ADF automatic document feeder
  • Error information may refer to at least one of information on the combination model other than the reference model, information on an error code of the combination model, information indicating that the combination model is not valid, or the like.
  • FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of controlling an operation of an image forming apparatus based on a result of checking whether a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
  • a first device may be installed in a first module
  • a second device may be installed in a second module
  • a third device may be installed in a third module
  • a fourth device may be installed in a fourth module
  • a fifth device may be installed in a fifth module.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may recognize devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, a processor in the image forming apparatus 10 may recognize that devices are installed in the respective modules, based on signals received from the devices installed in the respective modules. The processor in the image forming apparatus 10 may also obtain information about the devices by performing communication with the installed devices. The processor in the image forming apparatus 10 may also obtain information of a combination model including the devices based on the information of the devices. For example, the processor in the image forming apparatus 10 may obtain information on the combination model in which identification information of the devices is stored in bits allocated to a plurality of modules.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may control an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to whether the recognized combination model is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may obtain information on a first combination model 112 that indicates a combination of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the information on the first combination model may be "0x5092211".
  • the processor in the image forming apparatus 10 may compare information on a plurality of reference models 121 with the information of the first combination model 112 and check whether the first combination model 112 is included in the plurality of reference models, based on a comparison result. Since the first combination model is included in the plurality of reference models, the image forming apparatus 10 may complete booting in operation 122.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may obtain information on a second combination model 113 that indicates a combination of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the information on the second combination model may be "0x5102312".
  • the processor in the image forming apparatus 10 may compare the information on the plurality of reference models 121 with the information of the second combination model 113 and check whether the second combination model 113 is included in the plurality of reference models, based on a comparison result. Since the second combination model is not included in the plurality of reference models, the image forming apparatus 10 may output error information with respect to the second combination model in operation 123.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus 10, according to an example.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may include a user interface device 210, a memory 220, and a processor 230.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may be implemented by more components than the illustrated components, and the image forming apparatus 10 may also be implemented by fewer components than the illustrated components.
  • examples of the components are described.
  • the user interface device 210 may include an input device to receive, from a user, an input for controlling an operation of the image forming apparatus 10, or the like, and an output device to display a result according to the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, information on a state of the image forming apparatus 10, or the like.
  • the user interface device 210 may include a manipulation panel for receiving a user input, a display panel for displaying a screen, and the like.
  • the input device may include a device capable of receiving various types of user input, such as a keyboard, a physical button, a touch screen, a camera, a microphone, or the like.
  • the output device may include, for example, a display panel, a speaker, or the like.
  • examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
  • the user interface device 210 may include any device to support various input/output.
  • the memory 220 may store machine readable instructions, a program, etc. For example, the memory 220 may check whether a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10 and store instructions for an operation method of the image forming apparatus 10 to control the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, according to a check result.
  • the memory 220 may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or the like.
  • the processor 230 may control an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 and include at least one processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).
  • the processor 230 may include at least one processor specialized for each function, or may be an integrated processor.
  • the processor 230 may execute a program stored in the memory 220, read data or files stored in the memory 220, or store, in the memory 220, new data or files. Based on the image forming apparatus 10 performing booting, the processor 230 may, by executing instructions stored in the memory 220, recognize devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10, check whether the combination model according to the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, complete booting in a case where the combination model is the reference model, and output error information with respect to the combination model in a case where the combination model is not the reference model.
  • the processor 230 may recognize the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the processor 230 may recognize the devices that are installed in each module, based on signals received from the devices installed in each module in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the processor 230 may obtain index values of the devices based on the signals received from the devices installed in each module. The processor 230 may recognize the installed devices according to the index values. For example, the processor 230 may obtain information about the devices by communicating with the installed devices.
  • a module may refer to a component designed to be independently installed, replaced, mounted, used, etc. in the image forming apparatus 10 to provide a predetermined function.
  • recognizing a device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may refer to identifying the device installed in the module.
  • recognizing a device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may refer to recognizing information that matches a specification of the device installed in the module.
  • the processor 230 may check whether the installed devices are supported by the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the processor 230 may identify whether each of the installed devices is supported by the image forming apparatus 10 based on a result of comparing the information on the installed devices with information on the devices supported by the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the information on the devices may be identification information indicating the devices.
  • the processor 230 may check whether each of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is supported by the image forming apparatus 10 before checking the compatibility between the devices.
  • the processor 230 may display error information and end booting.
  • the user interface device 210 may display information indicating that the first device is not supported by the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the user interface device 210 may also display information on a device installable in a first module corresponding to the first device.
  • the information on the device installable in the first module may include at least one of device specification information, serial number information, etc.
  • the processor 230 may display error information through the user interface device 210 and end booting after a preset time elapses.
  • the processor 230 may check whether the combination model based on the installed devices is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the processor 230 may store, in the memory 220, information on a plurality of reference models in which compatible devices for a plurality of modules may be combined among devices supported by the plurality of modules in the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the processor 230 may store, in the memory 220, identification information indicating devices compatible with bits allocated to the plurality of modules.
  • the processor 230 may store information on the plurality of reference models, as a table.
  • the processor 230 may store information on the reference model according to a predetermined bit.
  • a device value corresponding to the first module may be stored in a first range of bits
  • a device value corresponding to a second module may be stored in a second range of bits.
  • a range of bits may be identified according to the number of modules in the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the processor 230 may complete booting. For example, the processor 230 may compare identification information corresponding to the plurality of reference models with identification information corresponding to the combination model stored in advance and check whether the combination model is included in the plurality of reference models, based on a comparison result. If the combination model is included in the plurality of reference models, the image forming apparatus 10 may complete booting.
  • the processor 230 may output error information with respect to the combination model.
  • the error information may include at least one of information on an error code, information on the combination model in which an error occurred, information indicating that the combination model in which the error occurred is not valid, or the like.
  • the processor 230 may control the user interface device 210 to display error information about the combination model on a display of the user interface device 210, output the error information with respect to the combination model through a light-emitting element of the user interface device 210, or the like.
  • the processor 230 may automatically identify whether the combination model based on the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a compatible model with the image forming apparatus 10 and provide an identification result. Thus, the image forming apparatus 10 may stably operate.
  • the processor 230 may identify, for each device installed in the image forming apparatus 10, whether the device is supported by the image forming apparatus 10, identify whether a whole combination between the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a compatible model with the image forming apparatus 10, and provide a result of the identifying in order to guide devices having verified compatibility to be installed in the image forming apparatus 10.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of controlling an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 based on a result of checking whether a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, according to an example.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 recognizes the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 in operation 310.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether a device corresponding to a module in the image forming apparatus 10 is installed.
  • the module may refer to a component designed to be independently installed, replaced, mounted, and used in the image forming apparatus 10 to provide a predetermined function.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may be designed to check whether a device corresponding to the module is installed.
  • the module may include at least one of a HDD, a SSD, a NVMe, an eMMC, a control panel, a flatbed, an ADF, or the like.
  • recognizing a device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may refer to identifying the device installed in the module.
  • recognizing the device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may refer to recognizing information matching the specification of the device installed in the module.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether the combination model based on the installed devices is a reference model that is compatible with the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may complete booting in operation 330.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may output error information with respect to the combination model in operation 340.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of controlling an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 based on a result of identifying whether devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 are supported by the image forming apparatus 10, according to an example.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether the installed devices are supported by the image forming apparatus 10 in operation 410. For example, since a device not supported by the image forming apparatus 10 does not operate in the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether each of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a device supported by the image forming apparatus 10 before checking compatibility between the devices.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may perform operation 320 that is described above with reference to FIG. 3. In that case, the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether a combination model based on the installed devices is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may display error information in operation 420 and end booting.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may display information indicating that the first device is not supported by the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may also display information on a device installable in a first module corresponding to the first device.
  • the information on the device installable in the first module may include at least one of device specification information, serial number information, or the like.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may display error information and end booting after a preset time elapses.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process of storing a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, according to an example.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may store information on a plurality of reference models in which devices compatible with a plurality of modules combine among devices supported by the plurality of modules in the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the number of devices supported by the image forming apparatus 10 may be different for each of the five modules.
  • the number of devices supported by a first module is 5, the number of devices supported by a second module is 3, the number of devices supported by a third module is 2, the number of devices supported by a fourth module is 3, and the number of devices supported by a fifth module is 2.
  • 180 models may come out.
  • the number of reference models in which compatible devices combine for each module may be less than 180.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may store information on a reference model in which compatible devices combine among devices supported by the first to fifth modules.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may store the information on the plurality of reference models 510.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may store identification information indicating compatible devices in bits allocated to a plurality of modules.
  • the information on the reference model may be stored as data corresponding to 32 bits.
  • the first module may be allocated to bits ranging from 16 to 31
  • the second module may be allocated to bits ranging from 12 to 15
  • the third module may be allocated to bits ranging from 8 to 11
  • a fourth module may be allocated to bits ranging from 4 to 7
  • a fifth module may be allocated to bits ranging from 0 to 3.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may store identification information of a device installed in each module based on a bit allocated to each module.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may store information on a first reference model 511 according to which devices compatible for each module are installed. For example, referring to a block 520 of FIG. 5, identification information of a device installed in the first module may be 0x509, and an index value may be 1 . Identification information of a device installed in the second module may be aaaa, and an index value may be 2. Identification information of a device installed in the third module may be bbbb, and an index value may be 2. Identification information of a device installed in the fourth module may be cccc, and an index value may be 1 . Identification information of a device installed in the fifth module may be dddd, and an index value may be 1.
  • identification information of a device installed in each module may be stored in a bit allocated to each module.
  • the information on the first reference model may be stored based on identification information or an index value of each module.
  • the information on the first reference model 511 may be stored as “0x5092211”.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may store information on a second reference model 512 according to which devices compatible for each module are installed.
  • identification information of a device installed in the first module may be 0x509, and an index value may be 1 .
  • Identification information of a device installed in the second module may be aaaa, and an index value may be 2.
  • Identification information of a device installed in the third module may be eeee, and an index value may be 1 .
  • Identification information of a device installed in the fourth module may be ffff, and an index value may be 2.
  • Identification information of a device installed in the fifth module may be dddd, and an index value may be 1.
  • identification information of a device installed in each module may be stored in a bit allocated to each module.
  • the information on the second reference model may be stored based on identification information or an index value of each module.
  • the information of the second reference model 512 may be stored as “0x5092121”.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating error information displayed in a case where a device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is not a device supported by the image forming apparatus 10, according to an example.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 are supported by the image forming apparatus 10. For example, if a first device of the installed devices is not supported by the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may detect an error with respect to a first module in which the first device is installed and display error information with respect to the first module.
  • the error information may include at least one of information on an error code, information on the module in which the error occurred, information indicating that the first device installed in the module in which the error occurred is not valid, or the like.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may detect an error with respect to the module in which the storage device is installed and display error information with respect to the module. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may display at least one of information about an error code, information indicating that the storage device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is not valid, information requesting confirmation of the storage device, or the like.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating error information displayed in a case where a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is not a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, according to an example.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether the combination model according to the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is the reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether identification information corresponding to the combination model is included among identification information corresponding to a plurality of reference models stored in advance. If the identification information corresponding to the plurality of reference models includes the identification information corresponding to the combination model, the image forming apparatus 10 may complete booting. On the other hand, if the identification information corresponding to the plurality of reference models does not include the identification information corresponding to the combination model, the image forming apparatus 10 may display error information with respect to the combination model.
  • the error information may include at least one of information on an error code, information on the combination model in which an error occurred, information indicating that the combination model in which the error occurred is not valid, or the like.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may detect an error with respect to the combination model and display error information with respect to the combination model. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may display at least one of error code information, information indicating that the combination model is not valid, information requesting confirmation of the combination model, or the like.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an operation method of the image forming apparatus 10 according to a state of a function that identifies compatibility of devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may perform booting in operation 810. For example, in a state in which the devices constituting the image forming apparatus 10 are assembled, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform booting according to a booting command. Booting may refer to reading machine readable instructions in the image forming apparatus 10 and providing the image forming apparatus 10 in a usable state. [0077] In operation 820, the image forming apparatus 10 may detect whether a function to identify the compatibility of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is on.
  • the function of identifying the compatibility between the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may remain on.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may recognize an installed device based on a signal obtained from the device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 in operation 830.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may obtain an index value corresponding to the device based on a signal obtained from the device. The image forming apparatus 10 may recognize the device mapped to the index value.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may receive a signal from each of the devices installed in the modules and recognize the installed devices based on the received signals.
  • the image forming apparatus 10 may control booting according to a preset criterion in operation 840.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, according to an example.
  • a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 900 may store instructions related to operations of an image forming apparatus as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.
  • the non- transitory computer-readable storage medium 900 may store instructions to check whether a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, and may store instructions related to an operation method of the image forming apparatus 10 that controls an operation of the image forming apparatus 10, according to a result of checking.
  • the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 900 may include instructions 910 to recognize the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10, instructions 920 to check whether the combination model based on the installed devices is the reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, instructions 930 to complete booting, in a case where the combination model is the reference model, and instructions 940 to output error information with respect to the combination model, in a case where the combination model is not the reference model.
  • An example operation method of the image forming apparatus 10 described above may be implemented in the form of a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium that stores instructions or data executable by a computer or a processor.
  • the example operation method of the image forming apparatus 10 described above may be written by a program executable by a computer, and may be implemented by a general-purpose digital computer that operates such a program by using a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.
  • non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, compact disc (CD)-ROMs, CD-recordables (Rs), CD+Rs, CD- rewritables (RWs), CD+RWs, and digital versatile disc (DVD)-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, blu-ray disc (BD)-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-recordable low to highs (R LTHs), BD-REs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, magneto-optical data storage devices, optical data storage devices, hard disks, solid-state disks (SSDs), or any device capable of storing machine readable instructions, associated data, data files, and data structures, and providing a processor or computer with machine readable instructions, associated data, data files, and data structures such that the processor or computer may execute the instructions.
  • ROM read-only memory

Abstract

An example image forming apparatus includes a user interface device, a processor, and a memory to store instructions executable by the processor. The processor, by executing the instructions is to recognize devices installed in the image forming apparatus as the image forming apparatus performs booting, check whether a combination model based on the installed devices is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus, complete booting in a case where the combination model is the reference model, and output, through the user interface device, error information with respect to the combination model, in a case where the combination model is not the reference model.

Description

OPERATION CONTROL ACCORDING TO COMPATIBILITY OF DEVICES INSTALLED IN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
BACKGROUND
[0001] A plurality of devices may be installed in an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus may be operated by the plurality of devices. However, if the plurality of devices are incompatible, the image forming apparatus may not operate normally. In that case, a lifespan of the image forming apparatus may be reduced due to a conflict between the incompatible devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] Various examples will be described below by referring to the following figures.
[0003] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of controlling an operation of an image forming apparatus based on a result of checking whether a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus, according to an example.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of controlling an operation of an image forming apparatus based on a result of checking whether a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of controlling an operation of an image forming apparatus based on a result of identifying whether devices installed in the image forming apparatus are supported by the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process of storing a reference model compatible in an image forming apparatus, according to an example.
[0008] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating error information displayed in a case where a device installed in an image forming apparatus is not supported by the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
[0009] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating error information displayed in a case where a combination model according to devices installed in an image forming apparatus is not a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
[0010] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an operation method of an image forming apparatus according to a state of a function that identifies compatibility of devices installed in the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
[0011] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, according to an example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Hereinafter, examples are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the examples described herein.
[0013] An "image forming apparatus" may refer to any kind of device capable of performing an image forming operation, such as a printer, a copier, a scanner, a fax machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), a display device, etc. The image forming apparatus may also be a two-dimensional (2D) image forming apparatus or a three-dimensional (3D) image forming apparatus. An "image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus" may refer to an operation related to printing, copying, scanning, faxing, storage, transmission, coating, etc., or a combination of two or more of the operations described above. [0014] "Booting" may refer to reading machine readable instructions stored in the image forming apparatus and providing a user with the image forming apparatus in a usable state.
[0015] A "combination model" may refer to a model based on devices installed in the image forming apparatus. For example, the combination model may refer to a model including devices installed in each module in the image forming apparatus. A "reference model" may refer to a model including compatible devices installed in the image forming apparatus. For example, the reference model may refer to a model in which the devices installed in each module in the image forming apparatus are compatible.
[0016] A "module" may refer to a component designed to be independently installed, replaced, mounted, or used in the image forming apparatus to provide a predetermined function. For example, the module may include at least one of a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a non-volatile memory express (NVMe), an embedded multimedia card (eMMC), a control panel, a flatbed, an automatic document feeder (ADF), or the like.
[0017] "Error information" may refer to at least one of information on the combination model other than the reference model, information on an error code of the combination model, information indicating that the combination model is not valid, or the like.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of controlling an operation of an image forming apparatus based on a result of checking whether a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus, according to an example.
[0019] Referring to a block 111 of FIG. 1 , in an image forming apparatus 10, a first device may be installed in a first module, a second device may be installed in a second module, a third device may be installed in a third module, a fourth device may be installed in a fourth module, and a fifth device may be installed in a fifth module.
[0020] In operation 110, the image forming apparatus 10 may recognize devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, a processor in the image forming apparatus 10 may recognize that devices are installed in the respective modules, based on signals received from the devices installed in the respective modules. The processor in the image forming apparatus 10 may also obtain information about the devices by performing communication with the installed devices. The processor in the image forming apparatus 10 may also obtain information of a combination model including the devices based on the information of the devices. For example, the processor in the image forming apparatus 10 may obtain information on the combination model in which identification information of the devices is stored in bits allocated to a plurality of modules.
[0021] In operation 120, the image forming apparatus 10 may control an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to whether the recognized combination model is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10.
[0022] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may obtain information on a first combination model 112 that indicates a combination of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the information on the first combination model may be "0x5092211". The processor in the image forming apparatus 10 may compare information on a plurality of reference models 121 with the information of the first combination model 112 and check whether the first combination model 112 is included in the plurality of reference models, based on a comparison result. Since the first combination model is included in the plurality of reference models, the image forming apparatus 10 may complete booting in operation 122.
[0023] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may obtain information on a second combination model 113 that indicates a combination of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the information on the second combination model may be "0x5102312". The processor in the image forming apparatus 10 may compare the information on the plurality of reference models 121 with the information of the second combination model 113 and check whether the second combination model 113 is included in the plurality of reference models, based on a comparison result. Since the second combination model is not included in the plurality of reference models, the image forming apparatus 10 may output error information with respect to the second combination model in operation 123.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus 10, according to an example. [0025] Referring to FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 may include a user interface device 210, a memory 220, and a processor 230. However, the image forming apparatus 10 may be implemented by more components than the illustrated components, and the image forming apparatus 10 may also be implemented by fewer components than the illustrated components. Hereinafter, examples of the components are described.
[0026] For example, the user interface device 210 may include an input device to receive, from a user, an input for controlling an operation of the image forming apparatus 10, or the like, and an output device to display a result according to the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, information on a state of the image forming apparatus 10, or the like. For example, the user interface device 210 may include a manipulation panel for receiving a user input, a display panel for displaying a screen, and the like.
[0027] In an example, the input device may include a device capable of receiving various types of user input, such as a keyboard, a physical button, a touch screen, a camera, a microphone, or the like. The output device may include, for example, a display panel, a speaker, or the like. However, examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The user interface device 210 may include any device to support various input/output.
[0028] The memory 220 may store machine readable instructions, a program, etc. For example, the memory 220 may check whether a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10 and store instructions for an operation method of the image forming apparatus 10 to control the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, according to a check result.
[0029] The memory 220 may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or the like. [0030] The processor 230 may control an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 and include at least one processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 230 may include at least one processor specialized for each function, or may be an integrated processor.
[0031] The processor 230 may execute a program stored in the memory 220, read data or files stored in the memory 220, or store, in the memory 220, new data or files. Based on the image forming apparatus 10 performing booting, the processor 230 may, by executing instructions stored in the memory 220, recognize devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10, check whether the combination model according to the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, complete booting in a case where the combination model is the reference model, and output error information with respect to the combination model in a case where the combination model is not the reference model.
[0032] As the image forming apparatus 10 starts booting, the processor 230 may recognize the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the processor 230 may recognize the devices that are installed in each module, based on signals received from the devices installed in each module in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the processor 230 may obtain index values of the devices based on the signals received from the devices installed in each module. The processor 230 may recognize the installed devices according to the index values. For example, the processor 230 may obtain information about the devices by communicating with the installed devices.
[0033] For example, a module may refer to a component designed to be independently installed, replaced, mounted, used, etc. in the image forming apparatus 10 to provide a predetermined function.
[0034] For example, recognizing a device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may refer to identifying the device installed in the module. For example, recognizing a device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may refer to recognizing information that matches a specification of the device installed in the module.
[0035] For example, the processor 230 may check whether the installed devices are supported by the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the processor 230 may identify whether each of the installed devices is supported by the image forming apparatus 10 based on a result of comparing the information on the installed devices with information on the devices supported by the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the information on the devices may be identification information indicating the devices.
[0036] For example, since a device not supported by the image forming apparatus 10 may not operate in the image forming apparatus 10, the processor 230 may check whether each of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is supported by the image forming apparatus 10 before checking the compatibility between the devices.
[0037] For example, if at least one of the installed devices is not supported by the image forming apparatus 10, the processor 230 may display error information and end booting.
[0038] For example, if a first device of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is not supported by the image forming apparatus 10, the user interface device 210 may display information indicating that the first device is not supported by the image forming apparatus 10. The user interface device 210 may also display information on a device installable in a first module corresponding to the first device. For example, the information on the device installable in the first module may include at least one of device specification information, serial number information, etc. For example, the processor 230 may display error information through the user interface device 210 and end booting after a preset time elapses.
[0039] For example, if the installed devices are supported by the image forming apparatus 10, the processor 230 may check whether the combination model based on the installed devices is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10.
[0040] For example, the processor 230 may store, in the memory 220, information on a plurality of reference models in which compatible devices for a plurality of modules may be combined among devices supported by the plurality of modules in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the processor 230 may store, in the memory 220, identification information indicating devices compatible with bits allocated to the plurality of modules. For example, the processor 230 may store information on the plurality of reference models, as a table.
[0041] For example, the processor 230 may store information on the reference model according to a predetermined bit. For example, a device value corresponding to the first module may be stored in a first range of bits, and a device value corresponding to a second module may be stored in a second range of bits. For example, a range of bits may be identified according to the number of modules in the image forming apparatus 10.
[0042] For example, if the combination model is a reference model, the processor 230 may complete booting. For example, the processor 230 may compare identification information corresponding to the plurality of reference models with identification information corresponding to the combination model stored in advance and check whether the combination model is included in the plurality of reference models, based on a comparison result. If the combination model is included in the plurality of reference models, the image forming apparatus 10 may complete booting.
[0043] For example, if the combination model is not a reference model, the processor 230 may output error information with respect to the combination model. For example, the error information may include at least one of information on an error code, information on the combination model in which an error occurred, information indicating that the combination model in which the error occurred is not valid, or the like.
[0044] For example, the processor 230 may control the user interface device 210 to display error information about the combination model on a display of the user interface device 210, output the error information with respect to the combination model through a light-emitting element of the user interface device 210, or the like.
[0045] That is, based on the image forming apparatus 10 performing booting, the processor 230 may automatically identify whether the combination model based on the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a compatible model with the image forming apparatus 10 and provide an identification result. Thus, the image forming apparatus 10 may stably operate.
[0046] The processor 230 may identify, for each device installed in the image forming apparatus 10, whether the device is supported by the image forming apparatus 10, identify whether a whole combination between the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a compatible model with the image forming apparatus 10, and provide a result of the identifying in order to guide devices having verified compatibility to be installed in the image forming apparatus 10.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of controlling an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 based on a result of checking whether a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, according to an example.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 3, as the image forming apparatus 10 performs booting, the image forming apparatus 10 recognizes the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 in operation 310.
[0049] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether a device corresponding to a module in the image forming apparatus 10 is installed. For example, the module may refer to a component designed to be independently installed, replaced, mounted, and used in the image forming apparatus 10 to provide a predetermined function. For example, in terms of hardware, the image forming apparatus 10 may be designed to check whether a device corresponding to the module is installed.
[0050] For example, the module may include at least one of a HDD, a SSD, a NVMe, an eMMC, a control panel, a flatbed, an ADF, or the like.
[0051] For example, recognizing a device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may refer to identifying the device installed in the module. For example, recognizing the device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may refer to recognizing information matching the specification of the device installed in the module.
[0052] In operation 320, the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether the combination model based on the installed devices is a reference model that is compatible with the image forming apparatus 10.
[0053] If the combination model is a reference model that is compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may complete booting in operation 330.
[0054] If the combination model is not a reference model that is compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may output error information with respect to the combination model in operation 340.
[0055] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of controlling an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 based on a result of identifying whether devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 are supported by the image forming apparatus 10, according to an example.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether the installed devices are supported by the image forming apparatus 10 in operation 410. For example, since a device not supported by the image forming apparatus 10 does not operate in the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether each of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a device supported by the image forming apparatus 10 before checking compatibility between the devices.
[0057] For example, if the installed devices are supported by the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform operation 320 that is described above with reference to FIG. 3. In that case, the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether a combination model based on the installed devices is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10.
[0058] For example, if at least one of the installed devices is not a device supported by the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may display error information in operation 420 and end booting.
[0059] For example, if a first device of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is not supported by the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may display information indicating that the first device is not supported by the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 may also display information on a device installable in a first module corresponding to the first device. For example, the information on the device installable in the first module may include at least one of device specification information, serial number information, or the like. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may display error information and end booting after a preset time elapses.
[0060] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process of storing a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, according to an example. [0061] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may store information on a plurality of reference models in which devices compatible with a plurality of modules combine among devices supported by the plurality of modules in the image forming apparatus 10.
[0062] For example, it may be assumed that there are five modules in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the number of devices supported by the image forming apparatus 10 may be different for each of the five modules. For example, it may be assumed that the number of devices supported by a first module is 5, the number of devices supported by a second module is 3, the number of devices supported by a third module is 2, the number of devices supported by a fourth module is 3, and the number of devices supported by a fifth module is 2. If devices supported by each of the first to fifth modules are considered in different combinations, 180 models may come out. However, there may be cases where the devices supported by each module are not compatible with each other. Therefore, the number of reference models in which compatible devices combine for each module may be less than 180. The image forming apparatus 10 may store information on a reference model in which compatible devices combine among devices supported by the first to fifth modules.
[0063] For example, referring to FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 10 may store the information on the plurality of reference models 510. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may store identification information indicating compatible devices in bits allocated to a plurality of modules. For example, the information on the reference model may be stored as data corresponding to 32 bits. [0064] For example, referring to FIG. 5, the first module may be allocated to bits ranging from 16 to 31 , the second module may be allocated to bits ranging from 12 to 15, the third module may be allocated to bits ranging from 8 to 11 , a fourth module may be allocated to bits ranging from 4 to 7, and a fifth module may be allocated to bits ranging from 0 to 3. The image forming apparatus 10 may store identification information of a device installed in each module based on a bit allocated to each module.
[0065] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may store information on a first reference model 511 according to which devices compatible for each module are installed. For example, referring to a block 520 of FIG. 5, identification information of a device installed in the first module may be 0x509, and an index value may be 1 . Identification information of a device installed in the second module may be aaaa, and an index value may be 2. Identification information of a device installed in the third module may be bbbb, and an index value may be 2. Identification information of a device installed in the fourth module may be cccc, and an index value may be 1 . Identification information of a device installed in the fifth module may be dddd, and an index value may be 1. For example, identification information of a device installed in each module may be stored in a bit allocated to each module. For example, the information on the first reference model may be stored based on identification information or an index value of each module. For example, the information on the first reference model 511 may be stored as “0x5092211”.
[0066] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may store information on a second reference model 512 according to which devices compatible for each module are installed. For example, referring to a block 530 of FIG. 5, identification information of a device installed in the first module may be 0x509, and an index value may be 1 . Identification information of a device installed in the second module may be aaaa, and an index value may be 2. Identification information of a device installed in the third module may be eeee, and an index value may be 1 . Identification information of a device installed in the fourth module may be ffff, and an index value may be 2. Identification information of a device installed in the fifth module may be dddd, and an index value may be 1. For example, identification information of a device installed in each module may be stored in a bit allocated to each module. For example, the information on the second reference model may be stored based on identification information or an index value of each module. For example, the information of the second reference model 512 may be stored as “0x5092121”.
[0067] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating error information displayed in a case where a device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is not a device supported by the image forming apparatus 10, according to an example.
[0068] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 are supported by the image forming apparatus 10. For example, if a first device of the installed devices is not supported by the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may detect an error with respect to a first module in which the first device is installed and display error information with respect to the first module.
[0069] For example, the error information may include at least one of information on an error code, information on the module in which the error occurred, information indicating that the first device installed in the module in which the error occurred is not valid, or the like.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 6, if a storage device is not supported by the image forming apparatus 10 among the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may detect an error with respect to the module in which the storage device is installed and display error information with respect to the module. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may display at least one of information about an error code, information indicating that the storage device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is not valid, information requesting confirmation of the storage device, or the like.
[0071] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating error information displayed in a case where a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is not a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, according to an example.
[0072] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may check whether the combination model according to the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is the reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 may check whether identification information corresponding to the combination model is included among identification information corresponding to a plurality of reference models stored in advance. If the identification information corresponding to the plurality of reference models includes the identification information corresponding to the combination model, the image forming apparatus 10 may complete booting. On the other hand, if the identification information corresponding to the plurality of reference models does not include the identification information corresponding to the combination model, the image forming apparatus 10 may display error information with respect to the combination model.
[0073] For example, the error information may include at least one of information on an error code, information on the combination model in which an error occurred, information indicating that the combination model in which the error occurred is not valid, or the like.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 7, if the combination model consisting of a control panel, a flat bed, and storage is not a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may detect an error with respect to the combination model and display error information with respect to the combination model. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may display at least one of error code information, information indicating that the combination model is not valid, information requesting confirmation of the combination model, or the like.
[0075] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an operation method of the image forming apparatus 10 according to a state of a function that identifies compatibility of devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform booting in operation 810. For example, in a state in which the devices constituting the image forming apparatus 10 are assembled, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform booting according to a booting command. Booting may refer to reading machine readable instructions in the image forming apparatus 10 and providing the image forming apparatus 10 in a usable state. [0077] In operation 820, the image forming apparatus 10 may detect whether a function to identify the compatibility of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is on.
[0078] For example, if the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 are not compatible with each other, an operation conflict may occur between the devices, so that the lifespan of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may be reduced. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10, a function that identifies compatibility between the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may be provided.
[0079] For example, after the image forming apparatus 10 is mass- produced according to a reference model, the function of identifying the compatibility between the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may remain on.
[0080] For example, if the function that identifies the compatibility is turned on, the image forming apparatus 10 may recognize an installed device based on a signal obtained from the device installed in the image forming apparatus 10 in operation 830.
[0081] For example, in a case where a device is installed in a module in the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may obtain an index value corresponding to the device based on a signal obtained from the device. The image forming apparatus 10 may recognize the device mapped to the index value.
[0082] For example, in a case where devices are installed in some modules of a plurality of modules in the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may receive a signal from each of the devices installed in the modules and recognize the installed devices based on the received signals.
[0083] For example, in a case where the function that identifies the compatibility is off, the image forming apparatus 10 may control booting according to a preset criterion in operation 840.
[0084] For example, if the function that identifies the compatibility is off and an operation of terminating booting is included in the preset criterion, the image forming apparatus 10 may terminate booting in operation 840. [0085] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, according to an example.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 9, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 900 may store instructions related to operations of an image forming apparatus as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. For example, the non- transitory computer-readable storage medium 900 may store instructions to check whether a combination model according to devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10 is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, and may store instructions related to an operation method of the image forming apparatus 10 that controls an operation of the image forming apparatus 10, according to a result of checking.
[0087] For example, as the image forming apparatus 10 performs booting, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 900 may include instructions 910 to recognize the devices installed in the image forming apparatus 10, instructions 920 to check whether the combination model based on the installed devices is the reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus 10, instructions 930 to complete booting, in a case where the combination model is the reference model, and instructions 940 to output error information with respect to the combination model, in a case where the combination model is not the reference model.
[0088] An example operation method of the image forming apparatus 10 described above may be implemented in the form of a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium that stores instructions or data executable by a computer or a processor. The example operation method of the image forming apparatus 10 described above may be written by a program executable by a computer, and may be implemented by a general-purpose digital computer that operates such a program by using a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, compact disc (CD)-ROMs, CD-recordables (Rs), CD+Rs, CD- rewritables (RWs), CD+RWs, and digital versatile disc (DVD)-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, blu-ray disc (BD)-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-recordable low to highs (R LTHs), BD-REs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, magneto-optical data storage devices, optical data storage devices, hard disks, solid-state disks (SSDs), or any device capable of storing machine readable instructions, associated data, data files, and data structures, and providing a processor or computer with machine readable instructions, associated data, data files, and data structures such that the processor or computer may execute the instructions. [0089] Although examples have been described with reference to the drawings, various modifications and variations are possible from the above descriptions. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different from the described method, and/or the described components of the system, structure, apparatus, circuit, etc. may combine in a form different from the described method, or other components or components substituted by equivalents may achieve an appropriate result.
[0090] The examples described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each example should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other examples. While various examples have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1 . An image forming apparatus comprising: a user interface device; a processor; and a memory to store instructions executable by the processor, wherein the processor, by executing the instructions, is to: recognize devices installed in the image forming device, as the image forming device performs booting, check whether a combination model based on the installed devices is a reference model compatible with the image forming device, complete booting in a case where the combination model is the reference model, and output, through the user interface device, error information with respect to the combination model in a case where the combination model is not the reference model.
2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor, by executing the instructions, is to: check whether the installed devices are supported by the image forming apparatus, and check the combination model based on the installed devices is the reference model in a case where the installed devices are supported by the image forming apparatus.
3. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor, by executing the instructions, is to: display, through the user interface device, error information with respect to a device and terminate booting in a case where the device of the installed devices is not supported by the image forming apparatus.
4. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the memory is to store information on a plurality of reference models in which compatible devices for each of a plurality of modules are combined among devices supported by the plurality of modules in the image forming apparatus.
5. The image forming apparatus of claim 4, wherein the memory is to store identification information indicating the compatible devices in bits allocated to the plurality of modules, for each of the plurality of reference models.
6. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor, by executing the instructions, is to recognize a device based on a signal obtained from the device in a case where the device is installed in the image forming apparatus.
7. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor, by executing the instructions and controlling the user interface device, is to: display, on a display of the user interface device, error information regarding the combination model, or output the error information with respect to the combination model through a light-emitting element of the user interface device.
8. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor, by executing the instructions, is to output, through the user interface device, information indicating incompatibility between the installed devices in the combination model, to distinguish the error information with respect to the combination model from error information indicating that a device of the installed devices is not supported by the image forming apparatus.
9. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor, by executing the instructions, is to display error information with respect to the combination model and end booting after a preset time elapses.
10. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor, by executing the instructions, is to check compatibility of the devices installed in the image forming apparatus every time booting is performed.
11 . An operation method of an image forming apparatus, the operation method comprising: recognizing devices installed in the image forming apparatus as the image forming apparatus performs booting; checking whether a combination model based on the installed devices is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus; completing booting in a case where the combination model is the reference model; and outputting error information with respect to the combination model in a case where the combination model is not the reference model.
12. The operation method of claim 11 , wherein the checking of whether the combination model is the reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus comprises: checking whether the installed devices are supported by the image forming apparatus; and checking whether the combination model based on the installed devices is the reference model in a case where the installed devices are supported by the image forming apparatus.
13. The operation method, of claim 11 , further comprising storing information on a plurality of reference models in which devices compatible for each of a plurality of modules are combined among devices supported by the plurality of modules in the image forming apparatus.
14. The operation method, of claim 11 , wherein the outputting of the error information with respect to the combination model, in a case where the combination model is not the reference model, comprises at least one of: displaying, on a user interface device, the error information with respect to 21 the combination model; or outputting, through a light-emitting element of the image forming apparatus, the error information with respect to the combination model.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions executable by a processor, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising: instructions to recognize devices installed in an image forming apparatus, as the image forming apparatus performs booting; instructions to check whether a combination model based on the installed devices is a reference model compatible with the image forming apparatus; instructions to complete booting in a case where the combination model is the reference model; and instructions to output error information with respect to the combination model in a case where the combination model is not the reference model.
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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0468625A2 (en) * 1990-07-23 1992-01-29 International Business Machines Corporation Personal computer system with protected storage for interface and system utility programs
US20080045342A1 (en) * 2003-03-05 2008-02-21 Bally Gaming, Inc. Data Integrity and Non-Repudiation

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0468625A2 (en) * 1990-07-23 1992-01-29 International Business Machines Corporation Personal computer system with protected storage for interface and system utility programs
US20080045342A1 (en) * 2003-03-05 2008-02-21 Bally Gaming, Inc. Data Integrity and Non-Repudiation

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