JP2009003117A - Unauthorized use prevention system for toner replenishment unit, toner replenishment unit with unauthorized use prevention function, and image forming apparatus main body to which it is attached - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to prevent the use of a non-genuine toner supply container, to prevent unauthorized use of a recycled product of a used toner supply container, and to prevent unauthorized addition of toner to a genuine toner supply container. Provide a method.
A storage unit for storing toner for replenishment, a data storage unit for storing data including a cumulative number of printed sheets of paper, a cumulative number of pixels for printing and a first password, and the main body storing the data. An interface unit that enables acquisition, and the main body calculates a second password by a predetermined procedure using the cumulative number of printed sheets and the cumulative number of printed pixels acquired from the data storage unit, and the second A determination unit that determines whether or not the personal identification number and the first personal identification number match, and the determination unit confirms the coincidence between the second personal identification number and the first personal identification number, whereby the toner replenishment unit is illegally used. Unauthorized use prevention system that can prevent.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for preventing unauthorized use of a toner replenishing unit, a toner replenishing unit with an unauthorized use preventing function, and an image forming apparatus main body to which the toner replenishing unit is attached.

  A toner supply container in which a plurality of parts are unitized and can be easily attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body is widely used. In general, such a unitized toner supply container (toner supply unit) is sold and used by a genuine product manufactured by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. However, a non-genuine toner supply container containing a non-genuine toner that is a counterfeit product or a used genuine toner supply container is not genuine without a third party obtaining permission from the image forming device manufacturer. In some cases, illegally recycled products containing toner are manufactured and sold. The quality of these non-genuine toners has not been confirmed by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. When non-genuine toner is used in the image forming apparatus, the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus cannot guarantee the quality of an image output using the toner. In addition, an unexpected defect may occur in the image forming apparatus due to non-genuine toner. When a malfunction occurs in the image forming apparatus due to non-genuine toner, the manufacturer cannot guarantee the normal operation of the image forming apparatus, and the user may be disadvantaged as a result. . Therefore, several methods for preventing the use of such non-genuine toner have been proposed.

  For example, the personal identification number (calculated from the toner supply container identification number (hereinafter referred to as ID) at the time of manufacture and stored in the storage element) in the storage element mounted on the toner supply container is collated with the personal identification number obtained from the ID in the main body. Thus, there has been proposed one that prevents unauthorized use of non-genuine toner supply containers (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this, when a plurality of used IDs are stored in the main body and a toner supply container (recycled product) having a storage element storing the used ID is attached to the main body, it is determined that the toner supply container is an unauthorized toner supply container. To stop the image forming apparatus main body.

  In addition, the control device of the main body of the image forming apparatus writes an arbitrary password (security number) to a random address (kill zone location) of the memory element mounted on the toner supply container, and further, the password is also stored in the memory element of the main body of the image forming apparatus. A device for storing numbers has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to this, the previous control device checks the password number in the storage element mounted on the toner replenishing container and the password number of the storage element in the image forming apparatus body periodically (for example, after 15,000 printings), and if they match, it is valid. The personal identification number is changed, the personal identification number is changed, the changed personal identification number is stored in the storage element of the main body, and the address in the storage element of the toner supply container is changed to store the changed personal identification number. . Then, the unauthorized use of the non-genuine toner supply container is prevented by periodically changing the address for storing the password and the password.

  Furthermore, it is proposed to check the consistency between the original random number and the encrypted data calculated from multiple random numbers in the data area in the non-contact storage element mounted on the toner replenishing container, and to eliminate the use of unauthorized toner replenishing containers. (For example, see Patent Document 3). According to this, the consistency of the toner remaining amount data in the non-contact storage element mounted on the toner replenishing container and the toner remaining amount indicated by the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism is confirmed, and if the latter is significantly smaller than the former, it is illegal. It is determined that toner addition has been performed.

Alternatively, the personal identification number in the storage element mounted on the toner supply container (calculated from the ID by the CPU in the storage element mounted on the toner supply container and stored in a storage area that cannot be accessed from the outside) and calculated from the ID by the main body The CPU confirms the PIN number obtained in this way, and if it matches, it recognizes that it is a valid toner supply container, and the CPU changes the number of prints in the storage area that cannot be accessed from outside the storage element mounted on the toner supply container. The thing is proposed (for example, refer patent document 4). According to this, since the code number and the number of printed sheets are stored in the storage area of the storage element of the toner replenishing container that cannot be accessed from the outside, it is impossible to tamper with the data and only the remaining printable number of sheets can be printed. It is possible to use an illegal toner supply container, prevent an illegal use of a used toner supply container, and prevent an illegal toner addition.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-220572 JP 2002-287582 JP JP 2004-93693 A JP 2004-126390 A

  As described above, various methods for preventing the use of non-genuine toner have been proposed, but each has advantages and disadvantages. For example, according to Patent Document 1, the use of a non-genuine toner supply container can be prevented, but the ID of a toner supply container used in another image forming apparatus is not stored. For this reason, the use of recycled products cannot be completely prevented. Further, no countermeasure is shown for an illegal operation of the number of printed sheets in the storage element mounted on the toner supply container. For this reason, it is possible to illegally add toner to a genuine toner supply container by falsifying the number of prints in the storage element.

  Further, although it is possible to prevent the use of a non-genuine toner supply container and the unauthorized use of a remanufactured product of a used toner supply container, it is possible to prevent the use of a non-genuine toner supply container. No countermeasures are shown for illegal operations. For this reason, if it is within the periodic change period of the personal identification number, it is possible to illegally add toner to the genuine toner supply container by falsifying the number of prints in the storage element.

  According to Patent Document 3, the use of a non-genuine toner replenishing container can be prevented, but the common security code and the number of printed sheets are not stored in the memory element of the image forming apparatus main body and the memory element of the toner replenishing container. Therefore, in order to cope with a case where the number of printed sheets (counter data) in the storage element when the toner supply container is new (full) is read and rewritten to the number of printed sheets when full, a costly toner remaining amount detection mechanism is provided. There is a need.

  Further, the device according to Patent Document 4 requires a storage element having a complicated and expensive configuration having a CPU for internal calculation and having a storage area that cannot be accessed from the outside.

  It does not require an expensive toner remaining amount detection mechanism or a complicated and expensive memory element, and it is a simple and inexpensive structure using a commercially available non-volatile memory element. There is a further need for a technique that can prevent the use of illegally remanufactured toner supply containers and prevent the addition of unauthorized toner to genuine toner supply containers.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can prevent the use of a non-genuine toner supply container with a simple and inexpensive configuration, and illegal use of a recycled product of a used toner supply container. It is possible to provide a technique that can prevent toner from being illegally added to a genuine toner supply container.

  The present invention includes an image forming apparatus main body and a toner replenishing unit that is detachable from the main body and replenishes toner for the main body to print on paper, and the toner replenishing unit accommodates toner for replenishment. A data storage unit for storing data including a cumulative number of printed sheets of paper printed using the toner, a cumulative number of printed pixels of the print, and a first password, and the data mounted in the main body. An interface unit that allows the main body to acquire the calculation unit, and the main body calculates a second password by a predetermined procedure using the cumulative number of printed sheets and the cumulative number of printed pixels acquired from the data storage unit; A determination unit that determines whether or not the second password and the first password match, and the determination unit confirms the match between the second password and the first password. Providing tamper resistant system capable prevent unauthorized use of the toner replenishing unit by.

  Further, from a different point of view, the present invention provides a toner replenishment unit that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body and replenishes toner for the main body to print on a sheet, and includes a storage unit that stores toner for replenishment; A data storage unit that stores data including a cumulative number of printed sheets of paper printed with toner, a cumulative number of print pixels of the print, and a first personal identification number; and the main body stores the data when mounted on the main body. The main body calculates a second password using the acquired accumulated number of printed sheets and accumulated number of printed pixels, and determines whether the second password and the first password match each other. And a toner replenishing unit with an unauthorized use prevention function, characterized by comprising an interface unit for making the determination.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus main body to which the toner replenishing unit is attached.

  The unauthorized use prevention system according to the present invention includes a data storage unit for storing data including the cumulative number of sheets printed by the toner replenishment unit using the toner, the cumulative number of pixels printed, and the first password. A calculating unit that calculates a second password by a predetermined procedure using the accumulated number of printed sheets and the accumulated number of printed pixels acquired from the data storage unit by the image forming apparatus main body, and the second password and the first password A non-genuine toner replenishing unit with a simple and inexpensive configuration since the determination unit confirms the match between the second password and the first password. Can be prevented. Alternatively, unauthorized use of a recycled product of the used toner supply unit can be prevented. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a technique capable of preventing unauthorized addition of toner to a genuine toner supply unit.

  When a non-genuine toner replenishing unit is used, the cumulative number of printed sheets and the cumulative number of pixels are written in the storage element of the toner replenishing unit. Many of the correct toner replenishment units (genuine toner replenishment units) that have been illegally recycled and used, or those that have been improperly supplemented and filled with non-genuine toner, are either one of the cumulative number of prints or the cumulative number of pixels. Both rewrites are performed. According to the present invention, the personal identification number calculated in the main body (second personal identification number in the claim) and the personal identification number stored in the storage element of the toner replenishing unit (first personal identification number in the claim) do not match. In this case, it can be determined that one or both of the total cumulative number of prints and the total cumulative number of pixels stored in the storage element of the toner replenishment unit (data storage unit in the claims) has been illegally rewritten. It is not easy to know the existence of a personal identification number and its calculation method without going through the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the use of a non-genuine toner supply unit can be prevented. In addition, unauthorized use of recycled products of the used toner supply unit can be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized addition of toner to a genuine toner supply unit.

  A toner replenishing unit according to the present invention includes a data storage unit for storing data including a cumulative number of printed sheets of paper printed with the toner, a cumulative number of pixels for printing, and a first password, and is attached to the main body. In such a state, the data can be acquired by the main body, the second password is calculated by the main body using the acquired accumulated number of prints and accumulated print pixels, and the second password and the first password are obtained. And an interface unit for causing the main body to determine whether or not the number matches, it is possible to prevent the use of a non-genuine toner replenishing unit with a simple and inexpensive configuration and to regenerate the used toner replenishing unit. Can be prevented from being illegally used, and unauthorized addition of toner to a genuine toner supply unit can be prevented.

  Further, since the toner replenishing unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body according to the present invention, the use of a non-genuine toner replenishing unit can be prevented with a simple and inexpensive configuration, and the used toner replenishing unit can be illegally used. Use can be prevented, and unauthorized addition of toner to a genuine toner supply unit can be prevented.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
The main body further includes a data changing unit that updates the cumulative number of printed sheets and the cumulative number of printed pixels acquired from the data storage unit in accordance with a printing process, and the data storage unit includes a rewritable nonvolatile storage element, The interface unit has a function of allowing the main body to change the data, and the calculation unit is updated using the updated accumulated print number and the updated accumulated print pixel number after the printing process. 2 The code number is calculated, and the data changing unit updates the accumulated number of prints, the number of accumulated print pixels and the first code number of the data storage unit, the updated number of accumulated print pixels, and the updated number of accumulated print pixels. You may rewrite to 2 PIN numbers respectively. In this way, the password as the first password is stored in the data storage section of the toner replenishment unit for each printing operation. As a result, even if the non-genuine toner is added to the genuine toner supply unit in use and the cumulative number of prints and the number of accumulated pixels stored in the storage element of the toner supply unit are illegally rewritten, it is calculated by the main unit. Since the personal identification number and the personal identification number stored in the storage element of the toner replenishing unit do not match, it is determined that the rewriting is illegal. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate an unauthorized addition of toner to a genuine toner supply unit in use.

  In addition, the determination unit further compares the cumulative number of printed sheets with a predetermined upper limit number and / or further compares the cumulative number of pixels with a predetermined upper limit number of pixels to determine the upper limit number and / or the upper limit number. When the number of pixels is reached, it may be determined that the toner supply unit has reached the end of its life. In this way, simply adding non-genuine toner to the toner replenishing unit in use did not illegally rewrite the total cumulative number of prints and the total cumulative number of pixels stored in the storage element of the toner replenishment unit. In this case, the toner replenishment unit operates normally, but if the total cumulative number of printed sheets or the total cumulative number of pixels exceeds the upper limit value, it is determined that the product has reached the end of its life, so that genuine toner and non-genuine toner are mixed. The period of use is limited, and it is possible to reduce the possibility of a malfunction such as a failure of the image forming apparatus main body or image quality degradation.

  Furthermore, the main body further includes a random number generation unit that generates a random number, and when it is determined that the toner replenishment unit has reached the end of its life, the data change unit displays the cumulative number of prints and the cumulative number of print pixels in the data storage unit. Each of the random numbers may be rewritten. This makes it difficult for a third party to determine the contents of the storage area in the storage element of the used toner replenishment unit, making unauthorized reuse difficult.

  The main body further includes a notification unit for notifying a user of a warning, and the determination unit determines that the second password and the first password do not match or that the toner supply unit has reached the end of its life. When the determination is made, a warning for prompting replacement of the toner supply unit may be notified to the notification unit.

  The data storage unit may further store data related to a procedure for calculating a second password, and the calculation unit may calculate a second password using the data. In this way, by preparing a plurality of types of data relating to the procedure for calculating the second code number, the code number can be deciphered significantly compared to the case where there is only one type of code number calculation method. It becomes difficult.

  Furthermore, the toner replenishing unit may be unitized so as to be attached to and detached from the main body integrally with the developing unit. In this way, by developing a unit as a developing cartridge in which the toner replenishing unit and the developing unit are integrated, it is possible to use a non-genuine developing cartridge or to illegally regenerate a used developing cartridge by filling non-genuine toner. It is possible to prevent unauthorized addition of the non-genuine product toner to the developing cartridge in use.

  Alternatively, the toner replenishing unit may be unitized so as to be attached to and detached from the main body integrally with the photosensitive member. In this way, by unitizing as a process cartridge including a photoconductor, it is possible to use a non-genuine process cartridge, to illegally recycle a used process cartridge by filling non-genuine product toner, and to prevent non-genuine process cartridges from being used. It is possible to prevent unauthorized addition by filling with genuine toner.

  In the toner supply unit provided by the present invention, the data storage unit is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile storage element, and the interface unit has a function of allowing the main body to change the data. After the processing, the second code number calculated based on the value of the updated accumulated print number and the updated accumulated print pixel number so that the main body can rewrite the accumulated print number and accumulated print pixel number of the data storage unit. The first password in the data storage unit may be rewritten. In this way, the code number is stored in the data storage unit in the storage element of the toner replenishment unit for each printing operation. As a result, even if the non-genuine toner is added to the genuine toner supply unit in use and the cumulative number of prints and the number of accumulated pixels stored in the storage element of the toner supply unit are illegally rewritten, it is calculated by the main unit. Since the personal identification number and the personal identification number stored in the storage element of the toner replenishing unit do not match, it is determined that the rewriting is illegal. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate an unauthorized addition of toner to a genuine toner supply unit in use.

  Further, the cumulative number of printed sheets and / or the cumulative number of pixels are respectively compared with an upper limit number of sheets and / or an upper limit number of pixels predetermined for each of them to determine whether the toner replenishment unit has reached the end of its life. May be used to cause the main body to determine. In this way, simply adding non-genuine toner to the toner replenishing unit in use did not illegally rewrite the total cumulative number of prints and the total cumulative number of pixels stored in the storage element of the toner replenishment unit. In this case, the toner replenishment unit operates normally, but if the total cumulative number of printed sheets or the total cumulative number of pixels exceeds the upper limit value, it is determined that the product has reached the end of its life, so that genuine toner and non-genuine toner are mixed. The period of use is limited, and it is possible to reduce the possibility of a malfunction such as a failure of the image forming apparatus main body or image quality degradation.

  Furthermore, when the main body determines that the toner supply unit has reached the end of its life, the cumulative number of printed sheets and / or the cumulative number of pixels may be rewritten to a value generated by the main body as a random number. This makes it difficult for a third party to determine the contents of the storage area in the storage element of the used toner replenishment unit, making unauthorized reuse difficult.

  The data storage unit may further store data relating to a procedure for calculating a second password, and the data may cause the main body to calculate a second password according to a calculation procedure using the data. In this way, by preparing a plurality of types of data relating to the procedure for calculating the second code number, the code number can be deciphered significantly compared to the case where there is only one type of code number calculation method. It becomes difficult.

  The various preferable aspects shown here can also be combined.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the following description is an illustration in all the points, Comprising: It should not be interpreted as limiting this invention.

  The overall process of a general electrophotographic process used in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, facsimiles, and printers is composed of various processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, cleaning, fixing, and static elimination. Is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example.

  More specifically, the photosensitive drum 6 serving as the core of the electrophotographic process is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow S1, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 is a charging device 7. Are uniformly charged to a predetermined charge amount by a corona charger (not shown) having a high voltage power source (not shown) or a contact roller charger (not shown), and a predetermined electrostatic latent image is obtained by the exposure device 3. An electrostatic latent image is carried by forming a potential.

  The photosensitive drum 6 includes a conductive base made of metal or resin, an undercoat layer formed on the surface thereof, and a photosensitive layer formed thereon. The photosensitive layer includes a relatively thin carrier generation layer (CGL) formed on the undercoat layer and a relatively thin carrier transfer layer (CTL) mainly composed of polycarbonate formed in the outermost layer.

  By exposure, carriers are generated in the carrier generation layer, and the charges charged on the photosensitive drum 6 by the carriers are canceled out to form the electrostatic latent image potential. The electrostatic latent image carried on the photosensitive drum 6 is conveyed to a developing area that contacts the developer carrying member of the developing device 8 as the drum 6 rotates.

  The developer carrier 81 rotates in the direction of the arrow S3 opposite to the arrow S1 and is pressed against the photosensitive drum 6. Then, the toner carried on the developer carrying member 81 in the developing device 8 moves and adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 6 so that the electrostatic latent image is visualized and developed.

  A predetermined bias voltage is applied to the developer carrier 81 from a connected power source (not shown). After development, the toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 6 is conveyed to a predetermined transfer area. A transfer material such as paper is supplied to the transfer area by a paper supply means, and contacts the photosensitive drum 6 in synchronization with the toner image.

  The transfer device 4 provided in the transfer area includes a charger type (not shown) having a high voltage power source (not shown) and a contact roller type (not shown). A voltage of the opposite polarity) is applied to the photosensitive drum 6. As a result, the toner moves to the transfer material, and the toner image is transferred.

  Since the transfer material and the photosensitive drum 6 are electrostatically in close contact with each other due to the electric charge given by the transfer charger, it is necessary to peel the transfer material from the photosensitive drum 6 in order to guide the transfer material to the fixing device 5. As the peeling device, although not shown, there are a charger type equipped with a high voltage power source, a peeling device based on the curvature of the photosensitive drum 6, a peeling device using a peeling claw, and the like.

  In the case of a charger-type peeling device, when the AC voltage is applied to the transfer material by this peeling device and the potential of the transfer material is lowered to the same potential as the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 6, the transfer material is separated from the photosensitive drum 6. At this time, the suction force does not work, and the transfer material is separated from the photosensitive drum 6 by its own weight.

Then, after the transfer material is separated from the photosensitive drum 6, the toner on the transfer material is fixed by the pressure roller 12 and the heating roller 13 of the fixing device 5. For example, it is fixed by heat melting and discharged outside the apparatus. Further, the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 after the transfer is cleaned by the cleaner 14, and then the charge remaining on the surface is removed by the static eliminator 10, and is electrically initialized. As this static elimination apparatus 10, an optical static elimination lamp and a contact static elimination device are applied.
As described above, the operation of each unit related to the electrophotographic process of the image forming apparatus 1 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) disposed in the image forming apparatus main body 11. The control unit receives signals from, for example, a microcomputer and a ROM that stores a control program executed by the microcomputer, a RAM that provides a work area for data processing, and sensors and switches provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The input circuit includes an input circuit, an output circuit for outputting a control signal to a motor or actuator disposed in the image forming apparatus 1, and the like. Further, the main body control unit has a non-volatile memory for holding the identification number of the attached toner supply container. The microcomputer recognizes the state of each sensor and each switch, and sends a control signal to each motor and each actuator via an output circuit.

  By the way, in such an electrophotographic process apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 2, in order to facilitate maintenance, it is widely performed that several apparatuses are combined into a cartridge. .

  For example, a toner supply container 9 (claim) is provided corresponding to the developing device 8 that contains a predetermined developer, and a toner bottle (housing portion) that contains toner to be supplied to the developing device 8 is formed into a cartridge. In other words, the main body 11 is detachable. There is also a mode of a developing cartridge 8 c in which the toner supply container 9 and the developing device 8 are configured to be detachable integrally with the main body 11. Further, in addition to or separately from the developing device 8 and the toner replenishing container 9, at least one of the photosensitive drum 6 and the process means such as the charging device 7 and the cleaner 14 acting on the photosensitive drum 6 is integrated. There is also an aspect of the process cartridge 2 that is made detachable from the main body 11.

  FIG. 2 shows a specific mounting state of the toner cartridges for the image forming apparatus such as the process cartridge 2 and the developing cartridge 8c to the main body 11. FIG. 2 shows an aspect in which the process cartridge 2 and the developing cartridge 8c are configured as separate cartridges.

  If the process cartridge 8 includes the developing device 8 and the toner replenishing container 9, the replacement becomes simple, but the photosensitive drum and the toner replenishing container that do not necessarily have the same life must be discarded together. From this point of view, in order to efficiently use the toner supply container, the process cartridge 2 including the photosensitive drum and the toner supply container 9 (or the developing cartridge 8c including the toner supply container) are configured as separate cartridges. There is validity. When the process cartridge 2 and the developing cartridge 8c are separated, it is preferable to make the toner supply container 9 small in order to reduce the size of the apparatus. In this case, the process cartridge 2 has a longer life than the toner supply container 9 (or the developing cartridge 8c including the toner supply container). That is, after the toner supply container 9 (or the developing cartridge 8c including the toner supply container) is replaced several times, the photosensitive drum cartridge is replaced.

  The toner replenishing container (or the developing cartridge including the toner replenishing container) shown in FIG. 2 is placed in an appropriate position such as the opposite side (back side) in the longitudinal direction of the portion that can be viewed with the image forming apparatus mounted. A non-volatile storage element that stores information on the usage amount and the like is mounted. The non-volatile storage element mounted on the toner supply container corresponds to the data storage unit described in the claims. The control unit described above is configured to be able to transmit and receive data to and from the non-volatile storage element by a contact method or a non-contact method. The control unit can read out information related to the toner supply container stored in a nonvolatile storage element attached to the toner supply container, and can rewrite the information. Information read from the nonvolatile storage element of the toner supply container is stored in the RAM of the control unit. The control unit updates the cumulative number of prints and the cumulative number of print pixels associated with the print process for the data stored in the RAM. At an appropriate timing, the control unit writes the updated data on the RAM into the nonvolatile storage element of the toner supply container. An example of the timing is after the end of the print job. When the number of printed sheets of one job exceeds a predetermined number, data may be written to the nonvolatile memory element during the job. As the nonvolatile element, for example, an EEPROM, a ferroelectric memory, a flash memory or the like can be used.

  A specific example of an EEPROM suitable for the present invention is a serial EEPROM manufactured by ST Microelectronics N.V., part number M34C02, M34E02 or M34F04. Since these EEPROMs can transmit and receive data to and from the control unit on the main body side via a serial bus, the number of communication lines can be reduced compared to a general EEPROM that exchanges data with a CPU using a parallel data bus. it can.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a signal connection method between the toner supply unit 9 having the EEPROM and the apparatus main body 11. FIG. 9A shows a state before the toner supply unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11, and FIG. 9B shows a state where the toner supply unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11. On the back side of the toner supply unit 9, a memory substrate 23 and a connector 21b are mounted. A serial EEPROM 25 as a data storage unit is mounted on the memory substrate 23. The serial bus, ground, and power supply for the serial EEPROM 25 are wired to the connector 21b on the toner supply unit 9 side. Each wiring of the connector 21b is connected to the main body 11 via the main body side connector 21a. The connectors 21a and 21b are so-called drawer connectors. When the toner supply unit 9 is fully inserted into the main body 11, the connectors 21a and 21b are fitted, and each terminal in the connector housing comes into contact with the other terminal. In this state, each wiring is connected to the main body side. In the case of the developing unit 8c in which the toner replenishing unit 9 and the developing device 8 are integrated, the memory substrate 23 and the connector 21b may be mounted on the back side of the developing unit 8c.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection between the control unit of the main body 11 and the EEPROM of the toner supply unit. The main body 11 and the serial EEPROM 25 of the toner replenishing unit 9 are electrically connected via the interface circuit 33A. Here, the control unit 31 is the control unit of the main body 11 described above. The interface circuit 33A is a circuit that allows the microcomputer of the control unit 31 to send and receive data to and from the serial EEPROM 25 via a serial bus.

  The above is an example of a contact-type interface unit, but other than this, a non-contact type interface can be applied. In recent years, a non-contact type nonvolatile memory element called an RFID tag has been known. One example is an RFID product named “Muchip” manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd. In this case, a nonvolatile memory element and a wireless communication interface are integrated. The chip is mounted on a substrate, a film or the like, and attached to an object (a toner supply unit 9 in this specification) in a form called a tag. A pattern that functions as an antenna is formed on the substrate or film. The main body 11 is provided with an interface circuit and an antenna for transmitting / receiving data to / from the RFID tag. Such an aspect may be used.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in which data is transmitted and received between the toner supply unit 9 and the apparatus main body 11 using an RFID tag. In FIG. 11, an RFID tag 24 is attached to the toner supply unit 9. The apparatus main body has a communication circuit 32. The control unit 31 of the main body 11 exchanges data with the RFID tag 24 via the communication circuit 32 instead of the interface circuit 33A and the serial bus of FIG.
The RFID tag includes a nonvolatile memory element 25 as a data storage unit, a control circuit 26, a transmission circuit 27, a reception circuit 28, an antenna 29, and a power supply circuit 30. The communication circuit 32 on the main body side includes an interface circuit 33B, a control circuit 34, a transmission circuit 35, a reception circuit 36, an antenna 37, and a power supply circuit 38.

Information on the toner replenishing unit is written in the nonvolatile memory element mounted in the new toner replenishing container at the time of shipment. The manufacturer of the image forming apparatus main body and the toner replenishing container determines in advance which information is written in which address and what data is indicated as what kind of data. The method for calculating the personal identification number is also determined in advance by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus main body and the toner supply container.
FIG. 3 shows an example of information relating to the toner supply container for the image forming apparatus stored in the nonvolatile storage element mounted on the toner supply container. Each address in the non-volatile memory element includes the product number of the toner supply container, the identification number of each toner supply container, the toner color, the cumulative number of prints for each paper size, and the cumulative number for each application such as a copier / printer / facsimile. The number of printed sheets (for example, A4 conversion), the total cumulative number of printed sheets (for example, A4 conversion), the cumulative number of pixels for each paper size, the cumulative number of pixels for each application such as a copier / printer / facsimile, and the total cumulative number of pixels are stored. Yes.

At the time of manufacturing the toner supply container for the image forming apparatus, data corresponding to the type of the toner supply container is written as the “product number of the toner supply container”. As “identification number for each toner supply container”, unique data that can identify a plurality of toner supply containers of the same type is written. As “toner color”, data corresponding to the color of the stored toner is written.
In addition, when the toner replenishing container is manufactured, random numbers are stored in the upper digit, middle digit, and lower digit of the total cumulative number of prints and the total cumulative number of pixels of the storage element of the toner replenishing container, The calculation result of the calculation method is stored in the storage element of the toner supply container as the first password.

  When the toner supply container is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the control unit in the main body 11 can access the nonvolatile storage element of the toner supply container. That is, the microcomputer of the control unit can read data stored in each address of the nonvolatile memory element and can write data to each address. Cumulative number of prints for each paper size, cumulative number of prints for each application of the copier / printer / facsimile (for example, A4 conversion), total cumulative number of prints (for example, A4 conversion), cumulative number of pixels for each paper size, The cumulative number of pixels and the total cumulative number of pixels for each use of the printer / facsimile are read, and the data is updated and written in the nonvolatile memory element.

  Cumulative number of prints for each paper size, cumulative number of prints for each application of the copier / printer / facsimile (for example, A4 conversion), total cumulative number of prints (for example, A4 conversion), cumulative number of pixels for each paper size, The usage amount of the toner replenishing container can be determined from the cumulative number of pixels for each use of the printer / facsimile and the total cumulative number of pixels. The control unit updates the data for each printed sheet or for each grouped number of printed sheets.

  The total accumulated number of prints (for example, A4 conversion) and the total number of accumulated pixels in the storage element of the toner supply container are transmitted to the image forming control unit of the image forming apparatus, and the total accumulated number of prints and the total accumulated number of pixels are used. An operation (described later) is performed, and the operation result, the total accumulated number of prints, and the total accumulated pixel number are written to an appropriate address (not shown) in the storage element of the previous image forming control unit. Further, the calculation result is written in the storage element of the toner supply container.

  Normally, one address consists of 1 byte (8 bits), can only store numbers from 0 to 255 (= 2 to the 8th power-1), and the total number of prints until the toner supply container is empty. Therefore, it is possible to store up to 0 to 65535 (= 2 to the 16th power -1), that is, about 65000 sheets by dividing the total accumulated print number into upper and lower digits. If the number of prints is likely to exceed 65,535, it is possible to secure a sufficient storage area by dividing the address into three addresses, upper digit, middle digit, and lower digit.

  With respect to the total number of accumulated pixels, for example, in the case of an image forming apparatus that prints with a resolution of 600 dpi, the size of one pixel is 42.3 μm, and the printable range of A4 transfer paper (210 mm × 297 mm) is, for example, 206 mm × 290 mm. In this case, a maximum of 4866 pixels × 6850 pixels = 33,334,987 pixels is printed per sheet. Usually, when printing is performed, from several percent of the total number of printable pixels, color printing with a lot of backgrounds can be considered that the number of printable pixels is 20 to 30%. In order to save the storage area of the storage element, when it is stored in units of 10,000 pixels, the number of pixels must be stored as “333” per sheet. If 20000 sheets can be printed with one toner supply container, a storage area for storing 333 × 20,000 sheets = 6,660,000 is required. In this case, if divided into three addresses, upper digit, middle digit, and lower digit, 0-16,777,215 (= 2 to the 24th power -1), a sufficient storage area can be secured, and the total number of accumulated pixels Can be stored.

  As the calculation for the PIN, the logical product, logical sum, and negation in simple bit units (for example, 1 is true, 0 is false, and vice versa) between the total total number of prints and the total number of accumulated pixels. Logical product, negative logical sum, and exclusive logical sum can be considered. Further, simple four arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication are possible. In the case of multiplication, the upper digit, middle digit, and lower digit may be insufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to delete some upper or lower digits to fit in the upper digit, middle digit, and lower digit. .

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the total accumulated number of printed sheets and the total accumulated number of pixels are stored in a storage element mounted on the toner supply container by dividing into three addresses of upper digit, middle digit, and lower digit, respectively. Then, the image forming apparatus main body control unit reads the total accumulated number of printed sheets and the total accumulated number of pixels from the storage element of the toner supply container, and performs a predetermined calculation on the upper digits, the middle digits, and the lower digits of both, for example, An OR operation is performed in bit units, and the operation result is similarly divided into an upper digit, a middle digit, and a lower digit and stored in the storage element of the toner supply container as the first password. The storage element of the image forming apparatus main body is configured to store a plurality of toner supply container identification numbers.

<First Embodiment>
This will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S02, it is determined whether the image forming apparatus body 11 is turned on or the front door (not shown) is opened or closed. The power ON and the opening / closing of the front door are detected by a power switch and a front door opening / closing detection switch arranged in the image forming apparatus main body 11, respectively. The microcomputer of the control unit recognizes a signal from each switch. If any of the processes is performed, the toner supply container may be replaced. Therefore, the product number of the toner supply container stored in the storage element of the toner supply container in step S03 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. Determine if is a permitted part number. If the product number is not permitted, the process proceeds to step S12, where the message “wrong toner supply container” is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the main body 11, a warning is given to the user, and the correct toner supply container is displayed. Stop the main unit until is installed. If the product number is permitted, it is determined that the toner supply container is correct and the process proceeds to step S04. In the case of a color image forming apparatus, a step of determining whether or not the color to which the toner color should be originally mounted is installed after step S03. In this case, for example, a plurality of toner supply containers of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are respectively attached to the main body 11 at predetermined positions. The control unit reads “toner color” stored in a storage element mounted on each toner supply container, and determines whether or not a toner supply container of a predetermined color is mounted at a predetermined position. In step S04, it is determined whether the identification number assigned to each toner supply container is registered in the main body storage device. If the identification number is registered, it is determined that the toner supply container is in use or a toner supply container previously attached to the main body, and the process proceeds to S14. If the identification number is not registered in the main body storage device, it is determined that it is a new toner supply container, and the process proceeds to S05.

  In step S05, the total accumulated number of prints and the total number of accumulated pixels are read from the storage element of the toner supply container into the main body, and the process proceeds to step S06. As described above, when the toner replenishing container is manufactured, random numbers are stored for the total cumulative number of printed sheets and the total cumulative number of pixels, and the first password calculated based on these values is stored in the storage element of the toner replenishing container. Has been.

  In step S06, the main body control unit performs the predetermined calculation using the total accumulated number of printed sheets and the total accumulated pixel number. Further, in step S07, the calculation result is set as the second password, and the process proceeds to step S08. In step S08, it is determined whether or not the first password stored in the storage element of the toner supply container matches the second password calculated by the main body control unit. If they do not match, it is determined that one or more of the total accumulated number of printed sheets, the total accumulated number of pixels, and the first password have been rewritten. In this case, the routine proceeds to step S12 where a message of “wrong toner supply container” is displayed on the display unit, a warning is given to the user, and the main body is stopped until a genuine toner supply container is installed. . If the two match, the process proceeds to step S09, the identification number of the toner supply container is registered in the main body, and the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the control unit resets the total accumulated print number and the total accumulated pixel number of the storage element of the main body and the storage element of the toner supply container to the same value (in this embodiment, a count-up method is taken). "0" is memorized. In the next step S11, the personal identification number (second personal identification number in step S07) calculated from the total cumulative number of printed sheets and the total cumulative number of pixels is stored as a first personal identification number in the storage element of the toner supply container. Proceed to step S18 (determination of print request).

  On the other hand, if the identification number is registered in the main body in step S04, the routine proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the control unit determines whether or not the total cumulative number of printed sheets is equal to or less than the upper limit value. If it exceeds the upper limit value, it is determined that the product has reached the end of the life, and the process proceeds to step S23 where the message “Replace the toner supply container” is displayed on the display unit to warn the user. The main body is stopped until the toner supply container is mounted. If it is less than or equal to the upper limit value, it is determined that the life has not come and the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, it is determined whether the total cumulative number of pixels is equal to or less than the upper limit value. If it exceeds the upper limit value, it is determined that the product has reached the end of the life, and the process proceeds to step S23 where a message “Replace toner supply container” is displayed on the display unit to warn the user and The main body is stopped until the toner supply container is mounted. If it is less than or equal to the upper limit, it is determined that the life has not come, and the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, it is determined whether or not the first password stored in the storage element of the toner supply container matches the second password stored in the storage element of the main body. If they do not match, it is determined that the first personal identification number has been rewritten, and the process proceeds to step S12 where a message of “wrong toner supply container” is displayed on the display unit to warn the user. And stop the body until a genuine toner supply container is installed. If they match, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, if there is no print request, the process waits until a print request is received. If there is a print request, the process proceeds to step S19, starts printing, and proceeds to step S20. In step S20, it is determined whether a predetermined number of prints requested for printing have been completed. If it is determined that the predetermined number of sheets have been printed, the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the total cumulative number of printed sheets and the total cumulative number of pixels at the end of printing and the personal identification number calculated from both are stored in the storage element of the toner supply container, and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the process normally proceeds to step S18 in order to wait for a print request. If the power is turned on or the front door is opened / closed, the process proceeds to a standby state, and the same processing as described above is repeated.

  Thus, by storing the product number of the toner supply container in the storage element of the toner supply container, the non-genuine toner supply container can be eliminated.

  Furthermore, when illegally regenerating a toner supply container (genuine product) with a correct product number, most of the total number of printed sheets and / or the total number of accumulated pixels are rewritten. If the passwords stored in the storage element of the toner supply container do not match, either one or both of the total accumulated number of prints and the total number of accumulated pixels stored in the storage element of the toner supply container have been illegally rewritten. This makes it possible to discriminate and eliminate non-genuine toner supply containers.

  Further, the genuine product in use is stored by storing the total number of printed sheets and the result of calculation from the total number of accumulated pixels in both the storage element of the toner supply container and the storage element of the main body for each printing operation. After adding non-genuine toner to the toner supply container, the total number of prints and the total number of pixels stored in the storage element of the toner supply container are illegally rewritten. Since the passwords stored in the storage element of the replenishing container do not match, it is determined that the rewriting is illegal. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate an unauthorized addition of toner to a genuine toner supply container in use.

  Further, the genuine product in use is stored by storing the total number of printed sheets and the result of calculation from the total number of accumulated pixels in both the storage element of the toner supply container and the storage element of the main body for each printing operation. If you simply add non-genuine toner to the toner replenishment container, and if the total accumulated number of prints stored in the storage element of the toner replenishment container is not rewritten illegally, the total accumulated number of prints, Or, if the total number of accumulated pixels exceeds the upper limit value, it is determined that the product has reached the end of its life, so the period in which genuine toner and non-genuine toner are mixed and used is limited, resulting in a malfunction of the image forming apparatus main body. Or there is little possibility of bad effects such as image quality degradation.

In this embodiment, the total accumulated number of printed sheets and the total number of accumulated pixels are reset to “0” and counted up at the time of mounting, and compared with the upper limit value for determining the life. The same effect can be obtained by resetting the number to the “upper limit value of life”, counting down, and comparing with “0” for judging the life.
Here, when a third party copies the entire data stored in the non-volatile storage element of the genuine toner replenishment unit, attaches it to the non-genuine toner replenishment unit, and distributes these toner replenishment units to the market, How the unauthorized use prevention function according to the present invention functions will be described.

  When the non-genuine toner supply unit is attached to the main body 11, the determination result in step S03 in the process of FIG. 5 is “Yes”. Then, the routine proceeds to step S04. In step S04, if a toner replenishing unit having the same identification number has been attached to the main body 11 in the past, the determination result is Yes. After that, when the routine reaches step S17, the first personal identification number (toner replenishment unit personal identification number) and the second personal identification number (unit identification number) do not match in the determination in step S17 (the determination result in S17 is No), protection will work. However, if the toner supply unit having the same identification number has not been attached to the main body 11 in the past in step S04, the determination result in step S04 is No, and the routine proceeds to the determination in step S08. As described above, if the whole data of the genuine storage element is copied, the first code number and the second code number match, and the determination result is Yes. In this case, protection for non-genuine products will not function.

  Assuming that all non-genuine product identification numbers are the same (the copy source is the same), the first non-genuine product installed is genuine except for rare cases where a genuine product with the same identification number was previously installed. Indistinguishable from goods. Therefore, the first non-genuine product can be used. However, after the use of the non-genuine product, in the second and subsequent exchanges, if the non-genuine product is mounted 11, the security code does not match in the determination of step S17, and the non-genuine product is protected. Will work.

  As described above, during the second and subsequent replacements, the protection functions for non-genuine products, so third parties cannot continuously supply non-genuine products to the market. In theory, protection can be avoided by copying non-genuine nonvolatile memory data for each non-genuine product. However, if only one non-genuine product can be manufactured from one genuine product, the business is not practical.

<Second Embodiment>
5 is the same as FIG. 4 except that step S23 in FIG. 4 is set as step S24 and step S23 is newly added. In a new step S23, after it is determined in steps 14 and 16 that the toner replenishing container is at the end of its life, a random number is written in the total cumulative number of printed sheets, the total number of accumulated pixels and the first password in the storage element of the toner replenishing container. The total number of printed sheets and the total number of accumulated pixels are not related to the first password. This makes it difficult for a third party to determine the contents of the storage area in the storage element of the toner replenishing container, making unauthorized reuse difficult.

<Third Embodiment>
The total accumulated number of prints and the total accumulated number of pixels are divided into three addresses, upper digit, middle digit, and lower digit, respectively, and stored in a storage element mounted on the toner supply container, and the image forming apparatus main body control unit performs total accumulation. The number of printed sheets and the total number of accumulated pixels are read from the storage element of the toner replenishing container, and not only the upper digit, middle digit, and lower digit, but the upper digits of the total accumulated number of printed sheets and the total accumulated pixels as in the first embodiment. Combination of the middle digit of the number, the middle digit of the total accumulated print number and the upper digit of the total accumulated pixel number, the total accumulated print number and the lower digit of the total accumulated pixel number, etc. Arithmetic method, for example, bitwise logical operation (5 types of logical product, logical sum, negative logical product, negative logical product, exclusive logical sum), and the result of the operation is also the upper digit, middle digit, lower digit The first PIN code is stored in the storage element of the toner supply container divided into digits. It is stored as a second personal identification number in the storage device of the image forming apparatus main body. At this time, 30 passwords can be created from 6 combinations of addresses and 5 combinations of logic operations. 30 calculation methods are assigned in advance to numbers 0 to 30 and stored in, for example, address 0CH of the storage element of the toner supply container as shown in FIG. The main body control unit determines the calculation method of the password. The numbers 0 to 30 corresponding to the calculation method stored in the storage element of the toner replenishing container may be fixed until the end of the service life, or if the calculation method represented by the number matches the password that is the result of the calculation. It may be changed at a predetermined cycle such as every printing operation or every time the power is turned on or the front door is opened and closed.

  By using the above calculation method, it becomes much more difficult to decode the password than in the first embodiment in which there is only one method for calculating the password.

<Fourth Embodiment>
Instead of the total number of accumulated prints and the total number of accumulated pixels in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the number of accumulated prints and the number of accumulated pixels in, for example, A4 conversion for each function (copier, printer, facsimile) are shown. Use the calculation for each function (calculation of the cumulative number of printed pages and the cumulative number of pixels for each copying machine), or the calculation across functions (the logical product of the cumulative number of printed copies of the copying machine and the cumulative number of pixels of the printer, Etc .: not shown).

  By using the above calculation method, it becomes much more difficult to decode the password than in the first embodiment in which there is only one type of password data.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Instead of the total accumulated number of printed sheets and the total accumulated number of pixels of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the accumulated number of printed sheets and the number of accumulated pixels for each sheet size (B5, B4, A4, A3, etc.) are used. Calculation for each size (B5 cumulative print number and cumulative pixel number calculation, etc.) or calculation across the paper size (B5 cumulative print number and A4 product pixel number, B4 cumulative print number and A3 And the like (not shown).

  By using the above calculation method, it becomes much more difficult to decode the password than in the first embodiment in which there is only one type of password data.

  In addition to the embodiments described above, there can be various modifications of the present invention. These modifications should not be construed as not belonging to the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include the meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an explanatory diagram of cartridge attachment / detachment states. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating assembly of cartridges to the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content stored in the non-volatile storage device mounted in the toner supply container which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example from which the content stored in the non-volatile storage device mounted in the toner supply container which concerns on embodiment of this invention differs. It is a 1st flowchart which shows the process sequence of the unauthorized use prevention system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows the process sequence of the unauthorized use prevention system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the content stored in the non-volatile storage device mounted in the toner supply container which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the content stored in the non-volatile storage device mounted in the toner supply container which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a signal connection method between the toner supply unit 9 and the apparatus main body 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection between a main body control unit and an EEPROM of a toner supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a technique for transmitting and receiving data between a toner supply unit and an apparatus main body using an RFID tag in the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Process cartridge 3 Exposure apparatus 4 Transfer apparatus 5 Fixing apparatus 6 Photosensitive drum 7 Charging apparatus 8 Developing apparatus 8c Developing cartridge 9 Toner supply container 10 Electric discharge apparatus 11 Image forming apparatus main body 12 Pressure roller 13 Heating roller 14 Cleaner 21a, 21b Connector 23 Memory board 24 RFID tag, non-contact communication tag 25 EEPROM, nonvolatile memory element 26, 34 Control circuit 27, 35 Transmission circuit 28, 36 Reception circuit 29, 37 Antenna 30, 38 Power supply circuit 31 Main body control unit 32 Main body side communication circuit 33 Interface circuit 81 Developer carrier

Claims (14)

An image forming apparatus main body and a toner replenishing unit that is detachable from the main body and replenishes toner for the main body to print on paper;
The toner replenishment unit includes:
A container for storing toner for replenishment;
A data storage unit for storing data including the cumulative number of printed sheets of paper printed with the toner, the cumulative number of printed pixels of the print, and a first password;
An interface unit that enables the main body to acquire the data in a state of being mounted on the main body,
The main body calculates a second password by a predetermined procedure using the cumulative number of printed sheets and the cumulative number of printed pixels acquired from the data storage unit;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the second personal identification number and the first personal identification number match, and the determination unit confirms the coincidence between the second personal identification number and the first personal identification number so that the toner supply unit Unauthorized use prevention system that can prevent unauthorized use. The main body further includes a data changing unit for updating the cumulative number of printed sheets and the cumulative number of printed pixels acquired from the data storage unit with the printing process,
The data storage unit is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory element,
The interface unit has a function of allowing the main body to change the data,
The calculation unit calculates the updated second code number using the updated accumulated print number and the updated accumulated print pixel number after the printing process,
The data changing unit rewrites the accumulated number of prints, the number of accumulated print pixels, and the first password in the data storage unit with the updated number of accumulated prints, the updated number of accumulated print pixels, and the updated second password, respectively. Item 1. The system according to Item 1.   The determination unit further compares the cumulative number of printed sheets with a predetermined upper limit number and / or further compares the cumulative number of pixels with a predetermined upper limit number of pixels to determine the upper limit number of sheets and / or the upper limit number of pixels. The system according to claim 1, wherein the toner replenishment unit is determined to have reached the end of its life when the value is reached. The main body further includes a random number generator for generating random numbers,
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined that the toner replenishing unit has reached the end of its life, the data changing unit rewrites the cumulative number of prints and the cumulative number of print pixels in the data storage unit with the random numbers. The main body further includes a notification unit for notifying a user of a warning,
The determination unit notifies the notification unit of a warning prompting replacement of the toner supply unit when the second password and the first password do not match or when it is determined that the toner supply unit has reached the end of its life. The system according to claim 3 or 4 to be made. The data storage unit further stores data relating to a procedure for calculating a second password.
The said calculation part is a system as described in any one of Claims 1-5 which calculates a 2nd PIN code using the said data.   The system according to claim 1, wherein the toner replenishing unit is unitized so as to be attached to and detached from the main body integrally with a developing unit.   The system according to claim 1, wherein the toner replenishing unit is unitized so as to be attached to and detached from the main body integrally with a photoconductor. A toner replenishing unit that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body and replenishes toner for the main body to print on paper;
A container for storing toner for replenishment;
A data storage unit for storing data including the cumulative number of printed sheets of paper printed with the toner, the cumulative number of printed pixels of the print, and a first password;
The main body can acquire the data in a state of being attached to the main body, and the main password is calculated by the main body using the acquired cumulative number of printed sheets and the cumulative number of printed pixels, and the second personal identification number And a toner replenishing unit with an unauthorized use prevention function, comprising: an interface unit for causing the main body to determine whether or not the first personal identification number matches the first personal identification number. The data storage unit is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory element,
The interface unit has a function to allow the main body to change the data, and after the printing process, the main body can rewrite the cumulative number of prints and the cumulative number of print pixels in the data storage unit, and the updated cumulative The toner replenishing unit according to claim 9, wherein the first personal identification number of the data storage unit can be rewritten to a second personal identification number calculated based on the value of the number of printed sheets and the updated cumulative number of printed pixels.   The cumulative number of printed sheets and / or the cumulative number of pixels are respectively compared with a predetermined upper limit number of sheets and / or an upper limit number of pixels, thereby determining whether the toner replenishment unit has reached the end of its life. 11. The toner replenishing unit according to claim 9 or 10, which is used for making a main body determine.   12. The toner replenishing unit according to claim 11, wherein when the main body determines that the toner replenishing unit has reached the end of its life, the cumulative number of printed sheets and / or the cumulative number of pixels is rewritten to a value generated by the main body as a random number. The data storage unit further stores data relating to a procedure for calculating a second password.
The toner replenishing unit according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the data causes the main body to calculate a second password by a calculation procedure using the data.   An image forming apparatus main body to which the toner replenishing unit according to claim 9 is mounted.

Images