Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that prevents the use of a consumable item that is not a genuine product.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment comprises a reading unit and a verification unit. The reading unit reads, from an IC tag of an ink ribbon, unique ID information and a digital certificate based on the unique ID information or information other than the unique ID information. The verification unit verifies the digital certificate on the basis of the unique ID information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus and a control method for an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an image forming apparatus that determines whether a supplied consumable is an authentic product.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One embodiment of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus and a control method for an image forming apparatus that suppress the use of non-genuine consumables.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment includes a reading unit and a verification unit. The reading unit reads, from an IC tag of an ink ribbon, unique ID information and a digital certificate based on the unique ID information or information other than the unique ID information. The verification unit verifies the digital certificate based on the unique ID information.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, the embodiments shown below exemplify the technical idea. The embodiments do not specify the material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc. of the components. Various changes can be made to the embodiments.

[0008] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system according to an embodiment. The printing system 1 is a system that checks whether the ink ribbon used in printing is a genuine product, and prohibits printing or prompts confirmation when it is not a genuine product. The printing system 1 includes a server 2, a recording apparatus 3, an ink ribbon 4, and an image forming apparatus 5.

[0009] The ink ribbon 4 is a consumable used when the image forming apparatus 5 performs printing. The ink ribbon 4 includes an IC tag 41. The IC tag 41 is an element that can perform short-range wireless communication, such as an RFID tag, and can store data non-volatile. Further, the IC tag 41 stores a unique ID, which is unique information for each individual. The unique ID is stored so that it cannot be rewritten.

[0010] Server 2 is connected to a recording device 3 and an image forming device 5 respectively. Server 2 transmits information to the recording device 3 and the image forming device 5 respectively. Specifically, for example, server 2 transmits a secret key used for encryption to the recording device 3. For example, server 2 transmits a public key used for decryption, which is paired with the secret key transmitted to the recording device 3, to the image forming device 5.

[0011] The recording device 3 stores data in the IC tag 41. The recording device 3 is used in the manufacturing process of the ink ribbon 4. The ink ribbon 4 is configured by incorporating the IC tag 41 in which the recording device 3 has stored data. The data stored by the recording device 3 in the IC tag 41 includes at least a digital certificate proving that it is a genuine product. Details of the digital certificate will be described later.

[0012] The image forming device 5 accommodates the ink ribbon 4 and performs printing based on the accommodated ink ribbon 4. The image forming device 5 communicates with the IC tag 41 included in the accommodated ink ribbon 4 and verifies the digital certificate. Details of the verification will be described later. The image forming device 5 performs printing when the digital certificate is correct, and does not perform printing or prompts for confirmation when the digital certificate is incorrect.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a server according to an embodiment. Server 2 includes a processor 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a storage 24, a communication unit 25, and a system bus 26. The system bus 26 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, and the like. The system bus 26 interconnects the processor 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, the storage 24, and the communication unit 25 respectively. The computer of server 2 is formed by connecting the processor 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, and the storage 24 via the system bus 26.

[0014] The processor 21 corresponds to the central part of the above computer. The processor 21 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the server 2 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0015] The ROM 22 is a non-volatile storage device. The ROM 22 stores a preset operating system or application program, control data, and the like.

[0016] The RAM 23 is a volatile storage device. The RAM 23 is used as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 21. The RAM 23 is also used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing data.

[0017] The storage 24 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the above computer. The storage 24 stores data used when the processor 21 performs various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 21, and the like. The storage 24 may store the above application program. The storage 24 is, for example, an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like.

[0018] The communication unit 25 communicates with the outside of the server 2.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. The recording apparatus 3 includes a processor 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a storage 34, a communication unit 35, a reader / writer 36, a user interface 37, and a system bus 38. The system bus 38 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, and the like. The system bus 38 interconnects the processor 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33, the storage 34, the communication unit 35, the reader / writer 36, and the user interface 37. The computer of the recording apparatus 3 is formed by connecting the processor 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33, and the storage 34 via the system bus 38.

[0020] The processor 31 corresponds to the central part of the above computer. The processor 31 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the recording apparatus 3 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU.

[0021] The ROM 32 is a non-volatile storage device. The ROM 32 stores a preset operating system or application program, control data, and the like.

[0022] The RAM 33 is a volatile storage device. The RAM 33 is used as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 31. The RAM 33 is also used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing data.

[0023] The storage 34 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the above computer. The storage 34 stores data used by the processor 31 to perform various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 31, and the like. The storage 34 may store the above application program. The storage 34 is, for example, an EEPROM (registered trademark), an HDD, an SSD, or the like.

[0024] The communication unit 35 communicates with the outside of the recording apparatus 3.

[0025] The reader / writer 36 communicates with the IC tag 41 outside the recording device 3. The reader / writer 36 can read data from the IC tag 41 and write data (including deletion of data) to the IC tag 41.

[0026] The user interface 37 is, for example, a touch panel. The user interface 37 notifies various information to the user who operates the recording device 3 and receives inputs from the user.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. The image forming apparatus 5 includes a processor 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a storage 54, a communication unit 55, a housing unit 56, a reader / writer 57, a printing unit 58, a user interface 59, and a system bus 501. The system bus 501 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, and the like. The system bus 501 mutually connects the processor 51, the ROM 52, the RAM 53, the storage 54, the communication unit 55, the housing unit 56, the reader / writer 57, the printing unit 58, and the user interface 59. By connecting the processor 51, the ROM 52, the RAM 53, and the storage 54 via the system bus 501, a computer of the image forming apparatus 5 is formed.

[0028] The processor 51 corresponds to the central part of the above computer. The processor 51 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the image forming apparatus 5 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 51 is, for example, a CPU.

[0029] The ROM 52 is a non-volatile storage device. The ROM 52 stores a preset operating system or application program, control data, and the like.

[0030] The RAM 53 is a volatile memory device. The RAM 53 is used as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 51. Also, the RAM 53 is used as a buffer memory that temporarily stores data.

[0031] The storage 54 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. The storage 54 stores data used by the processor 51 to perform various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 51, and the like. The storage 54 may store the above application program. The storage 54 is, for example, an EEPROM (registered trademark), HDD, SSD, or the like.

[0032] The application program stored in the ROM 52 or the storage 54 includes a processing program described regarding the information processing executed by the image forming apparatus 5. The method of installing the processing program in the ROM 52 or the storage 54 is not particularly limited. The processing program can be recorded on a removable recording medium or distributed by communication via a network and installed in the ROM 52 or the storage 54. The form of the recording medium is not limited as long as it can record a program and can be read by the apparatus, such as a CD-ROM, a memory card, or the like.

[0033] The communication unit 55 communicates with the outside of the image forming apparatus 5.

[0034] The housing unit 56 houses the ink ribbon 4. The housing unit 56 includes, for example, a sensor that detects the remaining amount of the ribbon of the housed ink ribbon 4.

[0035] The reader / writer 57 communicates with the IC tag 41 included in the ink ribbon 4 housed in the housing unit 56. The reader / writer 57 can read data from the IC tag 41 and write data (including deletion of data) to the IC tag 41.

[0036] The printing unit 58 performs printing using the ink ribbon 4 stored in the storage unit 56.

[0037] The user interface 59 is, for example, a touch panel. The user interface 59 notifies various information to the user who operates the image forming apparatus 5 and receives inputs from the user.

[0038] <Operation> The operations of each part of the printing system 1 will be described. In the printing system 1, encryption and decryption are performed using a secret key and a public key. The pair of the secret key and the public key is generated in the server 2. The secret key is transmitted from the server 2 to the recording apparatus 3 and stored in the storage 34 of the recording apparatus 3. The public key is transmitted from the server 2 to the image forming apparatus 5 and stored in the storage 54 of the image forming apparatus 5. Hereinafter, the description will be made on the premise that the secret key is stored in the storage 34 of the recording apparatus 3 and the public key is stored in the storage 54 of the image forming apparatus 5 in this way.

[0039] The operation of the recording apparatus 3 in the manufacturing process of the ink ribbon 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the recording process of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment. The recording process is a process of recording a digital certificate on the IC tag 41 incorporated in the ink ribbon 4.

[0040] When the recording process is started (Start), the processor 31 of the recording apparatus 3 reads the unique ID from the IC tag 41 (ACT1). Specifically, the processor 31 controls the reader / writer 36 to read the unique ID from the IC tag 41.

[0041] The processor 31 hashes the unique ID (ACT2). Specifically, the processor 31 hashes the unique ID using a certain hash function.

[0042] The processor 31 encrypts the result of hashing with the private key to create a digital certificate (ACT3). Specifically, the processor 31 uses the private key stored in the storage 34 to encrypt the result of hashing executed in ACT2 to create a digital certificate.

[0043] The processor 31 writes the digital certificate to the IC tag 41 (ACT4). Specifically, the processor 31 controls the reader / writer 36 to write the digital certificate created in ACT3 to the IC tag 41. Then, the series of processes shown in FIG. 5 ends (End).

[0044] In this way, a digital certificate based on the unique ID is written to the IC tag 41. Thereafter, the IC tag 41 with the digital certificate written therein is incorporated into the ink ribbon 4.

[0045] Subsequently, the operation of the image forming apparatus 5 that houses the ink ribbon 4 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0046] When the power is turned on and the image forming apparatus 5 starts operating (Start), the processor 51 of the image forming apparatus executes the update and deletion of the public key (ACT11). Specifically, the processor 51 communicates with the server 2 via the communication unit 55 to receive information regarding the public key. If the expiration date of the public key stored in the storage 54 has expired, the public key is deleted. If the server 2 publishes a new public key, the new public key is newly stored in the storage 54. If the server 2 transmits a deletion request for a certain public key to the image forming apparatus 5, the processor 51 of the image forming apparatus 5 that has received the deletion request deletes the public key. In this way, the update and deletion of the public key are executed. Note that the image forming apparatus 5 may store a plurality of public keys simultaneously.

[0047] The processor 51 reads out the unique ID and the digital certificate from the IC tag 41 (ACT12). Specifically, the processor 51 controls the reader / writer 57 to read out the unique ID and the digital certificate from the IC tag 41 of the ink ribbon 4 housed in the housing portion 56.

[0048] The processor 51 verifies the digital certificate based on the public key and the unique ID (ACT13). Specifically, the processor 51 uses the public key stored in the storage 54 to decrypt the digital certificate read out in ACT12. Further, the processor 51 hashes the unique ID read out in ACT12 using the same hash function as ACT2 described with reference to FIG. 5. Then, the processor 51 checks whether the result of decrypting the digital certificate matches the result of hashing the unique ID. When the image forming apparatus 5 stores a plurality of public keys, the digital certificate is decrypted using each of the plurality of public keys, and it is checked whether it matches the result of hashing the unique ID. Then, if there is even one matching result, the image forming apparatus 5 assumes that the result of decrypting the digital certificate matches the result of hashing the unique ID. Also, when the image forming apparatus does not store any public keys, it is assumed that the result of decrypting the digital certificate does not match the result of hashing the unique ID.

[0049] The processor 51 determines whether the digital certificate is correct (ACT14). Specifically, when the result of decrypting the digital certificate matches the result of hashing the unique ID, the processor 51 determines that the digital certificate is correct (ACT14, Yes) and permits printing (ACT15). Specifically, the processor 51 permits the operation of the printing unit 58. When printing is permitted, the processor 51 executes a printing process (ACT16). Details of the printing process will be described later.

[0050] On the other hand, if the result of decrypting the digital certificate does not match the result of hashing the unique ID, the processor 51 determines that the digital certificate is incorrect (ACT14, No) and prohibits printing (ACT17). Specifically, the processor 51 prohibits the operation of the printing unit 58. When printing is prohibited, the processor 51 notifies a printing prohibition or confirmation message (ACT18). Specifically, the processor 51 controls the user interface 59 to notify the user that printing has been prohibited or to notify a message prompting confirmation.

[0051] When the processing of ACT16 or ACT18 is completed, the series of processes shown in FIG. 6 ends (end).

[0052] The details of the printing process of the image forming apparatus 5 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the printing process of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. When the printing process is started (start), the processor 51 of the image forming apparatus 5 determines whether a printing command has been received (ACT161). Specifically, the processor 51 determines whether a printing command has been received via, for example, the communication unit 55 or the user interface 59. When a printing command is received (ACT161, Yes), the processor 51 executes printing (ACT162). Specifically, the processor 51 controls the printing unit 58 to execute printing.

[0053] When the execution of printing is completed, the processor 51 determines whether the ribbon remaining amount has fallen below the threshold (ACT163). Specifically, the processor 51 grasps the ribbon remaining amount of the ink ribbon 4 using, for example, a sensor provided in the storage unit 56, and determines whether the ribbon remaining amount has fallen below the threshold. When the ribbon remaining amount has fallen below the threshold (ACT163, Yes), the processor 51 deletes the digital certificate of the IC tag 41 (ACT164). Specifically, the processor 51 controls the reader / writer 57 to delete the digital certificate stored in the IC tag 41.

[0054] If the deletion of the digital certificate is completed, or if no print command is received in ACT161 (ACT161, No), or if the ribbon remaining amount does not fall below the threshold in ACT163 (ACT163, No), the processor 51 determines whether a shutdown command has been received (ACT165). Specifically, the processor 51 determines whether a shutdown command has been received, for example, via the communication unit 55 or the user interface 59. If no shutdown command is received (ACT165, No), the processing of ACT161 is executed. If a shutdown command is received (ACT165, Yes), the series of processes shown in FIG. 7 ends.

[0055] <Effect> As described above, according to the embodiment, in the printing system 1, the genuine ink ribbon 4 stores, by the recording device 3, a unique ID and a digital certificate based on the unique ID. And in the printing system 1, the ink ribbon 4 is verified by the image forming apparatus 5 as to whether the digital certificate is based on the unique ID. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 5 can determine whether the ink ribbon 4 housed in the housing portion 56 is a genuine product.

[0056] Specifically, the digital certificate stored in the genuine ink ribbon 4 is information obtained by encrypting, with a private key, information created based on a unique ID unique to each IC tag 41. For this reason, a manufacturer of a non-genuine product that does not have the private key cannot create a correct digital certificate. Also, even when the digital certificate is copied from the IC tag 41 of the genuine ink ribbon 4 and copied to the IC tag 41 of the non-genuine ink ribbon 4, it does not become a correct digital certificate because the unique ID of the IC tag 41 is different. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 5 according to the embodiment can achieve higher security than when using, as information indicating that it is a genuine product, certain information encrypted.

[0057] Further, according to the embodiment, when the remaining amount of the ink ribbon 4 in the image forming apparatus 5 falls below the threshold value, the digital certificate is deleted from the IC tag 41. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the situation where the pair of the unique ID and the digital certificate remains stored in the IC tag 41 of the used ink ribbon 4. If the pair of the unique ID and the digital certificate remains stored in the IC tag 41 of the used ink ribbon 4, the IC tag 41 may be peeled off and diverted to a non-genuine product. However, the image forming apparatus 5 according to the embodiment can suppress this.

[0058] Further, according to the embodiment, the image forming apparatus 5 updates and deletes the public key based on the information received from the server 2. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 5 according to the embodiment can delete the corresponding public key at an appropriate timing and update it to a new public key when, for example, the confidentiality of the private key is lost.

[0059] <Other Modifications, etc.> In the above embodiment, the case where the digital certificate is created by encrypting the result of hashing the unique ID with the private key has been described as an example. The digital certificate may be created by hashing the information including the unique ID and encrypting the result of the hashing with the private key, and is not limited to the case where only the unique ID is hashed. For example, information combining the unique ID and information of the ink ribbon such as color and length may be hashed, and the digital certificate may be created by encrypting the result of the hashing with the private key. In this specification, the information including the unique ID is referred to as "unique ID information". That is, the digital certificate may be created by hashing the unique ID information and encrypting the result of the hashing with the private key. Note that information other than the unique ID included in the unique ID information used for creating the digital certificate is stored in the IC tag 41 together with the created digital certificate so that it can be read out when verifying the digital certificate.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus 5 performs printing based on the ink ribbon 4 including the IC tag 41 has been described as an example. The image forming apparatus 5 may perform printing based on a consumable including the IC tag 41. For example, printing may be performed based on an ink cartridge including the IC tag 41 or a toner cartridge including the IC tag 41.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the case where the storage unit 56 of the image forming apparatus 5 includes a sensor and detects the remaining amount of the ribbon has been described as an example. The method for detecting the remaining amount of the ribbon in the image forming apparatus 5 is not limited to a sensor. For example, each time the image forming apparatus 5 executes printing, the usage amount of the ink ribbon is stored in the storage 54, the total usage amount is calculated from the stored usage amount, and the remaining amount of the ribbon may be detected by comparing the total usage amount of the ink ribbon with the initial amount of the ink ribbon.

[0062] Note that some or all of the embodiment and the modification examples may be described as follows in the following supplementary notes, but are not limited thereto. [Supplementary Note 1] A reading unit that reads, from an IC tag of an ink ribbon, unique ID information and a digital certificate based on the unique ID information or information other than the unique ID information; A verification unit that verifies the digital certificate based on the unique ID information; An image forming apparatus comprising: [Supplementary Note 2] The digital certificate includes hashed unique ID information and encrypted information obtained by encrypting the hashed unique ID information, the image forming apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1. [Supplementary Note 3] The verification unit compares the hashed unique ID information extracted from the digital certificate with a value obtained by hashing the unique ID information, the image forming apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2. [Supplementary Note 4] The image forming apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising a management unit that deletes the digital certificate from the IC tag when the remaining amount of the ink ribbon falls below a threshold value. [Supplementary Note 5] The digital certificate is generated by encrypting the hashed unique ID information with a private key, and the digital certificate is decrypted and verified with a public key that is paired with the private key. The image forming apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2. [Supplementary Note 6] The image forming apparatus according to Supplementary Note 5, further comprising a management unit that communicates with the outside and updates or invalidates the public key based on information received from the outside. [Supplementary Note 7] The image forming apparatus according to Supplementary Note 5, further comprising a management unit that invalidates the public key when the expiration date of the public key has passed. [Supplementary Note 8] Reading, from an IC tag of an ink ribbon, unique ID information and a digital certificate based on the unique ID information or information other than the unique ID information; Verifying the digital certificate based on the unique ID information; A control method for an image forming apparatus, including:

[0063] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0064] 1... Printing system, 2... Server, 3... Recording device, 4... Ink ribbon, 5... Image forming device, 21... Processor, 22... ROM, 23... RAM, 24... Storage, 25... Communication unit, 26... System bus, 31... Processor, 32... ROM, 33... RAM, 34... Storage, 35... Communication unit, 36... Reader / writer, 37... User interface, 38... System bus, 41... IC tag, 51... Processor, 52... ROM, 53... RAM, 54... Storage, 55... Communication unit, 56... Housing unit, 57... Reader / writer, 58... Printing unit, 59... User interface, 501... System bus.

Claims

1. A reading unit that reads from an IC tag of an ink ribbon, unique ID information and a digital certificate based on the unique ID information or information other than the unique ID information; A verification unit that verifies the digital certificate based on the unique ID information; An image forming apparatus comprising the above.

2. The digital certificate includes encrypted information obtained by encrypting hashed unique ID information, and the image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The verification unit compares the hashed unique ID information extracted from the digital certificate with a value obtained by hashing the unique ID information, and the image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a management unit that deletes the digital certificate from the IC tag when the remaining amount of the ink ribbon falls below a threshold value.

5. Reading from an IC tag of an ink ribbon, unique ID information and a digital certificate based on the unique ID information or information other than the unique ID information; Verifying the digital certificate based on the unique ID information; A control method for an image forming apparatus including the above.

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