Supply system

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus and a supply system capable of preventing a housing device for replenishing consumables that has been provided through the prescribed service from being used by an image forming apparatus that is not a target of a prescribed service.SOLUTION: Determination means permits use of a housing device in a case where a first housing device is used for a first image forming apparatus and in a case where a second housing device is used for the first image forming apparatus. The determination means does not permit use of the housing device in a case where the first housing device is used for a second image forming apparatus, and permits use of the housing device in a case where the second housing device is used for the second image forming apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a supply system used when supplying consumables to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices such as copiers, printers, and facsimile receivers consume consumables such as toner or ink to form images on recording media. When the consumables run out, users replace the used cartridge with a new one. The cartridge contains the consumables and various functional components that are essential for image formation, and is called a process cartridge. Meanwhile, a replenishment system has been devised in which consumables are replenished from a pack containing the consumables but not the functional components to a tank in an image forming device. Compared to the process cartridge system, a replenishment system in which a device such as a replenishment pack is connected to an image forming device only when replenishment is required and the consumables are replenished (e.g., injected) into the device has the advantages of being low cost and having a low environmental impact. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a system in which a cylindrical container containing toner is connected to a printer and the toner is replenished from the container to the printer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 046338 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, subscription services have become popular in the field of image forming devices in recent years. A subscription service is, for example, a service that allows a user to register the printer they use online in advance and print a preset number of pages by paying a certain amount to a dealer. When a subscription service is applied to the above-mentioned replenishment-type image forming device, when the remaining amount of consumables in the contracted printer becomes low, the dealer sends a toner replenishment storage device to the contracted user. The contracted user can then replenish the contracted printer with toner from this storage device to continue printing under the terms of the contract. For example, the user can continue printing up to the specified number of pages specified in the contract.

[0005] The applicant is considering a method of supplying toner from a storage device to a printer in one lump sum. However, if a user accidentally supplies toner to a printer that is not covered by the contract, it would be difficult to retrieve the supplied toner from inside the printer, and management of the subscription service would become complicated.

[0006] On the other hand, if the user is only permitted to use the storage device provided to them through a specified service for the printer covered by the contract, there may be downtime during which the printer cannot be used, for example, if the user loses the storage device provided before using it.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a mechanism that can prevent a storage device for replenishing consumables provided through a specified service from being used by an image forming device that is not covered by the specified service.

[0008] Alternatively, the present invention aims to provide a mechanism for improving the usability of an image forming apparatus when a storage device containing a consumable agent is provided to a user through a predetermined service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to an information processing device that is detachable from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet using consumable goods, that stores the consumable goods, and that is capable of replenishing the consumable goods to a consumable goods storage unit provided in the image forming apparatus while attached to the image forming apparatus, and that determines whether to permit use of the storage device. The information processing device includes an acquisition means that acquires first identification information for identifying whether the storage device is a first storage device or a second storage device before the storage device is used in the image forming apparatus, and a determination means that determines whether to permit use of the storage device based on the first identification information acquired by the acquisition means and second identification information for identifying whether the target to which the storage device is attached to replenishing the consumable goods is the first image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus. and a storage means for storing information about image forming devices that are the target of a specified service, wherein when the storage means stores information about the first image forming device being the target of the specified service and does not store information about the second image forming device being the target of the specified service, the determination means permits use of the first containing device when the first containing device is used with the first image forming device and when the second containing device is used with the first image forming device, does not permit use of the first containing device when the second image forming device is used with the second image forming device, and permits use of the second containing device when the second image forming device is used with the second image forming device.

[0010] The present invention also provides a supply system for a first image forming apparatus associated with a first user having a first account, the first image forming apparatus including: a first storage unit that stores consumables consumed for image formation; a first supply path for supplying the consumables to the first storage unit; a first opening / closing unit that opens and closes the first supply path; a first restriction unit that is movable between a first restriction position that restricts the first opening / closing unit from being opened and a first allowable position that allows the first opening / closing unit to be opened; and a first actuator that moves the first restriction unit between the first restriction position and the first allowable position. and a computer; and a second image forming apparatus associated with a second user having a second account different from the first account, the second image forming apparatus including: a second storage section that stores consumables consumed for image formation; a second supply path for supplying the consumables to the second storage section; a second opening / closing section that opens and closes the second supply path; a second restriction section that is movable between a second restriction position that restricts the second opening / closing section from being opened and a second allowing position that allows the second opening / closing section to be opened; a second actuator for moving the image forming apparatus between a first position and a second position; a first storage device to which first authentication information is assigned and which stores consumables consumed for image formation; a second storage device to which second authentication information different from the first authentication information is assigned and which stores consumables consumed for image formation; and a second storage device that outputs an authentication signal based on the first user inputting information about the first authentication information or the second authentication information or the second user inputting information about the second authentication information. an authentication unit that does not output the authentication signal when information regarding the first authentication information is input by a user of the first image forming apparatus, wherein the first actuator moves the first regulating unit from the first regulating position to the first allowing position when the authentication signal is input to the first image forming apparatus, and the second actuator moves the second regulating unit from the second regulating position to the second allowing position when the authentication signal is input to the second image forming apparatus, and holds the second regulating unit at the second regulating position when the authentication signal is not input to the second image forming apparatus.It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a storage device for replenishing consumables provided through a predetermined service from being used by an image forming apparatus that is not covered by the predetermined service, and it is also possible to provide a mechanism for improving the usability of the image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1A is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus with a rear cover closed, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus with a rear cover open. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a developing container including a toner receiving portion. [Figure 5] 1A is a perspective view showing the supply pack when the pack shutter is in the closed position, and FIG. 1B is another perspective view showing the supply pack when the pack shutter is in the closed position. [Figure 6] 1A is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus with a discharge tray closed, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus with a discharge tray open. [Figure 7] 2A and 2B are a perspective view and an enlarged plan view of the portion enclosed by the dashed line, showing the image forming apparatus with the supply pack attached thereto; [Figure 8] FIG. 4A is a bottom view showing the locking member positioned at the locked position, and FIG. 4B is a bottom view showing the locking member positioned at the unlocked position. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a supply management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a management server. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating updating of a database when registering a device. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining updating of a database when a pack is delivered. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a schematic process flow related to device registration. [Figure 16] 10A to 10C are sequence diagrams showing examples of a general process flow related to providing a refill pack to a user. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a schematic process flow when toner is replenished. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of authentication processing executed by the management server. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a lock control process executed by the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0014] In addition, the following mainly describes the image forming apparatus 1, which has a configuration common to the registered image forming apparatus and standard image forming apparatus described below, and the replenishment pack 200, which has a configuration common to the registered replenishment pack and standard replenishment pack.

[0015] [1. Description of replenishment type image forming device] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the rear cover 22 open. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer that forms an image on a recording medium based on image information input from an external device. Recording media include various sheet materials of different materials, such as paper such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic film such as sheets for overhead projectors, sheets of special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth.

[0016] In the following description, the height direction (opposite to the vertical direction) of the image forming apparatus 1 when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface is referred to as the Z direction. The direction that intersects with the Z direction and is parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 44 (main scanning direction), which will be described later, is referred to as the X direction. The direction that intersects with the X and Z directions is referred to as the Y direction. The X, Y, and Z directions preferably intersect perpendicularly with each other. For convenience, the positive side in the X direction is referred to as the right side and the negative side is referred to as the left side; the positive side in the Y direction is referred to as the front side or front side and the negative side is referred to as the rear side or back side; and the positive side in the Z direction is referred to as the upper side and the negative side is referred to as the lower side.

[0017] [1-1. Appearance of the device] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) to 2, the housing of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a front cover 20, an exterior cover 21, a rear cover 22, and an ejection tray 82. A handle 23 is provided on the rear cover 22. The front cover 20 is provided on one side of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be openable and closable, and protects a processing circuit 90 (described later). The rear cover 22 is provided on the other side of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be openable and closable. A user can grasp the handle 23 of the rear cover 22 to open the rear cover 22, thereby exposing a portion of the transport path through which the recording medium is transported and the process unit 41, and perform maintenance work such as clearing a jam or replacing the process unit 41. The housing is formed with an ejection opening 81 through which sheets pass before being ejected to the ejection tray 82.

[0018] [1-2. Internal configuration of the device] 2, the image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming unit 40 that consumes toner, which is a consumable material, to form a toner image on a recording medium P, and a feeding unit 30 that feeds the recording medium P. The image forming apparatus 1 also has a fixing unit 70 that fixes the toner image formed by the image forming unit 40 onto the recording medium, a pair of discharge rollers 80, and a processing circuit 90.

[0019] Image forming section 40 has a scanner unit 42, an electrophotographic process unit 41, and a transfer roller 43 that transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum 44 of process unit 41 to a recording medium P. Process unit 41 has photosensitive drum 44, a cleaning unit 46 arranged around photosensitive drum 44, a charging roller 47, a developing roller 45, and a storage section 48 that stores toner. Note that process unit 41 may be fastened to the housing of image forming apparatus 1 with screws, and may also be removable by a service technician.

[0020] The photosensitive drum 44 serving as an image carrier is a cylindrically shaped photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 44 of this embodiment has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively chargeable organic photosensitive material on a drum-shaped substrate made of aluminum. The photosensitive drum 44 is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction (direction R in the figure) at a predetermined process speed by a motor.

[0021] The charging roller 47 contacts the photosensitive drum 44 with a predetermined pressure to form a charging portion. A desired charging voltage is applied from a charging high-voltage power supply, thereby uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 44 to a predetermined potential. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 44 is negatively charged by the charging roller 47.

[0022] The scanner unit 42 scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 44 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 44 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device using a polygon mirror. This exposure forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 44. Note that the scanner unit 42 is not limited to a laser scanner device, and may, for example, be an LED exposure device having an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 44.

[0023] The developing roller 45 is rotatably supported by the storage section 48. The developing roller 45 is disposed at the opening of a developer container 100 (see FIG. 3) including the storage section 48 so as to face the photosensitive drum 44. The storage section 48 may be provided with a supply roller that applies the toner stored in the storage section 48 to the surface of the developing roller 45.

[0024] The process unit 41 of this embodiment uses a contact development method. That is, a toner layer carried on the development roller 45 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 44 in a development section (development area) where the photosensitive drum 44 and the development roller 45 face each other. A development voltage is applied to the development roller 45 by a development high-voltage power supply. Under the development voltage, the toner carried on the development roller 45 is transferred from the development roller 45 to the drum surface in accordance with the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 44, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image.

[0025] The toner of this embodiment does not contain a magnetic component, and is a so-called non-magnetic one-component developer in which the toner is carried on the developing roller 45 mainly by intermolecular forces and electrostatic forces (image forces). However, a one-component developer containing a magnetic component may also be used. In addition to toner particles, a one-component developer may also contain additives (e.g., wax or silica particles) for adjusting the fluidity and charging performance of the toner. A two-component developer composed of non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may also be used as the developer. When a magnetic developer is used, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet disposed inside is used as the developer carrier, for example.

[0026] The fixing unit 70 is a thermal fixing type that fixes an image by heating and melting toner on the recording medium. The fixing unit 70 includes a heating roller 71 that incorporates a fixing heater 73, and a pressure roller 72 that presses against the heating roller 71. The feeding unit 30 includes a cassette 31 on which the recording medium P is loaded, a pickup roller 32, and a pair of separation rollers 33. The cassette 31 can be pulled out from the housing of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0027] The processing circuit 90 has a plurality of electronic components 91, 92, and 93 arranged on a substrate. For example, the electronic component 91 may be a processor, the electronic component 92 may be a memory, and the electronic component 93 may be an input / output device. The input / output device may include a communication interface. When a job instructing image formation is input to the image forming apparatus 1, an image formation process based on input image data received from, for example, an external computer, is started. The processing circuit 90 operates as a controller for controlling the image formation process.

[0028] Next, we will explain the image formation process of the image forming apparatus 1. When the image formation process starts, the scanner unit 42 irradiates the photosensitive drum 44 with laser light based on input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 44 is pre-charged by the charging roller 47, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 44 by irradiating it with laser light. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 45, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 44.

[0029] In parallel with the above-described image forming process, a pickup roller 32 of a feeding unit 30 feeds out recording media P supported in a cassette 31. The recording media P are separated one by one by a separation roller pair 33 and conveyed to the separation roller pair 33. Then, the recording media P are conveyed by the separation roller pair 33 toward a transfer nip N formed by a transfer roller 43 and a photosensitive drum 44.

[0030] A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 43 from a transfer high-voltage power supply, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 44 is transferred to the recording medium P being transported by the separation roller pair 33. The recording medium P with the transferred toner image is transported to the fixing unit 70, where the toner image is heated and pressurized as it passes through a nip between a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72 of the fixing unit 70. This melts the toner particles and then solidifies them, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording medium P. The recording medium P that has passed through the fixing unit 70 is discharged from a discharge port 81 by a discharge roller pair 80 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the machine), and is stacked on a discharge tray 82. After the toner image is transferred to the recording medium P, any toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 44 is cleaned by a cleaning unit 46.

[0031] It should be noted that, although the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of forming an image on only one side of the recording medium P, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided with a double-sided conveying path for reversing the recording medium P with an image formed on its first side, so that the image forming apparatus 1 can form images on both sides of the recording medium P.

[0032] [1-3. Detailed configuration of the developing container] Next, the developing container 100 and its peripheral configuration will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. As shown in Figure 3, the developing container 100 is composed of a storage section 48 as a consumable goods storage section, and a toner receiving section 110. The toner receiving section 110 has an operation section 111 (not shown in Figure 3), a cylindrical section 112, a connection section 120 that connects the cylindrical section 112 and the storage section 48, and a main body shutter 116. A side opening 115 that leads to the connection section 120 is formed in the inner wall of the cylindrical section 112.

[0033] 4, a supply pack 200, which will be described later, is attached to the toner receiving portion 110, and toner discharged from the supply pack 200 is supplied to the storage portion 48 through an opening 118 in the main body shutter 116, a side opening 115 in the cylindrical portion 112, and a connecting portion 120. As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting portion 120 is connected to one end of the storage portion 48 in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 100, i.e., in the X direction.

[0034] 3 and 4, the main body shutter 116 is a cylindrical member concentric with the cylindrical portion 112, and is rotatably provided inside the cylindrical portion 112. The main body shutter 116 has an opening 118, and is movable between an open position where the opening 118 and the side opening 115 are aligned, and a closed position where the side surface of the main body shutter 116 blocks the side opening 115. A sealing member may be provided on the side surface of the main body shutter 116 so as to surround the periphery of the opening 118.

[0035] Furthermore, a protrusion 117 is formed on the inner surface of the main body shutter 116, protruding radially inward in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the main body shutter 116. The protrusion 117, which will be described in detail later, is used to receive driving force from the supply pack 200 and rotate the main body shutter 116. When the supply pack 200 is attached to the toner receiving portion 110, the operation portion 111 is rotated from the operating position (the position shown in FIG. 7) to the supply position, and the main body shutter 116 moves between the closed position and the open position. Note that at least a portion of the supply pack 200 is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 when attached to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0036] The operating part 111 is provided with a protrusion 111d (see FIG. 7) that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part 112. The protrusion 111d is configured to be engageable with a protrusion 117 of the main body shutter 116 via a pair of drive transmission surfaces 214b (see FIG. 5(a)) of the pack shutter 214 of the supply pack 200. The main body shutter 116 moves from the closed position to the closed position when the lever part 111b of the operating part 111 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise by the user.

[0037] When forming an image on the recording medium P, the toner is stirred in the storage unit 48 by the stirring member 60 (see FIG. 4), and the side opening 115 must be closed by the main body shutter 116 to prevent the toner from leaking out from the side opening 115. Therefore, during image formation, the operation unit 111 is located in the operating position so that the main body shutter 116 is located in the closed position. On the other hand, when replenishing toner from the replenishing pack 200 to the storage unit 48, the side opening 115 must be opened. Therefore, during toner replenishing, the operation unit 111 is located in the replenishing position so that the main body shutter 116 is located in the open position. The operation unit 111 is restricted in rotation by a restricting member (not shown) so that it does not rotate further counterclockwise from the replenishing position.

[0038] When the supply pack 200 is not attached, the operation unit 111 is normally restricted in its rotational direction by a locking mechanism 150, which will be described later. This locking mechanism 150 prevents a situation in which the supply pack 200 cannot be attached due to a phase misalignment between the protrusion 111d (see FIG. 7) provided on the operation unit 111 and the protrusion 117 provided on the main body shutter 116 before the supply pack 200 is attached.

[0039] 4, an agitator 60 is provided inside the storage section 48, which rotates around a rotation shaft 60a extending in the X direction. The agitator 60 is fixed to the rotation shaft 60a and has a sheet-like blade portion 60b that is long in the direction of the rotation shaft. When driven to rotate by a drive motor 65, the agitator 60 agitates the toner in the storage section 48 and transports the toner toward the developing roller 45. In the present embodiment, the agitator 60 is composed of the rotation shaft 60a and the blade portion 60b, but a spiral-shaped agitator may also be used as a configuration that distributes the toner throughout the entire length of the storage section 48.

[0040] Furthermore, the agitating member 60 circulates within the container 48 the toner that has not been used for development and has been scraped off from the developing roller 45, thereby homogenizing the toner within the container 48. The agitating member 60 is not limited to a rotating type. For example, an agitating member that oscillates may also be used. Furthermore, in addition to the agitating member 60, another agitating member may also be provided.

[0041] The container 48 is also provided with a remaining amount detection unit 61 for detecting the amount of toner in the container 48, and the remaining amount detection unit 61 has a light-emitting unit 61a and a light-receiving unit 61b. Light emitted from the light-emitting unit 61a passes through the inside of the container 48 and is received by the light-receiving unit 61b. In other words, the light-emitting unit 61a and the light-receiving unit 61b form an optical path Q1 inside the container 48. The light-emitting unit 61a and the light-receiving unit 61b may have their light-emitting element and light-receiving element disposed inside the container 48, or may have their light-emitting element and light-receiving element disposed outside the container 48, with the light guide unit guiding the light between the inside and outside of the container 48.

[0042] Furthermore, the light-emitting element 61a and the light-receiving element 61b are provided in the central portion of the storage unit 48 in the X direction. By providing the light-emitting element 61a and the light-receiving element 61b in the central portion of the storage unit 48, it is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of toner in the storage unit 48. That is, although developer (toner) may be unevenly distributed at the ends of the storage unit 48 in the X direction, the central portion of the storage unit 48 has less uneven distribution of developer, making it possible to detect the actual remaining amount of toner.

[0043] In this embodiment, an LED is used for the light-emitting unit 61a, and a phototransistor that is turned on by light from the LED is used for the light-receiving unit 61b, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp may be used for the light-emitting unit 61a, and a photodiode or an avalanche photodiode may be used for the light-receiving unit 61b.

[0044] The light receiving portion 61b, which is a phototransistor, receives the light emitted from the light emitting portion 61a and outputs a signal (current) corresponding to the amount of light received. This signal is converted into a voltage and input to the processing circuit 90 (see FIG. 2). In other words, the light receiving portion 61b changes its output value based on the amount of toner (developer) contained in the container 48.

[0045] The processing circuit 90 may estimate the remaining amount of toner based on, for example, the proportion of time during which light from the light-emitting element 61a is blocked (by toner) relative to a certain time window while the toner is being agitated. The remaining amount of toner may be detected or estimated by any method, without being limited to the above-described exemplary configuration of the remaining amount detection unit 61. For example, the remaining amount of toner may be estimated by subtracting the cumulative amount of toner used since the previous toner replenishment from the total amount of toner used at the time of the previous toner replenishment. The processing circuit 90 may also derive the amount of toner used based on statistical values ​​related to image formation operations, such as the number of recording media consumed by printing or pixel counts.

[0046] [1-4. Supply Pack Composition] Next, the configuration of the supply pack 200 will be described with reference to Figures 5(a) and 5(b). Figure 5(a) is a perspective view showing the supply pack 200 when the pack shutter 214 is in the closed position, and Figure 5(b) is a perspective view showing the supply pack 200 when the pack shutter 214 is in the open position.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the replenishing pack 200 has a pouch portion 211, which is a bag containing the toner to be replenished, a cylindrical nozzle 212 that is inserted into the attachment opening 114 (see FIG. 6(b)), and a pack shutter 214. The nozzle 212 has a handle 215 that is connected to the opening of the bag-shaped pouch portion 211, and the pouch portion 211 communicates with the nozzle 212 via the handle 215. The nozzle 212 has an opening 213 that allows the toner in the pouch portion 211 to be discharged to the outside. The pouch portion 211 is made of a plastic bag that is easily deformable, and can be easily pressed to move the consumable material (toner) in the pouch portion 211 in the direction of gravity or to release the consumable material. Pouch portion 211 is not limited to this configuration and may be made of any material such as resin, paper, or vinyl, and may have any shape such as a bottle, a cylinder, or a box. Grip portion 215 has a rigidity that is sufficiently greater than that of pouch portion 211, and is suitable for a user to grip when attaching refill pack 200 to image forming apparatus 1. Grip portion 215 may be configured separately from nozzle 212.

[0048] The pack shutter 214 is a cylindrical member concentric with the nozzle 212 and is provided radially outward of the nozzle 212. The pack shutter 214 has an opening 214c, and by rotating relative to the nozzle 212, it can transition between a closed position that blocks the opening 213 of the nozzle 212 and an open position that opens the opening 213. When the opening 214c of the pack shutter 214 and the opening 213 of the nozzle 212 overlap, toner can be replenished from the replenishment pack 200 to the toner receiving section 110.

[0049] A seal member 231 that can slide against the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle 212 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the pack shutter 214, and the seal member 231 blocks the opening 213 of the nozzle 212 when the pack shutter 214 is in the closed position.

[0050] Furthermore, part of the edge that forms opening 214c of pack shutter 214 constitutes drive transmission surface 214b. Drive transmission surface 214b receives a force in the circumferential direction from protrusion 111d of operation unit 111, causing pack shutter 214 to rotate relative to nozzle 212.

[0051] The drive transmission surface 214b of the pack shutter 214 engages with the protrusion 111d of the operating unit 111 and also engages with the protrusion 117 of the main body shutter 116. The pack shutter 214 moves (rotates) due to the operating (operating) force of the operating unit 111, and transmits the operating force to the main body shutter 116, causing the main body shutter 116 to move as well.

[0052] [1-5. Toner Refill] Next, the connection of the supply pack 200 to the toner receiving unit 110 will be described with reference to Figures 6(a) to 7. The discharge tray 82 is supported so as to be able to open and close at a closed position where a recording medium P can be loaded as shown in Figure 6(a) and an open position where it is open relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in Figure 6(b). In the closed position, the discharge tray 82 covers the mounting opening 114 of the toner receiving unit 110. In other words, the discharge tray 82 serves as a shielding member that shields the mounting opening 114.

[0053] When the discharge tray 82 is opened to the open position, the top surface 240 and the toner receiving portion 110 arranged on the top surface 240 are exposed. As shown in FIG. 7 , the toner receiving portion 110 is configured to have a detachable supply pack 200, so that a user or a service person can replenish toner from the outside without removing the developing container 100 from the housing of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0054] 6(b) and 7, the operation unit 111 is disposed on the top surface 240 and forms an insertion opening 114 for replenishing toner. The operation unit 111 also has a lever 111b that is operated by the user and the above-mentioned protrusion 117. The operation unit 111 is a member for operating the main body shutter 116 and the pack shutter 214 to open and close from the outside.

[0055] Next, a procedure for replenishing toner as a consumable material using the replenishing pack 200 will be described. First, the user removes the recording medium P from the discharge tray 82 and opens the discharge tray 82 from the closed position to the open position. This exposes the toner receiving section 110. The toner receiving section 110 is provided on the upper front surface of the image forming apparatus 1, making it easy to replenishing toner.

[0056] When the discharge tray 82 is opened to the open position and the toner receiving portion 110 is exposed, the rotation of the operation portion 111 is restricted by a locking mechanism 150, which will be described later. The operation portion 111 is positioned at the operating position.

[0057] The user aligns the protrusion 111d on the toner receiving portion 110 with the opening 214c on the supply pack 200, and then attaches the supply pack 200 to the toner receiving portion 110. If the positions of the protrusion 111d and the opening 214c do not match, the supply pack 200 will interfere with the protrusion 111d, and the supply pack 200 cannot be inserted.

[0058] When the supply pack 200 is inserted all the way into the toner receiving portion 110, the drive transmission surface 214b of the pack shutter 214 engages with the protrusion 111d of the operation portion 111. The drive transmission surface 214b of the pack shutter 214 also engages with the protrusion 117 of the main body shutter 116.

[0059] That is, the rotation of the operating unit 111 is transmitted to the pack shutter 214, and the rotation of the pack shutter 214 is transmitted to the main body shutter 116. As a result, the main body shutter 116 and the pack shutter 214 engage with each other and become integrated, and the operating unit 111, pack shutter 214, and main body shutter 116 move in conjunction with each other. When the locking mechanism 150 releases the lock on the operating unit 111, the operating unit 111 becomes rotatable. Note that when the supply pack 200 is not attached to the toner receiving unit 110, the operating unit 111 and the main body shutter 116 do not move in conjunction with each other.

[0060] Then, the user rotates lever portion 111b of operation portion 111 counterclockwise by 90 degrees. This rotates operation portion 111 from the operating position to the replenishing position, and pack shutter 214 and main body shutter 116 rotate from the closed position to the open position. As a result, opening 214c of pack shutter 214, opening 213 of nozzle 212 of replenishing pack 200, opening 118 of main body shutter 116, and side opening 115 of cylindrical portion 112 are aligned. This causes toner in replenishing pack 200 to be discharged into storage portion 48 through connecting portion 120.

[0061] In other words, when the operating portion 111 is located at the replenishing position, the toner receiving portion 110 is in a replenishment state in which toner can be replenished from the replenishing pack 200 to the storage portion 48. At this time, the opening 213 of the replenishing pack 200 and the side opening 115 of the cylindrical portion 112 communicate with each other. In other words, the toner replenishment path from the replenishing pack 200 to the storage portion 48 is opened.

[0062] When the toner supply from the supply pack 200 to the storage unit 48 is complete, the user returns the operating unit 111 from the supply position to the operating position. That is, the user rotates the lever portion 111b of the operating unit 111 clockwise by 90 degrees. This causes the pack shutter 214 and the main body shutter 116 to rotate from the open position to the closed position.

[0063] In other words, when the operating portion 111 is in the operating position, the toner receiving portion 110 is in a non-supplyable state in which toner can be supplied from the supply pack 200 to the storage portion 48. At this time, the opening 213 of the supply pack 200 and the side opening 115 of the cylindrical portion 112 do not communicate with each other.

[0064] The user then removes the supply pack 200 from the toner receiving section 110. In this manner, when the supply pack 200 is removed from the toner receiving section 110, the pack shutter 214 is in the closed position, thereby preventing toner from leaking from the opening 213 of the supply pack 200.

[0065] [1-6. Locking mechanism explanation] Next, the locking mechanism 150 provided in the toner receiving unit 110 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 8(b). Figure 8(a) is a bottom view showing the locking member 152 positioned at the locked position, and Figure 8(b) is a bottom view showing the locking member 152 positioned at the unlocked position.

[0066] 8(a) and 8(b), the locking mechanism 150 has a locking member 152, a protrusion 111k, and a solenoid 155. The locking member 152 is rotatably supported by a shaft 151 supported by the housing of the image forming apparatus 1, and has a tip 153 that can engage with the protrusion 111k. The protrusion 111k is provided integrally with the operation unit 111, and engagement between the locking member 152 and the protrusion 111k restricts rotation of the operation unit 111.

[0067] The locking member 152 is configured to be rotatable between a locked position (position shown in FIG. 8(a)) where it overlaps with the rotation trajectory of the protrusion 111k, and an unlocked position (position shown in FIG. 8(b)) where it is retracted from the rotation trajectory of the protrusion 111k. That is, the locked position is a position where the rotation of the operating unit 111 is restricted, and the unlocked position is a position where the rotation of the operating unit 111 is permitted. The locking member 152 is biased to the locked position by a spring (not shown), and is moved to the unlocked position against the biasing force of the spring by energizing the solenoid 155.

[0068] When the locking member 152 is in the locked position, even if the user attempts to operate the operating unit 111 in the direction of arrow Rc, the tip 153 of the locking member 152 engages with the protrusion 111k of the operating unit 111, thereby restricting the rotation of the operating unit 111. Because the rotation of the operating unit 111 from the operating position to the supply position is restricted, the rotation of the pack shutter 214 and the main body shutter 116 from the closed position to the open position is also restricted.

[0069] On the other hand, when the locking member 152 is in the unlocked position, the tip 153 is retracted from the rotation trajectory of the protrusion 111k, and therefore the rotation of the locking member 152 is not restricted. Therefore, by attaching the supply pack 200 to the toner receiving unit 110 and rotating the operation unit 111 from the operating position to the supply position, the pack shutter 214 and the main body shutter 116 can be rotated from the closed position to the open position.

[0070] In other words, when the locking member 152 is in the locked position, the locking mechanism 150 is in a locked state that restricts the rotation of the operating unit 111. When the locking member 152 is in the unlocked position, the locking mechanism 150 is in an unlocked state that does not restrict the rotation of the operating unit 111. The solenoid 155 is controlled by the processing circuit 90. The conditions under which the locking mechanism 150 is in the unlocked state will be described later.

[0071] The configuration of the locking mechanism 150 is not limited to the above example, and may be any mechanical, electromagnetic, electrical, or software mechanism. For example, the locking member 152 may be driven by a motor or other type of actuator instead of the solenoid 155. When a locking mechanism that operates under computer control without relying on user operation is employed, the locked and unlocked states of the locking mechanism may be realized simply by program code.

[0072] 7, an indicator 125 is provided near the operation unit 111. The indicator 125 is configured to change its display depending on the position of the locking member 152, for example, and indicates to the user whether the locking mechanism 150 is in a locked state or an unlocked state. The indicator 125 may be configured, for example, with an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) provided inside the housing and a window through which light from the LED passes. When the indicator 125 shows that the locking mechanism 150 is in an unlocked state, the user can rotate the operation unit 111 to open the toner supply path.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the toner supply path 50 is opened by a rotational force generated by a user operating the lever portion 111b of the operation unit 111. However, the closing and opening of the supply path 50 may be performed without relying on user operation. As an example, the image forming apparatus 1 may include a pack sensor that detects that the supply pack 200 is connected to the toner receiving unit 110 and a drive motor that generates a driving force for rotating the operation unit 111. In this example, the processing circuit 90 may operate the drive motor and rotate the operation unit 111 with the rotational force of the drive motor to open the supply path 50, provided that the pack sensor detects that the supply pack 200 is connected to the toner receiving unit 110. Here, the state in which the supply pack 200 is connected to the toner receiving unit 110 refers to, for example, a state in which the protrusion 111d of the operation unit 111 and the protrusion 117 of the main body shutter 116 have entered the opening 214c to engage with the drive transmission surface 214b of the pack shutter 214.

[0074] Furthermore, the opening / closing mechanism 51 (see FIG. 14 ), which is exemplified by the operation unit 111, the pack shutter 214 of the supply pack 200, and the main body shutter 116, has been described above as including a rotating pack shutter 214 and a main body shutter 116. However, this is not limiting. For example, instead of these rotating shutters, a linearly movable shutter may be used, or a different opening / closing mechanism, such as a valve, may be used. Furthermore, the opening / closing mechanism 51 may be provided in at least one of a storage device such as the supply pack 200 and the image forming apparatus. That is, the supply path from the storage device to the image forming apparatus may always be open on one side of the storage device or the image forming apparatus, and may be opened or closed only on the other side. Alternatively, the supply path may be opened or closed on both the storage device and the image forming apparatus, as in the above example. Furthermore, a sensor may be additionally provided to detect the user's operation of the opening / closing mechanism or the state (open or closed) of the opening / closing mechanism.

[0075] Furthermore, the opening / closing mechanism 51 may be capable of being inhibited from operating directly or indirectly (by user operation or automatically) by the locking mechanism 150. Similar to the opening / closing mechanism, the locking mechanism may also be provided in at least one of the storage device and the image forming apparatus.

[0076] Furthermore, a leakage prevention member such as a lid or cap to prevent toner leakage may be attached to the mounting port 114 of the image forming apparatus 1 or the opening 213 of the supply pack 200. Such a leakage prevention member may be freely removable by the user at any time.

[0077] The present embodiment using the supply management system 300 will be described below.

[0078] [2. Supply Management System] The replenishment-type image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 uses local authentication to determine whether to start replenishment of toner from a storage device connected to the image forming apparatus. However, simple local authentication can only verify compatibility between the image forming apparatus and the storage device, and it is difficult to allow or prevent replenishment while taking other conditions into consideration, such as whether replenishment is being performed by a registered user under a certain contract. Replenishment-type image forming apparatuses have attracted attention due to their low cost and low environmental impact. Expanding the conditions verified by local authentication would lead to increased device complexity and cost, potentially undermining the original benefits of the replenishment system. Therefore, the embodiment described in this section incorporates a mechanism that involves a server device operating in a remote environment in managing toner replenishment to the image forming apparatus.

[0079] [2-1. System Overview] 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a supply management system 300 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the supply management system 300 includes an image forming apparatus 1, a management server 301, and a user terminal 401.

[0080] The image forming device 1 is installed in a user environment E1 where a user exists. A user terminal 401 also exists in the user environment E1 and is carried by the user. The image forming device 1 and the user terminal 401 are connected to a local network N1, which may be, for example, a local area network (LAN). The management server 301 is installed in a remote environment E2. The remote environment E2 is connected to the local network N1 via an external network N2. The external network N2 may be, for example, the Internet or a virtual private network (VPN). Each of the local network N1 and the external network N2 may include any number of network devices of any type, such as routers, switches, gateways, wireless access points, and base stations.

[0081] In user environment E1, a user uses image forming apparatus 1. As described above, image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a recording medium by consuming toner as a consumable material. When the toner stored in image forming apparatus 1 runs out, the user connects refill pack 200, which is a storage device that stores toner, to image forming apparatus 1 and replenishes toner from refill pack 200 to image forming apparatus 1. If refill pack 200 runs out and there is no spare refill pack 200 in user environment E1, the image forming apparatus 1 cannot be used the next time the toner runs out. In this embodiment, to prevent such a situation, management server 301 remotely manages the usage status of image forming apparatus 1 and refill pack 200 by each user.

[0082] The management server 301 is a server device for managing the replenishment of toner from the replenishment pack 200 to the image forming apparatus 1. The management server 301 may be a device for centrally managing the usage status of each image forming apparatus and toner by multiple users. The management server 301 may be implemented as an application server, database server, or cloud server using, for example, a high-performance general-purpose computer. The user terminal 401 is a terminal device that provides a user with a user interface for supporting the replenishment management function of the management server 301. The user terminal 401 may be, for example, a general-purpose terminal device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PC (Personal Computer), or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The image forming apparatus 1 may also provide a user with a user interface.

[0083] The functions of the management server 301, which will be described in detail later, may be provided by a single device, or may be provided by multiple physically separate devices working together. Also, some of the databases described as being held by the management server 301 may be held by a device separate from the management server 301 (for example, another database server).

[0084] In this embodiment, each supply pack 200 is assigned a unique code 201 for uniquely identifying the supply pack 200. The code 201 may be referred to as, for example, a manufacturing number, a serial number, or a pack identifier. The code 201 is printed on the surface of the pouch portion 211 of each supply pack 200 or on the packaging of each supply pack 200 in a format that is optically readable by a user or by a user terminal 401. Examples of optically readable formats include a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional QR code (registered trademark). The code 201 read by the user or by the user terminal 401 is transmitted to the management server 301 and can be used for supply management, which will be described later.

[0085] [2-2. Management Server Configuration Example] 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 301 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the management server 301 includes a communication interface (I / F) 311, a memory 312, a management database (DB) 313, and a processing circuit 314.

[0086] The communication I / F 311 is an interface through which the management server 301 communicates with other devices. For example, the communication I / F 311 communicates with the image forming device 1 and the user terminal 401 present in the user environment E1. The communication I / F 311 may be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface.

[0087] The memory 312 may include any type of storage medium, such as semiconductor memory, such as Read Only Memory (ROM) or Random Access Memory (RAM), an optical disk, or a magnetic disk. The memory 312 may also include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The memory 312 stores one or more computer programs executed by the processing circuitry 314 and various data.

[0088] Management DB 313 consists of a group of tables for managing the replenishment of toner to one or more image forming devices under the management of replenishment management system 300. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10 , management DB 313 includes an account table 320, a device registration table 330, and a delivery pack table 340.

[0089] The account table 320 is a table that holds information about the accounts of users who use the supply packs 200 provided by the supply management system 300. The account table 320 may include, for example, one or more of the following information items: "User ID" ·"password" ·"name" ·"email address" ·"address" Contract Type Payment Method

[0090] The "user ID" is identification information for uniquely identifying each user account. The "password" is used for user authentication when a user logs in to the system. The "name" represents the user name of each account. The user name may be displayed on the screen after login, and may be used as the addressee when delivering the supply pack 200. The "address" may be used as the addressee when delivering the supply pack 200. The "email address" may be used when the system sends various notifications to each user via email. The "contract type" represents the type of contract each user has with the business operator that operates the supply management system 300. The delivery management unit 360, described later, may determine when to deliver the supply pack 200 to each user depending on the user's contract type. The "payment method" is information regarding the means by which payment will be made for the supply pack 200 provided to each user.

[0091] The device registration table 330 is a table that holds information about the image forming devices registered as each user's device in the supply management system 300. The device registration table 330 may include, for example, one or more of the following information items: ·“Owner” ·“Device ID” "Registration date" ·"status" "Toner remaining"

[0092] The "owner" indicates the account of the user who owns or manages each image forming device by the "user ID" registered in the account table 320. The "device ID" is identification information for uniquely identifying each image forming device. A pair of the "owner" and the "device ID" indicates an association between each user account and at least one image forming device registered as the device of the user who owns the account. Two or more image forming devices may be associated with one user account. The "registration date" indicates the date on which the "device ID" of each image forming device was registered in the device registration table 330. The "status" indicates the status of verification of whether each image forming device is actually installed in the user environment of the "owner." At the time of initial registration of the "device ID," the "status" may indicate "unverified." Once verification is complete, the "status" may change to "verified." The "toner remaining amount" indicates the latest remaining toner amount detected and reported by each image forming device. For example, the "toner remaining amount" may be expressed as a percentage.

[0093] The delivery pack table 340 is a table that holds information about supply packs sent to each user. The delivery pack table 340 may include, for example, one or more of the following information items: "Contractor" Pack ID "Shipping date" ·"status" ·“Usage date”

[0094] The "Contractor" indicates the user account to which each replenishment pack was provided by the "User ID" registered in the account table 320. The "Pack ID" is identification information for uniquely identifying each replenishment pack. The pair of "Contractor" and "Pack ID" indicates the association between each user account and at least one replenishment pack provided to the user who owns that account. Because each user repeatedly consumes toner, the number of replenishment packs associated with a single user account in the delivery pack table 340 increases over time. The "Shipped Date" indicates the date on which each replenishment pack was shipped to the "Contractor." The "Status" indicates whether each replenishment pack has been used to replenish toner in an image forming device. At the time of shipment, the "Status" indicates "Unused." Once each replenishment pack arrives in the user's environment, is authenticated, and is replenished with toner, the "Status" can be changed to "Used." The "Used Date" indicates the date on which each replenishment pack was used to replenish toner.

[0095] The processing circuitry 314 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and provides various functions of the management server 301 by executing computer programs stored in the memory 312. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10 , the processing circuitry 314 can function as a data management unit 350, a provision management unit 360, and an authentication unit 370.

[0096] The data management unit 350 manages the registration and updating of data in the management DB 313. The data management unit 350 may display a screen on the user terminal 401 for accepting input of account information to be registered in the account table 320, receive the entered account information via the communication I / F 311, and register the account information in the account table 320. Similarly, the data management unit 350 may display a screen on the user terminal 401 for accepting input of device information about an image forming device owned by each user, receive the entered device information via the communication I / F 311, and register the device information in the device registration table 330. These input screens may be provided in any format, such as a web page, an input form, or an application screen. Typically, the input of device information may be accepted while the user is logged in to the system after successful user authentication using the user ID and password stored in the account table 320.

[0097] Specifically, in this embodiment, the data management unit 350 may perform simple verification of whether the device information registered in the device registration table 330 is actually installed in the user environment of the corresponding user. For example, when a user logs in to the system and enters device information for the image forming device 1 into an input screen, the data management unit 350 presents the user with a message prompting the user to perform a predetermined operation on the image forming device 1. The predetermined operation may be, for example, pressing a specific physical button on the image forming device 1 or touching a button on a GUI (Graphical User Interface). Additionally or alternatively, the transmitted message may include content prompting the user to turn on the power of the image forming device 1 (if it is off). When the user performs the prompted operation on the image forming device 1, the image forming device 1 transmits a device ID identifying the image forming device to the management server 301. The data management unit 350 waits for reception of the device ID from the image forming device 1 until a predetermined period has elapsed since the presentation of the message. If the data management unit 350 receives a device ID identical to the device ID entered by the user from the image forming device 1 before the timeout, the data management unit 350 determines that the image forming device 1 identified by that device ID is actually installed in the user environment. For devices for which verification has not yet been completed, the data management unit 350 sets the value of "status" in the device registration table 330 to "unverified," and for devices for which verification has been completed, the data management unit 350 sets the value of "status" in the device registration table 330 to "verified."

[0098] In this embodiment, data management unit 350 also manages updates to the "toner remaining amount" value in device registration table 330. For example, data management unit 350 receives remaining amount information related to the remaining amount of toner in storage unit 48 of a registered image forming device 1 via communication I / F 311. Then, based on the received remaining amount information, data management unit 350 updates status information related to the remaining amount of toner, i.e., the "toner remaining amount" value in device registration table 330.

[0099] The provision management unit 360 manages the provision of supply packs 200 to users of the supply management system 300. For example, the provision management unit 360 monitors the occurrence of a trigger event that triggers the provision of a supply pack 200 to a user.

[0100] An example of a trigger event may be a user's purchase of the replenishment pack 200. For example, when an order for the replenishment pack 200 is accepted on a website that sells toner for image formation (i.e., when an individual contract is concluded), the provision management unit 360 may start providing the replenishment pack 200 to the user who is the purchaser.

[0101] Another example of a trigger event is the arrival of a supply timing based on a contract with a user. For example, a certain user may have a subscription contract with a business operator to periodically purchase a certain number of supply packs 200 (e.g., once a month or once every few months). When it is determined that the time for the next supply pack 200 has arrived for such a user, the supply management unit 360 may start providing the user with a supply pack 200.

[0102] Another example of a trigger event may be the detection of a low level of toner in an image forming device 1 registered in the device registration table 330. For example, a user may have an automatic purchase contract with a business under which a new toner pack 200 is automatically provided when the toner level in the user's image forming device 1 becomes low. In this case, the provision management unit 360 may monitor the "toner level remaining" value in the device registration table 330 for the user's registered image forming device 1, and may begin providing the user with a replenishment pack 200 when it determines that the toner level falls below a predetermined threshold. Additionally or alternatively, a trigger event for the automatic purchase of a replenishment pack 200 may be the number of operations (e.g., the number of jobs executed or the cumulative number of recording media consumed) of the registered image forming device 1 reaching a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, a trigger event for the automatic purchase of a replenishment pack 200 may be the detection of the use of a replenishment pack 200 previously provided to the user. For example, the provision management unit 360 may monitor the "status" in the delivery pack table 340 for supply packs 200 that have been provided to users who have entered into an automatic purchase contract, and may begin providing the supply packs 200 when the value changes from "unused" to "used."

[0103] By periodically or automatically providing the user with a new replenishment pack 200 in response to the detection of these trigger events, the possibility of the image forming device 1 becoming unusable due to toner running out at a time the user does not expect can be reduced.

[0104] The delivery management unit 360 can determine which of the above-mentioned trigger events to monitor for each user based on the content of the "contract type" in the account table 320. When the delivery management unit 360 determines that a trigger event has occurred for a certain user, it allocates a new replenishment pack 200 to the user and sends a message to the delivery person instructing them to deliver the allocated replenishment pack 200. The delivery management unit 360 also adds a new record to the delivery pack table 340 indicating the user ID of the delivery destination user and the pack ID that identifies the allocated replenishment pack 200, and registers the association between the user account and the replenishment pack 200 in the management DB 313. The "shipping date" in the delivery pack table 340 can be set to the date the replenishment pack 200 is shipped, and the "status" and "usage date" can be set to "unused" and blank as default values, respectively.

[0105] The authentication unit 370 performs user authentication (e.g., password authentication) when a user logs in to the system, and also performs authentication (hereinafter referred to as pre-supply authentication) to authorize the replenishment of a replenishment pack 200 to be used for toner replenishment. The pre-supply authentication may include determining whether the replenishment pack 200 is an object that can be authorized for use (e.g., whether it was provided to the user through a legitimate channel). As described with reference to FIG. 9 , in this embodiment, a unique code 201 for uniquely identifying each replenishment pack 200 is assigned to the replenishment pack 200. The code 201 is printed, for example, on each replenishment pack 200 or its packaging in a format readable by the user or the user terminal 401. The authentication unit 370 receives the code of the replenishment pack 200 to be used for replenishment from a code acquisition unit present in the user environment E1 and performs pre-supply authentication based on the received code. How the code of the replenishment pack 200 is acquired in the user environment E1 will be described later with several examples.

[0106] As one example, the code 201 may be equal to the pack ID of each supply pack 200, in which case the authentication unit 370 may use the received code as is for pre-replenishment authentication. As another example, the code 201 may be generated by encoding the pack ID of each supply pack 200, in which case the authentication unit 370 may use the pack ID derived by decoding the code 201 for pre-replenishment authentication.

[0107] The pre-replenishment authentication may include determining whether the replenishment pack 200 identified based on the code 201 corresponds to the user account of the logged-in user. For example, the authentication unit 370 checks whether an association between the pack ID based on the code 201 and the user ID of the logged-in user is registered in the delivery pack table 340. If this association is registered in the delivery pack table 340, the authentication unit 370 may determine that the replenishment pack 200 to be used for replenishment corresponds to the user account of the user attempting to perform the replenishment. In this way, verifying the association between the replenishment pack 200 and the user account can prevent a replenishment pack 200 obtained without compliance with the contract from being used to replenish toner.

[0108] Additionally or alternatively, the pre-replenishment authentication may include determining whether the image forming apparatus 1 to which toner is to be replenished corresponds to the user account of the logged-in user. For example, the authentication unit 370 may present a message to the user attempting to replenish to prompt the user to perform a predetermined operation on the image forming apparatus 1 to which toner is to be replenished. Again, the predetermined operation may be, for example, pressing a specific physical button on the image forming apparatus 1 or touching a button on the GUI. When the user performs the prompted operation on the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits a device ID identifying the image forming apparatus 1 to the management server 301. The authentication unit 370 waits for reception of the device ID from the image forming apparatus 1 until a predetermined period has elapsed since the presentation of the message. Then, the authentication unit 370 checks whether an association between the device ID received from the image forming apparatus 1 before the timeout and the user ID of the logged-in user is registered in the device registration table 330. If this association is registered in the device registration table 330, the authentication unit 370 may determine whether the image forming apparatus 1 to which toner is to be replenished corresponds to the user account of the logged-in user. In this way, by making it a condition for successful authentication that the replenishment destination device has already been registered as the user's device, it is possible to promote the registration of device information in the database. By receiving the device ID from image forming device 1, management server 301 can reliably identify the device to which the user is attempting to replenish toner, and can transmit subsequent control commands (for example, an unlock command or an open command, which will be described later) to that replenishment destination device.

[0109] In response to the predetermined operation, the authentication unit 370 may receive remaining amount information indicating the latest remaining amount of toner along with the device ID from the image forming device 1. Then, if the received remaining amount information indicates that a sufficient amount of toner remains, the authentication unit 370 may refuse to replenish toner to the image forming device 1. In other words, if the amount of toner that can be additionally replenished to the container 48 is less than the amount of toner contained in the replenishment pack 200, the authentication unit 370 may refuse to replenish toner to the image forming device 1. This makes it possible to prevent excessive replenishment of toner to the image forming device 1.

[0110] Additionally or alternatively, the pre-replenishment authentication may include determining whether the supply pack 200 identified based on the code 201 has been used based on the value of "status" in the delivery pack table 340. For example, the authentication unit 370 may refer to a record in the delivery pack table 340 for the pack ID based on the code 201, and if the value of "status" is "unused," allow the supply pack 200 to be used for replenishment. On the other hand, if the value of "status" in the referenced record is "used," the authentication unit 370 may refuse to use the supply pack 200 for replenishment. In this way, by requiring that the supply pack 200 be unused as a condition for successful authentication, it is possible to prevent fraudulent or accidental reuse of the supply pack 200.

[0111] Additionally or alternatively, the pre-replenishment authentication may include determining whether the replenishment pack 200 identified based on the code 201 is a genuine product compatible with the replenishment destination device. To determine authenticity, the device registration table 330 may include the model number of each image forming device, and the delivery pack table 340 may include the model number of each replenishment pack as an additional data item. Furthermore, the management DB 313 may include an additional table that indicates the model numbers of one or more replenishment packs compatible with each image forming device model number. In this case, the authentication unit 370 may permit the replenishment pack 200 to be used for replenishment only if it is determined that the replenishment destination device and the replenishment pack 200 are compatible with each other based on their respective model numbers.

[0112] As described above, at least one of the supply pack 200 and the image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with an opening / closing mechanism capable of opening and closing the toner supply path. This opening / closing mechanism is normally locked by a locking mechanism so that it cannot be opened. If the pre-supply authentication is successful, the authentication unit 370 of the management server 301 transmits a result of successful authentication to the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication I / F 311, and enables the image forming apparatus 1 to open the toner supply path using the opening / closing mechanism (i.e., causes the locking mechanism to unlock the opening / closing mechanism). Note that in the image forming apparatus 1, if the opening / closing mechanism is operated by computer control without relying on user operation, the authentication unit 370 may cause the opening / closing mechanism of the image forming apparatus 1 to open the toner supply path instead of unlocking the opening / closing mechanism. An unlock command (or an open command) for the image forming apparatus 1 may be transmitted directly from the management server 301 to the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, the user terminal 401, which receives a result of successful authentication from the management server 301, may transmit the unlock command (or open command) to the image forming apparatus 1. If the pre-replenishment authentication fails because any of the above conditions is not satisfied, the authentication unit 370 transmits a result of the authentication failure to the image forming device 1 or the user terminal 401 via the communication I / F 311. The authentication unit 370 may display a message indicating the cause of the authentication failure (for example, an inappropriate pack, the device not registered, or the pack has already been used) on the screen of either device.

[0113] When the opening / closing mechanism is unlocked based on the authentication result, the replenishment path is opened, and toner is replenished from the replenishment pack 200 to the image forming device 1, the remaining amount of toner in the storage unit 48 of the image forming device 1 increases. As described below, the image forming device 1 detects the remaining amount of toner in the storage unit 48 and transmits the remaining amount information to the management server 301. The data management unit 350 receives this remaining amount information via the communication I / F 311 and updates the value of the "remaining toner amount" in the device registration table 330. Furthermore, if the received remaining amount information indicates that the remaining toner amount has increased, the data management unit 350 changes the "status" of the replenishment pack 200 in the delivery pack table 340 to "used." This allows the authentication unit 370 to deny reuse of the replenishment pack 200 based on the status information. Furthermore, the provision management unit 360 can assign a new replenishment pack 200 to a user upon detecting the use of the replenishment pack 200.

[0114] 11 and 12, updating of the contents of the management DB 313 along a typical processing flow will be described below. FIG. 11 shows an example of updating the device registration table 330 when registering a device. The upper part of FIG. 11 shows an account table 320 having a user ID 321 and a name 322 as data items. Other data items in the account table 320 are omitted from the figure. The middle part of FIG. 11 shows the device registration table 330 having an owner 331, a device ID 332, a registration date 333, a status 334, and a remaining toner amount 335 as data items. In the example of FIG. 11, the account of a user identified by a user ID "U01" (hereinafter referred to as user U01) has already been registered in the account table 320. In addition, an image forming device identified by a device ID "D00" has already been registered in the device registration table 330 as user U01's device.

[0115] User U01 installs a new image forming device (hereinafter referred to as device D01) identified by device ID "D01" in user environment E1. When user U01 inputs device information for device D01 via an input screen provided by management server 301, management server 301 adds a record for the device information for device D01 to device registration table 330. The owner 331 of the added record indicates "U01," device ID 332 indicates "D01," registration date 333 indicates the date of registration YMD2, status 334 indicates "unverified," and remaining toner amount 335 indicates "0%."

[0116] Furthermore, user U01 performs an operation for device registration on the newly installed device D01, for example, following a message displayed on the screen. Device D01 pre-stores its own device ID "D01," and transmits device information including this device ID to management server 301 in response to an operation by the user. If the device ID thus received matches the device ID entered by user U01, data management unit 350 changes the value of status 334 of the record added to device registration table 330 from "unverified" to "verified," as shown in the lower part of FIG. 11 .

[0117] Figure 12 shows an example of updating the delivery pack table 340 when a pack is delivered. The upper part of Figure 12 shows the contents of the account table 320, similar to that of Figure 11. The middle part of Figure 12 shows the delivery pack table 340, which has the data items of contractor 341, pack ID 342, shipping date 343, status 344, and usage date 345. In the example of Figure 12, a supply pack identified by pack ID "P01" has already been provided to user U01, and the supply pack has been used.

[0118] In response to detecting one of the trigger events described above, the supply management unit 360 newly allocates a supply pack identified by pack ID "P11" (hereinafter referred to as supply pack P11) to user U01. The supply management unit 360 also adds a record to the delivery pack table 340 for managing the status of the allocated supply pack P11. The added record has contractor 341 set to "U01," pack ID 342 set to "P11," shipping date 343 set to the date YMD3 on which shipping will occur, status 344 set to "shipped," and usage date 345 set to blank.

[0119] When authentication by the authentication unit 370 is successful and toner is replenished from the replenishment pack P11 to the replenishment destination device, the replenishment destination device reports an increase in the remaining toner amount to the management server 301. Based on this report, the data management unit 350 changes the value of the status 344 of the record added to the delivery pack table 340 from "Sent" to "Used," and adds the date YMD4 when the increase in the remaining toner amount was reported to the usage date 345.

[0120] [2-3. Example of user terminal configuration] 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal 401 according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 13, the user terminal 401 includes a communication I / F 411, a memory 412, a camera 413, an input device 414, a display device 415, and a processing circuit 416.

[0121] The communication I / F 411 is an interface through which the user terminal 401 communicates with other devices. For example, the communication I / F 411 communicates with the image forming apparatus 1 in the user environment E1 and the management server 301 in the remote environment E2. The communication I / F 411 may be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. If the communication I / F 411 is a wireless communication interface, the communication I / F 411 may be, for example, a WLAN interface for communicating with a WLAN access point or a cellular communication interface for communicating with a cellular base station. Although FIG. 13 shows only a single communication I / F 411, the user terminal 401 may include multiple different communication modules for communicating with the image forming apparatus 1 and the management server 301, respectively. Communication between the user terminal 401 and the image forming apparatus 1 may be performed using a communication protocol for connecting peripheral devices, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0122] The memory 412 may include any type of storage medium, such as semiconductor memory such as ROM or RAM, an optical disk, or a magnetic disk. The memory 412 may also include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The memory 412 stores one or more computer programs executed by the processing circuit 416 and various data.

[0123] The camera 413 is a module capable of capturing an image or video of a subject. The camera 413 may also be used to optically read the code 201 unique to the supply pack 200.

[0124] The input device 414 is used as a user interface for receiving operations and information input by a user. The input device 414 may include, for example, one or more of a touch sensor, a keypad, a keyboard, a pointing device, and a microphone. The code 201 unique to the supply pack 200 may be input by the user via the input device 414.

[0125] The display device 415 is used to display images and information and may be configured with, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode).

[0126] The processing circuitry 416 may be, for example, a CPU, and provides various functions of the user terminal 401 by executing computer programs stored in the memory 412. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 13, the processing circuitry 416 can function as a device control unit 420, a code acquisition unit 430, and an application unit 440. Note that although this specification mainly describes only functions related to managing the supply of toner to the image forming apparatus 1, the processing circuitry 416 may also provide the user with many other functions that a user terminal typically has.

[0127] The device control unit 420 controls image formation and other operations performed in the image forming apparatus 1. The device control unit 420 may include driver software for the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the device control unit 420 detects one or more devices available to the user terminal 401 present in the user environment E1 and presents a list of the detected devices to the user on the screen of the display device 415. The device control unit 420 may obtain the status of each device (e.g., power on / off, remaining toner amount, etc.) and present the obtained status to the user. When the user selects the image forming apparatus 1 and instructs printing, the device control unit 420 transmits a print job including image data of the image to be printed to the image forming apparatus 1 and causes the image forming apparatus 1 to print the image.

[0128] The code acquisition unit 430 acquires the code 201 that is unique to the refill pack 200 that the user intends to use to replenish toner. As one example, if the code 201 is an optically readable code printed on the refill pack 200 or its packaging (for example, on a wrapping or a piece of paper enclosed with the refill pack), the code acquisition unit 430 may optically read the code 201 using the camera 413. As another example, if the code 201 is a code that can be read manually (for example, visually), the code acquisition unit 430 may have the user input the code 201 using the input device 414 and acquire the input code 201.

[0129] The application unit 440 may be an application for supply management that operates in cooperation with the management server 301. The application unit 440 may be a web browser. For example, the application unit 440 displays an account information input screen on the display device 415 when a new user account is registered or when a change occurs. When account information is entered on the account information input screen, the application unit 440 transmits the received account information to the management server 301 via the communication I / F 411. Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in the user environment E1, the application unit 440 displays a device information input screen on the display device 415. When device information is entered on the device information input screen, the application unit 440 transmits the received device information to the management server 301 via the communication I / F 411.

[0130] Furthermore, the application unit 440 may provide a user interface for requesting the management server 301 to execute pre-replenishment authentication for a user who wishes to replenish toner from the replenishment pack 200 to the image forming apparatus 1. For example, when the user operates a button for requesting authentication, the application unit 440 activates the code acquisition unit 430 to acquire a code unique to the replenishment pack 200, and transmits the acquired code 201 to the management server 301 via the communication I / F 411. The application unit 440 may transmit the code 201 to the management server 301 as part of a request for permission to replenish toner. Furthermore, the application unit 440 may transmit the code 201 to the management server 301 as part of a request for opening the replenishment path (or unlocking the opening / closing mechanism).

[0131] The application unit 440 may transmit a transmission request to the image forming apparatus 1 to request that the image forming apparatus 1 transmit to the management server 301 a device ID required for pre-replenishment authentication by the management server 301. In another embodiment, the application unit 440 may cause the display device 415 to display a message prompting the user to perform an operation to transmit the device ID in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0132] When pre-replenishment authentication is performed by management server 301 based on code 201 unique to replenishment pack 200, application unit 440 receives the result of the pre-replenishment authentication from management server 301. If the authentication result indicates success of pre-replenishment authentication, application unit 440 may cause device control unit 420 to send to image forming device 1 an unlock command for unlocking the opening / closing mechanism or an open command for opening the replenishment path. Note that if these commands are sent directly from management server 301 to image forming device 1, user terminal 401 does not need to send these commands to image forming device 1.

[0133] The application unit 440 displays the result of the pre-supply authentication received from the management server 301 on the display device 415. For example, if the result of the pre-supply authentication indicates success, the user can connect the supply pack 200 to the image forming apparatus 1 and open the supply path by operating the opening / closing mechanism that was blocking the toner supply path, thereby supplying toner from the supply pack 200 to the image forming apparatus 1. At this time, the image forming apparatus 1 unlocks the opening / closing mechanism, so the user's operation to open the supply path is not hindered. Note that the connection of the supply pack 200 to the image forming apparatus 1 may be performed before the pre-supply authentication request or after successful authentication. As described above, instead of the user operating the opening / closing mechanism, the image forming apparatus 1 may automatically operate the opening / closing mechanism. If the result of the pre-supply authentication indicates failure, the user can retry the pre-supply authentication after taking appropriate measures, or give up on the current attempt to supply toner, depending on the cause of the failure, which may be displayed on the screen. At this time, the image forming apparatus 1 keeps the opening / closing mechanism locked, or the supply path remains blocked without the automatic operation of the opening / closing mechanism.

[0134] [2-4. Example of image forming device configuration] 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a communication I / F 11, a memory 12, a user I / F 13, an image forming unit 40, an opening / closing mechanism 51, a locking mechanism 52, and a processing circuit 90.

[0135] The communication I / F 11 is an interface through which the image forming apparatus 1 communicates with other devices. For example, the communication I / F 11 communicates with a user terminal 401 in the user environment E1 and a management server 301 in the remote environment E2. More specifically, under the control of the processing circuit 90, the communication I / F 11 notifies a remote service provider of printer status information for various image forming apparatuses, including remaining toner information indicating the remaining toner amount. The communication I / F 11 may be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. If the communication I / F 11 is a wireless communication interface, the communication I / F 11 may be, for example, a WLAN interface or a cellular communication interface. Note that while FIG. 14 shows only a single communication I / F 11, the image forming apparatus 1 may also include multiple different communication modules for communicating with the user terminal 401 and the management server 301, respectively.

[0136] The memory 12 may include any type of storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory such as a ROM or RAM, an optical disk, or a magnetic disk. The memory 12 may also include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The memory 12 stores one or more computer programs executed by the processing circuit 90 and various data. The memory 12 pre-stores, for example, a device ID (also referred to as device identification information) that uniquely identifies the image forming apparatus 1. The memory 12 may be installed on the processing circuit 90.

[0137] The user I / F 13 may include an input device for accepting operations and information input by the user, and a display device for displaying images and information. For example, the user I / F 13 may include one or more of a touch panel, a keypad, a button, a switch, a microphone, and a speaker. The user I / F 13 may be treated as an operation terminal integrated into the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the user I / F 13 may be used to accept input of the unique code 201 attached to the supply pack 200.

[0138] As described with reference to FIG. 2, the image forming unit 40 consumes toner stored in the container 48 to form an image on a recording medium. The opening / closing mechanism 51 is a mechanism that can open and close the supply path 50 from the supply pack 200 connected to the toner receiving unit 110 to the container 48. The operating unit 111 including the lever portion 111b and the protrusion 111d, the pack shutter 214 of the supply pack 200, and the main body shutter 116 are examples of the opening / closing mechanism 51. The locking mechanism 52 is a mechanism that inhibits (i.e., locks) and releases (unlocks) the operation of the opening / closing mechanism 51 by a user or the automatic operation of the opening / closing mechanism 51. The locking mechanism 150 described above is an example of the locking mechanism 52. For example, the CPU 94 of the processing circuit 90 may energize the solenoid 155 of the locking mechanism 150 to rotate the locking member 152 as shown in FIG. 8B. This allows the user to rotate the main body shutter 116 and the pack shutter 214 of the supply pack 200 together with the operating unit 111 to open the supply path 50.

[0139] From a functional standpoint, the above-described multiple electronic components 91, 92, and 93 of the processing circuit 90 can function mainly as a print control unit 95 and a lock control unit 96. The print control unit 95 controls operations for image formation by the image forming unit 40. For example, when a print job is received from an external device via the communication I / F 11, the print control unit 95 controls the image forming unit 40 to form an image on a recording medium based on input image data included in the print job.

[0140] The lock control unit 96 controls the locking and unlocking of the opening / closing mechanism 51 by the lock mechanism 52. For example, when a predetermined input signal is detected, the lock control unit 96 transmits the device ID stored in the memory 12 to the management server 301. The device ID transmitted to the management server 301 may be used to verify whether the image forming device 1 identified by the device ID specified by the user for device registration is actually installed in the user environment E1 of that user. The device ID transmitted to the management server 301 may also be used by the management server 301 to perform pre-replenishment authentication. The lock control unit 96 may transmit remaining amount information indicating the latest remaining amount of toner to the management server 301 together with the device ID.

[0141] For example, the input signal that triggers transmission of the device ID is a received signal (e.g., a transmission request requesting transmission of the device ID) received from the user terminal 401 via the communication I / F 11. In this case, the lock control unit 96 reads the device ID from the memory 12 in response to receiving the transmission request, and transmits the read device ID to the management server 301. In another embodiment, the input signal that triggers transmission of the device ID is a user input signal (e.g., an operation signal indicating that a predetermined button has been operated) detected via the user I / F 13. In this case, the lock control unit 96 reads the device ID from the memory 12 in response to detecting the user input signal, and transmits the read device ID to the management server 301.

[0142] After transmitting the device ID to the management server 301 for pre-replenishment authentication, the lock control unit 96 waits for a predetermined standby period to receive an unlock command, which is a control signal based on the result of the pre-replenishment authentication. If the unlock command is received before the standby period expires, the lock control unit 96 causes the lock mechanism 52 to unlock the opening / closing mechanism 51 in accordance with the unlock command. For example, the lock control unit 96 may energize the solenoid 155 of the lock mechanism 150 to rotate the lock member 152 as shown in the example of FIG. 8B. This allows the user to rotate the main body shutter 116 and the pack shutter 214 of the supply pack 200 together with the operation unit 111 to open the supply path 50. Note that if the image forming apparatus 1 is configured to automatically operate the opening / closing mechanism 51, the lock control unit 96 may wait for an open command instead of an unlock command and open the supply path 50 by operating the opening / closing mechanism 51 in accordance with the received open command.

[0143] If the standby period expires without receiving an unlock command or an open command (i.e., if a timeout occurs), the lock control unit 96 ends the standby for the command. For example, the standby for the unlock command or the open command may be performed by temporarily opening a specific receiving port of the communication I / F 11. In this way, by only waiting for a control signal from the outside for a limited period triggered by the detection of a predetermined input signal, the risk of unauthorized operation of the image forming apparatus 1 by a malicious third party can be minimized. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 can be put into a sleep state during periods other than the standby period to reduce the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0144] If an unlock command or an open command is received before the standby period expires, the lock control unit 96 may maintain the opening / closing mechanism 51 in an unlocked state for a predetermined unlock period from the receipt of the command, and may relock the opening / closing mechanism 51 after the unlock period expires. In the example of FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b), even if the solenoid 155 is de-energized while the opening / closing mechanism 51 is in the open state, the operation unit 111 can still be rotated counterclockwise. For example, after the opening / closing mechanism 51 is unlocked, the user may rotate the operation unit 111 clockwise in the figure to open the supply path, thereby starting toner supply. After toner supply is completed, the user may rotate the operation unit 111 counterclockwise to close the supply path. When the solenoid 155 is de-energized and the operation unit 111 is returned to its original position, the tip 153 of the locking member 152 returns to the position shown in FIG. 8(a) due to the elastic force of the spring. As a result, even if the user tries to rotate the operating unit 111 clockwise again to open the supply path, the rotation of the operating unit 111 is prevented by the locking member 152. In this way, the opening / closing mechanism 51 can be re-locked. It should be noted that the configurations shown in Figures 8(a) and (b) are merely examples of the opening / closing mechanism 51 and the locking mechanism 52, and any other configurations may be adopted.

[0145] The print control unit 95 controls the remaining amount detection unit 61 to detect the remaining amount of toner in the container 48, for example, when an image formation operation is performed or when toner is replenished. For example, while the toner stored in the container 48 is being stirred by the stirring member 60, the remaining amount detection unit 61 emits light from the light-emitting unit 61a and acquires a light detection signal from the light-receiving unit 61b. The remaining amount detection unit 61 then estimates the remaining amount of toner based on the acquired light detection signal and reports the estimated remaining amount to the print control unit 95. The print control unit 95 reports remaining amount information indicating the detected remaining amount of toner to the management server 301 via the communication I / F 11. The report of the remaining amount of toner may be sent to the management server 301 via the user terminal 401 instead of being sent directly to the management server 301.

[0146] When toner is replenished, the remaining amount of toner increases. As described above, the management server 301 can detect the increase in the remaining amount of toner based on the remaining amount information and recognize that the replenishment pack 200 for which pre-replenishment authentication was successful has been used by the user. Note that instead of the management server 301, the image forming apparatus 1 or the user terminal 401 may detect the increase in the remaining amount of toner and send a notification signal to the management server 301 indicating that the replenishment pack 200 has been used.

[0147] [2-5. Processing flow] In this section, examples of the flow of several processes that can be executed in the supply management system 300 according to this embodiment will be described using the sequence diagrams of Figures 15 to 17 and the flowcharts of Figures 18 and 19. In the following description, processing steps will be abbreviated as S (step).

[0148] [2-5-1. Registering device information] Fig. 15 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a schematic processing flow related to device registration. The sequence shown in Fig. 15 mainly involves the image forming device 1, management server 301, and user terminal 401. It is assumed that the user's account information has already been registered in account table 320 of management DB 313 before the sequence starts.

[0149] First, in S11, the user enters a user ID and password into a login screen provided by, for example, the application unit 440 of the user terminal 401. In S12, the application unit 440 transmits the entered user ID and password to the management server 301 for login. In S13, the authentication unit 370 of the management server 301 performs user authentication based on the user ID and password received from the user terminal 401. Here, it is assumed that the user authentication is successful and login to the system is established. The subsequent processing in FIG. 15 is performed while the login session continues.

[0150] At S14, the user inputs device information including the device ID of the image forming device 1 installed in the user environment E1, for example, into a device information input screen provided by the application unit 440. At S15, the application unit 440 transmits a device registration request including the input device information to the management server 301. At S16, the data management unit 350 registers the device information included in the received device registration request in the device registration table 330. At S17, the data management unit 350 instructs the application unit 440 to display a message prompting the user to perform a predetermined operation on the image forming device 1, and the message is displayed on the display device 415.

[0151] In S21, the user performs a predetermined operation on the user I / F 13 of the image forming apparatus 1. Then, in S22, the lock control unit 96 of the image forming apparatus 1 reads the apparatus ID from the memory 12 and transmits apparatus information including the read apparatus ID to the management server 301. In S23, the data management unit 350 compares the apparatus ID included in the apparatus information received from the image forming apparatus 1 with the apparatus ID registered in the apparatus registration table 330 in S16. If these apparatus IDs match, the data management unit 350 updates the corresponding "status" value in the apparatus registration table 330 to "verified." In S24, the data management unit 350 notifies the application unit 440 of the user terminal 401 of the results of this verification. The application unit 440 displays the notified verification results on the screen.

[0152] [2-5-2. Provision of supply packs] 16 is a sequence diagram showing several examples of a general process flow related to providing a replenishment pack to a user. The sequence shown in FIG. 16 mainly involves the image forming apparatus 1, the management server 301, and the user terminal 401. The provision management unit 360 of the management server 301 continuously monitors the occurrence of a trigger event that triggers the provision of a replenishment pack 200 to a user. Here, the first example of a trigger event will be a decrease in the amount of remaining toner, the second example will be a user ordering a replenishment pack 200, and the third example will be the arrival of the provision timing based on a subscription purchase contract.

[0153] In the first example, in S31, the print control unit 95 of the image forming apparatus 1 detects the remaining amount of toner in the container 48, for example, when an image formation operation is performed. Here, it is assumed that the remaining amount of toner is below a remaining amount threshold that triggers the provision of a new replenishment pack 200. In S32, the print control unit 95 reports remaining amount information indicating the detected remaining amount of toner to the management server 301. In S33, the provision management unit 360 of the management server 301 recognizes that the remaining amount of toner in the image forming apparatus 1 is low and allocates a new replenishment pack 200 to the user who owns the image forming apparatus 1. Allocating the replenishment pack 200 to the user may include adding a new record to the delivery pack table 340 indicating the user ID and a pack ID that identifies the replenishment pack 200. In addition, the delivery management unit 360 sends a message to the delivery person instructing them to deliver the allocated replenishment pack 200. When a new supply pack 200 is delivered to the user, the delivery management unit 360 transmits a delivery notification to the user terminal 401 in S34.

[0154] In the second example, in S36, the user accesses a website selling replenishment packs 200 using, for example, the user terminal 401, and places an order for a new replenishment pack 200. In S37, the user terminal 401 transmits order information indicating, for example, the type and number of ordered replenishment packs 200 to the management server 301. In S38, in response to receiving the order information, the provision management unit 360 of the management server 301 allocates a specified number of replenishment packs 200 to the user who is the purchaser. The provision management unit 360 also transmits a message to the delivery person instructing the delivery of the allocated replenishment packs 200. When the replenishment packs 200 are shipped to the user, the provision management unit 360 transmits a shipping notification to the user terminal 401 in S39.

[0155] In the third example, in S41, the provision management unit 360 determines that the time has come to provide a replenishment pack 200 to a user who has signed a subscription contract. In S42, the provision management unit 360 allocates a new replenishment pack 200 to the user for whom the time has come to provide the replenishment pack 200. The provision management unit 360 also transmits a message to a delivery person instructing the delivery of the allocated replenishment pack 200. When the replenishment pack 200 is shipped to the user, the provision management unit 360 transmits a shipping notification to the user terminal 401 in S43.

[0156] [2-5-3. Authentication and Toner Refill] Fig. 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a general process flow when replenishing toner. The sequence shown in Fig. 17 mainly involves the image forming apparatus 1, the management server 301, and the user terminal 401. It is assumed that a new, unused replenishing pack 200 has been delivered to the user environment E1 before the sequence starts.

[0157] First, in S60, the user enters a user ID and password on the login screen. In S61, the application unit 440 of the user terminal 401 transmits the entered user ID and password to the management server 301. In S62, the authentication unit 370 of the management server 301 performs user authentication based on the user ID and password received from the user terminal 401. Here, it is assumed that the user authentication is successful and login to the system is established. The subsequent processing in FIG. 17 is performed while the login session continues.

[0158] In S65, the application unit 440 activates the code acquisition unit 430 in response to an operation by the user. The code acquisition unit 430 acquires the code 201 unique to the supply pack 200, for example, by optically reading it using the camera 413 or by accepting a user input. Next, in S66, the application unit 440 transmits an unlock request including the code 201 acquired by the code acquisition unit 430 to the management server 301.

[0159] In response to receiving the unlock request, the authentication unit 370 of the management server 301 starts pre-replenishment authentication. S67 is the first stage of pre-replenishment authentication, in which the authentication unit 370 determines whether the replenishment pack 200 identified by the code 201 included in the unlock request corresponds to the account of the logged-in user by referring to the delivery pack table 340. In this case, since the replenishment pack 200 corresponds to the user account, it is assumed that the first stage of authentication is successful. In response to the success of the first stage of authentication, in S68 the authentication unit 370 instructs the application unit 440 to display a message prompting the user to perform a predetermined operation in the replenishment destination device, and the message is displayed on the display device 415.

[0160] In S72, the user performs a predetermined operation on the user I / F 13 of the image forming apparatus 1, which is the replenishment destination apparatus. In response, in S73, the lock control unit 96 reads the apparatus ID from the memory 12 and transmits apparatus information including the read apparatus ID to the management server 301. In S74, the second stage of pre-replenishment authentication is performed. Based on the apparatus ID included in the received apparatus information, the authentication unit 370 determines whether the image forming apparatus 1, which is the replenishment destination, corresponds to the user account of the logged-in user by referencing the apparatus registration table 330. Since the image forming apparatus 1 corresponds to the user account, the second stage of authentication is also successful. In S75, if the pre-replenishment authentication is successful, the authentication unit 370 notifies the user terminal 401 of the authentication success. In S76, the authentication unit 370 transmits an unlock command to the image forming apparatus 1 to cause the lock mechanism 52 of the image forming apparatus 1 to unlock the opening / closing mechanism 51.

[0161] The device information transmitted in S73 includes not only the device ID but also information for identifying the replenishment destination device on the network, such as an IP address. This allows the management server 301 to determine the device to which the unlock command is to be transmitted. Furthermore, by performing the operation in S72, a communication connection is established between the replenishment destination device and the management server 301 using the HTTP method. This enables the replenishment destination device to accept the unlock command from the management server 301.

[0162] At S77, the lock control unit 96 of the image forming apparatus 1 causes the lock mechanism 52 to unlock the opening / closing mechanism 51 in response to receiving an unlock command from the management server 301. At S78, the unlocked opening / closing mechanism 51 is operated by the user (or automatically activated), opening the supply path 50, and toner is supplied from the supply pack 200 to the image forming apparatus 1. At S79, the print control unit 95 detects the remaining amount of toner in the container 48 and reports remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount to the management server 301. At S80, in response to receiving the remaining amount information, the data management unit 350 of the management server 301 updates the value of "remaining toner amount" in the record in the device registration table 330 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1. The data management unit 350 also changes the "status" of the record in the delivery pack table 340 corresponding to the used supply pack 200 to "used."

[0163] On the other hand, when a predetermined unlock period has elapsed since the unlock command was received or the opening / closing mechanism 51 was unlocked, the lock control unit 96 of the image forming apparatus 1 locks the opening / closing mechanism 51 again in S81.

[0164] As described above, only pre-supply authentication for the supply pack 200 in S67 may be performed, and pre-supply authentication for the image forming apparatus 1 in S74 may be omitted. In this case, the user operation in S72 and the transmission of apparatus information in S73 may also be omitted. However, if the image forming apparatus 1 is powered off, the image forming apparatus 1 cannot receive an unlock command from the management server 301, so the management server 301 may instruct the user to power on the image forming apparatus 1 in S68.

[0165] [2-5-4. Compatibility authentication process] Here, the image forming apparatus 1 described so far will be referred to as a registered image forming apparatus 1, and the replenishment pack 200 will be referred to as a registered replenishment pack 200. The registered image forming apparatus 1 and the registered replenishment pack 200 are managed by a management server 301 based on user accounts. The registered image forming apparatus 1 and the registered replenishment pack 200 are an image forming apparatus and a replenishment pack corresponding to a predetermined service, such as a subscription service. In other words, the contract type described above is referred to as a subscription service. Here, a subscription service is, for example, a service in which a user registers the image forming apparatus they will use online in advance and pays a certain amount of money to a dealer, allowing them to print a preset number of pages. The registered replenishment pack 200 is automatically shipped to the user when the toner level in the registered image forming apparatus 1 is low or when the delivery timing based on the subscription service contract arrives, or is shipped arbitrarily upon a user's order. In other words, the registered replenishment pack 200 is a service-specific replenishment pack shipped in accordance with the subscription service contract.

[0166] Also, assume that there exists a standard image forming device 500 and a standard replenishment pack 501 having substantially the same configuration as the registered image forming device 1 and the registered replenishment pack 200. The standard image forming device 500 and the standard replenishment pack 501 are image forming devices and replenishment packs that do not support a predetermined service such as a subscription service. As described above, the registered replenishment pack 200 is a dedicated product that is shipped in accordance with a subscription service contract, while the standard replenishment pack 501 is a replenishment pack that is sold in the general market, such as at a home appliance retail store or an e-commerce site. Note that the registered image forming device 1 and the standard image forming device 500 may be sold in the general market, such as at a home appliance retail store or an e-commerce site, as in the past, or may be available for purchase from a manufacturer's direct sales site; there are no particular restrictions on how they can be obtained.

[0167] The standard image forming device 500 has the same configuration as the example configuration of the registered image forming device 1 shown in Fig. 14. That is, the standard image forming device 500 includes a communication I / F 11, a memory 12, a user I / F 13, an image forming unit 40, an opening / closing mechanism 51, a locking mechanism 52, and a processing circuit 90.

[0168] Next, the standard supply pack 501 and the registered supply pack 200 will be described. The standard supply pack 501 has the same configuration as the registered supply pack 200 shown in FIG. 5. On the other hand, the unique code 201 assigned to the registered supply pack 200 can uniquely identify the registered supply pack 200, and is assigned information that can identify it as a registered type. In addition, the standard supply pack 501 is also assigned a unique code 502 (see FIG. 9). The unique code 502 can uniquely identify the standard supply pack 501, and is assigned information that can identify it as a standard type.

[0169] A user who owns a registered image forming apparatus 1 can obtain a registered replenishment pack 200 by subscribing to the subscription service described above. However, if the same user also owns a standard image forming apparatus 500, there is a possibility that both the registered image forming apparatus 1 and the standard image forming apparatus 500 exist in the same environment. In such a case, if the user accidentally uses the registered replenishment pack 200 sent to the user in the standard image forming apparatus 500, it will be difficult to remove the toner replenished in one batch from the standard image forming apparatus 500. Furthermore, since the dealer has already sent the registered replenishment pack 200 to the user, if the dealer is required to send a new registered replenishment pack 200 in response to a user's contact, the procedure may become complicated, such as charging the user an additional fee. Furthermore, there is a time lag until the new registered replenishment pack 200 arrives at the user's hands, and during that time the user cannot use the registered image forming apparatus 1, resulting in a period during which the user cannot benefit from the subscription service. In other words, it may be desirable to manage the standard image forming apparatus 500 so that the standard replenishment pack 501 can be used but the registered replenishment pack 200 cannot be used.

[0170] On the other hand, there are cases where a user who owns a registered image forming device 1 wants to use the standard replenishment pack 501 for the registered image forming device 1. For example, this may be the case when a user has signed a contract to receive registered replenishment packs 200 periodically at a fixed price. If the print volume temporarily increases over a certain period, it is conceivable that the toner in the registered image forming device 1 will run out before the next registered replenishment pack 200 is delivered in accordance with the subscription service contract. In such cases, the user may want to use the easily available standard replenishment pack 501, even if only temporarily. In other words, it is desirable that both the standard replenishment pack 501 and the registered replenishment pack 200 be available for the registered image forming device 1.

[0171] To summarize, the combinations of image forming apparatuses and refill packs shown in Table 1 are desirable. [Table 1]

[0172] The management server 301 executes the compatibility authentication process described below to realize the combinations of image forming devices and refill packs shown in Table 1. Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the compatibility authentication process executed by the management server 301. This compatibility authentication process can be realized, for example, by the processing circuitry 314 executing a computer program stored in advance in the memory 312 of the management server 301.

[0173] In the following, it is assumed that a registered image forming device 1 and a standard image forming device 500 are installed in a user environment E1, connected to a network, and managed by a management server 301. The processing of the management server 301 will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0174] First, in S111, the authentication unit 370 receives the user ID and password entered on the login screen. Next, in S113, the authentication unit 370 executes user authentication based on the received user ID and password. Here, it is assumed that the user authentication is successful, and the processing flow when the user authentication fails will be omitted.

[0175] Next, in S115, the authentication unit 370 receives the code 201 unique to the registered supply pack 200 or the code 502 unique to the standard supply pack 501 acquired in the user environment E1.

[0176] Next, in S116, the authentication unit 370 determines, based on the received codes (201, 502), whether the supply pack being used is the registered supply pack 200 or the standard supply pack 501. If the authentication unit 370 determines in S116 that the supply pack being used is the standard supply pack 501, the management server 301 proceeds to S125. The flow in this case will be described in detail later.

[0177] On the other hand, if the authentication unit 370 determines in S116 that the replenishment pack to be used is a registered replenishment pack 200, then in S117 the authentication unit 370 determines whether the registered replenishment pack 200 identified based on the received code 201 corresponds to the user account of the logged-in user. For example, if an association between the pack ID based on the received code 201 and the user ID of the logged-in user is registered in the delivery pack table 340, it is determined that the registered replenishment pack 200 is an object that can be permitted for use (for example, provided through a legitimate route), and the process proceeds to S121. On the other hand, if an association between the pack ID based on the received code 201 and the user ID of the logged-in user is not registered in the delivery pack table 340, it is determined that the registered replenishment pack 200 is not an object that can be permitted for use, and the process proceeds to S119.

[0178] In S119, the authentication unit 370 determines that the registered replenishment pack 200 is not a target that can be permitted for use, and therefore determines not to permit replenishment of toner from the registered replenishment pack 200. In this case, the authentication unit 370 transmits an authentication result notification to the user terminal 401 indicating that use of the registered replenishment pack 200 is not permitted and that pre-replenishment authentication has failed.

[0179] In S121, the authentication unit 370 determines whether the status of the registered supply pack 200 identified by the received code 201 is "unused" by referring to the delivery pack table 340. If the status is "unused," the process proceeds to S125. On the other hand, if the status is "used," the process proceeds to S123.

[0180] In S123, the authentication unit 370 determines that the registered replenishment pack 200 has already been used and therefore does not permit replenishment of toner from the registered replenishment pack 200. In this case, the authentication unit 370 transmits an authentication result notification to the user terminal 401 as a notification signal indicating that pre-replenishment authentication has failed because the registered replenishment pack 200 has already been used.

[0181] If the registered replenishment pack 200 identified by the received code 201 is an item that can be permitted for use and is unused, then in S125 the authentication unit 370 instructs the user to perform a predetermined operation on the replenishment destination device (for example, by displaying a message on the screen). The predetermined operation is, for example, pressing a button or the like provided on the replenishment destination device. This operation establishes a communication connection using the HTTP method between the replenishment destination device and the management server 301. Next, in S127, the authentication unit 370 receives device information including a device ID from the replenishment destination device, which is the registered image forming device 1 or the standard image forming device 500. At this time, the authentication unit 370 also receives, as device information, information regarding the device type (model) indicating whether the replenishment destination device is the registered image forming device 1 or the standard image forming device 500.

[0182] In S128, the authentication unit 370 executes the same determination process as in S116. That is, the authentication unit 370 determines, based on the received codes (201, 502), whether the supply pack to be used is the registered supply pack 200 or the standard supply pack 501. If the authentication unit 370 determines in S128 that the supply pack to be used is the standard supply pack 501, the management server 301 proceeds to S133. On the other hand, if the authentication unit 370 determines in S128 that the supply pack to be used is the registered supply pack 200, the management server 301 proceeds to S129.

[0183] As explained using Table 1, the authentication unit 370 permits the use of the standard replenishment pack 501 for both the registered image forming apparatus 1 and the standard image forming apparatus 500. Therefore, if it is determined in S128 that the replenishment pack to be used is the standard replenishment pack 501, the management server 301 proceeds to the processing of S133 regardless of the type of apparatus, and transmits an unlock command to the registered image forming apparatus 1 or the standard image forming apparatus 500. The unlock command is a command to release the lock on the opening / closing mechanism 51 by the lock mechanism 52 of the registered image forming apparatus 1 or the standard image forming apparatus 500. In addition to transmitting the unlock command, the authentication unit 370 also transmits an authentication result notification indicating successful authentication to the user terminal 401.

[0184] Note that the management server 301 has received information for identifying the replenishment destination device on the network, such as not only the device ID but also the IP address, in S127, and is therefore able to determine the device to which the unlock command is to be sent. Furthermore, since an HTTP communication connection has already been established between the replenishment destination device and the management server 301, the replenishment destination device can accept the unlock command from the management server 301. After the replenishment destination device receives the unlock command, the HTTP communication connection between the replenishment destination device and the management server 301 is terminated.

[0185] Next, in S129, the authentication unit 370 first determines whether or not to permit use of the registered-type replenishment pack 200 depending on the type (model) of the replenishment destination device in which the registered-type replenishment pack 200 is used. As described above using Table 1, when a request for permission to use the registered-type replenishment pack 200 for the registered-type image forming device 1 is received, the authentication unit 370 permits use of the registered-type replenishment pack 200. On the other hand, when a request for permission to use the registered-type replenishment pack 200 for the standard image forming device 500 is received, the authentication unit 370 does not permit use of the registered-type replenishment pack 200. After the authentication unit 370 determines that use of the registered-type replenishment pack 200 is not permitted, the management server 301 proceeds to S131, which will be described later. The processing of S131 will be described in detail later.

[0186] Here, when the registered replenishment pack 200 is used for the registered image forming apparatus 1, the authentication unit 370 further performs the following determination process. The authentication unit 370 determines whether the replenishment destination apparatus identified by the received apparatus ID has already been registered as the apparatus of the logged-in user. For example, if the association between the received apparatus ID and the user ID of the logged-in user is registered in the apparatus registration table 330, the replenishment destination apparatus has already been registered as the apparatus of the logged-in user, and the process proceeds to S133. On the other hand, if the association between the received apparatus ID and the user ID of the logged-in user is not registered in the apparatus registration table 330, the replenishment destination apparatus has not been registered as the apparatus of the logged-in user, and the process proceeds to S131.

[0187] In S131, the authentication unit 370 determines that the replenishment destination device is not registered as a device of the logged-in user and therefore does not permit toner replenishment to the replenishment destination device. In this case, the authentication unit 370 transmits an authentication result notification to the user terminal 401 indicating that the pre-replenishment authentication failed due to the device not being registered.

[0188] Furthermore, as explained in S129, the authentication unit 370 does not permit the registered replenishment pack 200 to be used with the standard image forming apparatus 500. In this case, the authentication unit 370 may not only simply send an authentication result notification to the user terminal 401, but also cause the user terminal 401 to display a message indicating that the target replenishment pack and the image forming apparatus are not compatible. In other words, the display device 415 serving as the display unit of the user terminal 401 may display a message indicating that the registered replenishment pack 200 cannot be used with the standard replenishment pack 501.

[0189] In S133, the authentication unit 370 determines that the replenishment destination device is registered as the device of the logged-in user and therefore permits the replenishment of toner from the registered replenishment pack 200 to the registered image forming device 1, which is the replenishment destination device. In this case, the authentication unit 370 transmits an unlock command to the locking mechanism 52 of the registered image forming device 1 to unlock the opening / closing mechanism 51, and transmits an authentication result notification indicating successful authentication to the user terminal 401. Note that, although not shown in FIG. 18 , as described above, in S133, the authentication unit 370 may permit the replenishment of toner to the replenishment destination device only if the remaining toner information indicates that the remaining amount of toner in the replenishment destination device is below a predetermined remaining amount threshold. Furthermore, if it is determined in S119, S123, and S131 that the replenishment of toner to the replenishment destination device is not permitted, the authentication unit 370 of the management server 301 does not transmit an unlock command to the locking mechanism 52, and the opening / closing mechanism remains locked. Therefore, supplying of toner from the supply pack 200 to the registered image forming apparatus 1 or the standard image forming apparatus 500 is restricted.

[0190] 18, the management server 301 skips the determination processes of S121 and S129 when it is determined that the supply pack to be used is the standard supply pack 501. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0191] For example, the management server 301 may execute the processing of S121 by storing a pack ID based on the code 502 of the standard supply pack 501 in the delivery pack table 340. In other words, even if the pack is a standard supply pack 501, if the "status" of the corresponding pack ID is "used," use of the standard supply pack 501 is not permitted (S123). On the other hand, if the "status" of the corresponding pack ID is "unused," it may be determined that use of the standard supply pack 501 is permitted, and processing may proceed to S125. Then, after the processing of S125, S127, and S128, the processing of S133 described above may be executed.

[0192] Furthermore, since the standard image forming device 500 is not subject to the subscription service, it is assumed that it is not registered in the device registration table 330. However, the standard image forming device 500 may be registered in the device registration table 330 for purposes other than the subscription service, such as a product warranty service. Therefore, even if it is determined that the replenishment pack to be used is the standard replenishment pack 501, the management server 301 may execute the process of S129. In other words, if the registered image forming device 1 or the standard image forming device 500 corresponding to the notified device ID is not registered in the device registration table 330, the management server 301 does not permit use of the standard replenishment pack 501 (S131). On the other hand, if the registered image forming device 1 or the standard image forming device 500 corresponding to the notified device ID is registered in the device registration table 330, it may be determined that use of the standard replenishment pack 501 is permitted (S133).

[0193] 18, the process of S111 and S113 is executed even by a user using the standard image forming apparatus 500. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0194] Basically, a user using the standard image forming apparatus 500 does not need to subscribe to a subscription service, and therefore user registration is not required. Therefore, steps S111 and S113 may be omitted, and user authentication may be omitted. In this case, in order to transmit the code 502 of the standard replenishment pack 501 to the management server 301, the application unit 440 may prepare a guest account for the user using the user terminal 401. Here, the guest account is an account that allows a user to temporarily use an application without user registration.

[0195] [2-5-5. Lock control processing] 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of lock control processing executed by the registered image forming apparatus 1 or the standard image forming apparatus 500. The lock control processing in FIG. 19 corresponds to the processing executed by the lock control unit 96 of the registered image forming apparatus 1 or the standard image forming apparatus 500 in S72 to S81 of FIG. 17. This lock control processing can be realized, for example, by the processing circuit 90 executing a computer program stored in advance in the memory 12 of the registered image forming apparatus 1 or the standard image forming apparatus 500.

[0196] First, in S211, the lock control unit 96 detects a predetermined input signal. This input signal may be, for example, an ID transmission request received from the user terminal 401 via the communication I / F 11, or a user input signal detected via the user I / F 13. In S213, in response to the detection of the predetermined input signal, the lock control unit 96 reads out a device ID from the memory 12 and transmits device information including the read device ID to the management server 301. Next, in S215, the lock control unit 96 starts waiting for reception of an unlock command, which is a control signal based on the result of pre-replenishment authentication.

[0197] In S217, the lock control unit 96 determines whether a predetermined standby period has expired, for example, by referring to the value of a timer that starts when standby mode begins. If the standby period has expired, the process proceeds to S237. On the other hand, if the standby period has not expired, the process proceeds to S219.

[0198] In S219, the process branches depending on whether or not an unlock command has been received from the management server 301. If an unlock command has been received from the management server 301, the process proceeds to S221. If an unlock command has not been received, the process returns to S217.

[0199] In S221, the lock control unit 96 causes the lock mechanism 52 to unlock the opening / closing mechanism 51 in accordance with the unlock command received from the management server 301. Next, in S223, the lock control unit 96 waits until the unlock period expires, for example, by using a timer that starts when the opening / closing mechanism 51 is unlocked. During this time, in S225, the lock control unit 96 monitors the operation of the opening / closing mechanism 51 by the user. When the user operates the opening / closing mechanism 51 and the supply path 50 is opened, the process proceeds to S227.

[0200] In S227, the lock control unit 96 sends an operation notification to the management server 301 indicating that the supply path 50 has been opened. Also, in S229, the remaining amount detection unit 61 detects the remaining amount of toner in the storage unit 48. Then, in S231, the print control unit 95 reports the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining amount detection unit 61 to the management server 301. The detection and reporting of the remaining amount of toner in S229 and S231 may be repeated until it is determined in S233 that the unlock period has expired.

[0201] If it is determined in S223 or S233 that the unlock period has expired, the lock control unit 96 causes the lock mechanism 52 to relock the opening / closing mechanism 51 in S235. In addition, the lock control unit 96 ends waiting for a control signal from an external device in S237. Then, the lock control process in FIG. 19 ends.

[0202] This embodiment is summarized below. A supply management system 300 serving as a supply system includes a registered image forming apparatus 1, a standard image forming apparatus 500, a registered supply pack 200, a standard supply pack 501, and a management server 301 serving as a server including an authentication unit 370. A first account of a first user and a second account of a second user, which is different from the first account, are registered in an account table 320 of the management server 301. The registered image forming apparatus 1 serving as the first image forming apparatus is associated with the first user. The standard image forming apparatus 500 serving as the second image forming apparatus is associated with the second user. The first account and the second account differ, particularly in their "contract types." Specifically, the first account is subscribed to a subscription service, and the second account is not subscribed to a subscription service.

[0203] The registration-type image forming apparatus 1 has a storage section 48 as a first storage section that stores consumables consumed for image formation, and a supply path 50 as a first supply path for supplying consumables from a supply pack to the storage section 48. The registration-type image forming apparatus 1 also has an opening / closing mechanism 51 as a first opening / closing section that opens and closes the supply path 50. The lock position as a first restricting position is a position that restricts the opening / closing mechanism 51 from being opened, and the unlock position as a first allowing position is a position that allows the opening / closing mechanism 51 to be opened. The registration-type image forming apparatus 1 also has a locking member 152 as a first restricting section that is movable between a lock position and an unlock position, and a solenoid 155 as a first actuator that moves the locking member 152 between the lock position and the unlock position. The opening / closing mechanism 51 has a main body shutter 116 as a first device shutter, and an operating unit 811 as a first operating unit for opening and closing the main body shutter 116. The locking member 152 restricts movement of the operating portion 811 when in the locked position, and allows movement of the operating portion 811 when in the unlocked position.

[0204] Similarly, the standard image forming device 500 has a storage section 48 as a second storage section that stores consumables consumed for image formation, and a supply path 50 as a second supply path for supplying consumables from a supply pack to the storage section 48. The standard image forming device 500 also has an opening / closing mechanism 51 as a second opening / closing section that opens and closes the supply path 50. The locked position as a second restricting position is a position that restricts the opening / closing mechanism 51 from opening, and the unlocked position as a second allowing position is a position that allows the opening / closing mechanism 51 to open. The standard image forming device 500 also has a locking member 152 as a second restricting section that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a solenoid 155 as a second actuator that moves the locking member 152 between the locked position and the unlocked position. The opening / closing mechanism 51 has a main body shutter 116 as a second device shutter, and an operating unit 811 as a second operating unit for opening and closing the main body shutter 116.

[0205] The registered supply pack 200, which serves as the first storage device, is assigned a unique code 201 as first authentication information. The standard supply pack 501, which serves as the second storage device, is assigned a unique code 502 as second authentication information different from the first authentication information. The authentication unit 370, which serves as authentication means, outputs an unlock command (S76) as an authentication signal based on the first user inputting information related to the codes 201 and 502 (first identification information) or the second user inputting information related to the code 502. Furthermore, the authentication unit 370 does not output the unlock command (S76) when the second user inputs information related to the code 201.

[0206] Focusing on the management server 301 as an information processing device, the management server 301 has a communication I / F as an acquisition means, an authentication unit 370 as a determination means, and an apparatus registration table 330 as a storage means. Before a replenishment pack (including the registered replenishment pack 200 and the standard replenishment pack 501) is used in an image forming apparatus (the registered image forming apparatus 1 and the standard image forming apparatus 500), the communication I / F acquires first identification information that identifies whether the replenishment pack is the registered replenishment pack 200 or the standard replenishment pack 501. The authentication unit 370 determines whether to permit use of the replenishment pack based on the first identification information (S66) and second identification information (S73) that identifies whether the target device to which the replenishment pack is to be attached and replenish consumables is the registered image forming apparatus 1 or the standard image forming apparatus 500.

[0207] The device registration table 330 stores information about image forming devices that are eligible for a predetermined service, such as a subscription service. For example, the device registration table 330 stores information about the registered image forming device 1 being eligible for the predetermined service, but does not store information about the standard image forming device 500 being eligible for the predetermined service. In this case, the authentication unit 370 permits the use of the registered replenishment pack 200 when it is used with the registered image forming device 1, and permits the use of the standard replenishment pack 501 when it is used with the registered image forming device 1. Furthermore, the authentication unit 370 does not permit the use of the registered replenishment pack when it is used with the standard image forming device 500, but permits the use of the standard replenishment pack when it is used with the standard image forming device 500.

[0208] When an unlock command is input to the registered image forming apparatus 1, i.e., when use of a supply pack is permitted, the solenoid 155 of the registered image forming apparatus 1 moves the locking member 152 from the locked position to the unlocked position. When an unlock command is input to the standard image forming apparatus 500, i.e., when use of a supply pack is permitted, the solenoid 155 of the standard image forming apparatus 500 moves the locking member 152 from the locked position to the unlocked position. When an unlock command is not input to the standard image forming apparatus 500, i.e., when use of a supply pack is not permitted, the solenoid 155 holds the locking member 152 in the locked position.

[0209] Furthermore, a first condition is that the registered replenishment pack 200 has not been used, and a second condition is that the standard replenishment pack 501 has not been used. In this case, the authentication unit 370 outputs an unlock command when the first and second conditions are met and information about the code 201 or the code 502 has been input by a first user, or when the second condition is met and information about the code 502 has been input by a second user. Furthermore, the authentication unit 370 does not output an unlock command when the first or second condition is not met and either information about the code 201 or information about the code 502 has been input by the first or second user. In other words, even when the registered replenishment pack 200 is used for the registered image forming device 1, or when the standard replenishment pack 501 is used for the registered image forming device 1, the authentication unit 370 does not permit use of the replenishment pack if the replenishment pack has been used. The information relating to the code 201 and the information relating to the code 502 are transmitted to the authentication unit 370 via the user terminal 401 .

[0210] As described above, in this embodiment, the management server 301 authenticates the correspondence between the image forming device and the refill pack, so that the usable / unusable combinations shown in Table 1 can be realized. Therefore, in a refill-type image forming device, it is possible to prevent a storage device for refilling consumables provided through a specified service from being used by an image forming device that is not eligible for the specified service. It is also possible to provide a mechanism that makes the image forming device easier to use.

[0211] <Other embodiments> In the above embodiment, the user terminal 401 reads the code 201, such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark), and transmits the information to the management server 301. However, the means for acquiring the information about the supply pack 200 is not limited to this. For example, the supply pack 200 may be equipped with a tag memory, which may contain a manufacturing number, a serial number, and information indicating whether the supply pack 200 is a registered type or a standard type. The image forming apparatus 1 with the supply pack 200 attached may then read information from the tag memory and transmit the information to the management server 301. With this configuration, the user does not need to perform compatibility authentication processing using the user terminal 401, thereby improving usability.

[0212] Furthermore, the code 201 may be printed in an optically readable format on the surface of the pouch portion 211 or on the package of the registered-type replenishment pack 200, but not on the standard replenishment pack 501. Instead, the standard replenishment pack 501 may be provided with the tag memory described above, so that compatibility authentication processing is automatically performed when the standard replenishment pack 501 is attached to the registered-type image forming apparatus 1 or the standard image forming apparatus 500. In this case, a specific user who uses the registered-type replenishment pack 200 needs to perform compatibility authentication processing using the user terminal 401, but a general user who uses the standard replenishment pack 501 does not need to install an application or the like on the user terminal 401 to perform compatibility authentication processing. As a result, usability can be improved for general users who use the standard replenishment pack 501 only with the standard image forming apparatus 500.

[0213] In addition, in all of the above-described embodiments, the locking mechanism 150 is configured to restrict or allow rotation of the operating unit, but is not limited to this. For example, instead of the locking mechanism 150 transitioning from the locked state to the unlocked state, the supply path may be opened by rotating any one of the operating unit, the pack shutter, or the main body shutter.

[0214] Furthermore, while the above-described embodiments have been described using an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an inkjet image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet by ejecting ink liquid from nozzles. In this case, the consumable material consumed when the image forming apparatus forms an image is ink, and the refill pack contains ink.

[0215] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more of the functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0216] 1: first image forming apparatus (registered image forming apparatus) / 48: consumable material storage section, first storage section, second storage section (storage section) / 50: first supply path, second supply path (supply path) / 51: first opening / closing section, second opening / closing section (opening / closing mechanism) / 116: first device shutter, second device shutter (main body shutter) / 152: first regulating section, second regulating section (locking member) / 155: first actuator, second actuator (solenoid) / 200: first storage device (registered supply pack) / 201: first authentication information (Code) / 300: Replenishment system (replenishment management system) / 301: Information processing device, server (management server) / 311: Acquisition means (communication I / F) / 330: Storage means (device registration table) / 370: Authentication means, determination means (authentication unit) / 401: User terminal / 415: Display unit (display device) / 500: Second image forming device (standard image forming device) / 501: Second storage device (standard replenishing pack) / 502: Second authentication information (code) / 811: First operation unit, second operation unit (operation unit)

Claims

1. An information processing device that determines whether to permit use of a storage device that is detachable from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet using consumables and stores the consumables, and that is capable of replenishing the consumables to a consumables storage unit provided in the image forming apparatus when the storage device is attached to the image forming apparatus, an acquiring unit that acquires first identification information for identifying whether the containing device is a first containing device or a second containing device before the containing device is used in the image forming apparatus; a determination means for determining whether to permit use of the storage device based on the first identification information acquired by the acquisition means and second identification information for identifying whether the storage device is attached to a first image forming apparatus or a second image forming apparatus to replenish the consumable goods; a storage means for storing information about an image forming apparatus that is a target of a predetermined service; In a state where information indicating that the first image forming device is a target of the predetermined service is stored in the storage means, and information indicating that the second image forming device is a target of the predetermined service is not stored in the storage means, the determining unit permits use of the first containing device when the first containing device is used with the first image forming apparatus and when the second containing device is used with the first image forming apparatus; When the first containing device is used for the second image forming apparatus, use of the containing device is not permitted, and when the second containing device is used for the second image forming apparatus, use of the containing device is permitted.

1. An information processing device comprising:

2. the determination unit does not permit use of the first containing device when the first image forming apparatus is to use the first containing device and when the second containing device is to be used for the first image forming apparatus, if the containing device has already been used; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

3. the first identification information is transmitted to the determination means via a user terminal; 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

4. a first image forming device associated with a first user having a first account, the first image forming device having: a first storage unit that stores consumables consumed for image formation; a first supply path for supplying the consumables to the first storage unit; a first opening / closing unit that opens and closes the first supply path; a first restriction unit that is movable between a first restriction position that restricts the first opening / closing unit from being opened and a first allowable position that allows the first opening / closing unit to be opened; and a first actuator that moves the first restriction unit between the first restriction position and the first allowable position; a second image forming device associated with a second user having a second account different from the first account, the second image forming device having: a second storage unit that stores consumables consumed for image formation; a second supply path for supplying the consumables to the second storage unit; a second opening / closing unit that opens and closes the second supply path; a second restriction unit that is movable between a second restriction position that restricts the second opening / closing unit from being opened and a second allowable position that allows the second opening / closing unit to be opened; and a second actuator that moves the second restriction unit between the second restriction position and the second allowable position; a first storage device provided with first authentication information and configured to store consumables consumed for image formation; a second storage device to which second authentication information different from the first authentication information is assigned and which stores consumables consumed for image formation; an authentication means for outputting an authentication signal based on the first user inputting information about the first authentication information or the second authentication information, or the second user inputting information about the second authentication information, and not outputting the authentication signal when the second user inputs information about the first authentication information; the first actuator moves the first restricting portion from the first restricting position to the first allowing position when the authentication signal is input to the first image forming apparatus; the second actuator moves the second regulating portion from the second regulating position to the second allowing position when the authentication signal is input to the second image forming apparatus, and holds the second regulating portion at the second regulating position when the authentication signal is not input to the second image forming apparatus. A resupply system characterized by:

5. the first account is eligible for a predetermined service; The second account is not eligible for the predetermined service; 5. The replenishment system of claim 4.

6. When a first condition is that the first containing device is not in use, and a second condition is that the second containing device is not in use, the authentication means outputs the authentication signal when the first condition and the second condition are satisfied and the first user has input the first authentication information or the information related to the second authentication information, or when the second condition is satisfied and the second user has input the information related to the second authentication information, and does not output the authentication signal when the first condition or the second condition is not satisfied and either the first user or the second user has input the information related to the first authentication information or the information related to the second authentication information.

6. A supply system according to claim 4 or 5.

7. further comprising a user terminal capable of reading the first authentication information and the second authentication information; the information regarding the first authentication information and the information regarding the second authentication information are transmitted to the authentication means via the user terminal; 7. A replenishment system according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. the user terminal has a display unit capable of displaying a message; the authentication means outputs a notification signal to the user terminal based on the information regarding the first authentication information being input by the second user; the display unit displays a message indicating that the first accommodated device is unavailable to the second image forming apparatus based on the user terminal receiving the notification signal.

8. The replenishment system of claim 7.

9. the first opening / closing unit has a first device shutter that opens and closes the first supply path, and a first operating unit that opens and closes the first device shutter, the second opening / closing unit has a second device shutter that opens and closes the second supply path, and a second operating unit that opens and closes the second device shutter, the first restricting portion restricts movement of the first operating portion at the first restricting position and allows movement of the first operating portion at the first allowing position; the second restricting portion restricts movement of the second operating portion at the second restricting position and allows movement of the second operating portion at the second allowing position; 9. A replenishment system according to any one of claims 4 to 8.

10. a server connected to the first image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus via a network, the server including the authentication means; 10. A replenishment system according to any one of claims 4 to 9.

11. the first containing device is at least partially exposed to the outside of the first image forming apparatus when attached to the first image forming apparatus; At least a portion of the second containing device is exposed to the outside of the second image forming apparatus when the second containing device is attached to the second image forming apparatus.

11. A replenishment system according to any one of claims 4 to 10.

Images