Information processing system, image processing device, and information processing method

Abstract

To make it easier to improve the accuracy of determining whether consumables are genuine or not. [Solution] The information processing system 100 comprises an acquisition unit 101, a communication unit 102, and a processing unit 103. The acquisition unit 101 acquires type information indicating the type of wireless tag 71 attached to a consumable (toner container) used in an image processing device. The communication unit 102 communicates with the wireless tag 71. The processing unit 103 sends a command to the wireless tag 71 and, after a response time corresponding to the type information has elapsed, executes a determination process to determine whether the consumable is genuine or not based on whether or not it receives response information from the wireless tag 71.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an image processing apparatus, and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] As a related art, there is known a setting information providing device that is provided in an image processing apparatus and gives function setting information to the image processing apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This setting information providing device includes a wireless communication means capable of wireless communication with an external communication device, a storage means, and a writing means for writing function setting information transmitted from the external communication device into the storage means.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above related art, for example, as function setting information, it is conceivable to write the identification information of a wireless tag provided in a genuine toner container (consumable) used in an image processing apparatus into the storage means. In this case, the image processing apparatus acquires the identification information of the wireless tag by communicating with the wireless tag provided in the toner container in a state where the toner container is mounted. Then, the image processing apparatus can determine whether the toner container is a genuine product by comparing the identification information acquired from the wireless tag with the identification information previously written in the storage means.

[0005] Specifically, the image processing device determines that a toner container equipped with a wireless tag is genuine if the identification information obtained from the wireless tag matches the identification information pre-written in the storage means. On the other hand, the image processing device determines that a toner container equipped with a wireless tag is counterfeit if the identification information obtained from the wireless tag does not match the identification information pre-written in the storage means.

[0006] In principle, the wireless tags on non-genuine toner containers store identification information different from that of genuine products. However, if the identification information on the wireless tag is tampered with by an unauthorized third party, the wireless tag may store identification information that mimics that of a genuine product. In such cases, the aforementioned related technology cannot distinguish between genuine identification information and identification information that mimics that of a genuine product, which presents a problem as it may incorrectly determine that the toner container is genuine.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, an image processing device, and an information processing method that can improve the accuracy of determining whether or not consumables are genuine products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an acquisition unit, a communication unit, and a processing unit. The acquisition unit acquires type information indicating the type of wireless tag attached to a consumable used in an image processing device. The communication unit communicates with the wireless tag. The processing unit performs a determination process to determine whether the consumable is a genuine product based on whether or not it receives response information from the wireless tag after a response time corresponding to the type information has elapsed since sending a command to the wireless tag.

[0009] An image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention comprises the information processing system and a control system that performs control related to the consumables.

[0010] An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention is an information processing method executed by one or more processors, comprising: an acquisition step; a communication step; and a processing step. In the acquisition step, type information indicating the type of wireless tag provided on a consumable used in an image processing device is acquired. In the communication step, communication is performed with the wireless tag. In the processing step, a determination process is performed to determine whether the consumable is a genuine product based on whether or not response information is received from the wireless tag after a response time corresponding to the type information has elapsed since sending a command to the wireless tag. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing system, an image processing device, and an information processing method that can improve the accuracy of determining whether or not consumables are genuine products. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the toner supply unit in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system and information processing system in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of correlation data between the type of wireless tag and the response time in the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0014] [1] Overall configuration of the image processing device First, with reference to Figure 1, the schematic configuration of the image processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as an example, the image processing device 10 is a printer device capable of performing a print process to form an image on a sheet 9. The image processing device 10 may also be a facsimile device having a facsimile function, or a multifunction device having multiple functions such as a scanning function, a facsimile function, and a copying function.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the image processing apparatus 10 comprises a housing 1, a sheet storage unit 2, a transport device 3, a printing device 4, a toner supply unit 50, a control system 8, an operating device 801, a display device 802, and an information processing system 100.

[0016] The housing 1 houses the transport device 3, the printing device 4, the toner supply unit 50, and the control system 8. Inside the housing 1, there is a transport path 300 which is the passage for the sheet 9.

[0017] The transport device 3 includes a sheet feeding mechanism 30 and multiple pairs of transport rollers 31. The sheet feeding mechanism 30 feeds the sheets 9 stored in the sheet storage section 2 one by one to the transport path 300. The multiple pairs of transport rollers 31 transport the sheets 9 along the transport path 300. One of the multiple pairs of transport rollers 31 discharges the sheet 9, on which the image has been formed by the printing device 4, from the transport path 300 onto the discharge tray 1x.

[0018] The printing device 4 performs printing on the sheet 9 that is transported along the transport path 300. In the example shown in Figure 1, the printing device 4 performs printing using an electrophotographic method. In this embodiment, the printing device 4 includes an exposure device 40, one or more image forming units 4x, a transfer device 44, and a fixing device 46.

[0019] Also, in this embodiment, the printing device 4 is a tandem type color printing device. Therefore, the printing device 4 has a plurality of image forming units 4x corresponding to a plurality of developing colors. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 4 has four image forming units 4x corresponding to the developing colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively.

[0020] Each image forming unit 4x includes a photoreceptor 41, a charging device 42, a developing device 43, and a drum cleaning device 45. In each image forming unit 4x, the photoreceptor 41 rotates, and the charging device 42 charges the surface of the photoreceptor 41.

[0021] The exposure device 40 writes an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged photoreceptor 41 by scanning the surface of the photoreceptor 41 with laser light. The developing device 43 develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by supplying toner to the surface of the photoreceptor 41. The transfer device 44 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 41 to the sheet 9 conveyed along the conveyance path 300.

[0022] In the tandem type printing device 4, the transfer device 44 includes an intermediate transfer belt 441, a plurality of primary transfer devices 442, a secondary transfer device 443, and a belt cleaning device 444. The plurality of primary transfer devices 442 are provided corresponding to the plurality of image forming units 4x, respectively.

[0023] A part of the intermediate transfer belt 441 rotates along the plurality of image forming units 4x. The plurality of primary transfer devices 442 transfer the toner images on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 41 of the plurality of image forming units 4x to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441. Thereby, a color toner image in which toner images of a plurality of colors are synthesized is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441.

[0024] The secondary transfer device 443 transfers the color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441 to the sheet 9. The fixing device 46 fixes the color toner image on the sheet 9 by heating and pressurizing it.

[0025] The toner supply unit 50 supplies toner to the developing units 43 of the multiple image forming units 4x in the printing device 4. The toner supply unit 50 has multiple mounting units 5 (see Figure 2). Each mounting unit 5 is a part to which the toner container 7 is removably mounted.

[0026] The toner supply unit 50 supplies toner from multiple toner containers 7, each mounted on a multiple mounting unit 5, to the developing devices 43 of multiple image forming units 4x, according to the developing color.

[0027] Sheet 9 is a sheet-like image forming medium such as paper. Toner is an example of a developer. Each toner container 7 is an example of a developer storage unit that contains a developer, and is an example of a consumable used in the image processing device 10.

[0028] In this embodiment, the toner supply unit 50 comprises four mounting unit sets 5x, as shown in Figure 2 (see Figure 3). Each of the four mounting unit sets 5x corresponds to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner. Yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are examples of developer colors. Each of the four mounting unit sets 5x contains two mounting units 5. Therefore, the toner supply unit 50 contains eight mounting units 5. In each of the four mounting unit sets 5x, two toner containers 7 of the same color can be mounted in the two mounting units 5. In other words, the toner supply unit 50 can accommodate two toner containers 7 containing toner of the same color.

[0029] In the toner supply unit 50, one of the two toner containers 7 is selected as the target container for each developing color. The target container is the toner supply source. Hereinafter, the other toner container 7 will be referred to as the preparation container.

[0030] Furthermore, if the toner in the target container runs out for each developing color, the target container is switched. That is, the use of the target container at the time of toner depletion is stopped, and a prepared container is used as the new target container. This allows printing to continue using the other container even while one of the two toner containers 7 is being replaced for each developing color.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the toner supply unit 50 further includes eight locking mechanisms 6 corresponding to each of the eight mounting units 5, and eight toner level sensors 5s.

[0032] The eight locking mechanisms 6 are divided into four sets of locking mechanisms 6x, each corresponding to one of the four sets of mounting parts 5x (see Figure 3). Each of the four sets of locking mechanisms 6x contains two locking mechanisms 6, each corresponding to two mounting parts 5.

[0033] Each remaining toner sensor 5s detects the amount of toner remaining in the corresponding toner container 7. For example, each remaining toner sensor 5s is a magnetic permeability sensor. Alternatively, each remaining toner sensor 5s may be a photosensor that detects the toner storage level in the toner container 7, or a load cell that measures the weight inside the toner container 7. In this embodiment, each remaining toner sensor 5s can detect the empty state of the toner container 7 mounted on each mounting unit 5. The empty state is a state in which there is no toner remaining in the toner container 7.

[0034] Each locking mechanism 6 is a mechanism that can be selectively switched between a locked state and an unlocked state. The locked state makes it impossible to remove the toner container 7 from the corresponding mounting part 5. The unlocked state makes it possible to remove the toner container 7 from the corresponding mounting part 5.

[0035] The operating device 801 is a device that accepts human input. For example, the operating device 801 has at least one of a touch panel and / or operating buttons. The display device 802 is capable of displaying various types of information. For example, the display device 802 is a panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device.

[0036] The control system 8 controls various electrical devices provided by the image processing device 10. In this embodiment, the control system 8 performs control related to the toner container 7 (consumable). As shown in Figure 3, the control system 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 80, RAM (Random Access Memory) 81, a secondary storage device 82, a signal interface 83, and a communication device 84.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control system 8 is mounted on a single circuit board 85 (see Figure 6). Here, the functions performed by the control system 8 differ depending on the model of the image processing device 10. For this reason, the circuit board 85 on which the control system 8 is mounted is a unique circuit board corresponding to the model of the image processing device 10.

[0038] The CPU 80 is an example of a processor that performs various control and data processing by executing computer programs. The RAM 81 temporarily stores the computer programs executed by the CPU 80 and various data.

[0039] The secondary storage device 82 is a computer-readable, non-volatile storage device. The secondary storage device 82 stores computer programs executed by the CPU 80 and various types of data. For example, at least one of flash memory and a hard disk drive is used as the secondary storage device 82.

[0040] The signal interface 83 converts detection signals from various sensors equipped in the image processing device 10 into digital detection data. The detection data is transmitted to the CPU 80.

[0041] The communication device 84 performs communication with one or more host devices and multiple external devices, including the information processing system 100, via the network. The CPU 80 performs communication with each external device via the communication device 84. The host device is an information processing device that requests print processing from the image processing device 10.

[0042] The CPU 80 includes multiple processing modules that are implemented by executing computer programs. These processing modules include, as shown in Figure 3, a main control unit 8a, a supply control unit 8b, and a print control unit 8c, etc.

[0043] The main control unit 8a performs processing to receive various requests and controls other modules to execute processing in response to those requests. For example, the main control unit 8a receives print requests through the operating device 801 or the communication device 84. The main control unit 8a also causes the print control unit 8c to execute processing in response to the print requests.

[0044] The supply control unit 8b controls the supply of toner from the toner supply unit 50 to the printing device 4 by controlling the toner supply unit 50. For example, the supply control unit 8b controls the toner supply unit 50 to supply toner from the target container to the developing device 43, provided that the toner level in the target container is not empty. Also, for example, the supply control unit 8b controls each lock mechanism 6 to either a locked state or an unlocked state by outputting a lock control signal.

[0045] The print control unit 8c controls the transport device 3 and the print device 4. The print control unit 8c causes the transport device 3 to transport the sheet 9 while simultaneously causing the print device 4 to perform the printing process.

[0046] In this embodiment, each toner container 7 (consumable) is equipped with a wireless tag 71. The wireless tag 71 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag, and is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag that stores product information of the toner container 7 in memory (not shown). The product information includes information about the toner, such as the color and type of toner contained in the toner container 7. The product information also includes unique identification information for each toner container 7, in other words, unique identification information for each wireless tag 71.

[0047] Here, if the toner container 7 used in the image processing device 10 is a genuine product, the identification information stored in the wireless tag 71 of the toner container 7 corresponds to information indicating that the toner container 7 is a genuine product. On the other hand, if the toner container 7 used in the image processing device 10 is a counterfeit product, the identification information stored in the wireless tag 71 of the toner container 7 corresponds to information indicating that the toner container is a counterfeit product, unless it is tampered with by an unauthorized third party.

[0048] The wireless tag 71 performs processing according to commands transmitted from the information processing system 100 by communicating via short-range wireless communication with the information processing system 100, which will be described later. For example, when the wireless tag 71 receives a read command transmitted from the information processing system 100, it transmits the data specified in the read command from the data stored in its memory to the information processing system 100. Also, when the wireless tag 71 receives a write command and data transmitted from the information processing system 100, it stores the received data in its memory.

[0049] Incidentally, in image processing devices such as the image processing device 10, a related technology is known for determining whether or not a toner container is genuine, as follows. That is, the image processing device, with the toner container installed, communicates with the wireless tag attached to the toner container and obtains the identification information of the wireless tag. The image processing device can then determine whether or not a toner container is genuine by comparing the identification information obtained from the wireless tag with the identification information pre-written in the storage device of the image processing device.

[0050] Specifically, the image processing device determines that a toner container equipped with a wireless tag is genuine if the identification information obtained from the wireless tag matches the identification information pre-written in the storage device of the image processing device. On the other hand, the image processing device determines that a toner container equipped with a wireless tag is counterfeit if the identification information obtained from the wireless tag does not match the identification information pre-written in the storage device of the image processing device.

[0051] In principle, the wireless tags on non-genuine toner containers store identification information different from that of genuine products. However, if the identification information on the wireless tag is tampered with by an unauthorized third party, the wireless tag may store identification information that mimics that of a genuine product. In such cases, the aforementioned related technology cannot distinguish between genuine identification information and identification information that mimics that of a genuine product, which presents a problem as it may incorrectly determine that the toner container is genuine.

[0052] In contrast, in this embodiment, the information processing system 100 of the image processing device 10, described below, can perform processing that improves the accuracy of determining whether or not the toner container 7 (consumable) is a genuine product.

[0053] Specifically, the information processing system 100 has a CPU and ROM (Read Only Memory), and a program for executing the control described below is pre-stored in the CPU. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or flash memory, and may be read from the recording medium and installed in the ROM.

[0054] The information processing system 100 is a separate device from the control system 8 and is a system that controls communication with the wireless tag 71. As shown in Figure 3, the information processing system 100 includes an acquisition unit 101, a communication unit 102, and a processing unit 103. Specifically, the information processing system 100 executes the above program stored in ROM using a CPU. As a result, the information processing system 100 functions as an acquisition unit 101, a communication unit 102, and a processing unit 103. The information processing system 100 may be composed of electronic circuits such as an integrated circuit (ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)).

[0055] In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 101, the communication unit 102, and the processing unit 103 are mounted on a single circuit board 105 (see Figure 6). In other words, the information processing system 100 is mounted on a single circuit board 105. Here, the acquisition unit 101, the communication unit 102, and the processing unit 103 all have the same function regardless of the model of the image processing device 10. Therefore, the circuit board 105 on which the information processing system 100 is mounted can be a common circuit board regardless of the model of the image processing device 10. This has the advantage of reducing the manufacturing cost of the image processing device 10, as it eliminates the need to manufacture a dedicated circuit board for each model of the image processing device 10.

[0056] The acquisition unit 101 is a communication device that communicates with the control system 8. For example, the acquisition unit 101 transmits data read from the wireless tag 71 by the processing unit 103 to the control system 8. The acquisition unit 101 also receives data transmitted from the control system 8 and transmits the received data to the processing unit 103.

[0057] The acquisition unit 101 then communicates with the control system 8 to acquire type information indicating the type of wireless tag 71 attached to the consumable (toner container 7) used in the image processing device 10. Here, genuine consumables are equipped with a wireless tag 71 corresponding to the type of consumable. In other words, the type information corresponds to information indicating the type of genuine consumable. Furthermore, genuine consumables are used in image processing devices 10 of a model corresponding to the type of consumable. In other words, the type information also corresponds to information indicating the type of image processing device 10.

[0058] In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 101 acquires type information transmitted from the control system 8, which performs control related to consumables (toner container 7), when the image processing device 10 is started up. Here, control related to consumables includes, for example, the control of the supply of toner from the toner supply unit 50 to the print device 4 by the supply control unit 8b controlling the toner supply unit 50. Furthermore, the start-up of the image processing device 10 includes when the power of the image processing device 10 is switched from off to on, or when the sleep state of the image processing device 10 is released.

[0059] As a result, the determination process described later is executed each time the image processing device 10 is started up, which has the advantage that even if a consumable is replaced while the image processing device 10 is stopped, it is possible to determine whether or not the consumable is a genuine product.

[0060] In this embodiment, the control system 8 sends the "setTagType" command as type information to the information processing system 100 when the image processing device 10 is started up. As shown in Figure 4, the value of the "setTagType" command differs depending on the model of the image processing device 10 and the type of the wireless tag 71. In the example shown in Figure 4, if the "setTagType" command is "1", it indicates that the model of the image processing device 10 is "Type-1" and the type of the wireless tag 71 is "Tag-1". Also, if the "setTagType" command is "2", it indicates that the model of the image processing device 10 is "Type-2" and the type of the wireless tag 71 is "Tag-2".

[0061] Here, the control system 8 sends a "setTagType" command corresponding to the model of the image processing device 10 it comprises to the information processing system 100. For example, if the model of the image processing device 10 is "Type-1", the control system 8 of the image processing device 10 sends a "setTagType" command indicating "1" to the information processing system 100. If the model of the image processing device 10 is "Type-2", the control system 8 of the image processing device 10 sends a "setTagType" command indicating "2" to the information processing system 100.

[0062] In the example shown in Figure 4, the "setTagType" command, as type information, is represented by a single-digit number, but it is not limited to this and may be represented by a string including letters or symbols, for example. Also, in the example shown in Figure 4, there are two types of image processing devices 10, but there may be three or more types. In this case, the number of "setTagType" commands as type information should increase according to the number of types of image processing devices 10.

[0063] The communication unit 102 is a communication device that communicates with the wireless tag 71. For example, the communication unit 102 modulates a signal containing data output by the processing unit 103 and transmits the modulated signal to the wireless tag 71 via the antenna 102a. The communication unit 102 also demodulates the signal received from the wireless tag 71 by the antenna 102a and transmits the demodulated signal to the processing unit 103.

[0064] In the example shown in Figure 3, the information processing system 100 is a multi-antenna type system equipped with multiple antenna ports 104, each corresponding to a multiple antenna 102a. In this embodiment, since eight antennas 102a are provided, each corresponding to one of the eight toner containers 7, the information processing system 100 is equipped with eight antenna ports 104. The communication unit 102 can communicate with each wireless tag 71 by communicating with the wireless tag 71 corresponding to each antenna port 104.

[0065] Furthermore, if the information processing system 100 has an anti-collision function, the information processing system 100 may have only one antenna 102a positioned to communicate with multiple wireless tags 71. In this case, the information processing system 100 only needs to have one antenna port 104 corresponding to one antenna 102a. The communication unit 102 can identify the wireless tags 71 by referring to the identification information of each wireless tag 71, and can therefore communicate individually with multiple wireless tags 71 through the single antenna 102a.

[0066] The processing unit 103 communicates with the wireless tag 71 through the antenna 102a and the communication unit 102. Specifically, when the processing unit 103 writes data to the wireless tag 71, it sends a write command instructing the wireless tag 71 to write the data and the data to be written to the wireless tag 71 through the antenna 102a and the communication unit 102. Also, when the processing unit 103 reads data from the wireless tag 71, it sends a read command instructing the wireless tag 71 to read specific data through the antenna 102a and the communication unit 102.

[0067] The processing unit 103 has a function to perform a determination process to determine whether the consumable (toner container 7) is genuine or not. The determination process determines whether the consumable is genuine or not based on whether or not response information is received from the wireless tag 71 at the time when a response time corresponding to the type information has elapsed after a command has been sent to the wireless tag 71. Here, the response information is, for example, an ACK (Acknowledgment), which is information indicating that the wireless tag 71 has successfully received the command sent from the information processing system 100, or that it has executed the process instructed by the command.

[0068] Specifically, in the determination process, the processing unit 103 first determines a response time corresponding to the type information obtained by the acquisition unit 101. In this embodiment, the processing unit 103 stores the correlation data shown in Figure 4 in ROM beforehand and determines the response time corresponding to the type information by referring to this correlation data. In the example shown in Figure 4, the correlation data includes the response times for each of the three write commands ("Write block" command, "Write lock" command, and "Write Password" command, etc.).

[0069] The "Write block" command instructs the wireless tag 71 to write specific data. This specific data includes, for example, the page counter value indicating the number of sheets 9 printed using toner supplied from the toner container 7, or the amount of toner consumed in the toner container 7. The "Write lock" command instructs the wireless tag 71 to prevent overwriting of the written data. The "Write Password" command instructs the wireless tag 71 to set a password to be used to release the overwrite restriction.

[0070] Here, the response time for each command is a value obtained by measuring in advance by having the information processing system 100 communicate with the wireless tag 71 before mounting the information processing system 100 on the image processing device 10. Furthermore, the response time for each command differs depending on the type of wireless tag 71, and is information specific to the type of wireless tag 71.

[0071] In the example shown in Figure 4, the response time for the "Write block" command is 4.3 ms for wireless tag 71 of type "Tag-1". On the other hand, the response time for the same "Write block" command is 2.4 ms for wireless tag 71 of type "Tag-2", which differs from the response time for wireless tag 71 of type "Tag-1". Furthermore, the response time for the "Write Password" command does not exist for wireless tag 71 of type "Tag-1", but is 1.53 ms for wireless tag 71 of type "Tag-2", showing that they are different. The response time for the "Write lock" command is the same for wireless tag 71 of type "Tag-1" and wireless tag 71 of type "Tag-2". However, the sum of the response times for the three write commands differs between wireless tag 71 of type "Tag-1" and wireless tag 71 of type "Tag-2".

[0072] In the example shown in Figure 4, when the processing unit 103 receives a "setTagType" command indicating "1" as the type information, it determines the response time for the "Write block" command to be 4.3ms. The processing unit 103 also determines the response time for the "Write lock" command to be 2.5ms. On the other hand, when the processing unit 103 receives a "setTagType" command indicating "2" as the type information, it determines the response time for the "Write block" command to be 2.4ms. Furthermore, the processing unit 103 determines the response time for the "Write lock" command to be 2.5ms and the response time for the "Write Password" command to be 1.53ms.

[0073] Next, the processing unit 103 sends the command to be determined to the wireless tag 71 and measures the response time from the time the command is sent, according to the type information determined as described above. Then, when the timing of the response time measurement is complete, the processing unit 103 checks whether it can receive response information from the wireless tag 71. If it receives response information from the wireless tag 71 at that time, the processing unit 103 determines that the consumable (toner container 7) equipped with the wireless tag 71 is a genuine product. On the other hand, if it does not receive response information from the wireless tag 71 at that time, the processing unit 103 determines that the consumable equipped with the wireless tag 71 is a counterfeit product. Note that the above timing may vary by a few tenths of a millisecond.

[0074] In this embodiment, the commands subject to the determination process include write commands that instruct the wireless tag 71 to write data, as described above. Here, write commands tend to have a larger difference in response time depending on the type of wireless tag 71 compared to read commands that instruct the wireless tag 71 to read data. For this reason, by adopting write commands as the target of the determination process, it becomes easier to identify the type of wireless tag 71 by response time, and the accuracy of determining whether the consumable (toner container 7) is genuine can be improved. Note that the commands subject to the determination process are not limited to write commands, but may also include read commands.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the commands subject to the determination process are multiple commands, each with a different type of instruction to the wireless tag 71. The processing unit 103 then performs a determination process for each of the multiple commands and determines whether the consumable (toner container 7) is genuine based on the results of all the determination processes.

[0076] For example, the processing unit 103 performs a determination process for each of the "Write block" command, the "Write lock" command, and the "Write Password" command. The processing unit 103 then determines that the consumable is genuine if the results of the determination process for each command are all positive (i.e., the consumable is determined to be genuine). On the other hand, the processing unit 103 determines that the consumable is counterfeit if the results of the determination process for at least one command are negative (i.e., the consumable is determined to be counterfeit). This has the advantage of improving the accuracy of determining whether a consumable is genuine or not compared to determining whether a consumable is genuine or not based on the result of the determination process for only one command.

[0077] In this embodiment, before executing the above determination process, the processing unit 103 first determines whether the consumable (toner container 7) is genuine based on the identification information of the wireless tag 71. Specifically, when the image processing device 10 is started up, the processing unit 103 obtains the identification information of the wireless tag 71 by sending a command to the wireless tag 71 instructing it to send identification information before executing the above determination process. Then, the processing unit 103 determines whether the consumable is genuine based on a comparison between the obtained identification information and the identification information for determination corresponding to the type information.

[0078] Identification information for determination, corresponding to the type information, is pre-stored in the ROM of the processing unit 103. In this case, the identification information for wireless tag 71 of type "Tag-1" and the identification information for wireless tag 71 of type "Tag-2" are stored in the ROM as identification information for determination.

[0079] For example, if the processing unit 103 receives a "setTagType" command indicating "1" as type information, it determines the identification information of the wireless tag 71, whose type is "Tag-1", to be used as the identification information for determination. Next, the processing unit 103 compares the identification information obtained by the acquisition unit 101 with the identification information for determination. If they match, it determines that the consumable (toner container 7) is genuine; if they do not match, it determines that the consumable is counterfeit.

[0080] Then, if the processing unit 103 determines that the consumable (toner container 7) is genuine based on the identification information, it executes the above determination process based on the response time. This has the advantage of being able to determine whether the consumable is genuine or not in two stages, compared to when only the determination process based on the response time is performed, as it improves the accuracy of determining whether the consumable is genuine or not.

[0081] [2] Example of information processing system operation Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 5, an example of the information processing method of this embodiment will be described along with an example of the procedure for processing performed by the information processing system 100 in the image processing device 10. Here, steps S11, S12, ... represent the numbers of the processing procedures (steps) performed by the information processing system 100. In this embodiment, this processing is performed when the image processing device 10 is started up. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 5, it will be explained that there is one command that the processing unit 103 transmits to the wireless tag 71, that is, there is one command that is the target of the judgment processing.

[0082] <Step S11> First, the acquisition unit 101 acquires type information transmitted from the control system 8, which performs control related to consumables (toner container 7), when the image processing device 10 is started up.

[0083] <Step S12> Next, the processing unit 103 determines the identification information for determination according to the type information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 by referring to the identification information for determination that is stored in the ROM in advance.

[0084] <Step S13> Next, the processing unit 103 obtains the identification information of the wireless tag 71 from the wireless tag 71 by sending a command to the wireless tag 71 instructing it to transmit the identification information.

[0085] <Step S14> Next, the processing unit 103 compares the determined identification information with the identification information of the wireless tag 71 obtained from the wireless tag 71. If these identification pieces match (step S14: Yes), the processing unit 103 executes step S15. On the other hand, if these identification pieces do not match (step S14: No), the processing unit 103 executes step S20.

[0086] <Step S15> The processing unit 103 determines the response time corresponding to the type information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 by referring to correlation data (see Figure 4) that is stored in the ROM in advance. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, <Image Processing Device: Type-1>, if the "setTagType" command, which is the type information acquired by the acquisition unit 101, indicates "1", the processing unit 103 determines the response time corresponding to "Tag-1", which is the type of wireless tag 71. Also, as shown in Figure 6, <Image Processing Device: Type-2>, if the "setTagType" command, which is the type information acquired by the acquisition unit 101, indicates "2", the processing unit 103 determines the response time corresponding to "Tag-2", which is the type of wireless tag 71.

[0087] <Step S16> Next, the processing unit 103 sends a command to the wireless tag 71. Here, the processing unit 103 sends a write command (for example, the "Write block" command) to the wireless tag 71.

[0088] <Step S17> Next, the processing unit 103 waits from the time it sends a command to the wireless tag 71 until the determined response time has elapsed.

[0089] <Step S18> Next, the processing unit 103 checks whether to receive response information from the wireless tag 71 at the time the determined response time has elapsed since the command was sent to the wireless tag 71. If response information is received at that time (step S18: Yes), the processing unit 103 executes step S19. On the other hand, if response information is not received at that time (step S18: No), the processing unit 103 executes step S20.

[0090] <Step S19> The processing unit 103 determines that the consumable (toner container 7) is genuine. In this case, the processing unit 103 transmits information indicating that the consumable is genuine to the control system 8. From this point onward, the control system 8 performs control related to the consumable, assuming that the consumable is genuine.

[0091] <Step S20> The processing unit 103 determines that the consumable (toner container 7) is a counterfeit product. In this case, the processing unit 103 transmits information indicating that the consumable is a counterfeit product to the control system 8. From this point onward, the control system 8 performs control related to the consumable, assuming that the consumable is a counterfeit product. For example, the control system 8 restricts some of the functions that can be performed when the consumable is a genuine product. Specifically, the control system 8 restricts the function of displaying the toner gauge, which indicates the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 7, on the display device 802.

[0092] If there are multiple commands that are subject to the judgment process, the processing unit 103 executes steps S16 to S18 for each command. Then, if the processing unit 103 has received response information for all commands, it executes step S19, and if it has not received response information for at least one command, it executes step S20.

[0093] As described above, the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment focuses on the fact that the response time to commands differs for each type of wireless tag 71, and determines whether or not a consumable (toner container 7) is genuine based on the response time. Furthermore, unlike the identification information of the wireless tag 71, the response time is a parameter that is due to the physical characteristics of the wireless tag 71, and therefore cannot be tampered with by an unauthorized third party. For this reason, even if the wireless tag 71 stores identification information that simulates the identification information of a genuine product, the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment can determine whether or not a consumable is genuine based on the response time. Therefore, the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment has the advantage of being able to improve the accuracy of determining whether or not a consumable is genuine compared to the case where the identification information of the wireless tag 71 is used to determine whether or not a consumable is genuine.

[0094] Furthermore, in the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment, the response time is a value obtained by measuring in advance by having the information processing system 100 communicate with the wireless tag 71 before mounting the information processing system 100 on the image processing device 10. The correlation data, including the response time, can be stored in the ROM of the processing unit 103 in advance. For this reason, in this embodiment, for example, when shipping the image processing device 10 or when setting optional functions for the user who ordered the image processing device 10, it is not necessary to write information for determining genuine products to non-volatile memory. Accordingly, the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment has the advantage that no additional non-volatile memory is required in addition to the ROM of the processing unit 103.

[0095] In the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment, the ROM of the processing unit 103 is preferably a rewritable ROM such as flash memory or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). In this case, even if the number of wireless tag types increases, for example, due to the introduction of a new model of the image processing device 10, the correlation data can be updated in accordance with the increase in the number of wireless tag types, thus having the advantage of being able to accommodate the increase in the number of wireless tag types.

[0096] [3] Variant In the above embodiment, the processing unit 103 determines whether the consumable (toner container 7) is genuine based on the determination results of both the determination using identification information and the determination using response time, but it is not limited to this. For example, the processing unit 103 may determine whether the consumable is genuine based solely on the determination using response time.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the processing unit 103 performs the determination process by acquiring type information transmitted from the control system 8 by the acquisition unit 101 when the image processing device 10 is started up, but it is not limited to this. For example, the processing unit 103 may perform the determination process when a consumable (toner container 7) is replaced, that is, when the consumable is installed in the mounting unit 5.

[0098] In this case, the information processing system 100 detects, for example, that a consumable has been attached to the attachment unit 5 by communicating with the wireless tag 71, and transmits the detection result to the control system 8. Upon receiving the detection result, the control system 8 transmits type information to the information processing system 100. This allows the processing unit 103 to perform a determination process when a consumable has been attached to the attachment unit 5.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the processing unit 103 performs a determination process for each of the multiple commands to be transmitted to the wireless tag 71 and determines whether the consumable (toner container 7) is genuine based on the results of all determination processes, but is not limited to this. For example, the processing unit 103 may perform a determination process for only one specific command among the multiple commands (for example, the "Write block" command) and determine whether the consumable is genuine based on the results of that determination process.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the acquisition unit 101, the communication unit 102, and the processing unit 103 are mounted on a single circuit board 105; that is, all components of the information processing system 100 are mounted on a single circuit board 105, but this is not limited to this. For example, all components of the information processing system 100 may be mounted on multiple circuit boards.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the processing unit 103 may measure the time from sending a command to receiving response information, and determine whether the consumable (toner container 7) is genuine by comparing the measured time with the response time corresponding to the type information. In this embodiment, the processing unit 103 determines that the consumable is genuine if the measured time and the response time match. On the other hand, the processing unit 103 determines that the consumable is not genuine if the measured time and the response time do not match.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the consumable is a toner container 7, but it is not limited to this. For example, the consumable may be any part that is replaced in the image processing device 10 according to its degree of wear. Also, for example, if the image processing device 10 is a printer that performs printing using an inkjet method, the consumable may be an ink cartridge.

[0103] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0104] <Note 1> An acquisition unit that acquires type information indicating the type of wireless tag attached to a consumable used in an image processing device, A communication unit that communicates with the aforementioned wireless tag, The system includes a processing unit that, at the time a response time corresponding to the type information has elapsed since sending a command to the wireless tag, performs a determination process to determine whether the consumable is a genuine product based on whether or not it receives response information from the wireless tag. Information processing system.

[0105] <Note 2> The acquisition unit acquires the type information transmitted from the control system that performs control over the consumables when the image processing device is started up. The information processing system described in Appendix 1.

[0106] <Note 3> The command includes a write command that instructs the wireless tag to write data, The information processing system described in Appendix 1 or 2.

[0107] <Note 4> The processing unit obtains identification information of the wireless tag from the wireless tag, and determines whether the consumable is a genuine product based on a comparison of the obtained identification information with the identification information for determination corresponding to the type information. An information processing system described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3.

[0108] <Note 5> The aforementioned commands are a group of commands, each of which is of a different type of instruction to the wireless tag. The processing unit executes the determination process for each of the plurality of commands and determines whether the consumable is a genuine product based on the results of all the determination processes. An information processing system described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4.

[0109] <Note 6> The acquisition unit, the communication unit, and the processing unit are mounted on a single circuit board. An information processing system described in any one of the appendices 1 to 5.

[0110] <Note 7> The information processing system described in any one of the appendices 1 to 6, The system includes a control system that performs control over the consumables, Image processing device.

[0111] <Note 8> An information processing method performed by one or more processors, An acquisition step to acquire type information indicating the type of wireless tag attached to a consumable used in an image processing device, A communication step that communicates with the aforementioned wireless tag, The process includes a determination step of determining whether the consumable is genuine based on whether or not response information is received from the wireless tag after a response time corresponding to the type information has elapsed since sending a command to the wireless tag. Information processing methods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 10 Image Processing Device 100 Information Processing Systems 101 Acquisition Department 102 Communications Department 103 Processing Unit 105 circuit boards 7. Toner container (consumable item) 71 Wireless Tags 8 Control System

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires type information indicating the type of wireless tag attached to a consumable used in an image processing device, A communication unit that communicates with the aforementioned wireless tag, The system includes a processing unit that, at the time a response time corresponding to the type information has elapsed since sending a command to the wireless tag, performs a determination process to determine whether the consumable is a genuine product based on whether or not it receives response information from the wireless tag. Information processing system.

2. The acquisition unit acquires the type information transmitted from the control system that performs control over the consumables when the image processing device is started up. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The command includes a write command that instructs the wireless tag to write data, The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The processing unit obtains identification information of the wireless tag from the wireless tag, and determines whether the consumable is a genuine product based on a comparison of the obtained identification information with the identification information for determination corresponding to the type information. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The aforementioned commands are a group of commands, each of which is of a different type of instruction to the wireless tag. The processing unit executes the determination process for each of the plurality of commands and determines whether the consumable is a genuine product based on the results of all the determination processes. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The acquisition unit, the communication unit, and the processing unit are mounted on a single circuit board. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, The system includes a control system that performs control over the consumables, Image processing device.

8. An information processing method performed by one or more processors, An acquisition step to acquire type information indicating the type of wireless tag attached to a consumable used in an image processing device, A communication step that communicates with the aforementioned wireless tag, The process includes: a determination step of determining whether the consumable is genuine based on whether or not response information is received from the wireless tag after a response time corresponding to the type information has elapsed since sending a command to the wireless tag; Information processing methods.

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