Authentication device, and program

Abstract

To change a security level of a maintenance mode according to an attached consumable supply in an authentication device and a program.SOLUTION: A printer 1 (one example of an authentication device) is the printer 1 to which a consumable supply 100 is attached, and comprises: a maintenance mode control unit 51 which controls a maintenance mode; and a matching degree determination unit 52 which determines a matching degree of the consumable supply 100 to the printer 1. The maintenance mode control unit 51 changes a security level of the maintenance mode (steps S8, S10) on the basis of the matching degree determined by the matching degree determination unit 52 (step S5).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an authentication device to which a consumable is attached and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a device where maintenance such as a printing device is performed, if inappropriate maintenance is performed, the function of the device may not be fully exhibited, or the device may malfunction or operate poorly. Therefore, a password for permitting the execution of the maintenance mode is set (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in an authentication device such as a printing device to which a consumable is attached, not only a consumable with a high degree of fitness (for example, an ink container filled with ink) but also a consumable with a low degree of fitness may be attached. When a consumable with a low degree of fitness is attached to the authentication device, it is difficult to perform appropriate maintenance, and as described above, the function of the device may not be fully exhibited, or the device may be likely to malfunction or operate poorly. Therefore, when a consumable with a low degree of fitness is attached to the authentication device, it is desirable to increase the security level of the maintenance mode so that disadvantageous maintenance by an inappropriate person is not executed.

[0005] On the one hand, when a consumable with a high fitness level is attached to the authentication device, unlike the case of a consumable with a low fitness level, inappropriate maintenance is less likely to occur. Therefore, it leads to better user convenience to permit the execution of the maintenance mode as smoothly as possible without increasing the security level of the maintenance mode.

[0006] The present invention provides an authentication device and a program capable of changing the security level of the maintenance mode according to the attached consumable.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In one aspect, the authentication device is an authentication device to which a consumable is attached, and includes a maintenance mode control unit that controls the maintenance mode, and a fitness determination unit that determines the fitness of the consumable with respect to the authentication device. The maintenance mode control unit changes the security level of the maintenance mode based on the fitness determined by the fitness determination unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the above aspect, the security level of the maintenance mode can be changed according to the attached consumable.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, regarding the authentication device and program according to an embodiment of the present invention, an example of the authentication device will be described as a printing device with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing device 1 in an embodiment.

[0012] The printing device 1 includes a medium supply unit 10, a conveyance unit 20, a printing unit 30, a medium discharge unit 40, a control unit 50, a storage unit 60, an operation panel 70, and a communication unit 80, and a consumable 100 is mounted thereon. The printing device 1 is an example of an authentication device on which the consumable 100 is mounted. Note that the consumable 100 is, for example, ink (ink container), stencil printing master, etc., but if the authentication device is a device other than the printing device 1, any other consumable can be used.

[0013] The medium supply unit 10 has a loading table on which media such as paper are loaded, and supplies the media loaded on this loading table into the printing device 1.

[0014] The conveyance unit 20 has, for example, rollers, belts, etc., and conveys the media inside the printing device 1.

[0015] The printing unit 30 performs printing on the media conveyed by the conveyance unit 20. The printing method of the printing unit 30 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a stencil printing method and an inkjet printing method.

[0016] The medium discharge unit 40 has a loading table on which the media are loaded and exposed to the outside of the printing device 1, and discharges the media printed by the printing unit 30 onto the loading table.

[0017] The control unit 50 has, for example, one or more processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit) that function as an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the operations of each part of the printing apparatus 1. This processor reads and executes a predetermined program from, for example, the storage unit 60 or from a storage medium (non-transitory computer-readable recording medium) detachable from the printing apparatus 1, thereby functioning as the maintenance mode control unit 51 and the fitness determination unit 52.

[0018] The maintenance mode control unit 51 controls the maintenance mode of the printing apparatus 1. Further, the maintenance mode control unit 51 changes the security level of the maintenance mode based on the fitness determined by the fitness determination unit 52 described later. Although details will be described later, as an example, when a consumable 100 with low fitness is attached to the printing apparatus 1, the maintenance mode control unit 51 increases the security level by requesting a change of the password for executing the maintenance mode.

[0019] The compatibility determination unit 52 determines the compatibility of the consumable 100 with the printing apparatus 1. Taking the case where the consumable 100 is an ink container as an example, from the characteristics of the printing apparatus 1 (target paper, target ink (such as oil-based, water-based), durability (heat resistance) of each member (such as ejection performance of the head nozzles), heat generation situation due to normal printing operation conditions, etc.), guaranteed ink characteristics (such as viscosity, pigment dispersibility) that ensure print quality, fault prevention, etc. are predetermined (the guaranteed range, the range where print quality deterioration occurs, the range where device failure or malfunction occurs, etc. have been experimentally determined). Also, the actual ink characteristics (such as viscosity, pigment dispersibility) of the ink stored in the consumable 100 are stored in the storage unit 112 of the IC tag 110. Since the power supply voltage differs between 100V and 200V depending on the usage area, and the heat generated within the printing apparatus 1 differs accordingly, the actual ink characteristics also include heat resistance. When the consumable 100 is inserted into the printing apparatus 1 and the tag information is read, the compatibility determination unit 52 compares the read actual ink characteristics with the guaranteed ink characteristics (such as determination using a table within the printing apparatus 1 or determination using a threshold based on the percentage difference), and determines the compatibility of the ink (consumable 100). This compatibility may be ranked into multiple ranks such as "high" (within a predetermined range), "medium" (a small difference outside the predetermined range), "low" (a large difference outside the predetermined range), etc., or may be represented by a numerical value. Also, when the information stored in the storage unit 112 of the IC tag 110 cannot be acquired, the compatibility determination unit 52 may regard it as the consumable 100 with the lowest compatibility. Further, the compatibility determination unit 52 may determine the compatibility based on information other than the information stored in the storage unit 112 of the consumable 100 (for example, captured appearance information, etc.). Also, when a plurality of consumables 100 are attached to the printing apparatus 1, the compatibility determination unit 52 may determine the compatibility according to the consumable 100 with the lowest compatibility, or may, for example, take the average of the compatibilities of the plurality of consumables 100.

[0020] From the perspective of the method, the processing by the above-mentioned maintenance mode control unit 51 and the fitness determination unit 52 is as follows. The maintenance mode control method discriminates the fitness of the consumable 100 for the printing apparatus 1 (authentication apparatus) by the fitness determination unit 52, and changes the security level of the maintenance mode by the maintenance mode control unit 51 based on the fitness discriminated by the fitness determination unit 52.

[0021] From the perspective of the program, the processing by the maintenance mode control unit 51 and the fitness determination unit 52 is as follows. The program causes a computer (for example, the control unit 50 of the printing apparatus 1 or the processor of the control unit 50) to execute a function of discriminating the fitness of the consumable 100 for the printing apparatus 1 (authentication apparatus) and a function of changing the security level of the maintenance mode based on the discriminated fitness.

[0022] The storage unit 60 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which a predetermined control program is recorded in advance, a RAM (Random Access Memory) which is a semiconductor memory that can be written and read at any time and is used as a working storage area as needed when the processor executes various control programs, and a hard disk device and the like.

[0023] The operation panel 70 includes a display unit 71 which is a display for displaying various information, and an input unit 72 which receives input of various information by a user (for example, a general maintenance staff selected from general users and capable of performing basic operations related to maintenance, a professional maintenance staff equipped with specialized knowledge and skills, etc.). When the display unit 71 has a touch panel, the display unit 71 also serves as the input unit 72.

[0024] The display unit 71 displays a password input screen 71a, a maintenance mode screen 71b, a password change screen 71c, etc. shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 described later.

[0025] The input unit 72 receives input of a password or the like for executing the maintenance mode.

[0026] The communication unit 80 reads the information stored in the storage unit 112 of the consumable 100. For example, the communication unit 80 includes an R / W unit including an antenna capable of communicating with the IC tag 110 (communication unit 111) and an R / W (READER / WRITER) control unit, and an interface unit that exchanges various information with various devices such as a user terminal wirelessly or wiredly connected via a network.

[0027] The consumable 100 is provided with an IC tag 110. This IC tag 110 has a communication unit 111 and a storage unit 112.

[0028] The communication unit 111 includes an antenna for communication with the communication unit 80 of the printing apparatus 1. Note that the IC tag 110 may not have its own power supply and may have a built-in antenna having the same resonance frequency as the communication unit 80. In this case, for example, when an alternating current with a resonance frequency is passed through the built-in antenna of the communication unit 80, an alternating current with a resonance frequency is generated in the built-in antenna of the communication unit 111 of the IC tag 110 due to the resonance phenomenon based on electromagnetic coupling, and sufficient power for communication with the communication unit 80 is supplied to the IC tag 110. Using this power, the IC tag 110 reads and writes information of the consumable 100 to and from the storage unit 112, or performs data transmission and reception with the communication unit 80 by a known method called a so-called passive method.

[0029] The storage unit 112 may store an ID that uniquely identifies the consumable 100, attribute data of the consumable 100 (for example, color, ink characteristics, etc.), remaining amount information of the consumable 100, and the like. Note that the communication unit 111 and the storage unit 112 are controlled by a processor (control unit) such as an IC chip (not shown) of the IC tag 110.

[0030] Next, regarding the maintenance mode, the description will be given while omitting the matters overlapping with the above description.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the maintenance mode.

[0032] The process shown in FIG. 2 starts, for example, when the consumable 100 is inserted (mounted) into the printing apparatus 1, or when the power of the printing apparatus 1 is turned on.

[0033] First, the communication unit 80 of the printing apparatus 1 reads the information stored in the storage unit 112 of the IC tag 110 of the consumable 100 (step S1).

[0034] Next, the maintenance mode control unit 51 repeatedly determines whether a request to transition to the maintenance mode has been made (step S2). This transition request is a predetermined operation for displaying the password input screen 71a for the authentication password on the display unit 71. This predetermined operation is, although an example, the pressing of a plurality of predetermined keys on the input unit 72.

[0035] When the maintenance mode control unit 51 determines that a request to transition to the maintenance mode has been made (step S2: YES), it causes the display unit 71 to display the password input screen 71a shown in FIG. 3 (step S3).

[0036] Next, the maintenance mode control unit 51 acquires the password input by the user at the input unit 72 (step S4). If the input password does not match the predetermined password for maintenance, the user is notified to that effect, and for example, the process may be repeated from the processing in step S2 or S3 described above.

[0037] Next, the maintenance mode control unit 51 determines whether the compatibility of the consumable 100 with respect to the printing apparatus 1, determined by the compatibility determination unit 52, is any one of "high", "medium", and "low" (step S5). Note that the compatibility determination unit 52 may determine the compatibility after the above-described process of reading the tag information (information stored in the storage unit 112 of the IC tag 110) by the communication unit 80 (step S1).

[0038] When the consumable 100 is a compatible product of the printing apparatus 1 and the compatibility level is "high" (step S5: high), the maintenance mode control unit 51 executes the maintenance mode (step S6). When executing this maintenance mode, the maintenance mode control unit 51 may, for example, cause the maintenance mode screen 71b shown in FIG. 4 to be displayed on the display unit 71 and accept the user's selection of maintenance items ("No. 11...", "No. 12...", "No. 13...", etc.). When the maintenance mode ends, the process shown in FIG. 2 ends. Note that the compatible product is a consumable 100 (for example, ink) that can be used in conformity with the operation and performance of the printing apparatus 1. Since there is no guarantee that consumables 100 other than the compatible product (for example, consumables 100 with a "low" compatibility level described later) can be used in conformity with the operation and performance of the printing apparatus 1, there is a possibility of apparatus failure or deterioration of print quality by continuing to use them. For this reason, in the case of consumables 100 other than the compatible product, regarding maintenance related to apparatus failure (such as voltage), only a professional maintenance technician may be allowed to perform the maintenance. Also, regarding maintenance other than maintenance related to apparatus failure (such as voltage), only a professional maintenance technician may be allowed to perform the maintenance, or general maintenance technicians may also be allowed to perform the maintenance.

[0039] When the compatibility level is "medium" (step S5: medium. For example, when malfunctions or failures are unlikely to occur but deterioration of print quality may occur), the maintenance mode control unit 51 executes the maintenance mode in the same manner as when the compatibility level is "high" (step S7).

[0040] Thereafter, the maintenance mode control unit 51 causes the password change screen 71c shown in FIG. 5 to be displayed on the display unit 71 and requests the user to change the password (step S8).

[0041] Then, the maintenance mode control unit 51 determines whether the password has been changed when the changed password is input to the input unit 72 (step S9). If the password has been changed (step S9: YES), the process shown in FIG. 2 ends. If the password has not been changed (step S9: NO), the process of the password change request (step S8) is repeated.

[0042] When the fitness level is "low" (step S5: low. For example, when malfunctions, failures, and deterioration of print quality are likely to occur), the maintenance mode control unit 51 causes the display unit 71 to display the password change screen 71c shown in FIG. 5 and requests the user to change the password (step S10). This password may be one with an increased number of digits compared to the initial number of digits or an increased variety of characters used in order to enhance the security level. If it is not desirable for non-specialized maintenance personnel (e.g., general maintenance personnel) to change the password to enhance the security level, the password change should be performed only when it is determined that the person is a specialized maintenance personnel (e.g., when authentication using the specialized maintenance personnel password is required and the authentication is completed), and in other cases, the process shown in FIG. 2 may end without executing the maintenance mode.

[0043] Then, the maintenance mode control unit 51 determines whether the password has been changed when the changed password is input to the input unit 72 (step S11). If the password has been changed (step S11: YES), the maintenance mode control unit 51 executes the maintenance mode (step S12). When the maintenance mode ends, the process shown in FIG. 2 ends.

[0044] When the fitness level is "low" (an example of the case where the second criterion is not satisfied), the maintenance mode may be the same as when the fitness level is "high" and "medium" (for example, changes in drive voltage and frequency, timing chart), but it may also be possible to execute setting changes that restrict the operation of the printing apparatus 1. For example, the setting changes that restrict the operation of the printing apparatus 1 include setting changes that slow down the printing speed, setting changes that reduce the printing density, and the like. Thereby, even when the fitness level of the consumable 100 is low, it is possible to prevent the printing apparatus 1 from malfunctioning and the quality of the printed matter from deteriorating.

[0045] Also, if the password is not changed (step S11: NO), the maintenance mode control unit 51 determines not to permit the execution of the maintenance mode and to request a password change at the next startup (for example, when a transition request to the maintenance mode is made) (step S13), and the process shown in FIG. 2 ends. That is, the maintenance mode control unit 51 sets so that the maintenance mode cannot be executed unless the changed password is input when the same consumable 100 is continuously used. Note that the maintenance mode control unit 51 may stop the use (for example, the printing operation) of the printing apparatus 1 until the password is changed.

[0046] In the above description, when the fitness level is "medium" and "low" (an example of the case where the first criterion is not satisfied), the maintenance mode control unit 51 increases (changes) the security level of the maintenance mode by making a password change request (steps S8 and S10) for executing the maintenance mode. As another example of changing the security level of the maintenance mode, it may be mentioned that the security level is lowered by making the password simple when the fitness level is "high". Note that the change in the security level is not limited to changing the password. For example, the security level may be increased by requiring authentication using a user's authentication card, or the security level may be lowered by eliminating the need for password input, or the like, and may be performed by at least one of these.

[0047] Also, in the above description, the maintenance mode control unit 51 makes a request to change the password for executing the maintenance mode (steps S8 and S10). However, when there is a request to transition to the maintenance mode for the second time and later after the consumable 100 is mounted on the printing apparatus 1 (step S2), the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 may be omitted, and the maintenance mode control unit 51 may perform only the processing of permitting the execution of the maintenance mode when a predetermined password is input.

[0048] Also, in the above description, the fitness level is divided into three ranks of "high", "medium", and "low", and the maintenance mode control unit 51 performs processing in three patterns. However, the fitness level may be divided into two ranks or four ranks or more, and the maintenance mode control unit 51 may perform processing in two patterns or four or more patterns.

[0049] In the embodiment described above, the printing apparatus 1, which is an example of an authentication apparatus to which the consumable 100 is mounted, includes a maintenance mode control unit 51 that controls the maintenance mode, and a fitness level determination unit 52 that determines the fitness level of the consumable 100 with respect to the printing apparatus 1. The maintenance mode control unit 51 changes the security level of the maintenance mode based on the fitness level determined by the fitness level determination unit 52. Also, from another perspective, the program causes the computer to execute a function of determining the fitness level of the consumable 100 with respect to the printing apparatus 1, which is an example of an authentication apparatus to which the consumable 100 is mounted, and a function of changing the security level of the maintenance mode of the printing apparatus 1 based on the determined fitness level.

[0050] When a consumable 100 with a low fitness level is attached to the printing apparatus 1, it is relatively difficult to perform appropriate maintenance. When a consumable 100 with a high fitness level is attached to the printing apparatus 1, it is relatively easy to perform appropriate maintenance. Therefore, when a consumable 100 with a low fitness level is attached to the printing apparatus 1, it may not be possible to perform appropriate maintenance, and the functions of the printing apparatus 1 may not be fully exhibited, or malfunctions or operational failures of the printing apparatus 1 may easily occur. According to the present embodiment, when a consumable 100 with a low fitness level is attached to the printing apparatus 1, the security level of the maintenance mode is increased to prevent inappropriate maintenance by an unauthorized person who has guessed the password, so that the functions of the printing apparatus 1 can be fully exhibited, or the occurrence of malfunctions or operational failures of the printing apparatus 1 can be suppressed. Further, when a consumable 100 with a high fitness level is attached to the printing apparatus 1, since inappropriate maintenance is less likely to occur, the security level of the maintenance mode is not increased, and the execution of the maintenance mode is permitted as smoothly as possible, thereby enhancing user convenience. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the security level of the maintenance mode can be changed according to the attached consumable 100.

[0051] Further, in the present embodiment, when the fitness level determined by the fitness determination unit 52 does not satisfy the first criterion (for example, when the fitness level is "medium" and "low"), the maintenance mode control unit 51 requests a change of the password for executing the maintenance mode (steps S8, S10).

[0052] Therefore, the security level of the maintenance mode can be surely increased by changing the password.

[0053] Further, in the present embodiment, when the fitness level determined by the fitness determination unit 52 does not satisfy the second criterion (for example, when the fitness level is "low"), the maintenance mode control unit 51 enables setting changes (for example, setting changes to slow down the printing speed or setting changes to slow down the printing density) for restricting the operation of the printing apparatus 1 in the maintenance mode (step S12).

[0054] Therefore, when the compatibility of the consumable 100 with respect to the printing apparatus 1 is such that the functions of the printing apparatus 1 cannot be fully exerted, or the printing apparatus 1 is likely to cause a failure or malfunction, by restricting the operation of the printing apparatus 1, it is possible to suppress the situation where the functions of the printing apparatus 1 cannot be fully exerted, or the printing apparatus 1 causes a failure or malfunction.

[0055] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage. Also, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, all the components shown in the embodiments may be appropriately combined. Needless to say, various modifications and applications are possible within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention. Hereinafter, the invention described in the claims of the present application at the time of filing is appended.

[0056] [Appendix 1] An authentication device to which a consumable is attached, a maintenance mode control unit that controls a maintenance mode, and a compatibility determination unit that determines the compatibility of the consumable with respect to the authentication device, wherein the maintenance mode control unit changes the security level of the maintenance mode based on the compatibility determined by the compatibility determination unit The authentication device is characterized by the above.

[0057] [Appendix 2] When the compatibility determined by the compatibility determination unit does not satisfy a first criterion, the maintenance mode control unit makes a request to change the password for executing the maintenance mode The authentication device according to Appendix 1, characterized by the above.

[0058] [Appendix 3] When the degree of fitness determined by the fitness determination unit does not satisfy a second criterion, the maintenance mode control unit enables execution of setting changes that restrict the operation of the authentication device in the maintenance mode. The authentication device according to appended claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

[0059] [Appended claim 4] A function of determining the degree of fitness of the consumable for the authentication device to which the consumable is attached, A function of changing the security level of the maintenance mode of the authentication device based on the determined degree of fitness, and A program characterized by causing a computer to execute the above.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0060] 1 Printing device 10 Media supply unit 20 Conveying unit 30 Printing unit 40 Media discharge unit 50 Control unit 51 Maintenance mode control unit 52 Fitness determination unit 60 Storage unit 70 Operation panel 71 Display unit 71a Password input screen 71b Maintenance mode screen 71c Password change screen 72 Input unit 80 Communication unit 100 Consumable 110 IC tag 111 Communication unit 112 Storage unit

Claims

1. An authentication device to which a consumable is attached, comprising a maintenance mode control unit that controls a maintenance mode, and a suitability determination unit that determines the suitability of the consumable for the authentication device, wherein the maintenance mode control unit changes the security level of the maintenance mode based on the suitability determined by the suitability determination unit, and the maintenance mode control unit makes a request to change the password for executing the maintenance mode when the suitability determined by the suitability determination unit does not meet a first criterion. The authentication device is characterized by the above.

2. The authentication device according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance mode control unit enables a setting change to limit the operation of the authentication device in the maintenance mode when the suitability determined by the suitability determination unit does not meet a second criterion.

3. A program for causing a computer to execute a function of determining the suitability of a consumable for an authentication device to which the consumable is attached, and a function of changing the security level of the maintenance mode of the authentication device based on the determined suitability, wherein the function of changing the security level makes a request to change the password for executing the maintenance mode when the determined suitability does not meet a first criterion. The program is characterized by the above. ​

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