Cartridge Authentication Timing Control for Image Forming Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in reliably verifying whether a cartridge is authentic without frequent authentication, which can prolong the time to output the first page after sleep or cartridge replacement, and may result in incorrect authentication due to component lifetime issues.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a storage device and processor that determines the need for authentication based on state information, using an IC tag with unique ID, signature data, and history data to execute authentication only when necessary, and writes authentication results, thereby reducing the frequency of authentication processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cartridge authentication is frequently performed to ensure reliable verification, then authentication reliability is improved, but the time required for outputting the first page after restoration from sleep or immediately after cartridge replacement becomes longer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidtime for first page output

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication in advance when the cover is closed or when the apparatus is turned on, before the user needs to output pages. By proactively authenticating the cartridge at these trigger moments, the authentication result is already available when printing is requested, eliminating the need to wait for authentication during page output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous or frequent authentication, the system implements periodic authentication triggered by specific events (cover closure, power-on). This periodic approach ensures authentication is performed at appropriate intervals to maintain reliability while avoiding unnecessary authentication operations that would waste time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If cartridge authentication is performed every time the cover is closed to detect replacement, then detection accuracy is improved, but foreign material may cause erroneous determination that the cover is always closed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge replacement detection accuracyVSAvoidauthentication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication proactively when the cover is closed or when power is supplied, rather than waiting for user requests. This preliminary authentication ensures the cartridge status is verified at appropriate moments when replacement is likely to occur, without relying on potentially erroneous sensor signals during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If cartridge authentication is performed immediately after power supply or sleep restoration to ensure security, then authentication reliability is improved, but the time required for system readiness becomes longer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem readiness time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication as a preliminary action immediately when power is supplied or sleep mode is restored. By completing authentication at this early stage, the system ensures security requirements are met before normal operations begin, and the authentication result is cached for subsequent use without repeating the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system caches the authentication result after the initial authentication following power-on or sleep restoration. This cached copy of the authentication result is reused for subsequent printing operations, avoiding the need to repeat the time-consuming authentication process while maintaining security and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If authentication process is executed frequently to prevent unauthorized cartridge usage, then security is improved, but the component lifetime is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidauthentication component lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic authentication triggered by specific events (cover closure, power-on) rather than continuous or frequent authentication. This periodic approach maintains security by verifying cartridge authenticity at critical moments while minimizing the total number of authentication operations, thereby extending the lifetime of authentication components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10855880B2Image forming apparatus that determines whether a cartridge must be authenticated, control method thereof, storage medium, and cartridge

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 CANON KK

AI summary

This image forming apparatus determines, in accordance with state information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus, whether or not a timing for executing an authentication process of a removable cartridge has arrived. Furthermore, if the timing for executing a cartridge authentication process has arrived, this image forming apparatus obtains authentication information regarding authentication from the cartridge, and determines, from the authentication information, whether or not an authentication process is required to be executed. When an authentication process has been executed, an authentication result is written in a storage area of the cartridge.