Cartridge Identification Rewriting for Subscription Cancellation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses lack a method to convert a subscription-based cartridge to a trade-use cartridge when a user cancels their subscription plan, resulting in cartridges becoming unusable.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a controller that can rewrite the identification information of a contract cartridge to that of a normal cartridge upon receiving a cancellation instruction, allowing the cartridge to be used in both contract and normal states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cartridge is set to contract cartridge mode when user subscribes to subscription plan, then the cartridge can be used in contract state, but the cartridge becomes unusable in normal state after subscription cancellation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge usabilityVSAvoidcartridge functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge's identification information is made dynamically changeable through the rewriting process. The controller can rewrite the identification information in the cartridge memory from indicating 'contract cartridge' to indicating 'normal cartridge' when subscription is canceled, allowing the cartridge to adapt its functionality based on the subscription status

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of identification information stored in the cartridge memory. By rewriting this parameter from contract cartridge identification to normal cartridge identification, the cartridge's operational parameters change, enabling it to function in both contract and normal states after subscription cancellation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If cartridge identification information is fixed after subscription, then the cartridge type is clearly defined, but the cartridge cannot be converted to trade use after cancellation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification informationVSAvoidcartridge usage flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge memory is pre-configured to allow rewriting of identification information. The memory structure is designed in advance to permit updates, so when subscription cancellation occurs, the controller can immediately rewrite the identification information without requiring hardware changes or additional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If contract cartridge is rendered unusable after subscription cancellation, then service contract enforcement is maintained, but environmental impact increases due to cartridge disposal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice contract enforcementVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding the cartridge after subscription cancellation, the system recovers the cartridge by rewriting its identification information. This allows continued use of the cartridge in trade mode, preventing waste and reducing environmental impact while maintaining proper service contract enforcement during the active subscription period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS20250189907A1Image forming apparatus performing rewriting process to rewrite identification information stored in cartridge

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a cartridge, and a controller. The cartridge is attachable to the main casing. The cartridge includes a cartridge memory configured to store identification information. The controller is configured to perform a rewriting process to rewrite the identification information to information indicating that the cartridge is the normal cartridge, in a case where the controller receives a cancellation instruction to instruct to cancel the service contract and the identification information, which is stored in a cartridge memory of the cartridge attached to the main casing, indicates that the cartridge is the contract cartridge.