Ink Bottle Authentication via Server-Managed Passcodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printing systems fail to detect issues with consumables, such as foreign matter in ink, after shipment, leading to potential print quality reduction or apparatus damage.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize an information recording unit on consumable containers, managed by a quality information management apparatus, which allows or inhibits the use of consumables based on authentication verification through a passcode process, ensuring real-time detection and prevention of problematic consumables from being used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional appropriateness check using IC chip or barcode is used, then color compatibility and basic identification are verified, but post-shipment quality issues such as foreign matter in ink cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by registering quality information in a management server before the consumable is used. The system performs quality checks and registers authentication information in advance, so that when the consumable is actually used, the printing apparatus can quickly verify its appropriateness without complex real-time inspection. This resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable quality assurance through pre-registration while keeping the actual usage system simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a management server as an intermediary between the consumable manufacturer and the printing apparatus. The management server stores quality information and authentication data, mediating the verification process. This allows the printing apparatus to rely on pre-registered information rather than performing complex quality checks itself, thus ensuring reliability while maintaining system simplicity.
2Reliability
If real-time quality verification system is implemented, then post-shipment consumable issues can be detected, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex quality verification function from the printing apparatus and places it in a separate management server. The printing apparatus only needs to perform simple authentication by checking pre-registered information, while the complex quality check processes are handled externally by the management server. This resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable quality detection without increasing the complexity of the printing apparatus itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs quality verification in advance during the consumable registration phase, storing the results in the management server. When the consumable is used, only simple authentication is required. This preliminary action enables reliable quality detection while keeping the actual usage system simple and low-cost.
3Reliability
If authentication verification process is added to prevent problematic consumables, then print quality and apparatus protection are improved, but operation convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs authentication verification in advance during consumable registration, storing the results in the management server. When the consumable is actually used, the printing apparatus automatically checks the pre-registered information without requiring user intervention. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring print quality assurance through authentication while maintaining ease of operation, as the verification happens automatically in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the printing apparatus to automatically verify consumable appropriateness using pre-registered information from the management server, without requiring user intervention. The apparatus serves itself by automatically checking authentication data, thus ensuring reliability while maintaining operational convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
A bottle for ink supply is shipped with a two-dimensional code attached to the bottle, individual information being embedded in the two-dimensional code. A user reads the two-dimensional code with a portable information terminal and thereby transmits the individual information to a management server. If there is no fraud or problem, the management server transmits a passcode to the portable information terminal. When the bottle is placed in a bottle storing unit, the two-dimensional code is read by a two-dimensional code reader, and a passcode is created based on the individual information embedded in the two-dimensional code. Only when the passcode matches the passcode registered by the user, ink in the bottle becomes ready to use.