Image-Forming Toner Container Odor Sensing for Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-genuine toner products in image forming apparatuses lead to failure and deterioration of image quality, as vendors do not guarantee print quality or maintenance for such products, prompting the need for accurate identification of genuine toner containers.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with an odor sensor to identify toner containers based on odor substances, allowing differentiation between genuine and non-genuine products by sensing specific odor compounds, and adjusting image forming conditions accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If non-genuine toner products are used, then cost is reduced, but image quality deteriorates and apparatus failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical identification methods (such as RFID tags or physical seals) with an odor-based identification system. The genuine toner container includes an odor generator that releases a specific odor substance, which is detected by an odor sensor in the image forming apparatus. This substitution allows for reliable authentication of genuine products without requiring complex mechanical identification systems, thereby maintaining image quality while allowing cost-effective genuine toner usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an odor substance as an intermediary between the genuine toner container and the image forming apparatus. The odor generator in the genuine container releases a specific odor substance that acts as a mediator, allowing the apparatus to distinguish genuine from non-genuine toner. This intermediary enables reliable identification without direct mechanical or electronic interaction, ensuring that only genuine toner is used to maintain image quality.
2Quantity of substance
If non-genuine toner products are used, then cost is reduced, but apparatus failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical identification methods with an odor-based identification system. The genuine toner container includes an odor generator that releases a specific odor substance, which is detected by an odor sensor in the image forming apparatus. This substitution allows for reliable authentication of genuine products without requiring complex mechanical identification systems, thereby maintaining apparatus operation reliability while allowing cost-effective genuine toner usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an odor substance as an intermediary between the genuine toner container and the image forming apparatus. The odor generator in the genuine container releases a specific odor substance that acts as a mediator, allowing the apparatus to distinguish genuine from non-genuine toner. This intermediary enables reliable identification without direct mechanical or electronic interaction, ensuring that only genuine toner is used to prevent apparatus failure.
3Measurement precision
If odor generator is provided on toner storage container, then identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification function from the main toner supply system and implements it as a separate odor generator component on the toner container. This extracted odor generation system works independently to provide authentication, simplifying the overall identification mechanism while maintaining high accuracy. The odor sensor in the apparatus detects the specific odor substance without requiring complex interaction with other container components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an odor substance as an intermediary that simplifies the identification process. Instead of requiring direct mechanical, electrical, or magnetic interaction between the container and apparatus, the odor substance mediates the authentication process. This intermediary approach reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for complex sensors or actuators while maintaining high identification accuracy through the unique odor signature of genuine toner.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Accurate identification of toner containers reduces the risk of image quality degradation and apparatus failure by ensuring appropriate image forming conditions, even with non-genuine products, thereby maintaining print quality.
Implementation Method 1
The odor sensor senses the odor substance diffusing from the odor generator
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a toner storage container, an odor generator, an odor sensor, and a control portion. The image forming portion includes an image carrying member and a development device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrying member into a toner image. The toner storage container is rotatable, stores toner for forming the toner image, and is removably mountable in the image forming apparatus. The odor generator is provided at a position where it is rotatable together with the toner storage container, and carries an odor substance. The odor sensor senses the odor substance diffusing from the odor generator. The control portion rotates the toner storage container after its mounting in the image forming apparatus before toner supplying operation, and senses the odor substance at a sensing position where the odor generator is closest to the odor sensor.