US 5,579,088 A · Image forming apparatus having programmable developer cartridge

Abstract

A device and method for driving a developing unit in an image forming apparatus having a programmable developer cartridge capable of locking the developing unit for use only by an authorized user. A device for locking an article of consumption in an image forming apparatus includes a first memory device connected to the article of consumption, for storing a first identification code therein; a second memory device disposed in the image forming apparatus; and a controller for controlling the driving of the article of consumption, the control unit including the second memory device for storing a predetermined identification code and a locking device for generating a release signal which drives the article of consumption, when the first identification code read from the first memory device corresponds to the predetermined identification code read from the second memory device.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A device for locking a detachable article of consumption in an image forming apparatus, said device comprising:

first memory means connected to said detachable article of consumption, for storing a first identification code therein;
second memory means disposed in said image forming apparatus, for storing a predetermined identification;
control means for controlling the driving of said detachable article of consumption, said control means comprising locking means for generating a release signal enabling driving said detachable article of consumption, when said first identification code read from said first memory means corresponds to said predetermined identification code stored in said second memory means;
and
key input means for inputting first code data representative of said first identification code to be stored in said first memory means, and for inputting second code data representative of said predetermined identification code to be stored in said second memory means.

2 more elements

An apparatus for preventing unauthorized access to a programmable developer cartridge in an image forming apparatus including key input means, said apparatus comprising:

said programmable developer cartridge comprising a first memory for registering a first identification code, said programmable developer cartridge being attachable and detachable from said image foraging apparatus;
and
a controller comprising a second memory for registering a second predetermined code, said controller being disposed in said image forming apparatus for controlling the registration of said first and second identification codes in response to a registration input by a user via said key input means, and for controlling the driving of said programmable developer cartridge enabling said image forming apparatus to form images on a printable medium.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Image forming apparatus having programmable developer cartridge

Life of this patent

Image forming apparatus having programmable developer cartridge

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19