Electronic apparatus and management system of the same

• US 20010034713A1
• Filed: 04/12/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Nakayama, Fujikazu, Nakai, Yasuhiro, Yamasaki, Kimihito, Nakamura, Masakatsu
• Granted Patent: US 7,155,413 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/52
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0002 Handling the output data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00344 with a management, maintenance, service or repair apparatus monitoring H04N1/00002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00962 Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software program loading in general G06F9/445; network-specific protocols involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus H04N2201/0013; control of image communication with the connected apparatus H04N2201/0015
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

An image processing device stores a main program that controls basic operations that the device conducts as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, etc., as well as a sub program that controls additional operations that the device conducts as a net work scanner. When a user purchases an additional function pack and sends a production number of the image processing device and ID information of the pack to a managing device, the managing device returns a releasing key produced by encoding the production number. A control section of the device decodes the releasing key, and permits the foregoing access if the production number obtained by the decoding matches that stored in the memory section. Therefore, even after shipment, extension of functions can be smoothly implemented at lower costs without replacement of boards or memories. Thus, an image processing device realized with a digital complex machine is arranged so that extension of functions after shipment can be smoothly implemented at lower costs.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a program storing section for storing a first program for controlling basic operations of said electronic apparatus, and a second program that is accessed in said first program so as to control an additional operation of said electronic apparatus;

a control section for implementing a desired operation by executing only said first program, or both said first and second programs; and

a system managing section that, in response to a releasing key operation that renders the additional operation implementable, makes said second program accessible in said first program.

2. The electronic apparatus as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said releasing key is produced using at least information peculiar to said apparatus.

3. The electronic apparatus as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein:

said electronic apparatus is connected with a managing side via a wide-area network; and

the releasing key operation is carried out by the managing side by remote control.

4. The electronic apparatus as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein:

said program storing section stores a plurality of second programs; and

with respect to a certain combination of said second programs, said system managing section renders said second programs implementable by only one releasing-key operation.

5. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a program storing section for storing a first program for controlling basic operations of said electronic apparatus, and a second program that cooperates with at least a part of said first program so as to implement an additional operation of said electronic apparatus; and

a system managing section that, in response to a releasing key operation that renders the additional operation implementable, makes said second program accessible.

6. The electronic apparatus as set forth in

claim 5

, wherein said releasing key is produced using at least information peculiar to said apparatus.

7. The electronic apparatus as set forth in

claim 5

, wherein:

said electronic apparatus is connected with a managing side via a wide-area network; and

the releasing key operation is carried out by the managing side by remote control.

8. The electronic apparatus as set forth in

claim 5

, wherein:

said program storing section stores a plurality of second programs; and

with respect to a certain combination of said second programs, said system managing section renders said second programs implementable by only one releasing-key operation.

9. A management system for managing an electronic apparatus, said electronic apparatus including:

a program storing section for storing a first program for controlling basic operations of said electronic apparatus, and a second program that is accessible in said first program and controls an additional operation of said electronic apparatus;

a control section for implementing a desired operation by executing only said first program, or both said first and second programs; and

a system managing section that, in response to a releasing key operation, makes said second program accessible by said first program,

said management system comprising a key issuing section on a managing side, said key issuing section issuing said releasing key upon confirming that a predetermined procedure has been conducted by a user side.

10. The management system as set forth in

claim 9

, wherein said releasing key is produced using at least information peculiar to said apparatus.

11. The electronic apparatus as set forth in

claim 9

, wherein:

said electronic apparatus is connected with a managing side via a wide-area network; and

said key issuing section carries out the releasing key operation of said system managing section by remote control.

12. The management system as set forth in

claim 9

, wherein, on said managing side, said key issuing section issues said releasing key in response to entrance into a use contract or payment of a use fee.

13. The management system as set forth in

claim 9

, wherein history information relating to said issuance of a releasing key is managed by said managing side.

14. The management system as set forth in

claim 9

, wherein:

said program storing section stores a plurality of second programs; and

with respect to a certain combination of said second programs, said system managing section renders said second programs implementable by only one releasing-key operation.

15. A management system for managing an electronic apparatus, said electronic apparatus including:

a program storing section for storing a first program for controlling basic operations of said electronic apparatus, and a second program that cooperates with at least a part of said first program so as to implement an additional operation of said electronic apparatus; and

a system managing section that, in response to a releasing key operation, makes said second program accessible,

said management system comprising a key issuing section on a managing side, said key issuing section issuing said releasing key upon confirming that a predetermined procedure has been conducted by a user side.

16. The management system as set forth in

claim 15

, wherein said releasing key is produced using at least information peculiar to said apparatus.

17. The electronic apparatus as set forth in

claim 15

, wherein:

said electronic apparatus is connected with a managing side via a wide-area network; and

said key issuing section carries out the releasing key operation of said system managing section by remote control.

18. The management system as set forth in

claim 15

, wherein, on said managing side, said key issuing section issues said releasing key in response to entrance into a used contract or payment of a use fee.

19. The management system as set forth in

claim 15

, wherein history information relating to said issuance of a releasing key is managed by said managing side.

20. The management system as set forth in

claim 15

, wherein:

said program storing section stores a plurality of second programs; and

with respect to a certain combination of said second programs, said system managing section renders said second programs implementable by only one releasing-key operation.