Optional part for apparatus, apparatus having optional part, access device, method for distributing optical part and ink cartridge
First Claim
1. An optional part of an apparatus, said optional part being sold separately from an apparatus body, comprising:
- a storage device for storing control information required for a predetermined operation of said apparatus in a state where said optional part is fitted thereto, said storage device being contactlessly accessible in a distribution channel from a manufacturer to a consumer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are a method for preventing shoplifting of an optional part without causing trouble to a retail store and inconvenience to a consumer and a method for enabling a storage device of the optional part to be customized as desired on the way of a distribution channel from a manufacturer to the consumer. On an ink cartridge 19, a cartridge EEPROM 21 having a coil 37 contactlessly accessible to the ink cartridge 19 is mounted; and a transparent window 45 through which the coil 37 of the cartridge EEPROM 21 can be seen is provided on a package 50 of the ink cartridge 19. A data writing device 67 including a memory interface 41 and a coil 43 for writing data into the cartridge EEPROM 21 is provided in each of retail stores 40a, 40b . . . . When the consumer purchases the ink cartridge 19, purchase data and the like are written into the cartridge EEPROM 21 through the transparent window 45 of the package 50 by electromagnetic induction between the coil 37 and the coil 43. A printer 5 reads out data from the cartridge EEPROM 21 when the ink cartridge 19 is fitted thereto, and when no purchase data exists, the printer is not allowed to operate for printing.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An optional part of an apparatus, said optional part being sold separately from an apparatus body, comprising:
a storage device for storing control information required for a predetermined operation of said apparatus in a state where said optional part is fitted thereto, said storage device being contactlessly accessible in a distribution channel from a manufacturer to a consumer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus, comprising:
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an apparatus body; and
an optional part sold separately from said apparatus body, wherein said optional part comprises a storage device for storing control information required for a predetermined operation of said apparatus in a state where said optional part is fitted thereto, said storage device being contactlessly accessible from outside of a package, and when said optional part is fitted to said apparatus body, said apparatus body performs said predetermined operation only when said control information is stored in said storage device.
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6. An accessing device comprising:
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an accessing means for contactlessly accessing a contactlessly-accessible storage device provided on an optional part of an apparatus, said optional part being sold separately from an apparatus body, and for storing control information in said storage device of said optional part, said control information being required for a predetermined operation of said apparatus in a state where said optional part is fitted thereto, wherein said device is provided in a distributor of said optional part. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A method for distributing an optional part, said method comprising the steps of:
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contactlessly accessing a contactlessly-accessible storage device provided on said optional part in a distribution channel from a manufacturer manufacturing said optional part of an apparatus to a consumer, said optional part being sold separately from an apparatus body; and
storing control information in said storage device of said optional part, said control information being required for a predetermined operation of said apparatus in a state where said optional part is fitted thereto. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. An optional part of an apparatus, said optional part being sold separately from an apparatus body, comprising:
a storage device to which control information is writable from outside in a state where said optional part is decompressedly packed by a packaging material, said control information being required for a predetermined operation of said apparatus in a state where said optional part is fitted thereto. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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14. An ink cartridge comprising a container containing an ink therein and a storage device, into and from which data is contactlessly writable and readable, wherein said ink cartridge is packed in a manner that data is writable and readable into and from said storage device when said ink cartridge has not been used.
Specification