View source for 18422210. IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, COMPONENT UNIT OF THE IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR THE COMPONENT UNIT simplified abstract (CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA)

=IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, COMPONENT UNIT OF THE IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR THE COMPONENT UNIT=


==Organization Name==

[[:Category:CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA|CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA]]


[[Category:CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA]]

==Inventor(s)==

[[:Category:Takayuki Namiki of Kanagawa (JP)|Takayuki Namiki of Kanagawa (JP)]][[Category:Takayuki Namiki of Kanagawa (JP)]]

[[:Category:Naoki Inoue of Kanagawa (JP)|Naoki Inoue of Kanagawa (JP)]][[Category:Naoki Inoue of Kanagawa (JP)]]

==IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, COMPONENT UNIT OF THE IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR THE COMPONENT UNIT - A simplified explanation of the abstract==


This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18422210 titled 'IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, COMPONENT UNIT OF THE IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR THE COMPONENT UNIT

==Simplified Explanation==

The image forming apparatus described in the patent application is designed to use a component unit that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus. The component unit includes a storage device, and the apparatus has an access unit to access this storage device and a control unit to read and update information stored in it. The storage device has two areas for storing use information, with the control unit only permitted to update the information in the first area within a predetermined limit.

* Component unit attachable/detachable from main body
* Storage device in component unit accessed by access unit in apparatus
* Control unit reads and updates information in storage device
* Storage device has two areas for storing use information
* Control unit can only update information in first area within limit

== Potential Applications ==
The technology described in this patent application could be applied in various industries where equipment with detachable components is used, such as printers, scanners, or medical devices.

== Problems Solved ==
This technology solves the problem of efficiently managing and tracking the use state of component units in image forming apparatuses, ensuring that the information stored in the storage device is accurate and up to date.

== Benefits ==
The benefits of this technology include improved maintenance and servicing of image forming apparatuses, as well as better monitoring of the usage of component units, leading to increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

== Potential Commercial Applications ==
One potential commercial application of this technology could be in the manufacturing and sale of image forming apparatuses with detachable component units, targeting businesses and organizations that rely on such equipment for their daily operations.

== Possible Prior Art ==
One possible prior art for this technology could be systems used in other types of electronic devices or machinery that track usage data and maintenance information for different components. 

=== Unanswered Questions ===

=== How does the control unit determine the predetermined limit for updating the use information in the first area of the storage device? ===
The patent application does not provide specific details on how the control unit sets or adjusts the predetermined limit for updating the use information in the first area of the storage device.

=== What measures are in place to ensure the security and integrity of the information stored in the storage device? ===
The patent application does not mention any security features or protocols that are implemented to protect the data stored in the storage device from unauthorized access or tampering.


==Original Abstract Submitted==

An image forming apparatus configured to perform image formation using a component unit configured to be attachable to and detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: an access unit configured to access a storage device included in the component unit attached to the main body; and a control unit configured to control the access unit to read and update information stored in the storage device. The storage device includes a first area and a second area configured to store use information indicating a use state of the component unit, and updating of the use information stored in the first area by the control unit is configured such that updating only within a predetermined limit is permitted, and no limit is provided on updating of the use information stored in the second area.



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