Electronic apparatus and management system of the same
US7155413B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99943
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.